17 In Apil..Help Please

[NovaLad]

Ok i'm 17 this april 10th woohoo... Also im soon to get a 1.2 Nova and i can't wait!!! What should i do 1st??

Theory test then lessons over a period of weeks?? (takes ages)

Theory test then the crash course thing that you complete in around about 1 week of intence training?? (alot more money)

I'm asking this because from June apparently if you want to start driving lessons you have to do them over a period of 12months :( which i definitly DON'T want to do!!! lol

Please give me some feed back about what to do and the best insurence companies for someone in my situation when i pass!!!

I will post pics up of the Nova when i go to view it as i havn't even seen it myself.... Cheers **:thumb:

NovaLad16 :)

[Mike]

tbh, its what you want to do first!

Id say generally tidy it up, service it (plugs, leads, oil, filter etc) then think about either getting some no claims and keeping it standard or go whatever route you want, wether it be bodykit gashness or nice subtle mods

[mowgli]

simply get a driving lesson & find out what the instructor says you will need to do to pass.

[Iain]

I'm asking this because from June apparently if you want to start driving lessons you have to do them over a period of 12months :( which i definitly DON'T want to do!!! lol

Not heard of that! Sounds crap. Surely if you can't drive very well and fail a few times it'll take you a year anyway, so the ones who CAN drive are allowed on the roads quicker.

I started taking lessons, once or twice a week, and my instructor suggested when it would be a good time to get my theory out of the way (as it expires if you don't pass your test after X amount of months). Bear in mind that there's often delays of nearly a month between booking and taking your tests. :)

As for insurance, try not to modify it in the first year of driving, or do minimal amounts of mods. I recommend Elephant who I was with when I was 18.

[NovaLad]

Cheers for the info... I think i'll just try and do 2- 3 lessons a week and see what my instructor says ... i do very long hours at college so its hard to fit anything in ... so any hours i get spare i'll try and book a lesson for... As for the insurence what am i looking at to get insured on a 1.2 Nova @ 17???

NovaLad16

[Jack]

Insurance depends on a massive range of factors; where you live, mileage, storage of the car, security, modifications, etc. I'd say for a decent area, standard car, you'd be looking at around ?800. Elephant/Admiral, CIS, and Tesco are usually good choices for young drivers, they all have online quote systems (remember to add your mum or dad or whoever as a second driver with Admiral or Elephant). Keep it TPF&T to lower the cost, and try not to get any points or crash in your first year (if at all!).

IMO the 12 month thing isn't a bad idea; most people I've seen who have passed their test can't drive for sh!t because they've either not had much time behind the wheel or were lucky on their test. Those who can drive - whats to moan about? Sure you gotta wait a bit, but its not like driving will be an effort if you can do it, and there's nothing stopping you having your own car and driving it with a suitably experienced passenger.

[NovaLad]

I'm experienced on the road but not in a car... Ive been on the road on my moped for a year now so i know what the roads are like... Also my dad will probly be going on the insurence which will lower it quite a bit+its going to be in my secure garage with padlocks and all the other crap lol ... it will have steering lock even on in the garage etc... too. and the area im in isn't bad. Should i mention to the insurence company that ive been on the road for 1 year allready on a moped? or not?... Any interior mods do thye need to be told to the insurence company or not??

NovaLad16

[Jack]

Might be worth mentioning it to them, they may offer a small discount.

As for mods, declare EVERYTHING - i.e. if the car didn't roll out the factory with it, its a mod. I wouldn't have thought they'd load anything on for interior mods (depending on what had been done), but its always wise to check first and get in writing if possible.

[NovaLad]

Ok well, i dont know if i want to do anything to the exterior yet as i havn't seen the car yet... But when i do i'll post some pics up and get some ideas off you loT (the experts)lol!!!! I definitly want to put a MP4 or DVD player in the front but thats about it ... the car allready has a sound system in it ...

NovaLad16

[Alex.]

IMO the 12 month thing isn't a bad idea; most people I've seen who have passed their test can't drive for sh!t because they've either not had much time behind the wheel or were lucky on their test. Those who can drive - whats to moan about? Sure you gotta wait a bit, but its not like driving will be an effort if you can do it, and there's nothing stopping you having your own car and driving it with a suitably experienced passenger.

Well tbh...do you have the odd ?2,000 odd to pay for the lessons? Cuz I can garentee other people don't. I think a silly idea, I just think driving instructors should be more strict on who they decide to put in for their test. Some people pick up driving quicker then others.

[Jack]

Funny how its usually only learners who think its a "silly" idea :roll:

Your instructor said you were ready for your test back in December. But clearly you weren't, as you failed three times. Yet he said Pippa wasn't ready - and she passed first time.

Who said you needed to have 12 months of PROFESSIONAL tuition? Just make you keep your provisional for 12 months, or get a certain number of hours behind the wheel.

[craig green]

I learnt to drive when I got my own car on the road. (some 18 months after passing) I couldnt drive for s**t but you soon learn on your own. I did pass 1st time however.

My advice with the car is keep it std, I would almost promise you that you will bump into something or have some kind of incident in it. Hats off if you dont in the 1st year, but it is likely. Just get the 1st 2 or 3 years out of the way & build up the no-claims & then think about wasting the money on mods.

[Paul]

what a complete and utter load of bollocks. my instructor suggeusted its a good idea to go for you test now?!?!

Its you taking the test **** them, book the theory for your birthday, pack lessons in for a month after your birthday.

When you pass your theory test on your b'day, then book your test, on your b'day. ring up everyday twice a day for cancellations, and get it as soon as possible. As soon as you get a good date say 1-2months away, tell your instructor and makes sure he/she makes you ready for when YOUR test is. Its you taking the test, not them. **** having someone tell you what to do, do it off your own back, its you learning something here.

I passed that way on jan 9th, bday was on 3rd dec. mate done 5th jan bday to 27th feb pass. Its best way to do it.

At the end of the day if your into cars then having a license is the single most important thing as soon as you turn 17. **** everything else off for a month, bird/booze/pubs/clubs/college/work and get your license. it makes your life so much easier. no buses, taxis, bike, walking.

[NovaLad]

Cheers mate ... I was hoping to do theory on b-day anyway then we have easter hols dont we? well then i can pack loads of lessons into 1 week hopefully... if i find the right company.... Cheers for yas help!!

[Paul]

book theory 3 weeks before bday anytime now, then when u pass get your driving instructors number and book your test on the same day. as i said ring up everyday twice a day or more for cancellations one will come up.

[Novadave06]

i did a crash course with chris kelly motoring school and passed within 2 weeks of passing my thory test hehe , and i've had no problems on the road , :) it only cost 400pound :) with like a 90% pass rate *** but not for everyone thou alot of hours on the roads*

[NovaLad]

Yeah i wanted to do the crash course ... How long ago did you do it... I got quoted ?500+ to do crash course by "A+". Are Chris Kelly all over or just in certain areas?

NovaLad16

[big gra]

dont do too much to your first car, i regreted having a mint escort van with spotless paint work, had to be sooo careful reversing and parking as not to scratch it!

as for you theory you can book it 2 months before your birthday, i did and had it the day after i was 17, then my test 3 weeks after that!!

[NovaLad]

How did you do ya test 3 weeks after? Didnt you do any lessons... ??Or was this many years ago when you didnt have to do much to pass? lol ??

NovaLad16

[mowgli]

Everybody who drives a car hates mopeds, they are completely different on the road, cars are warm & dry, & you don't have to lean them on bends.
Get assessed by a professional & then decide what to do.