My PC's been down for a while, I'm glad to have it back! Jade x
My PC's been down for a while, I'm glad to have it back! Jade x
Member since:24.02.2003
Reviews:43
Members who trust:29
Hi everyone,
I have just booked up my first 12 driving lessons with the AA via the phone.
I had been surfing the internet for some time looking at various driving schools, where thay operated, how much they cost etc etc
I finally decided that I was going to learn with the AA as in my area if you pay for 12 hours tuition in advance you get £2 off each lesson which adds up over time giving me a saving of £24 further to this they offer you a free years breakdown cover and £100 holiday voucher. This works out as being £18 per hour, however this may vary depending on the area you live in. you can find out on their website.
You learn in a Ford Focus 1.6litre with dual controlls (obviously!!) which means that the insructor can brake for you if you enter a hazard and are not prepared to do so yourself!
Wednesday afternoon I rang up and asked to book lessons, the lady on the other end of the phone was very nice and asked me if I had my provisional (which you need) if I had had any previous driving experience and how many lessons I would like to book etc.
I knew i was going to prepay for 12 hours of lessons. The lady booked my first one for the 10th March which will be the first Monday after I am 17. They advise you in taking two hours tuition for your first lesson to get to know your instructor and basics about the car. My lesson was booked for 10-12.
My Mom rang them back later to pay off her credit card as i hadn't
made a payment of £216 for 12 hours. at the time of booking although you can if you wish to. this took no longer than 60 seconds.
As I excitedly went to write my lesson date in my diary, I realised that I had double booked myself so I picked up the phone and rang the AA and asked them to delay my first lesson (they require two working days for a pupil to cancel a lesson) To my dissappointment the next avaliable day was Saturday 15th March at 3-5pm I agreed to take it anyway and I was chatting to the woman on the end of the phone about how lucky I am that i am having all of my driving lessons paid for for my birthday! (she was very nice and wished me a happy birthday)
Friday morning just two days after first coming into contact with the AA via the phone, my £100 holiday voucher, Free years membership and my Progress book came through the post! (less than 48 hours after!)
***This has now changed! - NO free AA membership or Holiday Voucher, and lessons have gone up by £1***
SUNDAY 1st MARCH 2003 ********************* Oh my god! I had a go at driving today in my mates car and I dont think I want driving lessons after all!!! I was terrified! All i learnt to do was start up and drive a little bit, to change into 2nd gear and stop.first I pressed the acelerator down too far and reved it up real loud (embarrassing for me) then I let the clutch up way too fast and almost made the car stall (it didnt luckily!) Then i went to press the brake with my left foot (you have to use your right) and finally as i got to the end of the drive I had to stop and instead of doing it smoothly, I stalled it!!!!! I will keep a little diary here of how I get on. I bet I will need about 100 lessons to pass my test and the average is 40! I dont think im going to be that good!!!!
SUNDAY 9TH MARCH 2003 ********************* I have been out today and all I have seen is learner drivers!!! My first lesson is on Saturday and I can't wait. Why does time seem to go so slow when you are waiting for something??? Will update soon!
FRIDAY 13TH MARCH 2003 ********************** Yesterday my instructor rang me to introduce himself and check that I was still going to go ahead with the lesson, His name is David. He asked me whether I have had any previous driving experience and if I had passed my theory test. When I explained exactly what I have done he started to sound rather worried and said "that shall be fun"
I have got my first lesson tomorrow, in a Ford Focus 1.6 which seems a bit big for me as I am currently looking for a 1.0 Rover Metro! Whilst half of me is really excited, the other is very nervous as I know I will probably make a complete prat of myself and embarrass myself - he best be a nice instructor!!
SATURDAY 15th MARCH 03 ********************** Today I had my first driving lesson, I was really nervous at first, After half an hour of talking with my instructor about the controls etc, he finally drove me to a quiet estate. First I had to learn how to start the car and get the "biting" point (the stage the engine has to be at before you can drive off) I learnt how to pull off and how to stop in a safe place. I must have started and stopped that car at least 20 times in half an hour!! I turned left and right and was taught how to use my mirrors correctly along with my indicators.
You don't really do a lot more than that on your first lesson as it really is a time to get to know the car and your instructor (he's great!)
You are given a piece of card from the AA wich acts as the progress check list, your instructor will fill in this card every lesson so it is easier for anyone else who might let you practise driving and for yourself to see how well you are doing! Overall I think that I like driving and I look forward to my next lesson.
Friday 4th April 2003 ********************* Hi, sorry I haven't updated for a while - i have had a few problems with my computer... Anyway, I have had quite a few lessons in the last couple of weeks and I love it! I can't really go into detail about each one or I will be here all day!.
I have booked my theory test for 22nd April, (I'm dreading it!) which I need to pass in order to be able to put in for my practical exam.
Without bragging about myself, I would say that im doing pretty well now, although I know I have still got quite a long time before my test is even considered!
Friday 11th April 2003 ********************** Yesterday was a milestone in my life... I purchased my first car!! OK so it's nothing special, just a little 998cc Metro Clubman. Perfect for me (also its cheaper to insure a car under 1000cc) I paid £785.40 for my insurance third party fire and theft so I could only afford to pay £249 for "BOO" I have called my car "BOO" because of the reg (G928 BOO)only problem is,,,, it's white! which will mean that I will have to wash it quite often which i'm not really looing forward to!
All I need to do now is pass my test and get a full licence 'cus its not great having to take your mom with you everywhere you go!!!
Tuesday 15th April 2003 ************************* I have had a few goes in my car now and I love it! ok, its only a g reg metro but i think it's great! I have been practising everything which i do in my lesson, ie reversing round corners which i find amazingly hard! and silly little things which are really important in your test such as road positioning and hill starts etc. I have got my theory test on the 22nd of this month (a week today) so i have been practising that on the DSA's website. (also learners.com is quite good!)
Friday 25th April 2003 ********************** I have now passed my theory test (thank god!) I went in there thinking that I was going to pass and I did, it is definantly the best way to be (think positive) i got 34/35 on the multiple choice and 49/75 on the hazard perception, it really is just common sense! Now I just need to pass my practical!
Monday 28th April 2003 ********************** I have just came in from my lesson and sat down. I've had a real laugh with my instructor which makes lessons so much more interesting!! Today I practised reversing round corners and clutch control (in heavy traffic) I sent off or my test today, It usually takes around eight weeks for it to come through. I hope mine takes about 12!!!!
Wednesday 7th May 2003 ********************** My test has come through now, although it is for later than I was expecting. It is in about eleven weeks, at the end of July. Hopefully, with all of the lessons I will of had by then, (and all the money I will have spent) I stand a better chance of passing.
I did a mock style test with my instructor yesterday and failed!!! I never knew how complicated it was! In your real test, you are allowed 15 minor faults, I got 20 and 3 serious ones! I think I need more practise! It was a good laugh though, If anyone is thinking about lessons, I hope you get a good instructor like mine!
Tuesday 27th May 2003 *********************
I know this hasn't been updated for a while, however, I did promise I would do it.. Now i'm only having lessons once a week, on Tuesday mornings, as this will be when my test will take place.... My driving is pretty crap really (well that's what I think) never mind, I've got quite a while till my test! will update soon!
You have obviously put alot of effort into writing this review, however It seemed as though you had gone from talking about the AA for a few lines then the rest was talking about your lessons rather that your experience with the AA and how helpful they were ie including their customer services department, ability of driving instructors etc. I learned to drive with the AA and they were fantastic. I hope you pass your test first time :-) you seem to really want it. Don't think you can't drive, lol, you can, go for it! take care, Ryan x
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Advantages: I passed! Learn in brand new Ford Focus, well trained Instructor, free AA membership for 12 months Disadvantages: cost - you pay for the good service you receive
surfchik27 02.06.2005 (02.06.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
Advantages: Well I passed! Instructors very helpful with loads of patience - what every learner needs Disadvantages: Using a Ford Focus to teach lessons.
scruff 09.10.2001 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of AA Driving School
Advantages: modern car with ABS, power steering etc; experienced instructor; friendly call centre staff; phone call after 1st lesson Disadvantages: none so far
pragmatik 29.07.2005 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
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Feb 28th, 2003
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