Learning to drive #2

[LeWylde]

Have my test on Thursday, will be my second one.
Only got a couple of minors on my first one but got a serious fault on my parallel park
I’m sooo nervous, felt sick and nervy all week, but having lessons every evening and glued to online videos so hoping they pay off.
Feel the pressure now my theory runs out in a few months. Wish me luck please! X

Good luck! I had a banana and some Rescue Remedy before mine, and it really helped me so much.

 

[Woahhreality]

I’m learning to drive, and the past 2 weeks I’ve completely felt like a beginner and made silly mistakes! My instructor said it happens to everyone but I was so gutted prior to this I was fine - but suddenly my confidence has been wobbly! Anyone else had this? I’ve had 15-18 lessons so far

 

[cryptix]

Morning guys can I join this thread? I have a 2 hour lesson booked this morning. It's been a loooong journey for me! I have pretty much been taking lessons on and off since I was 17....I am now 41 I get so far along my learning journey then just get fed up or annoyed at myself and give up. I have wasted so much time & money! I've had some awful experiences with driving instructors too, really hoping I can work with this instructor today.

I passed my theory test last week and have booked my practical test, it's not till September. I keep telling myself that's a good timeline to pull the skills I have together and fine tune them - so to speak!

Feeling really nervous! I last drove in 2022 and that was in a dual control car with a friend. I do enjoy driving once I am on the road, it just feels so overwhelming at times and such a huge thing to try and do. But then I think, loads of people manage to do it! I really need to put my mind to it this time.

You can do this,if 2 hr seems too much why don't you see if you can do 1 hour slots 2x a week?
I hope it went well for you xx

 

[Clover123]

It seems so random! I've heard people fail for such tiny reasons like the two previous posters, but also the complete opposite- someone I know didn't stop properly at a stop sign, thought they had failed and still passed! Their instructor was in the back seat and couldn't believe the examiner didn't fail them for it! And yet sometimes you get failed for something you couldn't have done differently- my friend was going down a road with parked cars on his side, and so waited for an oncoming vehicle to go first as they had priority. The oncoming vehicle stopped for them and waved them to go ahead, which they safely did. They were failed on it, which seemed ridiculous to me- did the examiner want them to just keep waving each other forward for the whole 40 minute test?!

The more I hear, the more I think the whole test system is frankly ridiculous and inconsistent! It seems completely down to luck. However, everyone passes eventually so at some stage we will get lucky too! I've accepted that I'm going to fail first time and that's taken the pressure off

 

[noseybirdxo]

Thank you for your kind words. I didn’t pass today, nerves 100% took over and I made a silly mistake at a roundabout. Cried all the way home haha!
I’m allowing myself tonight to wallow and eat my emotions then tomorrow I’ll pick myself up

Hey it’s okay 🤍🤍🤍 Mistakes happen and that’s okay xxx

 

[gossipgal21]

Update... I had another test today and I passed! Picked up 6 minors but still less than last time!

@gossipgal21 you were right about the nerves- I was much calmer in this test, though it did help that I had a friendly examiner who explained things very clearly to me. My last examiner was friendly but this one took a slightly different method to explaining the test and aspects of it which was exactly what I needed.

Can finally relax (for now)!

excellent news - congratulations!!!

i know what you mean about the examiner I felt the difference with the second one too and it felt very clear and calm.

As for me I’ve been driving for a month now and I’m finally starting to feel a bit better about driving alone in my car been doing short ish routes and just building up, getting used to the feel of a different car. But a couple of times recently I’ve felt like I’ve enjoyed it! Miracles do happen

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Thank you for your kind words. I didn’t pass today, nerves 100% took over and I made a silly mistake at a roundabout. Cried all the way home haha!
I’m allowing myself tonight to wallow and eat my emotions then tomorrow I’ll pick myself up

Never mind mate - you now know what the test is like, so just get another one booked in and crack on. No harm done!

 

[leon19]

I passed my test in May and I still feel like I am getting used to my car
I haven't stalled in ages and general driving is fine, but I need to get used to how long & wide my car actually is!
Parking is still my weakest skill, I can go into bay forwards quite easily now but haven't managed to reverse park yet
For ages I drove to a car park 20mins walk away from work because it was quieter

I passed in March and I haven't reversed parked either I was so good at it in my instructors car and even had it on my test but the reference points in that car and my car are so different, so I don't dare do it. Weirdly I will parallel park ok though

 

[Stepharnie]

I've got my first test on Monday morning, feeling ok about at the moment not to nervous yet!!
Got some kalms, banana's and herbal drops to help me sleep anything else anyone can recommend to keep the nerves at bay x

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

Did any of you use P plates? I’ve seen some people say other drivers treated them worse when they saw them

Yeah but only for a month or so, like gossipgal said they will beep anyway and whilst I was really nervous at the beginning it's starting to not bother me what others think. It's true when they say you only really learn to drive after you pass lol.

 

[gossipgal21]

Definitely sound like more nerves related issues @mang0 and hopefully just need a bit more time and practice. It’s so frustrating I know but I’m sure you’ll get it next time!

Ironically after all the time I took to get through my test and dealing with all my anxieties, now I’m allowed to drive I don’t want to I actually feel so nervous in the car,feel like I don’t know where I’m going, worry about parking, everything!! It’s like starting all over again. Also had a drive with my dad yesterday to practice going upthe dual carriageway somewhere and it was all just awful. Busy, stressful and I cried when I got back.

Was never sure paying for a pass plus course would be worth it but maybe I should?! Anyone have any experience?

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Said I need more practice and watch YouTube videos he can unfortunately only do 1 hour a week

Right. Look for another instructor. You need more than 1 hour a week and this guy sounds like he doesn’t really give a shit and im sorry but he’s telling you to go on to you tube to learn something that you are PAYING HIM to teach you?! No! Your instructor is holding you back here.

 

[Goodluckwiththebook]

@pommynoir There's an Irish instructor on YouTube who I watched and found he explains things very well. He has a video for nearly every issue that crops up with driving. I've popped his link down below. Besides that, if you can afford a little automatic it would be the way to go. Once you get a feel for the way it's done right you will never lose the skill. Like so many things in driving the more you do it the more it becomes like second nature.

https://youtube.com/c/DaneTygheletsdrive

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

Have everything crossed for you like Jenny says

 

[Thank(space)you]

Well done both of you!

 

[Kim Mild]

Decided I’m not doing my test tomorrow I’m far too nervous I’ve ordered Kalms from Amazon to see how I go with that for my nerves

W
I would go for it . You will have to drive in situations when you are nervous after you pass . Is this your first test? I found I learned more from the tests I failed than I did in my later lessons.

 

[MsGilmore]

So I passed 14 months ago but I’ve only just got around to buying a car and I’m honestly back to bricking it every time I get in.

I can drive but I am finding seeing where I need to be in lanes so so hard 🥲 just don’t know if I’m ever going to feel confident to go out on my own at this rate. Wishing I hadn’t left it so long.

Could you go out driving late evening just to get a feel for the local roads and roundabouts? The roads will usually be quieter and you might be more able to see the lane markings.
Driving is all about practice. The more you do it, the easier it gets. We were all unsure and nervous drivers once and we all get in the wrong lane despite years of experience. I tend to use Google Maps if I’m going somewhere new or unfamiliar to get used to the root.
I always thought I was too short to drive, but my dad made me start my lessons and now I love the freedom and independence! You can do it!

 

[noseybirdxo]

I didn’t get P plates either because I didn’t want to make myself a sitting target. Some idiots see L and P plates and they just get enraged and start acting like arrogant arseholes. I did fine without them.

I’ve only been using them as my boyfriends clutch is very different to what I’ve learnt in, (and he feels more comfortable me having them on his car ) I’m fortunate where I live is a popular teaching route so you get a lot of patience anyway

 

[Lilu22]

First test back in November, failed with about 20 seconds to go before the end. Gutted didn’t even come close!

Second test was tomorrow… Instructor tells me he has Covid

 

[Lollypad]

Sounds very similar to me, I was heavy on my brake to begin with (and after each lockdown the first 15 mins of my lesson would be a bit heavy) but I soon learnt what my instructor was telling me about it and it made me feel more in control. I think you’re right about being cautious, I started learning a couple of months before I was 25 and then passed a week after my 27th (covid lockdowns meant it was a 2 year process ) Sounds like a very normal first lesson and you should be proud of taking the step to do it! You’re not gonna be a master at gears first lesson so just trust the process. I can’t wait to hear your updates!

Exactly, a very normal first lesson well done @Dancing Dave - you haven’t done any of this before so of course you’re going to be heavy footed or whatever. Well done for giving it a go