Parallel parking used to stress me out extremely, but the few times I've had to do it now, it was always fine and I managed to get the car in in one go. I've learned that the way it is taught (at least here) in driving school isn't the best way to actually do it, they make you turn in the car at an too tight angle by turning the wheel in to the max, leading you to need to correct overly much. I believe it is done to get maximum vision, which is probably a good idea for someone just learning to drive, but the parking bit is then also much more complicated than it needs to be. The few times I've done it now I just didn't but the wheel in to the maximum and it worked much better.
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Omg, I would have cried. That’s horrible. I avoid parallel parking if I can. Sometimes there’s no option but to do it when I go to my parents and I do manage to do it but having an audience kills me off. Even my mum knows not to look out the window when I arrive
What surprises me most about this is that there was a police man around. The cynic in me suggests that he wouldn't be quite as quick to say anything to someone commiting a crime.
However, it's great that you are being proactive and doing the advanced course. I'm crap at parallel parking too , I've only done it a couple of times since my test. I should practice more , but I rarely need to do it.
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There were a few police around as there had been a car accident on the road, and police and ambulance had been called.
So lots of people standing around to see my parking,, and later getting breathalysed!.[/QUOTE]
There were a few police around as there had been a car accident on the road, and police and ambulance had been called.
So lots of people standing around to see my parking,, and later getting breathalysed!.[/QUOTE]
Ooh, I've not heard of this. Will have a look into it as there's tons of diversions near me at the moment.Have you used the Waze app? It’s really good for avoiding traffic and will divert you if it knows there are problems. I hate ring roads and roundabouts too
Drove to a country park about 20 mins away yesterday. All went fine even though the route was different. I really just need to get out more.
Yes sometimes the thought of doing something is worse than actually doing it! But I can really relate and I need to get out more too.
[/QUOTE]
I hate being watched
The thought of driving somewhere new in an area I don't know fills me with dread. Especially on a tight schedule. I didn’t realise how bad it was until I was faced with having to do it.
Hello all again I commented quite a few threads back now about learning to drive at last just wanted to update you all while I'm on here if anyone is interested after finding a lovely new instructor and having thirty hours of lessons I've now got my own little car with my L plates and a test booked unfortunately for next summer thanks to the wait list 
my theory test will probably run out if I have to retest so 
not to that if my nerves don't get the better of me on the day if anyone has any experience of how tests are here in the UK please comment anything useful to know or to expect thank you 
my theory test will probably run out if I have to retest so not to that if my nerves don't get the better of me on the day if anyone has any experience of how tests are here in the UK please comment anything useful to know or to expect thank you 
I like to look on Google maps and see the pictures of where I will be going and what is on the way to help me prepare.
I still find it hard. Especially if there is someone else in the car with me.
Try and have a relaxing day/evening before the test and get an early bed.Hello all again I commented quite a few threads back now about learning to drive at last just wanted to update you all while I'm on here if anyone is interested after finding a lovely new instructor and having thirty hours of lessons I've now got my own little car with my L plates and a test booked unfortunately for next summer thanks to the wait list
All you can do is try your best.
If you fail you can take it again, all you will lose is money.
When on the test, if you are not clear ask the instructor to repeat the instructions. I found it helpful to repeat them back after said.
I really relate to this and like @TheStrawberryThief I use google maps, especially the StreetView feature, to prepare. That way I feel there's less insecurity what I'll actually be driving into and can have a good look at crossings.
I’ve been driving over a year now, took me a lot of attempts to pass. I’ve never been in any accidents and I drive a lot but I do consider myself a very nervous driver when I’m in new places. Today I was following my satnav in a new area trying to get into the motorway to get home and I took the wrong road. Ended up driving the wrong way up a road when I noticed the arrows pointing the opposite way I totally panicked. Luckily there was no cars and I managed to turn around safely but I am totally shook. I drove back past the road I made the mistake on and it was so busy 10 minutes later I am really lucky. Hope I can get over the shock I’ve not told anyone as I’m so embarrassed. Has anyone got any tips on how to avoid the anxiety when driving In new places.
You should feel proud of yourself for getting out of that situation safely and without causing any problems.
I know that is is not always easy ( and I do struggle with this as well), but if your let anxiety and fear take over, 90% of the time you become a worse driver.
I know that if I let my anxiety drive, I make more and more mistakes and can not make sound judgements about what I need to do. This is not safe for me or other people.
If you make a mistake, get yourself back on track safely, take a deep breath and try and not dwell on it. When you get where you are going, you have all the time you need to think about what you should have done.
You made a mistake and fixed it! No harm done and you learned something from the experience.
Sometimes I like to check google maps for the route I'm taking for any unusual roundabouts/road layouts etc. I cocked up a roundabout (big spiral one) the other week, so I looked back on google maps, realised my mistake and tried again the following week successfully. I think if you view mistakes as an opportunity for learning it's much more positive than beating yourself up.
In the moment, it's so important just to move on from any mistakes as soon as you can and refocus on what's ahead. I try to breathe, make sure i'm not gripping the steering wheel like a madwoman and try to keep the anxiety down, easier said than done of course.
I passed my driving test back in October but I’m still very nervous about driving alone. I haven’t done it yet so have had my partner with me (I only got a car 2 weeks ago) yesterday I drove us somewhere and as I was turning into a side road, some guy who was waiting to emerge, gestured at me while looking pissed off and I can honestly say I can’t think of anything I did wrong?? It baffled my partner also and he said I did nothing wrong. I was starting to feel quite confident until then 
yesterday I drove us somewhere and as I was turning into a side road, some guy who was waiting to emerge, gestured at me while looking pissed off and I can honestly say I can’t think of anything I did wrong?? It baffled my partner also and he said I did nothing wrong. I was starting to feel quite confident until then Just wondering if anyone else does this.
When reversing into a tight parking space, and some passer-by (usually a man) stops and helps by saying; come on back, you're all right, back a bit more ... back a bit more ...
Well for some reason I get all panicky & paranoid because my car's old & I don't have those sensor thingies and bless them for trying to help a damsel in distress and all that ...
... but I'm always convinced they're deliberately trying to get me to crash into the car behind! 
When reversing into a tight parking space, and some passer-by (usually a man) stops and helps by saying; come on back, you're all right, back a bit more ... back a bit more ...
Well for some reason I get all panicky & paranoid because my car's old & I don't have those sensor thingies and bless them for trying to help a damsel in distress and all that ...
... but I'm always convinced they're deliberately trying to get me to crash into the car behind! This has only actually happened to me once but I could have criedJust wondering if anyone else does this.
When reversing into a tight parking space, and some passer-by (usually a man) stops and helps by saying; come on back, you're all right, back a bit more ... back a bit more ...
Well for some reason I get all panicky & paranoid because my car's old & I don't have those sensor thingies and bless them for trying to help a damsel in distress and all that ...
hate anyone watching me reverse. Had to be polite and thank them but actually was utterly mortified.
My route to work is very roundabout heavy, you can guarantee at least 3 times a week somebody in the wrong lane will cut me up and then angrily shout and wave there hands at me, it got to the point I convinced myself it was me in the wrong so I made my dad, who drives for a living, sit in the passenger seat whilst I drove the route and he confirmed I was in all the correct lanes etc!! Some people just cannot drive and refuse to admit they’re in the wrong!!I passed my driving test back in October but I’m still very nervous about driving alone. I haven’t done it yet so have had my partner with me (I only got a car 2 weeks ago)
That happened to me. A really horrid roundabout that seems to completely confuse people as you need to get into the correct lane early. Lots of beeping and angry taxis. I made my OH do the journey on street view and he absolutely insists I am right. I think at busy times a part of it gets clogged up near the supermarket exit making it difficult for people to get in lane for the train station. People get impatient and just lash out. Stresses me out.
Yesterday I was stuck in traffic for ages , on a main road that leads to a bridge. I decided to come of at the last slip road before the bridge , detour and go to the next bridge along. I then realised, I've never driven that way before , and I rarely drive anywhere new. So I'm really proud of myself. It was really well sign posted , though.