How Often Should I Have Driving Lessons?
For most learners, I'd say once a week.
Of course, everyone is different.
Some people choose to have two lessons a week.
Others need longer gaps because of work, college or family commitments.
There isn't a right or wrong answer.
For most learners though, I find that one 90-minute lesson each week gives the best balance.
Here's why.
Why once a week works so well
Learning to drive is like learning any new skill.
You need time to take everything in.
One lesson a week gives you the chance to think about what you've learnt without leaving such a long gap that you start forgetting things.
It also gives you time to fit in some private practice if that's an option for you.
That combination works really well.
Are two lessons a week better?
Sometimes.
If you've got the time and the budget, two lessons a week can help you make quicker progress.
The important thing isn't simply having more lessons.
It's making sure you're learning something from every lesson and giving yourself time to take it all in.
Some learners benefit from two lessons a week.
Others make excellent progress with one.
Everyone is different.
What if I can only manage lessons every two weeks?
You can still learn to drive.
It just means progress is often a little slower.
After a couple of weeks away from the car, it's quite normal to spend the first part of the lesson getting back into the swing of things before moving on.
That's why consistency makes such a difference.
The more regularly you drive, the easier it is to keep building on what you've already learnt.
Should I have one longer lesson every fortnight instead?
Personally, I wouldn't recommend it if you can avoid it.
A longer gap between lessons often means spending part of the lesson reminding yourself of things you already knew instead of building new skills.
If you can manage one lesson every week, you'll usually make steadier progress.
Why I teach 90-minute lessons
Over time, I've found that 90-minute lessons work really well for most learners.
They're long enough for us to drive somewhere, introduce a new skill, spend time practising it and then drive back without feeling rushed.
At the same time, they're not so long that most learners lose concentration.
By the end of the lesson, you've usually achieved something worthwhile.
Should I practise between lessons?
If you have the opportunity, absolutely.
Private practice is one of the best ways to build experience.
The more experience you build between lessons, the more we can concentrate on developing new skills together.
Use your private practice to build on what we've already covered in your lessons.
That's where you'll get the biggest benefit.
What about intensive courses?
Intensive courses work well for some people.
But personally, I think most learners benefit from spreading their lessons over a longer period of time.
Learning to drive isn't just about learning how to control a car.
It's about gaining experience in as many different situations as possible.
Driving on a cold, dark January evening feels very different from driving on a bright April morning.
Heavy rain changes the way the car feels, the way the roads feel and often the way other drivers behave as well.
Busy school-run traffic is completely different from driving on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Then there's you.
Some days you'll arrive feeling relaxed and ready to learn.
Other days you might be tired after work, stressed because of college or simply having one of those days where your concentration isn't quite there.
That's real driving.
Passing your driving test isn't the finish line. It's the beginning of driving on your own.
Those experiences are difficult to recreate on an intensive course completed over a week or two.
The more experience you build before you pass your test, the better prepared you'll be for driving on your own. For me, that's one of the biggest advantages of learning over a longer period of time.
A final thought
Consistency is far more important than trying to rush.
Find a routine that works for you and stick to it.
For most learners, one 90-minute lesson each week, combined with some private practice where possible, gives you everything you need to make steady progress and become a safe, confident and independent driver.
Looking for automatic driving lessons?
If you're looking for calm, structured automatic driving lessons in Beaconsfield, Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, Hazlemere, High Wycombe, Loudwater, Marlow, Wooburn Green or the surrounding areas, I'd love to help you become a safe, confident and independent driver.
07821 928521
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