Driving Lessons??

[Glenda]

It may be of interest to know that my son's driving lessons with an instructor costs $45 per hour. Of course, this may be higher or lesser with other instructors, but it gives a rough idea of how much you may need to budget if you want to keep your OH free of grey hairs(!).

[vondermot]

He's already got plenty of them Glenda, though he says it only happened when he married me. Its is birthday on 14/7 and I keep threatening to buy him some grecian 2000 (if they still do it).

The average cost of lessons where I live is 18 pounds (pound sign won't work!!) so there's not that much difference.

Tracey

[welwynrose]

that's interesting information & one of the things I was wondering about as we are looking into making the move - I've never driven as I've always commuted - so at the moment use public transport, taxi's or the OH - I don't think I'd bother to learn over here though - I'll wait & see if we manage to get out to NZ

[RedAlligator]

Hello non drivers.

I am also a non driver and do find it particularly hard at times. I live in Auckland and like someone said the transport here does leave something to be desired. it is not impossible to get around though, it can be done i.e. I can get to my work easily enough and I can get to town easily enough as well but I cant really get anywhere else. As an example, I live on the North shore and some friends live in Howick. It is pretty much impossible for me to get there on my own. Well, its not impossible but it would take a great deal of time and effort. It is incredibly limiting not being able to drive and if you went rural I would say it would be even worse.
Its not like the UK where you can rely on transport or even taxis. Taxis are just not a viable option here as they are eally expensive.

So good luck to you with your driving lessons and good on you for giving it a go.

I will have to do it myself at some stage but I have to say it is something I am dreading. I think the older I am getting the harder it is becoming and I am actually getting quite scared about driving and it doest help much that my OH is adamant that I have to drive and is actually driving me nuts about learning! I just simply dont want to do it and only contemplating it because I feel I have to and basically my OH has given me an ultimatum! which I have already broken by the way!

So may be hearing about other people learning to drive might give me the push I need to get my arse into gear and finally do it.

Sorry seem to have rambled a bit. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[vondermot]

Thanks for that Redalligator.

My OH has said that now I will be working full time, just been offered a job where I was temping, I had better send off for my provisional and start having lessons. Must admit its the only thing that phases me, quite confident about most things, but what bothers me is that you may be the best driver in the world, but there are some idiots out there. But going to give it a go, especially now the kids are getting older and want to be here there and everywhere. Also with my bus fares and the kids (will have to pay for Mikey from Sept as he will be 5) its going to cost about 30.00 a week, petrol would be about half this and what I save on fares would, in theory, pay for insurance.

Re the age thing, I'm nearly 41 (so hopefully get cheaper insurance) and they reckon that you need a lesson for every year of your life so I think I'd better start rather quick as if this is the case then its going to take nearly a year!!

Will let you know when I start and how I get on.

Cheers Tracey

[kokopeli]

I haven't noticed too many differences between driving in the UK and driving in NZ. I find most drivers a bit less aggressive in NZ. People tend to let you out from junctions and I haven't seen (or had to share) any road rage. That's got to be better for the old blood pressure!

Getting used to the rule that says you have to give way when turning left has been hard. It feels totally alien to stop in the carriageway and let the oncoming cars turn in before you - especially when you're on a main road with a stream of cars coming up behind you. It might be the rule, but I've learnt not to assume that every other driver understands it or follows it.....

[MotherBear]

Originally Posted by vondermot

...... what bothers me is that you may be the best driver in the world, but there are some idiots out there.

That could be me saying that. I'm another non-driver although I did start to learn at one point. Used to come back from lessons (with ex-hubby) with eyes like organ stops and red-rimmed. Not a pretty sight. Gave up learning when we split up and he went off with the car he'd bought me to drive. Never bothered or even felt like bothering since, which is probably very fortunate for all concerned. I have enough to cope with riding shotgun with hubster out here these days. Need 4 pairs of eyes to see what's going on around us.

Good for you that you're going to give it a go, Tracey. We'll cheer you on and heap on loads of encouragement to help you through it. You can come on here and relate all your hair-raising stories to fill in while everyone else is busy immigrating. With a young family it must be very convenient to be able to drive so I'm sure you'll appreciate having made the effort to do it.

A big to you.

[vondermot]

Thanks for that MB, just found out a provisional licence costs about 36.00, can see that learning to drive is gonna cost me a fortune.

Tracey

[RedAlligator]

Originally Posted by vondermot

Thanks for that Redalligator.


Re the age thing, I'm nearly 41 (so hopefully get cheaper insurance) and they reckon that you need a lesson for every year of your life so I think I'd better start rather quick as if this is the case then its going to take nearly a year!!

Will let you know when I start and how I get on.

Cheers Tracey

Oh dear, looks like I am going to be learning for quite a long time then as I'm a wee bit older than that! May be I should tell my OH that and he might give me a reprieve!

Yeh, please let me know how you get on, would love to know. Might encourage me too. Good luck.