Gun-shy about driving... who does the best lessons?

I have been in the U.K. for almost 8 months now, and I have not been brave enough to attempt driving yet. I have driven in the U.S. for over 10 years, but I was used to long, straight stetches of road and lots of room in towns and cities. I guess I am just nervous about the narrow streets here and the London traffic. My husband and I hope to start a family next year, so I know that it is essential that I get over this fear and drive. It is also an important step for me to regain some of the independance I feel like I lost after moving here. Can anyone tell me who does the best driving lessons? How many hours of lessons do you think are necessary before I take the test? I obviously know how to drive, I just need to gain confidence on the roads here. Also, I never bothered to change my name on my NC driver's license because I moved here right after the wedding. Is there a way to change my name/keep my NC license current even though I am no longer a resident?

This recent thread about driving instructors might help you: http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=33698.0

And I'm sure there are some NC people here who can answer those questions for you.

Good luck! 

Thanks for the link. It looks like BSM gets some recommendations. I know this may be a stupid question, but if I want to go with a local instructor, how would I go about finding one? Are they listed in the yellow pages?

but if I want to go with a local instructor, how would I go about finding one? Are they listed in the yellow pages?

Yes! Under 'Driving Instructors.'

I recommend asking friends and others who have taken driving lessons in the last few years who they learnt with and if they'd recommend them. That's how I found my driving instructor, the company she works for is the same one my boyfriend and his cousins used.

I'm also just like you in that the narrow roads really had me worried at first. I've not driven for long here and they still scare me a bit, but a good instructor will get you experienced with how to navigate them.

Don't forget, if you don't like the first instructor you meet FOR ANY REASON, please find another one. You need to be absolutely comfortable with them and if they don't suit your personality, it will probably distract from your learning experience.

My very first lesson with with an independent guy who was absolutely luvley, but NOT for me. He drove me batty. I decided that I would try a few other people and actually took lessons from 2 other people before deciding the 3rd guy was for me. He was patient, funny, calm, and supportive. I ended up passing my test on my first try and it was worth the few extra £s I spent to find a teacher I could learn from.

Good luck. You're not alone in your nervousness, but loads of us have done it and you can too!

 

Virginia refused to renew my driver's license because I'm no longer a resident (this was after standing in a queue for 2 hours!).  As I understand it, if I move back permanently and want a license I'll need to retest

Thanks for all the advice! I never thought I'd be nervous about driving, but I'm glad to know I'm not the only one with these fears. I want to take lessons before I lose my nerve!

Anyone else know about renewing a U.S. driver's license?

Here's the info for NC license renewal:

http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_services/drivingpublic/renewal.html

Don't forget, if you don't like the first instructor you meet FOR ANY REASON, please find another one. You need to be absolutely comfortable with them and if they don't suit your personality, it will probably distract from your learning experience.

My very first lesson with with an independent guy who was absolutely luvley, but NOT for me. He drove me batty. I decided that I would try a few other people and actually took lessons from 2 other people before deciding the 3rd guy was for me. He was patient, funny, calm, and supportive. I ended up passing my test on my first try and it was worth the few extra £s I spent to find a teacher I could learn from.

my first instructor was a man and he giggled waaaaay more than I did and all he wanted to do was chat!! I got a new one the lesson. 

I recommend asking friends and others who have taken driving lessons in the last few years who they learnt with and if they'd recommend them. That's how I found my driving instructor, the company she works for is the same one my boyfriend and his cousins used.

I'm also just like you in that the narrow roads really had me worried at first. I've not driven for long here and they still scare me a bit, but a good instructor will get you experienced with how to navigate them.

Same here.  My instructor initially started with BSM got fed up with them and started her own business.  Its generally more reliable to go with an independent instructor over a company since you're pretty much guaranteed the same instructor each lesson, which also helps build your confidence.  Good luck!

I went with AA but they were crap and I fired them. I went with a local woman who was fantastic...she gave me a hard time and challenged me when I didn't do something right. I loved that.