If you’re thinking about learning to drive, one of the first things you’ll want to know is how many lessons you’re likely to need in order to pass your driving test – particularly if you’re working to a budget.
According to the Driving Standards Agency, an average of 47 hours of lessons and 22 hours of private practice is required to get through the test, at an average cost of £24 per lesson (this varies according to location). There are two parts to the driving test – the theory (£31) and the practical test (£62) – and you need to pass both to obtain a licence.
Happily, there are things you can to reduce the overall cost of learning to drive, such as booking block lessons (some schools will offer a discount) and getting plenty of practice under the supervision of a friend or relative. This will help consolidate what you have learned with your instructor and build your confidence on the road; nerves can be a problem for novice drivers but it’s important to relax and not to worry if you make mistakes – after all, we were all learners once!
It’s also important to remember that every learner driver is different; there are those who will sail through both tests on the first go, whilst others may take several attempts to pass and will therefore require further lessons in between. The good news is there is no limit to how often you can sit your driving test – although you need to pay the test fees each time.
Learning to drive can certainly be an expensive venture, but qualified drivers will testify that it’s a small price to pay for total independence and a useful skill for life.