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"Learning to drive"

I've been old enough to learn to drive for a while now but I've only recently been interested in it. I didnt want to pay a few hundred quid for lessons just because it's about the only thing that you can do when you're 17.

Anyway I wanted to get some advice. Neither of my parents drive so I can't get any help from them - and I really do know nothing about driving.

I'll probably try to get basic lessons from the local driving school; they're about £70/£80 for about 6 - hopefully that should let me learn which foot goes where and what that bit between the drivers and passenger seat thing with a handle on it is for. Then I can either carry on more lessons or go with some friends (who've passed their tests) to this old airfield thing near my house where you pay a few quid and you can drive around on it. I think most people tend to learn skills like this from their parents so I'm a bit lost as they know nothing about driving, nor do they seem to care.

Then, so I've been told, I need to pass my theory before I can pass my practical? So is there any decent books or websites that could help me learn the stuff I need for the test?

Or, perhaps, any websites that teach the very basic principles of driving for a know-nothing like myself?

Also how long does a provisional licence take to arrive & how much does it cost?

Help muchly appreciated, as always.

I've been old enough to learn to drive for a while now but I've only recently been interested in it. I didnt want to pay a few hundred quid for lessons just because it's about the only thing that you can do when you're 17.

Anyway I wanted to get some advice. Neither of my parents drive so I can't get any help from them - and I really do know nothing about driving.

I'll probably try to get basic lessons from the local driving school; they're about £70/£80 for about 6 - hopefully that should let me learn which foot goes where and what that bit between the drivers and passenger seat thing with a handle on it is for. Then I can either carry on more lessons or go with some friends (who've passed their tests) to this old airfield thing near my house where you pay a few quid and you can drive around on it. I think most people tend to learn skills like this from their parents so I'm a bit lost as they know nothing about driving, nor do they seem to care.

Then, so I've been told, I need to pass my theory before I can pass my practical? So is there any decent books or websites that could help me learn the stuff I need for the test?

Or, perhaps, any websites that teach the very basic principles of driving for a know-nothing like myself?

Also how long does a provisional licence take to arrive & how much does it cost?

Help muchly appreciated, as always.

Paradox: wrote:
> Also how long does a provisional licence take to arrive & how
> much does it cost?

Not sure how much it costs now, might've gone up a bit, but I paid about 27 for mine which was in January time, took about a week to arrive.

You could always look at the DVLA site which has loads of info. [URL]http://www.dvla.gov.uk/welcome.htm[/URL]

Edit-
Looks like the provisional licence is now £38.. :s

Also, this site ([URL]http://www.2pass.co.uk/[/URL]) is extremely helpful.

I got my Provisional liscense the other day.

£38.

But it should be good, I'm 17 in about a month so I can start driving.

I suggest choosing your first car now, and maybe asking this forum for advice, we don't want you looking homosexual by driving something feminine like a Ford KA, or the new mini.

You have to pay for licenses now? Blimey.

Damn, forgot I had a provisional until this was posted. What a waste of £27, bah.

I'm sitting my test on Thursday, it's costing £90.

It's a complete rip-off and a lot more difficult these days. You fail for the slightest thing.

I would say that driving about on an airfield is a good way to get to grips with the controls of a car, but to prepare for your test you need proper lessons on the road with an instructor.

It costs a bit more, but if you're good at it, not too much more.

Took me 11 lessons to pass my test and I also went out once with my dad giving pointers.

Do you have any friend that have held a full licence for more then 3 years? If you do then they can take you out on the road.

I've been out for about 40 hours spread over a year

*cries*

Better to get it done quickly unlike me but I never had the money.

I don't have a mate who'd had a license over 3 years... probably not even over 3 months - I suppose I could get a relative ie an uncle or something to take me out once I've got my provisional.

I'll probably not be getting a car of my own until after I've finished uni, (If I decide to go), but I think driving, like most life-skills, is something that is best learnt young.

Thanks for your advice - I'll give those sites a look over

Another question I couldnt find the answer to on the DVLA site

Once you have your provisional license - do you have to pass your test within X amount of time before it expires, or does it last as long as you like?