Learning to drive #2

[hogwartsgraduate]

Just make sure you read the small print with the black box, some have some quite weird terms. I.e. Minimum use for one and curfew times.
Happy driving though x

 

[jawidjanqndn]

Good luck to everyone with lessons & tests this week!

Had a lesson this morning with the sat nav - was ok! I took the wrong left though but my instructor says it’s fine if you do that on the test, as long as it’s safe.

3 more lessons til my test now! I’ve been on this thread since this time last year and I can’t believe my test is in a fortnight!

Good luck! So exciting

 

[LadyB65]

I did my theory over 2 years ago ill might go back and look over everything because its getting me so down why I'm just not getting it


I keep thinking maybe he is only giving me the hour because I'm shit at the driving was kinda shocked when he said about YouTube isn't going to get me fully driving I know some of the videos will be handy but really think it's loads of practice I need

YouTube and TikTok are great for topping up your knowledge, but your instructor should be the one teaching you, I’m sure you’re paying plenty of money to him, to do just that.
Driving doesn’t come naturally to some people (I’m one of those people), and you really have to wait a while before everything clicks into place. I wish I had learned in an automatic, as gears and clutch control was where I struggled, but people put me off by saying I wasn’t really learning how to drive etc etc, so I persevered with the manual, and I eventually got there (now all those people that encouraged me to drive a manual, now drive automatics and it looks like we all will soon , so don’t worry about that - you do what’s best for you). But you need to first of all need to figure out what’s holding you back, where your problems lie and what’s not clicking before you can do anything about it. As you say it probably is lack of actual driving experience, my cousin and I started around the same time and he passed way before me, as he had been out and about loads in his girlfriends car, where as I rarely got to drive out with my lessons. Have you said that no one else is there to take you out? Are there other instructors that you could book in with? Sometimes I wish driving in the UK and Ireland was as easy as it is in America, where I think they do minimal and just let you on the road at 16
If you find anything specific that you’re struggling with let us know, there’s always someone else who has been through it

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

Hi Jadeyell, I hated learning to drive and my kids were teenagers when I passed, myself being over 40... Don't beat yourself up over the kids thing, they aren't missing out because of driving so forget about that

Find a sympathetic teacher and go with your own flow. You might find you want to watch them drive for a while at the start of the lesson or do alot more quiet estates. This will gain confidence and that will then help spur you on forward.

There is a lot to learn and remember but that never stops - my husband been driving 25+ years and he still learns new things on the road! (Especially after he helped me learn the highway code for the theory lol!)

 

[Irishgirl14]

I have my test on Thursday really don't feel I'm going to pass still finding the reverse around the corner tricky

 

[under the ivy]

What are peoples views on black box insurance?

 

[EddyDarling]

Finally have my test date its in 3 weeks would love to pass 1st time but really don't think I will any tips been a very long process getting here with some very crap driving instructor ,covid and few other things in between

No tips but sending luck!

 

[Sallyspal]

Finally have my test date its in 3 weeks would love to pass 1st time but really don't think I will any tips been a very long process getting here with some very crap driving instructor ,covid and few other things in between

confidence is key… I do think it’s the hardestpart though… I was sooo nervous every time before I passed (4th time)

now that I’ve passed I wish I was more relaxed (easier said than done though)

 

[JLXRD]

I can relate in a way although I didn’t have a gap between passing and driving, I’ve found it’s taken me a long time to feel remotely confident driving on my own. Can you build up with just going out on short drives every day in places you know?

how do you mean seeing where you are in lands - do you mean knowing which lane to be in or your actual position in the lane?

Even though you can obviously drive would it be worth seeing if anyone could sit with you (if you feel that wouldnt make you worse!) just to help your confidence?

In theory I love the freedom of driving but in an ideal world I don’t think I would choose to do it!

In terms of lanes i guess I mean sometimes lanes don’t follow through and you go from being in the middle lane in a 3 lane road, buts not obvious when it becomes a two lane road which lane yours feeds into iyswim? I guess lane discipline.

I think it’s more to do with needing to make that assessment as to where I need to be so fast I just end up in a huge panic I’m building up driving time with my husband but it’s hard because he’s lived in this area his whole life and has been driving 17 years so he just knows the roads really well and doesn’t really anticipate where/ why I’m struggling.

There’s a thread on here for driving anxiety and it’s honestly made me feel so much better knowing I’m not alone, definitely take a look as I’m the exact same! Only passed 4-5 months ago and still really struggle with my confidence.

I will take a look at that thread thank you!
---

Although I’ve been driving confidently for years i had a similar experience when i moved overseas and had to drive on the other side of the road. what helped greatly was using a tom tom sat nav for every journey as it has really good lane discipline guidance that i could use if i got spooked when driving through traffic lights/roundabouts etc. I would say keep going with simple journeys that you know and your confidence will build. Gold luck!

I will definitely look into this on our tomtom, thank you!

 

[Prefrontalmedialcortex]

I am not a learner but I am new to the roads. I passed my driving test a week before the first lockdown in March 2020. Plans of buying a car were delayed because of the pandemic, I did my Pass Plus end of September 2021 and this week I just bought my first car - a Fiat 500. Haven’t driven properly since September.

My anxiety has always held me back and learning to drive took me a long time, now I am really scared to go out and drive on my own. I keep thinking of the worst. Anyone have any useful tips?

 

[SoulDestroyer]

My instructor thinks I'm ready for a test in a few weeks, so wants to look for cancellations. I disagree! We've only been through the manoeuvres once and there's some things I still struggle with like changing lanes on dual carriageways. I would've thought we'd practice manoeuvres quite a bit, but we haven't.

 

[SoulDestroyer]

Trust your gut! Tests are £60 so not cheap, don’t rush into it if you don’t feel ready.

Do you like your instructor? Could be worth communicating that you don’t feel ready with them, if they don’t support that then look for a new one. Definitely seems strange to be pushing a test so soon, unless you are just a better driver than you think you are! It all comes down to confidence. X

I have a test booked for end of October, and I thought that was a decent goal to work towards, so I was really surprised when he started talking about taking one soon. I think I might be giving him a false impression - I like the driving aspect, town driving especially, but we seem to do the same things on lessons, and when I've messed up we might revisit the problem on the same lesson where I get it right, but we never revisit it again.
I will have to say something, he is pretty approachable but I can't help feeling he just wants me gone and out the way! I feel like even if I fluked a pass I wouldn't feel safe.

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

Passed my theory test today! Wish I done it a lot earlier as my instructor says I’m test ready and the earliest practical test date to book was December

Yay!! well done my theory is booked for 9th Sept

 

[Dancing Dave]

Just out of interest how long did it take your licence to arrive please? My test was last Monday and nothing has come yet

My license came Tuesday (27th) and my test was the 14th!

 

[tomato123]

I failed my test lmao and I’m so annoyed bc I slowed down before the crossroad but apparently it was too late that the examiner had to slam on his breaks (bit excessive in my opinion).
I’m slightly put off by the whole experience but at the same time I want my licence. It was sooo nerve wracking.
My instructor said not to book him until a week before my next test day as he knows I can drive (I’m also paying to be on my grandmas insurance) and doesn’t want me to waste my money.
I know it’s 10 days until I can next book a test, but how long would you guys wait?

I would book as soon as possible as well. Good luck and I hope it goes well!

 

[Irishgirl14]

Observation is the most important part of driving . Poor observation will cause you to fail your test so this is something to work on.

Basically you need to do what is going on around you , and anticipate what may happen shortly as you and other road users travel. Do you need to do a theory test where you live? There are probably things online that go over the hazard awareness and explain it.

Get your instructor to help you adjust your mirrors and explain where you should be looking.

Practice too, it takes a while to learn something and it to become second nature.

I did my theory over 2 years ago ill might go back and look over everything because its getting me so down why I'm just not getting it

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.

I keep thinking maybe he is only giving me the hour because I'm shit at the driving was kinda shocked when he said about YouTube isn't going to get me fully driving I know some of the videos will be handy but really think it's loads of practice I need

 

[givemethegossx]

was trying to swap my test and someone messed me about and now i only have until Thursday to change it and nobody will swap so it's not looking good definitely not ready (my instructor says I'm close but not quite there yet) so can't imagine she'll be too impressed

looks like i'll be taking my test next week at 34 weeks pregnant and with my hormones at the moment I'll probs cry the whole time

 

[SoulDestroyer]

How long have you been learning? I’ve never heard anyone be ready after practicing manoeuvres once

Yeah that's what I thought. The instructor knows I hate reversing too, so was assuming we'd practice much more. I've been having lessons 1 hour per week since April.

 

[Stepharnie]

It sounds easier said than done but try and act like it’s not an exam, like you can drive (because you clearly can to be at test standard) and you’re just giving someone a lift. They make it very easy as in they will clearly instruct you throughout so it’s just a case of following instructions and driving safely over everything else. Best of luck with it on the day. What time is your test?

It's at 10.14, I've got a lesson at 9 before that

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

What’s everyone’s thoughts on p plates. I’m really struggling getting to grips with my new car and keep stalling. Think it would make me feel less under pressure with them on but my partner said it can make other drivers more aggressively.