22 January 2012

Quickest driving school?

| b4405532
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Hi, I don’t have the time to buff-up for the Government test, and I want to get the task of obtaining my license out of the way before my hectic uni schedule sets in, so I was wondering:

What driving school in Canberra is fastest for completing the logbook?

NB: I know it’s based on individual ability, but are there some schools that are more lenient on ticking off competencies than others??

[ED – let’s confine answers to the topic of the question as asked]

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To the OP. On second thought, just get through using whatever means necessary, even if you can’t drive for crap.

(You’ll fit right in)

shadow boxer5:47 pm 23 Jan 12

@noimright,

My oldest goes into year 12 this year and gets her p’s in April, she is young for her age so I have watched most of her friends go through this farce.

If that is not good enough for you ask a reputable driving instructor what he thinks of the cowboy companies springing up all over town.

shadow boxer said :

Baldy said :

NoImRight said :

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Its the Godwin’s Law you are talking about. And I think Nazi/government can be interchangable.

No they are not interchangeable but way to miss the point. clearly putting driving instructorsin charge of how many lessons are required and having them get paid for those lessons is doomed to fail. Just have a look at the fly by night companies springing up everywhere.

Do you really believe our young people are being properly trained, if so you should hang around more year 12 kids and listen to how it really works.

You hang around Year 12 kids all you like thats not for me. Ill go on the experience of my children and my friends.

shadow boxer said :

Baldy said :

NoImRight said :

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Its the Godwin’s Law you are talking about. And I think Nazi/government can be interchangable.

No they are not interchangeable but way to miss the point. clearly putting driving instructorsin charge of how many lessons are required and having them get paid for those lessons is doomed to fail. Just have a look at the fly by night companies springing up everywhere.

Do you really believe our young people are being properly trained, if so you should hang around more year 12 kids and listen to how it really works.

Exactly, listen to the younger kids, many of whom do the least amount of work to get their license. I can’t see how this is a good idea. Far better to train drivers properly than it is to introduce ridiculous speed limits and saturate the streets with speed cameras, which don’t pick up bad driving, just fast driving.

shadow boxer4:14 pm 23 Jan 12

Baldy said :

NoImRight said :

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Its the Godwin’s Law you are talking about. And I think Nazi/government can be interchangable.

No they are not interchangeable but way to miss the point. clearly putting driving instructorsin charge of how many lessons are required and having them get paid for those lessons is doomed to fail. Just have a look at the fly by night companies springing up everywhere.

Do you really believe our young people are being properly trained, if so you should hang around more year 12 kids and listen to how it really works.

Baldy said :

NoImRight said :

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Its the Godwin’s Law you are talking about. And I think Nazi/government can be interchangable.

Yes thats it. Thanks

You know. People like you are what make me nervous on the roads. People who are to impatiant and don’t care how they drive or their impact on anyone else on the road.

NoImRight said :

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Its the Godwin’s Law you are talking about. And I think Nazi/government can be interchangable.

timeeh said :

Bugger the car license, get a motorcycle license. It only takes 1 day and your out on the road. Don’t worry about riding skill either…. When i did mine I watched multilple people drop the bikes, one person even managed to drop it 4 times during the day. All of them still walked away at the end of the day with a license to ride on the roads, sure most are probably dead by now, but hey it’s only 1 day out of your busy schedule and your right to go.

This one time at bandcamp

shadow boxer said :

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

Is there an internet forum rule about how long into a topic before someone blames “the Government”? You know like the Nazi one whose name escapes right now.

Bugger the car license, get a motorcycle license. It only takes 1 day and your out on the road. Don’t worry about riding skill either…. When i did mine I watched multilple people drop the bikes, one person even managed to drop it 4 times during the day. All of them still walked away at the end of the day with a license to ride on the roads, sure most are probably dead by now, but hey it’s only 1 day out of your busy schedule and your right to go.

There goes ‘vision zero’ out the window.

As I have a wife and young son with which would prefer to have a long and uncomplicated life, I echo the please keep off the roads (if you have this attitude) sentiment.

Also, your poor driving = greater taxes and insurance payments for people like me.

Driving is a privilage, not a right. Please learn to do it properly!

shadow boxer said :

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

That is a lot, I suppose it is possible but I only spent about $500 (and that was after screwing up one of my review tests due to nerves) and so did most people I know. Lessons have gone up since I did it but that still seems like so much that it’d be obvious they’re holding you back. People should change if they get that impression. I learnt with my family first and on my first lesson got about 5 or more competences ticked off and I always felt the instructor was guided by safety not my pocket or his.

I admit: It’s a broken system, even if it’s not designed to be. Truth is, there are plenty of other atrocious drivers on the road that are there because of this logbook method.

If people are suggesting I go down a less lenient path, then it may be worth the time not to become another statistic.

schmeah said :

I got my P plates while studying full time at uni, managed to squeeze lessons into my ‘hectic’schedule while also working, so get real. You want to drive a car, learn the ropes seriously. The last thing society needs is another invincible P-Plater who thinks they know everything behind the wheel of what is potentially a lethal weapon.

This. University hectic and real world hectic just ain’t the same thing.

Voytek said :

This just about sums up the average Canberra driver. “It doesn’t matter that I cant drive – just give me a licence”

Do us all a favour and keep off the roads. There are already enough inept drivers in Canberra.

This too.

b4405532 said :

Actually, my plan was to get my P’s ASAP, then take some additional driving “lessons” with the fam in my spare time.

As others have mentioned that’s what a Learner Licence is for.

I work for a university so please let me know which one you intend to study at.
A) You may be able book a driving instructor who will start from the university campus (I did this and all good driver schools will do this – if only you were looking for one).
B) If you go to my uni, please describe your car – I can know to avoid you – on my daily commute so many P platers speed past me and you know where I see them next? Pulling into the uni car park.
C) The Intertown Bus route goes past ANU and UC campuses every 5 minutes, please get the bus while you are on your Learner Licence and your family doesn’t have the time to teach you to drive.

b4405532 said :

Actually, my plan was to get my P’s ASAP, then take some additional driving “lessons” with the fam in my spare time.

I’m not going to embellish this scenario, but just quickly – that isn’t how the system is designed to work. If you can’t figure out why, I’d think long and hard about how suitable you are to even get your L plates.

Rick Bates runs the quickest driving school in Canberra by far. 😉

shadow boxer9:23 am 23 Jan 12

watto23 said :

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

It’s because the govt is currently being dominated by an out of control and profit driven road safety industry/lobby.

I spoke to an ex instructor from the most well known driving school and they had a quota system where each instructor needed to get at least $1,000 from each student before passing them.

No wonder kids are finding ways around it and shonky operators are thriving.

I don’t understand why the government has made it easier to get your license. Everyone should do the same exam with the same bunch of driving testers. I have a friend who was also trying to find a quick way to get their license, so much so they were relying on an old address in Victoria as it seemed easier there.

Of course ordinary public transport in Canberra doesn’t make it any easier for those without a license to get around either. I had to catch the bus to get to uni my first couple of years, I couldn’t afford a car and my parents needed theirs. I sucked but I got over it.

b4405532 said :

Actually, my plan was to get my P’s ASAP, then take some additional driving “lessons” with the fam in my spare time.

That’s not how your post reads. Your post is quite clear: you were looking for a lax outfit that will cheat for you. What else would you have meant by “lenient”?

b4405532 said :

Actually, my plan was to get my P’s ASAP, then take some additional driving “lessons” with the fam in my spare time.

That’s not how it works. That’s why they have L plates. If you need additional lessons from your family AFTER you have your P’s then you shouldn’t have got the P’s in the first place. Advanced driving courses are a different story of course, but these shouldn’t really be done until you have had a bit of experience.

you want it quickly I suggest doing the Gov Test – takes all of 30mins and if you can drive you get your licence if you don’t pass clearly you need more supevised practice

Also, the 50 hours are only recommended by the A.C.T. Government, not required.

Actually, my plan was to get my P’s ASAP, then take some additional driving “lessons” with the fam in my spare time.

Honestly, if you can’t put aside a minimum of 10 hours for driving, then you shouldn’t have a license.

I’m not sure it’s entirely ethical to ask/answer that as it should be entirely based on how competent you are and if you are not competent and they are being lenient, that’s illegal.

On the other hand, asking if any seem to particularly delay you would be a more reasonable question.

I honestly can’t think of one though – seeing all my friends and myself learn to drive from different schools a few years ago and nobody went surprisingly faster than anyone else or said their instructor was a pushover. Just grab some recommendations in terms of nice instructors and you should be fine if you can drive.

Don’t forget to tell us which uni and subject – so we can give you the lecturers’ names which can give you pass marks with minimum effort!

This just about sums up the average Canberra driver. “It doesn’t matter that I cant drive – just give me a licence”

Do us all a favour and keep off the roads. There are already enough inept drivers in Canberra.

GardeningGirl7:18 pm 22 Jan 12

Apologies for this non-answer but I have to say +1 for the above replies and suggest this thread might also become a resource for people looking which quick and lenient driving schools to avoid?

The path of least resistance is what makes rivers and people crooked.

Lessons are well and good, leastwise you shouldn’t gain too many bad habits.

But I have just one question: If you’re in such a hurry, how do you plan on getting your fifty hours of driving practice up, which you need to pass your log book?

Unless you have already done them? In which case there is no problem.

But, as you say you want to get you’re licence fast, and if you haven’t done your hours, are you going to get someone to lie and sign you off?

No wonder ‘p’ platers are lousy drivers if they all do as you seem to plan on doing.

I got my P plates while studying full time at uni, managed to squeeze lessons into my ‘hectic’schedule while also working, so get real. You want to drive a car, learn the ropes seriously. The last thing society needs is another invincible P-Plater who thinks they know everything behind the wheel of what is potentially a lethal weapon.

Schools who are ‘lenient’ about ticking off competencies .. I reckon the local plod should have a plug at finding the veracity of that claim.

Derangedfairy6:32 pm 22 Jan 12

Grant at Serenity driving school. Not dodgy, but efficient and knows his stuff. Won’t rip you off.

You can’t take short cuts when learning to take control of a lethal weapon. Do it right first time round and get good instruction. Cutting corners will lead one of two places, jail for inadvertant manslaughter or the morgue.
You made it to Uni, your smart enough to make the right choice.

Let’s hope all schools operate at the same pace, no need for cowboys teaching others how to be cowboys.

Pretty sure there is a minimum number of lessons to gain your license – something like 10 lessons? That’s because you can only tick off a certain number of competencies per lesson (as well as only 2 lessons per week, from memory)

That said, many of the smaller schools will illegally finish in as few as 4 lessons, depending on the instructor.

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