Thinking of having driving lessons again

I gave up in early 2003 mainly becuase the money and the fact I couldn't afford a car.

I still can't afford a car but I think being able to drive will help when I start trading and me and my mate plan to go camping down south next year so it would be nice if we could share the driving.

One problem is I can't insure my dads car becuase its too expensive, but I can drive so I am not sure if its worth paying for lessons. I am half thinking of buying a cheap £150 Fiesta, getting my dad to insure it then add me to it and then getting my dad to sit in with me.

My mate said he would do it but he hasn't had his licence for 3 years yet.

At other times I think whats the point? I live in a big city with buses every 1-2 minutes, a great train service to any where in the country so I some times think what is the point?

I am already on a part time course and in the slow process of setting up my business but I want to improve myself further.

 

I'm in pretty much the same place mate. I think its really about time I learnt to drive, every other job I look at wants a licence and for my business it would be really useful to be able to drive to people.

However, I have no money and both my parents are broke! My dad offered to pay for some lessons a while ago but I don't think he intends to pay for insurance (though he should 'cos my mum paid for my brothers, but if he has no money its a bit hard) while I learn and then after I have learned can I even afford the insurance?! Dunno!

I really don't like the idea of adding to the pollution either. Odd really... I'm not a big one for caring about pollution but I suppose thats because I know I don't make a lot. It really puts me off! Destroying the planet for my own gain... hmmm :JPS: Everyone else does so fcuk it!

Electric cars seem pointless.. it just makes the pollution at the power station instead!

Anyhoo.. that’s my ramble!

 

If you're in a position to learn to drive, even if you don't plan/expect to have to use it anytime soon. I think it's still a good idea to do so.

I've had chances before, and done lessons, but never kept at it. Now I'm in a situation where being able to drive would help a lot, but not having the MOney to pay for lessons.

Not everywhere is reachable through public transport (unless you're including taxis?). Even if MOst are, it's good to be able to reach those that aren't too.

 

If you use the car more than your dad does then you must have the policy in your own name. Otherwise it is what is known as "fronting", and the insurance companies are wise to it... It can result in your insurance being invalidated (and driving without insurance is a criminal offence) and future insurance will cost you a great deal more.

 

AT - I'd recommend spending any money you were going to throw at an old banger on proper driving lessons instead. A qualified instructor will teach you more and more quickly than your dad or anyone else. They'll also be able to tell you if you're ready to take the test and likely to pass. There's more to driving than knowing how to change gears and use the steering wheel

Even if you don't plan to own a car now it's always worth getting your license.

Michael.

 

It's simple really. Once you have a drivers licence you can choose whether to own/use a car or not. If you don't have a licence there's no choice.

FWIW when you add up the total costs in running a car most people can save by using Taxis instead.

 

Thats just it though I can drive, I have had lessons before (Lots of them) and I got 35/35 in theory first time, although that was more than two years ago so I will have to take that again. The banger idea was a bad one though .

I just hated driving lessons so much, and has Tension said I don't really like the idea of contributing to pollution and traffic, there is already far too many cars on the road.

Its just pitty my dad didn't have a smaller car, trying to add my name to a 1.6 in Manchester is not going to happen.

 

Lol I doubt it, it costs about £8 from the city centre to my house, thats a 3.5 mile journey Certainly the buses are much cheaper than running a car though. I reckon most people spend about £3000 on their car.

 

The why not just take the theory test again and book yourself in for a driving test. If you can drive already, why are you thinking about lessons?

Regardless of the environmental thing, it's always a good idea to get your licence. Once you've got it, you've got it and you never know when you might need it, even if you don't plan to drive regularly.

Michael.

 

I need practise though, I have driven my mates crappy £200 Fiesta in an empty(ish ) car park and I could drive it without stalling and drive it smoothly, but it will be a different story once I am out on the roads

I think I will probably just book some lessons with hope of needing no more than 20.

I would need a car if I was too book myself in as well, and I don't think my dad would be happy if I used his.

 

How about an intensive course? Or a motorbike?

 

One hour was more than enough hell for me, I have no interest in motor bikes at all and I don't like cars becuase I think they are dangerous .

 

...then perhaps you're in the wrong frame of mind to be a safe driver. It is rarely the vehicle that is dangerous; more often the driver in charge.

On a positive note you could consider hiring a car for those occasional journeys that warrant it. Cheaper in the long run, relatively carbon neutral and you get to drive something nearly new when you need 4 wheels.

Regards

 

get your license as young as possible regardless of having a car, as when you do come to get one the amount of time you've had a license will greatly affect your insurance premiums, which are pretty nasty for young drivers...

in similar vein, I've always thought it would be good to find someone on say the Orkneys with whom you could leave a worthless old Metro, and pay the insurance on restricted mileage so as to rack up a full NCD record at minimal cost, which would pay back handsomely when then getting a proper car in a big city...

 

My problem is I am 23, and I live in Manchester! My mate pays £1300 for his £250 Fiesta, thats third party and he has done pass plus.

I will probably book a few lessons in when I have finished this course next week. I can just see how it goes.

 

thats expensive for insureance...on my 300 quid motor, my insurance (again 3rd party) is less than 300 quid and I've only been driving for less than 2 years....

must be the nice area I live in...lol!

 

Yep if you live in a city it makes a huge difference, my dad pays £600 for his 10 year old Escort.

There is just so much traffic in Manchester it greatly increases the risk of accidents.

 

Aye - if you only need a car for a few weekends a year it's a hell of a lot cheaper than paying £1000ish a year for insurance, plus tax, maintenance etc...