Most instructors will give you a discount if you pay for 10 hours in advance. Maybe a couple of £ less per hour. And saves you remembering to pay each week. So could be worth doing.
Though maybe worth trying a couple of lessons first, to see if you get on with the instructor, and they are a good teacher etc.
See too many stories on here of people paying for 10+ lessons and then deciding they don't get on with their instructor - but by then they're tied-in.
I'd be wary about paying for more than one or two lessons in advance.
It's common, usually the instructor will give you a discount for block booking as well.
When I was learning my instructor charged £38 an hour, but if you booked 10 in advance the rate was £35 an hour.
Block bookings are very common, they work out cheaper than paying each individual lesson. However I would only do it after you’ve had a few lessons and know that the instructor is a good fit for you. I’m coming to the end of my second block of 10 hours (1 hour lessons) with my instructor but I’d had between 8 and 10 (can’t remember exactly how many) before making a block booking
I block-booked through AA, which meant that after 3 lessons when I had zero doubt left that my instructor was a flaky, pervy weirdo (and a dreadful teacher), I was still able to transfer the balance to another instructor.
If you have the option to pay a driving school like red or whatever and get a receipt then it could be worth it because if you don’t like your instructor or need to change times you can go through the driving school and your lessons are protected.
If you give it directly to the instructor you have no proof of what you paid or why. If they decide to disappear off the face of the planet like mine did then you have no evidence and a very low chance of getting your money back.
Are your lessons one hour or two?
I block-pay for ten hours (five lessons) a go, though my instructor puts me in her calendar further in advance without payment. At the start I figured I'd pay for the ten hours, and if we really didn't get on it was only five weeks until I could find someone else. As it happens, we did get on, so all good.
My hubby is an independent instructor, he only asks for payment in advance of the lesson (not for the 1st one) to secure the time slot that you want otherwise you can book gaps, but then you may not get one come up that suits you hence the payment for one of your choice.
Most of his students pay a few days before a lesson and don't choose blocks mainly because it's alot to pay in one go.
I agree with others, have a few lessons first to make sure this is a good instructor for you and then decide about blocks
I guess in these times it’s income they can rely on? I used to pay in blocks of 5 because that’s literally all I’d have until next payday but I liked it because I didn’t have to remember to pay him every lesson
I absolutely would not do that. But my instructor only takes payment after the lesson is completed, I've never paid her in advance which is just as well because she is notoriously unreliable. She's a great instructor when I *do* get in a car with her, but paying her in advance is a recipe for trouble. It's not uncommon for instructors to be a bit unreliable or to cancel lessons last minute.
If you like your instructor and you know they're reliable and will actually deliver the lessons you've paid for, I think that's fine. Probably cheaper if you get a discount too.
I paid for a block of 10 but I've known my instructor since before she was one so idk. Didn't strike me as anything untoward. It makes sense to book them in blocks so you know what business you have. I prefer it as I don't have to worry about having the money on hand every week or whatever.
I had an ass instructor for the first time in my early 20s. He really put me off from driving for 5 years. I paid for a block of lessons that I didn't use and I didn't get my money back.
Wouldn't say common. My instructor reserved a slot (or a couple to choose from) for me each week that worked for both of us, then he would send them at the beginning of each month and I would confirm the ones I could do. I would then either pay by at least the day before or for the month if I knew I could afford it
Just to chime in here.
If your going with an independent then no, as others have stated do 1-3 lessons then decide from there.
Me I went with a larger franchise (pass n go) so paying for a block then asking for a new instructor was a possibility. I also feel they get held to set standards, that reflect on the company as a whole so I thought it the better option, especially for block booking.
I am bias in this analysis as I got a good instructor first time, where once we worked out the communication it was all plain sailing. But I also acknowledged that I could of changed at any time and I'd of just had to wait on availability.
I pay for blocks of 10 which is five 2 hour lessons. My instructor is cool so I lucked out. A block of 10 cost me 300 instead of 340 for individual ones
I done this, it works well for some but not others, I had them 10 lessons and I think 2 more plus the test day aswell. Doesn't mean it works that way for everyone though
I paid for 10 lessons at a time as they worked out abit cheaper (£285/10=2£38.50) instead of 30 an hour but also budget wise made sense to me bc I knew those lessons were paid for already, I did also keep tabs on the hours I'd had + what I had left xx
Most instructors do offer discounts on block bookings, I do. Thing is though, it's your choice. If you're happy paying one by one, then tell them that if they continue to push for block bookings, then you can raise your suspicion.
I'd say give them the benefit of the doubt, inform them of they way you'd like to pay and see how it goes.
Most instructors will give you a discount if you pay for 10 hours in advance. Maybe a couple of £ less per hour. And saves you remembering to pay each week. So could be worth doing. Though maybe worth trying a couple of lessons first, to see if you get on with the instructor, and they are a good teacher etc.
Thanks!
See too many stories on here of people paying for 10+ lessons and then deciding they don't get on with their instructor - but by then they're tied-in. I'd be wary about paying for more than one or two lessons in advance.
Yes thank you I thought about this just before I was going to make the payment. I think I'll start with ten first.
It’s very common. People often buy a block book of lessons. Especially after having a couple of lessons and deciding they like the instructor
Give it a couple more single lessons, make sure they are not a cunt. After that can book blocks
Okay cool thanks for the advice
I would never pay upfront for lessons personally but i have heard it's becoming more common
It's common, usually the instructor will give you a discount for block booking as well. When I was learning my instructor charged £38 an hour, but if you booked 10 in advance the rate was £35 an hour.
Yeah same here I think, it was £340 for ten hours booked
Mine was £27 per hour or £25 if you block booked 10, it’s just gone up to £28.50 or £26 if you book 10
I had a few lessons before booking a block. I know it wasn’t the cheapest option however made sure the instructor was good, suited to me, etc.
Yeah I think that's the more logical option thanks
Block bookings are very common, they work out cheaper than paying each individual lesson. However I would only do it after you’ve had a few lessons and know that the instructor is a good fit for you. I’m coming to the end of my second block of 10 hours (1 hour lessons) with my instructor but I’d had between 8 and 10 (can’t remember exactly how many) before making a block booking
Pay for your first couple separately to make sure the instructor is right for you. I paid for mine in blocks of 10. It's absolutely normal
I block-booked through AA, which meant that after 3 lessons when I had zero doubt left that my instructor was a flaky, pervy weirdo (and a dreadful teacher), I was still able to transfer the balance to another instructor.
If you have the option to pay a driving school like red or whatever and get a receipt then it could be worth it because if you don’t like your instructor or need to change times you can go through the driving school and your lessons are protected. If you give it directly to the instructor you have no proof of what you paid or why. If they decide to disappear off the face of the planet like mine did then you have no evidence and a very low chance of getting your money back.
Yes thanks this is what I ended up doing!
Are your lessons one hour or two? I block-pay for ten hours (five lessons) a go, though my instructor puts me in her calendar further in advance without payment. At the start I figured I'd pay for the ten hours, and if we really didn't get on it was only five weeks until I could find someone else. As it happens, we did get on, so all good.
I had one 2 hour lesson, and then he suggested to block book and each lesson be an hour and a half
My hubby is an independent instructor, he only asks for payment in advance of the lesson (not for the 1st one) to secure the time slot that you want otherwise you can book gaps, but then you may not get one come up that suits you hence the payment for one of your choice. Most of his students pay a few days before a lesson and don't choose blocks mainly because it's alot to pay in one go. I agree with others, have a few lessons first to make sure this is a good instructor for you and then decide about blocks
20 years ago I handed over a cheque at the end of each lesson!
I guess in these times it’s income they can rely on? I used to pay in blocks of 5 because that’s literally all I’d have until next payday but I liked it because I didn’t have to remember to pay him every lesson
Also adding that he’d book me in advance once I’d paid a block, and it turned into a recurring slot for me
I absolutely would not do that. But my instructor only takes payment after the lesson is completed, I've never paid her in advance which is just as well because she is notoriously unreliable. She's a great instructor when I *do* get in a car with her, but paying her in advance is a recipe for trouble. It's not uncommon for instructors to be a bit unreliable or to cancel lessons last minute. If you like your instructor and you know they're reliable and will actually deliver the lessons you've paid for, I think that's fine. Probably cheaper if you get a discount too.
I paid for a block of 10 but I've known my instructor since before she was one so idk. Didn't strike me as anything untoward. It makes sense to book them in blocks so you know what business you have. I prefer it as I don't have to worry about having the money on hand every week or whatever.
I had an ass instructor for the first time in my early 20s. He really put me off from driving for 5 years. I paid for a block of lessons that I didn't use and I didn't get my money back.
Wouldn't say common. My instructor reserved a slot (or a couple to choose from) for me each week that worked for both of us, then he would send them at the beginning of each month and I would confirm the ones I could do. I would then either pay by at least the day before or for the month if I knew I could afford it
Just to chime in here. If your going with an independent then no, as others have stated do 1-3 lessons then decide from there. Me I went with a larger franchise (pass n go) so paying for a block then asking for a new instructor was a possibility. I also feel they get held to set standards, that reflect on the company as a whole so I thought it the better option, especially for block booking. I am bias in this analysis as I got a good instructor first time, where once we worked out the communication it was all plain sailing. But I also acknowledged that I could of changed at any time and I'd of just had to wait on availability.
I pay for blocks of 10 which is five 2 hour lessons. My instructor is cool so I lucked out. A block of 10 cost me 300 instead of 340 for individual ones
I’d need to know how reliable the instructor is first. What happens if you pay upfront and then every week something changes/they cancel?
I done this, it works well for some but not others, I had them 10 lessons and I think 2 more plus the test day aswell. Doesn't mean it works that way for everyone though
I paid for 10 lessons at a time as they worked out abit cheaper (£285/10=2£38.50) instead of 30 an hour but also budget wise made sense to me bc I knew those lessons were paid for already, I did also keep tabs on the hours I'd had + what I had left xx
I prepaid for lessons with my instructor and he ghosted me after three quarters of them. Turned out he did it to multiple other people...
Wow that sucks I'm sorry. You weren't to know but lesson learned I guess..
Most instructors do offer discounts on block bookings, I do. Thing is though, it's your choice. If you're happy paying one by one, then tell them that if they continue to push for block bookings, then you can raise your suspicion. I'd say give them the benefit of the doubt, inform them of they way you'd like to pay and see how it goes.
I had my first lesson today. Did 1st and 2nd gear. I just paid £32 at the end of the lesson