[Dobrzynski]

I'll be 17 in a few weeks, and my parents have started talking to me about getting my provisional done. I was just wondering whether it is worth trying to learn how to drive early on. This taking into account that I'll be starting A-Levels in September, cost, I haven't got a job and I don't plan on getting a car any time soon.

[Tim99]

If you can afford the lessons then do it, do it do it.

When you get a FT job you won't have the time.

[Robertall]

Get your test done anyway... I recently applied for a job, and my best friend applied at the same time. He has 4 years of relevant experience than me. I have next to no experience. I had a driving licence and therefore got the job, although specifically it wasn't required for the job. You don't need a car to apply for a job which might involve driving.

[Origami Bullets]

If you can, the do it now. You'll be glad of it later when you are applying to work and find that you need a driving licence for certain jobs. Also, you've at least got some chance of your parents funding your driving lessons now - they're unlikely to later on.

[PinkMobilePhone]

I had lessons and passed my test when I was 18.

Didn't get a car until I was 22, but that meant that when I was able to, I could just go right ahead and buy one, and not have to worry about taking driving lessons, as I had already passed 4 years prior. Good thing too, because at that point I had a baby and was not really in a position to fanny around with lessons.

Do the lessons - having your license is handy, even if you can't afford a car right away.

[linkdapink]

Yes, do it if you can! Even if you don't get a car for 5 years, you'll have a licence and not have to worry, also, if you can get on a "named drives build up their own no claims" type of insurance, then you can build up some no-claims discount so if you do decide in a few years to get a car, it'll be much much cheaper!!!

[miss.brightside]

Do it! It will be worth it, even if you don't have a car for a while, just to get the license. When you pass (if you're anything like me) you'll just be so relieved that you've done it and that you don't have to go through any more driving lessons!

[TheWorldEndsWithMe]

It'll be worth it. You'll have time to do it (especially if you have any half days at college or whatever) and its useful to have the license for ID, even if you don't go ahead with the lessons.
It's better to get the test out of the way now.

[Disenchanted]

(Original post by Tim99)
If you can afford the lessons then do it, do it do it.

When you get a FT job you won't have the time.

Not really true; I'm working full time hours and I do a one hour lesson every week either after work or on a saturday afternoon..

OP if you can afford it, go for it!

[Disenchanted]

(Original post by PinkMobilePhone)
I had lessons and passed my test when I was 18.

Didn't get a car until I was 22, but that meant that when I was able to, I could just go right ahead and buy one, and not have to worry about taking driving lessons, as I had already passed 4 years prior. Good thing too, because at that point I had a baby and was not really in a position to fanny around with lessons.

Do the lessons - having your license is handy, even if you can't afford a car right away.

One thing I always wondered though; people that pass their test and then don't drive for several years.. don't you forget how? This is coming from a newbie learner driver btw who still forgets the simplest of things..

[charlottehattonx]

Do it, honestly it changes your life, you'll find you have less and less time when you get older, I passed when I was 17, although I was in the midst of my A-levels and it was annoying at times I couldn't imagine doing it now.

It looks great on your CV, shows you're committed.

[Dobrzynski]

I think that is a resounding yes

Thank you all.

[PinkMobilePhone]

(Original post by Disenchanted)
One thing I always wondered though; people that pass their test and then don't drive for several years.. don't you forget how? This is coming from a newbie learner driver btw who still forgets the simplest of things..

*shrugs* no I didn't forget how

[dhr90]

(Original post by Disenchanted)
One thing I always wondered though; people that pass their test and then don't drive for several years.. don't you forget how? This is coming from a newbie learner driver btw who still forgets the simplest of things..

You can take refresher lessons, which is my plan.

I passed when I was 18, 4 years later, still no car or driving experience, but my insurance quotes are 5 times cheaper than if I had newly passed at 22. Worth it in my opinion if you/they can afford your lessons!

[alison.joy]

YES! do it. apparently you pick up things easier the younger you are. And why wouldnt you want to learn to drive? itll be great to have in a few years, when you get a car and are immediately able to drive.

I just passed my test this morning!!!!! and i dont have a car of my own, but im on my sisters insurance, so itll be easy to get out and about when i need to when her car is free.

good luck with the lessons, although i woudl seriously say to try and get your test before the january exams, or leave it til after. its a complete pain having to try and squeeze in lessons around your revision, and exams, and its only extra stress.

GOOD LUCK!

[daviesblue]

Doing it now is the best time, you will have even less time at uni or when you have a FT job. Its easier to get done whilst you at college.

[Tim99]

(Original post by Disenchanted)
Not really true; I'm working full time hours and I do a one hour lesson every week either after work or on a saturday afternoon..

OP if you can afford it, go for it!

Yh but didn't/doesn't that get in the way? When I learnt I had heaps of free time.

(Original post by Disenchanted)
One thing I always wondered though; people that pass their test and then don't drive for several years.. don't you forget how? This is coming from a newbie learner driver btw who still forgets the simplest of things..

Nah, it's something that you never forget. I passed ages ago and don't have a car although I drive every now and then.

Still learning? Don't worry I felt the same when I was doing it.

[Tim99]

(Original post by alison.joy)
I just passed my test this morning!!!!! and i dont have a car of my own, but im on my sisters insurance, so itll be easy to get out and about when i need to when her car is free.

Congrats

[xoxAngel_Kxox]

If you can afford it go for it. It's great to get it out of the way. You can always have a couple of refresher lessons when you get a car if you need to if it's a few years after passing your test.

I started learning when I was 18 with my birthday money, but then it ran out and I didn't start again until I was 21 and my Dad qualified as a driving instructor so I get free lessons. Now my motivation for learning has gone right down the drain, because I know that I've had a fair number of lessons, and if it came to it I could probably book my test 6 weeks in advance and have enough lessons to pass because I've already had 20 hours (ish) of lessons and live with an instructor! I have no urge to spend time learning when I can't really afford the test, and certainly can't afford to run a car. So I know that I can do it relatively quickly when I need to.

[Advisor]

There isn't much difference between learning to drive at 17 and learning to drive at 22. Once you pass 30, it becomes more of an uphill struggle.

This link shows you last year's practical test pass rates broken down by age of candidate.