Learning to drive can be a time-consuming process. Students in the UK can expect to spend around forty hours in lessons before finally being granted a full license – and then there’s the cost of the tests themselves.
If you want to reduce your costs in the long-term, there are a few ways of doing it – and in most cases these don’t involve making compromises on the learning experience.
Choosing the Right Driving School or Instructor
The better your driving instructor, the more quickly you’ll pick up the skills, and the fewer lessons you’ll ultimately need. Thus, it’s sometimes a good idea to pay slightly more for quality. Check local reviews, compare prices, and see if you can negotiate a discount when you’re booking lots of lessons.
Remember that you might not get on with a particular instructor, and it’s perfectly fine to look for other options until you settle on a person you feel comfortable with.
Budgeting for Practice Outside of Lessons
Lessons alone aren’t an efficient way to learn to drive. For much of the process, you’ll be building on the skills you’ve already picked up, without the need for new information. This is where practice sessions come in. You can find a quiet car park on a Sunday morning, and drill your parallel and reverse parking routines until you find them easy. You might also look to practice at slightly busier times, so that you’re comfortable with major junctions when you come to take the test.
You might have to pay for special learner insurance to ensure that you’re covered for these sessions. However, in the long run, this investment is often more than justified.
Planning Test Attempts Wisely
Every time you go for a test, you’ll have a pay a small fee. For a theory test, this is £23; for the practical, it’s £62. If you feel that you don’t stand a good chance of passing the test, then this might be wasted money. On the other hand, if you can’t afford to waste this amount of money, then booking the test actually might provide you with an incentive to study, practice, and pass.
Maintaining Your Learning Vehicle
If you’re going to be practising in a family car, then it’s a good idea to keep it in the best possible condition. This is a basic courtesy when you’re driving a vehicle that doesn’t belong to you – but it will also set you up with the right habits for the rest of your driving career. By learning to inflate tyres, top up oil levels, and replace bulbs, you’ll be setting yourself up for a more enjoyable, empowering, and affordable life on the road.
