How much in total to learn driving in SSDC?

last SG · 2004-08-04T22:55:28+00:00

Eh, I took my Basic Theory in 1999, haha. That time just took for fun, didn't continue with Final Theory nor practical lessons. This year May then I started...

incredible SG

Hi i intend to learn my driving soon in SSDC (next month).
I have pass my basic theory.
can i ask how much does it cost (roughly) to get my
licence with SSDC?
$3k? $4k? ??????
thanks ppl Very Happy

are there anything that i should take note of?

angelhell SG

i fail many times liao.....don't know whether to go again or not.

fail 5 times leh

BufPuf SG

i spend 2.3k

becoz most of my lessons are learnt during sat and sun...
den before my TP i went for alot of revision lessons

Kel^83 SG

wah liao....

u reach so far liao. u wanna give up meh....

go for it mah. sure can de lor....

Smile

ahkico SG

Well... Per lesson, for off peak hours, which is mon - fri, 8.35 to 4.40pm the last slot... cost u about $56++... If u during peak hours, weekends n week day 1st peak hour classs is at 6.50pm to 8.55... Cost u another $8++ more... INcludes some cents and 5% gst... Total amt i can't remember... Hmm... U can log into www.ssdcl.com.sg

Meanwhile, u can go to register wif ssdc, but then the waitin time is very long... It will tak u about one mth b4 u can start lesson... I suggest u enblock book... meanin tat u book many slots at a time, coz the slots are really hard to get... Last min bookin very diff to get slot, at the time u r free...

U can go tak ur final theory after u start learnin to drive... But b4 u apply for test date, u got to pass ur final theory liao...

SOme people learn their final theory from school... They paid about $60++... I read somewhere tat, if u pass ur basic n final already, u r still required to have another theory class and got to pay so... Tis i not so sure, coz i tak my final theory wif them...

Feel tat isn' much of a use, except tat u can have access to their comp which got alot of q for u to practise on...

PDL: u can go up to level 3 there to apply... but then hor, usually b4 2nd lesson then apply lor... Coz hmm... 1st lesson usually no need pdl de, coz u be inside the circuit all the while... Jus stand by ur ic, $25, and ur basic theory slip when u apply pdl...

Don forget u need a passport size photo when u enrole...

Another thing is tat, once u enrol liao, u can go to the kiosk, upstairs, the bookin machine, u can go see when there r avaliable slots, then u can go book ur lesson first... coz they give u ur first lesson, is at least 1mth away de... So no pt waitin so long...

U r required to have at least 25 lessons... There are 33 subjects to be completed, b4 u r allowed to go book for test date... u wait about 2 mths for test date... Meanwhile, u can go for lesson again - revision...

How much u spend will depends on how many lessons u take... roughly 2-3 k?

ahkico SG

Don give up... U have come so far liao... Learn everythin up yet, haven get a license... don u feel is a waste?

Mayb u r feelin very tired, n worned out liao... Mayb u rest a little while, get back ur enthu, then start again? Have revisions nearby ur test date, say 1 or 2 wk b4? Most impt on the dae b4 have a re? i feel tat on the day re, lik very tired, wait test cannot concentrate...

Why is tat u fail each time? WAt r the mistakes u commonly make? Mayb u have not enough lessons, so not stable enough yet? Practise will make it better... Mayb u jus lack confi...

JIa you wor! Nev give up... Or else, u be wastin all ur efforts... why learn when u can't drive, coz u given up not to tak ur license? Perservance! I passed 2nd attempt, but then i took super long time to learn up everythin... Mayb u jus need more time? I took 8mths, 3 times a wk practically... Equally jia lat for me...I also do have thinkin of givin up, if i failed the 2nd time... Coz is damn tirin to tak the test again n again... Plus so many lessons liao... I see my inst, so i pai seh liaoz... But i tell my self nev to give up... Coz i learn so long, i bu gan yuan if i don get my license... Waste alot of effort...

So once u begin on somethin, make sure it has a endin... 3 cheers! Hop to hear from u soon, tat u passed liao! Sure can de... Have more confi in urself...

Charis75 SG

I would say, the average person will spend b/w 2k to 3k to learn driving with SSDC. The cost depends on:

(1) How many lessons you need to complete all 33 subjects
- average 20 to 30 lessons, depending on individual progress

(2) When you take the lessons
- peak $67.20 or off-peak $58.80

(3) Whether you want to book a fixed instructor
- extra $8.40 per lesson

(4) How many revision lessons you want to take
- revisions are done when you have completed all 33 subjs and have booked your test date, up to you to decide how many you want, depends on how confident you feel for the test.

(5) How many attempts you need to take the test
- each test itself will cost about $150 (test fee + warmup fee + vehicle rental), plus if you fail you need to take some more revision lessons

As a guide for you, I spent about 2.3k:
- 22 lessons to complete 33 subjs
- 6 revisions
- lessons mostly during peak hours
- paid for fixed instructor for 20 lessons
- 2 x theory lessons (took final theory with school, but passed basic before I enrolled)
- passed on 1st attempt

Other costs: Enrolment fees $100+, PDL $25, photocard licence $50, etc.

Other things...
I did Final Theory with the school, found the revisions on their computer system very useful. Just go for many, many revisions, by the time you take your FTT, the questions mostly see before one. Oh, also try to take your FTT after you have taken at least 2 or 3 practical lessons, it will help.

Btw, there is no min. number of lessons required. Last time they set the min. at 25, now no need liao.

And try to go for min. 2 lessons a week. In the beginning stages, preferably at least 3 times a week, else you will prob forget what you have learned in the prev lesson. For me, I took 3 to 5 lessons a week, from my 1st lesson to the date I passed = 2 months 1 week.

Shark8 SG

HI I juz failed my TP test, sigh, got any tips for 'S' course and directional change...? For example, turning point etc... Any help would be nice. Sad

barkhide SG

Dont throw that 2k down the drain...who knows you spend $150 more can get the license liao?

ahkico SG

U so from ssdc?

S-course:

First n foremost, u got to check ur blindspot b4 u turn in into the course... It is one of the safety check which will cost u 4pts if u forgot to do so...

Usually is on the left hand side, very few occasion, go in by rite side... which ever side, jus turn ur steerin wheel to the dir lor...

Full lock go into s-course... Maintain half clutch control... Very impt, go slow nev mind, no timin anywae...

Keep ur car the center pt, u know the car in front, got 2 dots? Look lik 2 eyes lik tat? Round round circle de... The center is inbetween the 2 dots... Jus let the car center follow the rite side of the kerb... Adjust ur steerin wheel to ur right to follow it, gradually...

U follow until reach the most curve bend, cannot keep the center in line wif the rite side kerb liao rite, u now adjust ur car again...

Tis time, the 2 dots rite, use the right side tat dot, to follow the kerb on ur left... now u got to steer left.... Slowly slowly u be out liao...

then stop, give way, etc... U should know liao le...

Direction change:

When u go in tat time, same thing, check blindspot...

When u turn in, turn in nicely, mak sure tat ur car is in the center... or else adjust as u move inside the "waitin area" (So called lah...) Ur car very center, u quite safe ba...

U rev gear, check the area tat u want to go in... the slot there... Mak sure no car, n don forget ur signal...

u in half clutch, rev till the pt, hmm... the door knob tat area? The kerb hit tis pt liao rite... Roughly reach there liao hor, u quickly full lock to the right... Then u can go in, sui sui...

Then u see ur side mirror, car about to inline wit the kerb, get ready to straighten, u judge urself tis lor... when to straighten the car... very hard to explain... U see roughly the car goin st, u turn 2 rounds to the left can liao lor...

Then ur side mirror, in line wit the kerb at the side in front, stop... Done!

barkhide SG

Try this site...go into e-learning...quite a lot of stuff covered...but ultimately I think practise makes prefect..you will need to register in the site first

http://www.gearspeed.com

ahkico SG

Jus went into tis website... V gd n infomative... haha...No need to get theory bk liao...every thing is inside... Wink

Charis75 SG

Hmm, ahkico's explanation of S-course is very detailed. But I was never really taught to use the 'dots' thing leh... 1st time I did S-course, instructor told me, "Very easy one. You just try 1st, go very slow. If you really cannot, I will demonstrate." So I basically just used my own judgement to turn the steering wheel accordingly, never strike kerb before...

I do believe the key is to go SLOW. Once you see that you're too near the kerb, cannot make it liao, then DON'T proceed further. Reverse your car or do whatever corrective action necessary. Corrective action will cost you less demerit points than strike kerb.

D-change, the turning point may differ for diff pple due to diff height and seating position and so on. Maybe you can get your instructor to point out your turning point to you again?

Since you find yourself weaker in these 2 courses, ask your instructor to let you practise more in them. For school students, it's very possible to clear the circuit without demerit points one, practice makes perfect! Smile

ahkico SG

haha... mayb coz i m slow learner... Poor learner... So he needs to teach me all tis pt, then can get it rite...

Ask me do it myself? i cant'! I need all tis pointers lor... LOL...

Dunno leh... i tot the d.c the pointers quite standard de? coz the door knob is fixed de... If worry, go in abit early, b4 reachin the door knob... coz esp for if u full lock very slow... Dunno dunno... Jus givin my 2cents worth...

Charis75 SG

Heehee, diff pple learn diff way mah. I think if my instructor tell me to use the dots, I will be very blur.

For DC, my instructor never really tell me to use door knob. I was supposed to look at the base of the triangle at the rear seat. But always cannot get it right de, cos I will forget my turning point for that. Embarassed In the end I 'devised' my own turning point plus a bit of agaration, good thing can do it.

Oh, one thing very impt for DC: Always position your car more to the RIGHT, or at least centre.

barkhide SG

More to the right? You mean more to the right after turning into the slot or before?

ahkico SG

Ya lor... diff people different learnin skills...

haha... but i feel for guys, they r always able to come out wif somethin tat suits them n is correct...

For me, tailored made... My inst devised them for me, coz i don have tis ability! Laughing

Charis75 SG

More to the right at the waiting area, before you reverse into the slot. After you reverse into the slot, your car should be closer to right kerb too. Or else moving out that time confirm will strike/mount left kerb.

Shark8 SG

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm from BBDC.

Usually during normal lessons, i can do well in courses. But when comes final assessent or test, get nervous and can't do anything rite. lol. For the test, i think my left rear wheel touch the kerb.. do demoralising. i come in from the left. my instructor also teach me the two dots ( or the black jet where water come out to clean ur windscreen). Ever since i use this method, I kept touching the kerb. dunno why.

Sigh going NS soon. Duno when can take test again. Shocked

ahkico SG

I think is stress bah... Haha... My inst taught me for so many mths, about 8 mths, but i still stress sometimes until my palms all sweaty liao...

My inst once told me, if u mak a mistake, forget it, coz when it is done, it is done, it cannot be undone... Jus continue to do ur best... Don think too much about ur mistakes, coz as u say, it is very demoralising...

I feel tat... Mayb u can look thru the pt system, for the test... so at least u have a rough idea of how u do? Eg, u strike kerb, for d.c is 4pts, etc... So tat mayb u won feel so stress up ba...

U talkin bout s-course rite? Practise makes perfect... U can apply for test date, choose the sat de lor... Or u see when u book out, coz got quite a few dates for u to choose... or mayb wait till ur schedule more stable, than go for it again... But only scared too long, then forget alot of it liao...

Hmm... u use the 2 black dots, ways will strike kerb?

I dunno leh... coz is not rite from the beginnin u use the 2 dots leh...

First, u full lock to the left to go in rite...

then u adjust a bit the steerin wheel to the rite... to get the center pt in line wif the kerb on ur right side lor... U know the center inbetween the 2 dots...

Then when about half way thru, u cannot keep the center pt in line wit the rite kerb, coz the curve is left left liao... then u use the right dot to follow the left kerb... Should be no prob ba...

Mayb is tat u turn in too early or late? Or didn full lock? Try it out ba, since u learn usin the two dots so, it might be easier to follow tis method... coz diff people got diff ways of goin thru it...

Mayb u consider fixin inst? One tat u lik for ur re, so at least the inst can guide u all tat u need to know for ur test?

Wat the tester wants to see if confidence... Of coz, sayin is easy, doin is tough... But u really got to act it out, even if u don have confi! All the while, i was actually sweatin... my palms, my legs all tremblin... But keep in under control... At least i m able to, coz i need to concentrate on the clutch... haha... at least prevent me from shakin... When it was over, my whole leg turn jelly n i almost cannot walk back to the briefin room... Laughing

Durin my test, i realise tat the tester keep starin at me, to see my reaction, esp when doin somethin considered more dangerous... eg, lane changin,etc... n i got tis really bad habit... each time i do somethin dangerous, or somethin unexpected happen, eg, the car jerk etc, i will ah! I mak lots of noise de, durin my lessons! Noise of exclamation, of scaredness.... Haha... much worst than u hor? Test, no choice, control... keep a st face... The kind nothin can darn me look...

Really, u shouldn let a small mistake deters u so much... Since it is done, it cannot be undone... sometimes u nev know de... if the tester wants to pass u, they don penalise u so much de... unless they wanna kill... few mistakes they tick can kill liao...

So jus look st, try ur best! So long as u given ur best, u have no regrets! Wish u gd luck! Wink Confi ah!