With driving lessons priced at around £30-40 per hour and the driving test itself costing £62, there’s no doubt that learning to drive and getting your full license isn’t cheap. But, there’s no need to break the bank before you’ve even begun to think about the cost of car insurance. Read on for our top tips for saving money on getting behind the wheel.
Tip #1. Pass Your Test First Time
No pressure then! Although there’s no guarantee that you’ll pass your test the first time around, achieving a pass first time certainly saves you money as you won’t need to pay for any further lessons or the fee to take your test again. Whilst there’s no surefire way to know you’ll get the result you want when the day comes around, there are plenty of strategies to improve your chances of a pass. For example, get as much practice as possible with a friend or family member, drive in different types of weather and traffic conditions, and practice breathing exercises before and during the test to calm your nerves.
Tip #2. Practice with a Friend or Family Member
As mentioned earlier, getting some practice in a friend’s or family member’s car provides you with more experience and will increase your likelihood of a pass. However, another benefit of doing this is that you’ll be able to save money. The cost of learner insurance will vary, based on the type of car and how long you’ve held your provisional license, but it’s usually much cheaper than paying for the same amount of time with a driving instructor. And, you’ll get used to driving without the added safety net of dual controls, helping you to prepare for getting on the road for real.
Tip #3. Practice Your Theory Test for Free
Chances are, most theory test practice material that you’ve stumbled across isn’t free, or even cheap for that matter. But, thanks to the wealth of information that is the internet, there’s no need to spend money on theory test revision. Check this site out for free mock theory tests and more valuable information.
Tip #4. Invest in a Good Driving School
You may be tempted to pay a lower rate, but beware — if it seems too good to be true, then it probably is when it comes to cheap driving tuition. It’s likely there’s a reason for a driving school/instructor to have to put their prices down lower than average. Investing more into your lessons will pay off; the right instructor will help you make the most of every hour, which could result in you needing less tuition overall before passing your test.
Tip #5. Commit to Learning and Drive Safely
Lastly, aim to drive as best you can on every single lesson — getting into the ‘test’ mindset with your driving instructor is a great way to prepare yourself for the real thing. Safe driving is essential — it’s the main thing the examiner is looking for during your test. And, driving safely costs less in terms of fuel.
Good luck with learning to drive!
