Here's how it works:
1) Learn from parents until you think you are a solid driver.
2) Get a lesson with an instructor, where you should ask him if you are ready for the test.
If you are not ready, you can either go back to step 1 or you can get him to teach you.
If you are ready, then just go for it or do a mock test before then do it.
Simples.
So if he said you just need to drive on your own, that probably means you haven't mastered your co-ordination of the clutch and accelerator (if manual) or you just need to get a better feel and control for the car in general (cause that isn't very teachable). So that is step 1, go from there.