How Many Lessons Will I Need?
At Freeway Driving Centre we teach people of all ages from 17 to 80 to drive
safely on our roads from learning the basic controls of the car to overtaking
safely on a motorway. I am constantly asked, “How many lessons will I need?” This depends greatly on individual coordination of car controls and previous
experience but a big factor is how good that person’s traffic awareness or road sense actually is. Like most “learnt behaviours” traffic awareness develops with age and experience of being on the road,
crossing the path of traffic and accurately assessing the speed of approaching
traffic. Teenagers that have been ferried everywhere by their parent’s car usually take up to 3 times longer than the teen who has cycled or uses a
moped for school/college.
Taking longer lessons will shorten the number of hours taken overall. This is because new coordination skills such as operating the foot controls
whilst steering, develop best when practiced repeatedly in a condensed period
of time but not so long that fatigue sets in. Two hour lessons are ideal to allow time to set up the learning that needs to
take place and then practice the new skill continuously.
Regular lessons will reinforce learning and encourage development so we
recommend one or two lessons a week to minimise forgetting the new skills
learnt and therefore the need to repeat the same lesson.
Finally, commitment to learning to drive is a big factor to the number of
lessons needed. Developing skills between lessons and reflecting and revising the learning will
greatly accelerate development and therefore minimise the hours of instruction.
The following quiz is designed to help estimate the number of lessons needed to
become a safe & confident driver. Remember this is a guide only. Your instructor is the best person to gauge how more lessons you’ll need, as you get closer to your test.
Decide which statements best suits you, A, B, or C
A. I have excellent hand/eye/feet coordination. I am good at sports and have good reflexes.
B. I am average at sports and can improve skills such as catching or kicking a ball
with some practice.
C. I am not well coordinated and hate sports or activities where I have to move
quickly.
A. I am very aware of traffic and understand traffic flows. I cross the road with
confidence and good
judgement. I always look at other traffic when I’m being driven.
B. I don’t mind crossing the road where I have to, though I’d prefer to use a crossing. I know which way to
look for traffic although I sometimes get confused at big junctions in busy
town centres. I sometimes
watch other drivers particularly if they are pointed out by my driver when I’m being driven.
C. I hate crossing the road, though I rarely need to as I’m usually driven everywhere I need to go.
When I’m in a car I will usually read or listen to music.
A. I like to be independent and have often ridden a bicycle or walked to school or
work. I took my cycling
proficiency test when younger. I may have also ridden a moped or even a horse on the road. I am
aware of the rules of the Highway Code.
B. I sometimes rode my bicycle to school or out with my friends. My parents may have given me tips on
how to stay safe on the road. I have some knowledge of the Highway Code.
C. Apart from being a passenger in a car or bus, I have never been another road
user. I’ve never read
the Highway Code.
A. I have driven before, possibly abroad or off road. I have been out with friends and family. I understand
the controls of the car.
B. I have had a go at moving the car in a car park or off road. I have a brief understanding of the different
controls of the car.
C. I have never sat in the driver’s seat of a car. I don’t know what the different controls mean.
A. I already have my own car or access to a family car. I have suitable friends or family who are willing to
help me practice.
B. I may be able to arrange practice in a family member’s car. Someone will be able to accompany me
when I’ve had a few lessons.
C. I don’t have access to anyone else’s car and have nobody to accompany me anyway.
A. I can’t wait to drive & am eager to fit in as many lessons as I can & would like to pass my test quickly.
B. I am happy to learn to drive though my lessons must fit in with my other
commitments such as study,
work or family.
C. I will take lessons when I can fit them in or afford them. It will not be possible to always do every week.
If you answered mainly A…
As long as you haven’t picked up too many bad habits you should be able to pass your test in 5-25
hours.
If you answered mainly B…
You are an average Learner and will probably take between 20-40 hours.
If you answered mainly C…
It will take you longer to develop the required skills and you may want to
consider taking automatic lessons to shorten the learning process. Expect to take 30-60 hours in a manual or 25-50 hours in an automatic.
