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Learning to drive is one of the main great freedoms as we grow into adulthood. Suddenly, we’re no longer beholden to public transport and fixed routes but can instead go wherever our fancy takes us – whenever it does so. As much as public transport is a real force for good, there’s something in driving that you can only get by hopping in a car and getting going.
But the process of learning to drive is often quite tedious, stressful, and outright expensive. So it’s helpful to have a clear idea of what’s involved and at which times.
How long does it take to learn to drive?
Before we can estimate a cost, we have to first look at how long it takes to learn to drive. The usual estimated amount of time is around 45 hours of lessons – how spread out this is, as you can imagine, varies greatly and usually affects how long it takes to learn to drive overall.
That’s because learning any skill in short bursts usually means it takes a lot longer to internalise. When learning to drive, the beginnings of sitting in a car and knowing which pedals do what can feel like handling heavy machinery. The aim is instead to learn all the movements essentially by muscle memory so that you don’t have to think about what you’re doing and can instead focus on the road.
Usually, lessons are between 60 to 120 minutes long – with longer lessons giving you more of an opportunity to practise particular skills. With 120-minute lessons once a week, then, you could be ready to take your driving test within 6 months.
It’s worth noting here that you’re not actually required to have any minimum number of lessons before taking a driving test, you just have to have passed the theory test.
So if you have a particularly helpful parent, guardian, or friend who’s willing to spend the time then you could actually learn quite cheaply. But you will have to be suitably insured on any vehicle you’re driving – and the person supervising you needs to:
Be over 21
Have had their licence for over 3 years
Be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you’re driving
The cost of driving lessons
There are no minimum or maximum limits for what driving instructors can charge for lessons. Their fees are usually based on general market rates in their area and have to cover overheads such as the cost of maintaining the learner car, insurance, and fuel.
The cost tends to be between £30-£60 per hour, again depending on the area, experience, and whether the instructor specialises in any niches such as automatic driving.
Booking your theory test
Ideally, you should be booking your theory test as soon as possible because there tends to be quite a wait for an available slot. There are phone apps that can be hugely helpful with helping you learn everything you need, as well as revising for the theory test itself.
A lot of the requirements for the theory test are also things that you should pick up in the process of learning.
Your instructor will tell you when they feel that you’re ready to take the test. Usually, this will be after you can drive confidently without any guidance or notes from the instructor for at least a few hours.
It’s easy to feel as though an instructor is purposely holding you back at times – but usually it’s because they’re right. The aim of the test is to prove that you can independently drive a vehicle, including carrying passengers, or public roads safely. So this isn’t a light decision.
Driving in heavy rain can be tricky and bring extra risks. Check out our guide for top tips to stay safe and avoid breakdowns if travelling in wet conditions.
Is the UK on the verge of ‘the coldest winter for 50 years?’ Even if El Niño doesn't hit the UK this winter, reduce the risk of a winter breakdown by making sure your car battery is winter-ready.
Your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters. The most common tyre size in the UK is 205/55R16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre first before searching for tyres.
Tip: Take a photo of your existing tyre sidewall to make it easier to identify your tyre size using the guide below.
The first three digits. This displays the width of the tyre in millimetres. A tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall.
Aspect Ratio
The fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width. The aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width. So an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55% of its width.
Rim Diameter
The next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to. It is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead. So a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16-inch wheel rim.
Speed Rating
The speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre. Tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time.
Select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain.
If you are unsure what speed rating you need, be sure to check your vehicle handbook. Choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance.
Load Rating
The load index provides information on the maximum weight capability for the tyre. The load index is a numerical code that can be located just after the tyre size marking and before the speed rating.
Select your load index to find out the maximum load capability for your tyres.
Although not illegal, it is not advisable to have tyres with a lower speed rating or load index than the manufacturer recommended tyre specification for your vehicle, or to have a combination of different tyre construction types. Consult your vehicle handbook to confirm your vehicle’s tyre speed rating and load index as well as any additional requirements.
0800 75 76 77 You can reach our customer care team 6 days a week from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Monday and Thursday, 8:30am to 6:00pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm Saturday, and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Bank Holidays.
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Select Tyre Size
Front Tyre Size
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We endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle. However, we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur. By selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking 'Continue', you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes.
Please select your front and rear tyre size before clicking 'Continue'.
We have identified the tyre size(s) that may fit your {VEHICLE}. Please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking 'Continue'.
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Please note: There is a slope that the vehicle must be driven up to reach the vehicle ramp at this centre. This may prevent us from being able to work on some high-performance vehicles, Tesla vehicles or vehicles that have been lowered. If your vehicle has low ground clearance, please contact the centre team on 01342 314 111 before booking.
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Centres do not open until 10:00 on bank holidays. If choosing an earlier appointment time on a bank holiday, please bring your vehicle to centre at 10:00 rather than the time shown.