theory driving test

When i read this, i must admit it took me by surprise, i cant think of anything worse than being taught to drive by my Mum or Dad.  Well ok that’s probably a little harsh but you know what i mean, then again maybe the recession is making learners do crazy things.

According to a new study by the AA Driving School Britons would rather practise their driving skills with their mum and dad, i wonder how they fit in learning to drive around the screaming at each other and the grabbing of the wheel etc!

The study by the AA driving school questioned over 1,300 adults and polled AA Driving School instructors to reveal some interesting stats.

39% agreed that dad is quicker to loose his temper than mum but both mum and dad we found guilty of the following knee jerk reactions:

1. telling the learner to slow down – 28%
2. stamping their foot to the floor on an imaginary brake pedal – 19%
3. telling the learner to pull over so they can drive – 15%
4. swearing – 14%
5. grabbing the arm rest for safety – 14%

The stats from the survey also suggested that dads were the better practical teachers where as mums were voted best at theory based tuition.

Top ten parent panics

1. Tell them to slow down – 28%
2. Stamp foot to the floor trying to brake – 19%
3. Tell them to pull over so they can drive – 15%
4. Swear – 14%
5. Grab the arm rest for safety – 14%
6. Tell them to speed up – 14%
7. Grab the steering wheel – 13%
8. Operate the lights / windscreen wipers / indicators for the learner – 12%
9. Shut their eyes – 11 per cent
10. Tell their child to give up learning to drive – 3%

Bad habits passed on by parent instructors

1. Not using mirrors properly – 25%
2. Not feeding the wheel when turning – 14%
3. Not checking blind spots – 14%
4. Speeding – 14%
5. Breaking too hard or late – 11%
6. Driving too close to the vehicle in front – 8%
7. Letting the wheel slip through the hands – 6%
8. Having only one hand on the wheel – 6%
9. Coasting in neutral – 3%

You can read the full article on the AA web site.

There has been a lot of news in the press over the last few months warning people against Unscrupulous driving instructor schools which are taking advantage of people who have been made redundant or have been hit hard by the recession.

They promote themselves and talk about all the great money you could get when (IF) you qualify, but the costs of taking the course(s) can be very very high and if the stats are to be believed then the number of people taking driving lessons is actually falling.   So your paying thousands for a course that you have no guarantee of passing, to enter a market which is highly saturated and in decline at the moment.  If anyone is making outrageous claims or guarantees make sure you get it in writing and if they wont then think about why they refuse to do it, probably because they know they cant guarantee it.

So make sure you do your homework, dont believe the hype and remember google is your friend.