 HOW MANY LESSONS THEN ? |
So how many lessons WILL you need? There is a rule of
thumb that on average a learner will need one and a half hours of tuition
for every year of his or her age. This may work for you, but if you're not
"average", you might learn faster or slower than this. In reality,
the number of lessons you will need will depend on five
factors:
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The
qualities of your driving instructor ....
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An instructor
who develops a good rapport with you, and finds the most effective way for you
to learn, will help you reach the appropriate standard of driving quicker than
an instructor who does not. |
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Your age ....
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Although
one's interest in learning may actually increase with age, unfortunately one's
ability to absorb a new skill probably tends to decrease. However driving is a
skill that can in time be acquired by just about everyone, whatever their
age. |
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Your natural aptitude for driving
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The skills
needed for driving are inherent in our make-up to a greater or lesser extent,
just as some people are "better" than others at, for example,
crossword puzzles, languages or sport. It might take you longer to learn to
drive than your friends or relatives, but this is nothing to be ashamed of.
Indeed, the more time you have to gain driving experience with a good
instructor, the better a driver you will probably be. |
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Your previous experience of being driven and/or
of driving ....
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Even if you
have never driven before, it is likely that you have been in a car driven by
somebody else. The way that person drove may have a significant influence on
the way you drive, as humans learn naturally just by observing someone else's
actions. You may have watched a "good" performance which may help you
make rapid progress with your lessons; or you might have watched a
"poor" performance, which may involve your instructor in spending
more time guiding you towards a better way!
If you have
previous experience, either of driving a car on private land, or better still,
of riding a moped on the road, this may well reduce the number of lessons you
will need. |
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Any
other driving you will be doing outside your driving lessons
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In general,
the more experience of driving you get, the quicker you will learn. So if you
have the opportunity to drive legally with relatives or friends, take it. You
should note however, that if you have never driven before, it is best to delay
any extra driving until you have sufficient skills to control a car with
minimal assistance, and have enough knowledge and judgement to get around
safely. |
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If your supervisor is more nervous than you are, has no clear idea
about how to provide guidance, and has no dual controls to rescue you with, you
will realise the pitfalls of this extra experience.
Extra driving
sessions normally work best if you can be accompanied by someone who is relaxed
enough to let you get on with your driving, with minimal "assistance"
unless you require it. For this to work, YOU need to have a clear idea about
what you should be doing, and hopefully you will be getting this from your
official lessons. |
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SUPERMARKETS ARE A NIGHTMARE ....
