Learning to drive

I started my first lesson on the 10th August with the shortest notice instructor I could find due to needing to pass for work, but after my first lesson I'm really on the fence about what to do as other instructors (I messaged quite a lot) are booked up mostly. I paid £60 for a two hour lesson and noticed it was cut short 20 minutes early (about the time it takes to drive me home)and also when I got in the car did paperwork etc and remember asking does the lesson start when I get in the car which she replied "Yes"- I live about 6 miles away from where my test will take place at the end of the year and she lives around that area so has to travel to get me, but is this normal? It's my fault to not say anything but when you're nervous driving first time etc it can cloud all that out! I'm hoping somebody has some advice as my next lesson will be in two days! She seems nice enough but if I do the math that's a 2 hour lesson cut down to 1 hour 20-30 mins.

EDIT- Forgot to mention I also have to pay upfront before anything.

Thanks in advance.

The same thing happened to me, but by the 3rd/4th lesson she got me to drive straight from my house, and back home at the end... so it’s no longer like wasted time, it’s just more practice, to and from my house. And the cost of my lessons are about the same, it seems like most instructors are around £30 an hour these days

Anyway if you need to pass quickly for work. You can learn in an automatic car probably pass with half the lessons.

You can ask her to keep giving you the lesson until the end of your slot, but you will need to walk home!

Otherwise, your 2hrs includes time to drop you home. It wont be many lessons and you should be driving home yourself.

Honestly I wouldn't want to because manual you can drive with both and I'm already in motion you see and paid for a manual test.

It’s important to have an instructor you like an trust. At the outset I would discuss how the lessons will work and check you’re happy with it. If there is anything that doesn’t work for you try someone else. Although lessons are expensive you do have to take in to account that instructors have overheads and have to earn a living too. Time travelling between appointments still has to be covered.

You say you need to pass your test for work - are you aware of the MASSIVE backlog and waiting list there is for driving tests at the moment? Depending on where you live in the country you might be looking at a test in Spring/Summer 2022!
My test was cancelled in March until June. Unfortunately I didn't pass and there were no more tests available in 2021. Fortunately I've managed to get a cancellation (which are like gold dust) in November.

Good luck . . .