Originally Posted by Xaccers

Driving lessons serve one purpose, to get you to pass the test. Once you've done that, that's when you start to drive.

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Confused the hell outta me the first time I went on that one, forgot wich exist I was meant to leave on :D



I think the test center has been moved, however I dont know if it is just because of habbit or not but most friends of mine who have done thier test in the last year have done it in bidston via Birkenhead North.




Thanks, i'll remember that one. Only problem is my Dad wont even let me in the driving seat of his car until I have had at least one lesson. Since I am supposed to be doing an intensive course, by the time ive had my first lesson/day I wont really have time to have a drive in his car (even a short drive :( ).
Allthough I have been talking with my Dad and we where thinking of normal lessons. When I enquired about intensive lessons I found out that the waiting list is 8 weeks to take the test and you dont do a single lesson until the week before the test is due.
My dad seems to think that if I do more lessons than most (say about 3 lessons a week rather than just 1 like most people I know) I could well be ready to do my test by then anyway, this would also work out about £100 cheaper.

Anybody agree/disagree with that?? I really need a second opinion before I go book either intensive or normal lessons :)

Originally Posted by Debsy42

Not long after I passed my test I was approaching a pelican crossing, I hadn't seen the light was on red but my b/f did. I was doing between 25-30 merrily singing along to myself when all of a sudden he put the hand brake on cos he knew I wasn't going to stop. 180 degree turn later, me stunned, b/f bawling and shouting and one white faced pedestrian I learnt my lesson about observation :blush:

Originally Posted by Xaccers

And I trusted you with my car key? :Yikes:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

:D :D :D course you did, I promised not to crash it :rofl:

Originally Posted by Debsy42

:D :D :D course you did, I promised not to crash it :rofl:

Originally Posted by Charlie_Bubble

I'd go with the 2 or 3 lessons a week idea. An intensive course is all well and good, if you have some driving experience, maybe a lesson or two, but think how much of your time is gonna be blown if you make some kind of mistake on day 1 or 2 and it hits your confidence. Best to do maybe a couple of double lessons a week for a month or two. that way, if you have a bad lesson you'll have forgotten it by the next one, plus your dad will probably be ok about taking you out for the odd hour or two after the first couple of lessons.

Originally Posted by ZrByte

Well it is very hard to crash a set of keys now isnt it :D



Since that makes a hell of a lot of sense to me I think I'll go with that Idea, I wasnt even thinking of accidents and mistakes, plus it will be funny to see the horror on my Dads face when he realises he might actually have to honour his offer to give me some lessons in his car :D

Originally Posted by ZrByte

<snip>
Thanks, i'll remember that one. Only problem is my Dad wont even let me in the driving seat of his car until I have had at least one lesson. Since I am supposed to be doing an intensive course, by the time ive had my first lesson/day I wont really have time to have a drive in his car (even a short drive :( ).
<snip>

Originally Posted by towny

Aha, I did my test in Birkenhead :)

Some of the evillest roundabouts on planet Earth, IMHO, especially the one at Hoylake Road/Laird Street with six exits and a church in the middle of it :spin:

There are some nasty unmarked crossroads nearby in Birkenhead North as well, but have they not moved the test centre now? You may escape having to do your test there.

I drove some lessons up and down New Brighton prom, but my first ever (legal) go behind the wheel was on the prom at Meols, which is even quieter.

Best advice I can give is, if you're going to get some unofficial tuition in a family car or with a friend, go for a very long drive rather than just an hour, or 30 minutes. It'll help get you into driving as a habit rather than having to think about everything all the time. My brother used to go for afternoons up the A55 round the North Wales coast. That's about as close as you'll get to being on a M-way without actually going on one, so once your confidence and technical skills have increased a little, I'd recommend it. It'll really help your road awareness.

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Best you get about 5 lessons in with an instructor so they drill in proper technique before your dad tries to teach bad habits.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

And that road experience is probably what will make you fail the test (daft as that sounds)
Take my dad (please, someone, I beg you, take him off our hands!) he's got about 40 years driving experience but there is no way in hell that he'd be able to pass the practical test let alone the theory test.