Going from 2 wheels to 4 (Bike to Car)

OMO, I'm after some advice, life experience... whatever you've got really!

I have been riding for 4 years now (constantly, daily, all weathers) Im moving up in work and starting to look at getting a car for obvious reasons (Business trips, general commuting in the rain, etc.) I will be keeping the bike though, love her far too much!

I'm wandering how easy/fast its going to be to get my car licence given I already have road knowledge and I get the theory of clutch, gears, and all that malarkey.

My Car experience is limited, I can technically drive but struggle with steering, I'm not bad with clutch control. Never had a lesson.

I suppose what I'm trying to get from this is, do I A: Need an intensive 5 day course, or will I be OK just booking 10ish lessons or something?

[shiftin_gear98]

Personally I'd go 10 ish lessons, if you have someone to practise with in between. It allows the stuff to sink in.


What does the price's look like when you compare?
How quick do you need the car?

I want it quick as possible, obviously... im a child ! haha

No massive rush, especially as its coming back into biking season soon, I just need the car for the more grown up aspects of my life, and the prospect of not doing another winter commuting on the bike is a nice one.

Price wise its a massive difference, £300 - £600 for a course and tests, or £99 for 10 lessons and then tests on top, just need to factor in car hire for the practical.

I just don't want to be in a position where I'm taking lessons regularly and not getting anywhere, I want it out the way.

[Kenzie]

Wife did the intensive route after riding for many years.

[Bibio]

go and get your hazard perception and theory out the way first then take a few lessons to see how you are at driving then once you get a good idea you can do an intensive or continue lessons and apply for your practical test. have a look and see what the waiting times are for the practical as you might be able just to book a block of lessons. ask the driving school what their policy is about the test and how much they charge for the lesson on the day of test.

you are paying the driving school an intensive course fee for them to sort everything out for you so you just turn up and learn.

[squirrel_hunter]

After 10 years of bikes as my only transport I decided to learn to drive a car.

I found a local independent instructor and booked in with him. First lesson was interesting. Showing him my licence confused the hell out of him, he had to phone the DVLA to check everything was ok as in the 15 odd years of instructing I was the first person to ever show him a full bike licence without a car category on it. All was fine you like I did will have provisional car as standard.

Steering was interesting at first, controls not to bad to master. For me the oddest thing was having a conversation as I drove along the road. But I quickly got into it and I was the first pupil that he was happy driving themselves home at the end of their first lesson.

The benefit I had as you will have is the road knowledge. You know how it all works, its just a case of applying it in a car. I finished my first lesson and he told me to get my theory done sharpish. So I'd recommend you get that booked now as well.

I took some lessons over the following weeks until I was ready, it didn't take long. Can't remember exactly but I doubt very much it was much more then 10 1 hour lessons, I think it was less (its been some years now). Passed first time. Had a hour in the car in the morning of the exam then paid for another hour to use the car on the test.

People learn at different rates. It would have been a waste of my money to payout for an intensive course as I didn't need all that time. For others maybe not. My recommendation, book a lesson, see how you get on. Go from there. That's what I did...

Thanks for the advice guys, think ill get my theory booked and go and have a taster lesson, im looking at at least two months wait for the practical anyway.

I think I'm a fast learner, I only had 2 lessons on a 600cc before my big test (Came from a 125cc)

[Fen Tiger]

As has already been said I would find a local independent driving instructor from recommendation if possible. They often have test slots booked in advance and put forward the pupils they think will pass. That way, if you come up to standard quickly you may be able to get a test date intended for another pupil who is struggling. I don't have any experience of the larger Driving Schools so don't know if they work that way too.

I will speak to a local instructor and get a lesson in, see where he thinks im at and then go from there.

I have just booked my theory for 1st march

[Red Herring]

Just be careful when it comes to filtering....