Soooo, how long did it take for you to learn to drive?

A manual transmission?   Successfully?

I have ZERO manual transmission experience, but I'm going to learn and test on one over here (because, overall, it's cheaper and more convenient).  So for those of you who had NEVER driven a stick, how long (in lesson hours) did it take for you to become a competent UK driver?  How many times did you take the practical test? 

**Listens in**

  Lola, great post!  I am wondering myself

dave seems to think that since i've been driving for 11 years in the states in an automatic i'll be ok with a few lessons (no more than 5 he says).....but i fear i will need more than that!

dave seems to think that since i've been driving for 11 years in the states in an automatic i'll be ok with a few lessons (no more than 5 he says).....but i fear i will need more than that!

That's what Richard says, but I think NOT!  I have such ingrained "Americanisms" and I'm terrified that it'll take me 98797 lessons to just learn the stick, let alone the ways of the UK roads!   

Lola, perhaps here's a positive way to look at it:


I knew how to drive a stick before moving to England.  So, learning to shift with my left, while driving on the left side of the road, was very disconcerting.

Because you learned to drive a stick, you're not having to re-learn it or adjust your old habits.  i.e. you're starting from a clean slate, so to speak. 

Hang in there, you will get it!   

Ive been driving nearly 23 years and before I passed my US driving test we were required to drive a manual as well as an automatic. Thank goodness for that!
When I came here my husband didnt drive so it was up to me to drive us around. I didnt have any experience in driving on the left or shifting on the left! I just jumped into the deep end of the pool and came out just fine. I must admit I drove here illegally for nearly 2 years before taking the time to get my UK licence but I did last April. I had no problems at all passing the first time. I have a English friend who has taken the test 9 times and still cant pass! lol

Everyone's different, and I'm sure there are some people who easily make the transition from auto to "standard/manual".  I took 2 lessons (2 different instructors) on manual before throwing in the towel.  I'd driven for over 14 years in the US on automatic.  I found it really hard to get used to driving "UK style" as well as learn to drive all over again.  Truth is, the latter was much more frustrating, as I knew I could drive and didn't see the point in spending lots of money on lessons and adding to my stress levels (which, shortly after my move to the UK, were fairly high). 

We ended up buying me a used automatic (which are easier to find and not as expensive than most folks here in the UK think).  That way, I could focus on just the newness of UK driving.  I find it really strange how strong the stigma is here in the UK against automatics.  Funny thing is, my husband (who was VERY anti automatics), loves to drive my car. 

Its really a personal decision, but for me, staying automatic was the right decision and really helped ease my transition here.

Ginger

dave seems to think that since i've been driving for 11 years in the states in an automatic i'll be ok with a few lessons (no more than 5 he says).....but i fear i will need more than that!

I have been driving since I was 16, which is a very long time ago,,lol.  20 hours of lessons in standard, and I ended up with so much less confidence, let alone UK driving skills than I had when I started. I believe alot has to do with how good your instructor is.  The first two I had were male, and felt that they needed to shout while directing me to drive on very busy, crowded roads, when I let them know from the start, that I didn't feel I was ready for busy roads.   

They also said that it would take about 50 to 60 hours worth of lessons for me to be to the point where I could pass the test.  I decided that rather than keep lining their pockets, and not be driving for a very long time, to go the automatic route. I havn't passed the test yet, but after a two hour lesson this past  Saturday, with a lovely female instructor, I know I have made the rigiht choice for me. 

It's a personal thing,, but one thing I regret, is letting myself get sucked into the 'anti automatic' stigma that my husband, and his family laid on me. Only I know what is best for me,, and that would be my advice for anyone who is about to make this adventure into driving in the UK.  Give standard a go,, but if you are anxious to drive sooner, rather than later, and feel you have a long way to go, don't be afraid to go the automatic route. You can always keep learning to drive standard, if you want to. Your licence will allow you to use it just as you would a provisional licence in regards to taking lessons in standard.

it's a sore spot that my husband went and bought a standard when i SPECIFICALLY asked him not to.

So i'm going to do my best....but if it doesn't work for me, i have a chauffer for a few years. 

A manual transmission? Successfully?

Not very long.  A few months perhaps.  That being said, I was 12 at the time.  My grandfather taught me how to drive a stick in a large section of their one of their fields and country lanes.

So for those of you who had NEVER driven a stick, how long (in lesson hours) did it take for you to become a competent UK driver? How many times did you take the practical test?

Can't be overly helpful with the answer to this question, but it did take me three months of lessons (1/per week) to feel confident driving -- even with stick knowledge.  I had the most trouble with judging distance on the left and breaking the riding of the clutch (which lasted until I passed my test  ).

BTW, passed the written and driving tests on the first go.

is anyone taking them through AA?  they are £25.00 an hour in my area.  UGH.  

At the risk of sounding repeatitive, if you don't feel comfortable with your driving instructor, get another one.  There are some icky ones out there. Also, it's worth a gander at this site, which I am pretty sure has been posted before.
http://www.2pass.co.uk/

Good luck all you L platers  

edit,, I booked my first 20 hours of standard lessons thru AA,, will never again. They contract out to freelance instructors, and the quality control of their instructors is not great. I may have had bad luck,, but I live in a fairly busy town, so I expected better than I got    The driving school I am using now is in Bournemouth, and is called Elle   Yes, they specialize in female students

Amy,, you should go on and prepare for your theory and hazard perception tests,, they were a breeze.   You have to have that done and dusted before you start on the road with lessons anyway

Cant really help you with this, cos back when i was 15-16, my dad refused to let me get my licence until i could drive a stick and ride a motorbike.  He wanted me prepared for any eventuality!
I hated him for it at the time, but later in life was very grateful!

Good luck! 

thanks for the link.

No aa for me!