Driving
Lessons
So you have your provisional licence
and you are now wanting to start learning how to drive.
You have several options as to
how to go about learning:
- You could learn with a
friend or family member.
This person, however, must
be over the age of 21 and must have held (and still hold) a
full licence for three years for the class of vehicle you wish
to drive. Be aware, however, that this person may well
not have the experience, knowledge or training to be able to
teach you all of the skills required to pass a driving test,
let alone to become a safe driver.
 As
a learner driver you must display 'L' plates ('L' or 'D' plates
in Wales) in a visible and prominent position on the front and
rear of the vehicle you are driving.
Also, the vehicle
will need to be insured for you to drive as a learner driver.
Advantages
1.Lessons
will not cost you much, if anything - The accompanying driver
is not allowed to charge you for their tuition.
2.You
can learn in your own car.
3.Flexibility for times of
lessons - You are not restricted to booking up lessons in advance
with an instructor.
Disadvantages
1.You
will have to pay the insurance costs to allow you to drive the
car as a learner. This may cost quite a lot.
2.You
will almost certainly not have dual controls in the vehicle
meaning that your accompanying driver cannot help if you get
into difficulties.
3.Bad habits passed on - Your accompanying
driver may not practice good driving habits and cause you to
learn the incorrect way to do things. This could cost
you dearly on your test.
4.Your accompanying driver may
well not be aware of current practice or be up-to-date with
current legislation.
5.Lack of experience - If you are
struggling with a particular skill, your accompanying driver
is unlikely to have the experience necessary to adapt their
teaching to overcome the problem.
6.Can lead to rows
- Mistakes may lead to disagreements which can cause friction
in families and friendships.
- You could take sessions
on a driving simulator.
This is a computer simulation
of driving that uses actual car components to simulate the experience
of driving. However, the simulators are unable to provide
any tactile feedback to the user and most people find that actual
on-road driving lessons are more beneficial and better value.
Advantages
1.Simulator
Sessions are cheaper than on-road driving lessons.
2.You
can start on the simulator long before you reach seventeen.
3.You
can learn the basics before taking lessons.
4.Mistakes
don't matter.
5.A good way to gain confidence before
starting on-road lessons.
Disadvantages
1.The
simulator cannot tailor its teaching to your individual needs.
2.The
simulator is very basic and cannot teach you more complicated
techniques or skills.
3.The controls have no "feel"
and do not really give the same experience as driving a real
car on the road.
4.A driving simulator cannot ever teach
you all you need to know and you will need to get on road eventually.
5.The
simulators are few and far between.
- You could take lessons
with a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor
(ADI) or Potential Driving Instructor (PDI).
 ADIs
are all trained and tested to rigourous standards and are better
equipped than anyone to teach you the relevant skills needed
to pass your driving test and, more importantly, to become a
safe driver for life.
In order to qualify as an ADI,
driving instructors need to pass three separate exams. An ADI
will display a green badge in the windscreen of their tuition
vehicle.
 Some
trainee instructors elect to obtain a short-term trainee licence
in order to gain experience whilst they study for the third
exam. These instructors are known as PDIs and display
a pink badge in the windscreen of their tuition vehicle. It
is important to note that a PDI has not yet passed the third
exam which is a test of their instructional ability.
If
you are paying someone to teach you to drive, they must be approved
and registered with the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). Only
a PDI or ADI are allowed to offer driving instruction for money.
The
Driving Standards Agency (DSA) check the standards of all ADIs
on a regular basis
Advantages
1.You can
have confidence that your instructor is up-to-date on all aspects
of driving.
2.Your instructor will tailor their tuition
to suit you as an individual.
3.Your instructor will
use a dual-controlled car so that he/she can help you if you
get into difficulties.
4.Most tuition vehicles (including
those operated by Clearway Driver Training) are modern, well-maintained
and equipped with numerous safety features.
5.You can
be sure that the tuition vehicle is suitably insured
6.Your
instructor will be able to advise you what training aids to
use, when you are ready to take your theory and practical tests
and how best to practice with a suitable accompanying driver
if this is possible.
Disadvantages :
1.Learning
with an ADI or PDI will cost you more money than the other two
options. However, this is offset by the increased likelihood
of you becoming a safer driver and passing your test sooner.
2.Learning
with an ADI or PDI is less flexible as you have to fit-in with
their diary and commitments to other pupils.
3.Learing
with a PDI could leave you needing to change instructor if they
do not pass their final exam before their short-term pink licence
expires. They cannot then carry on teaching.
How Many Lessons Will I Need?
 On
their website, the DSA say "Those
who pass their driving test have had, on average, about 45 hours
of professional training combined with 22 hours of private practice.
Learners who prepare this way, with a combination of plenty of professional
training and plenty of practice, do better in the test."
 In
reality, everyone is different and learns at their own pace. The
above information should only be used as a guide. Some people
will need longer and some people need less.
Your instructor will be able to
advise you how many hours tuition overall you are likely to need
as your lessons progress.
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