Driving lessons

[Malaga]

My daughter will be starting her driving lessons in september so I would like to hear from people who's had the same experience. I've done a search for driving schools andeally we need one not too far from home (Upper East Coast, back of Bayshore) . The fees I 've been looking at is $24 per lesson, this is for private instructor. Does sher need to have passed the theory test before she starts the practical lessons?? Pls any information abou this subject is welcome.

Thks

[rasserie]

in singapore, learning to drive is divided into 2 ways.

1] by using a private instructor

2] enrolling in a school to learn how to drive.



private instructors are cheaper by 50% to 100% in rare cases.


and of course, before starting the practical lessons with the private instructor, u need to have passed 2 theory lessons

the basic theory test
and the final theory test.

its self taught and u only need to attend the exam if u are taking as a private candidate.

if u are enrolled in a school, u learn the theory in a class environment so its a bit better.


practical lessons for schoolers are done in circuit and sometimes on public roads

practical lessons for private candidates are ALWAYS done in public car parks AND 90% on public roads

if u tell me, id say the private candidates has a higher hour rating of being exposed to real life traffic conditions hence more adapted to the road.


however, the schoolers have BETTER chances of passing the practical exam then the privateers. u asked me why? beats me.

some say its a quota system that benefits the schoolers and the privateers are 2nd priority.

[taxico]

i always thought you only need to pass the basic theory test to get a learner's permit... ! heh...

okay, anyhow...

the turn-over rate of school driving instructors is quite high, and you pay a lil more to get the same instructor at every lesson. not all are enthusiastic.

there've not been any addition to the pool of private driving instructors so most of the current lot of private instructors are pretty experienced.

but not all of them can effectively instruct in english due to age.

a lotta private instructors wait outside train stations for their students to arrive.

swing by and feel free to approach them and have a short chat (ask if they're busy first).

eg, Yo Chu Kang MRT station (which is near a driving school). they have cards you can grab.

also note that the first private lesson will also include some sort of registration fee.

you could also split up the driving experience into two: theory tests through a school (they have lessons and a PC-linked databank of questions which are used in the actual test - very useful and you can go by anytime to use the computers) then have private driving instruction.

there's a registration fee for schools too... and if you do your driving lessons through them also, you'll be forced to buy pre-arranged insurance.

private instructors have this covered as part of your fee.

[andy21]

I always also thought one only needed to pass the basic theory test before being permitted to commence actual driving lessons, and the advanced theory one was only to become eligible to actually take the driving test.

But either my memory's all gone or things have changed in the past 15 years.

Anyway, I have always had this strange vaguely conspiratorial idea that the chances of passing are greatly increased by signing a package with one of the driving schools as opposed to taking private lessons. Something along those lines. Wonder if that's true or I'm being my usual cynical self.

Normally I do not subscribe to conspiracy theories.

[Asdracles]

Oh, this topic is interesting for me.....

My situation is quite strange. I got my license in Spain years ago, I have never driven since then

Maybe I would need to drive soon. So I guess I will be interested in taking some lessons but not in taking the test, as I have already license....

What is your advice? Taking a private instructor for a few lessons? Someone else have been in this situation?

[taxico]

go for private instruction. i've done it before (manual car). really laid back and helps you get used to some singapore driving peculiarities too.

[Asdracles]

Like driving in the WRONG side of the road

[bruinbear]

Like driving in the WRONG side of the road

You try to drive on the RIGHT side of the road here lor... see what happens.

[Strong Eagle]

If you ask a Singaporean what side of the road he/she drives on, you will get an answer of 'right side' at least 50 percent of the time, which is correct, given that the driver's side is on the right in Singapore. All a matter of perspective.