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!
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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 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!
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.I will take a look at that thread thank you!
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I will definitely look into this on our tomtom, thank you!
I have a TomTom sat nav, haven’t actually used it in a while as I know the routes I’ve been doing, never knew it did that for Lane guidance!! That would solve a lot of my stresses haha. Is it just an automatic thing included on the sat nav?? I will have to put mine on and have a look as this could help me a lot!
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all my driving stresses are around roads I don’t know very well, i will research the route on Google maps and I do have a sat nav but I get so pre-emptively stressed mainly about not knowing what lane to go in etc. unfortunately I think the only way through it is to practice those routes. Another option that I’ve done before is if I’m a passenger, get someone to drive me somewhere and just focus on the road (as in, when do they move lanes, what lane do they take on the roundabout, which exit is it) so that someone else is doing the driving but I can mentally drive it and learn the route sort of.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
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I’ll also have to find the anxiety driving thread I think!!
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!
I’ve just driven somewhere new today where I didn’t know the route and was worried about the lanes - I researched it last night on Google maps and zoomed in to see the lanes 
then had the sat nav on today in the car which just gave me the reassurance. Feel sooooo proud of myself as I’ve been so hesitant to go this particular way for no real reason - was just worried about a big roundabout that turned out to be no problem, ha.
It really is worth it if you can build up the confidence. It’s such a small thing to moar people but I feel so chuffed today and much more keen now to drive further!
then had the sat nav on today in the car which just gave me the reassurance. Feel sooooo proud of myself as I’ve been so hesitant to go this particular way for no real reason - was just worried about a big roundabout that turned out to be no problem, ha.It really is worth it if you can build up the confidence. It’s such a small thing to moar people but I feel so chuffed today and much more keen now to drive further!
On the theory test, is the hazard perception test that much different to the ones that are found in the practice apps? I have the Theory Test app and the Driving Test app.
No it's not at all, tbh I found slightly easier 
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xoh good, thanks. I seem to be aware of the hazard too early and don’t score because the software is so specificNo it's not at all, tbh I found slightly easier
Use the 1-2-3 method I think it's called (something similar) ... 3 clicks like your counting slowly. Some people say that works
I posted in the first thread and somehow missed this new one!
I’m finally going for my test tomorrow (after close to 4 years driving). I’m not feeling 100% ready but.. Does anyone have any last minute tips? I’m in Ireland.
I’m finally going for my test tomorrow (after close to 4 years driving). I’m not feeling 100% ready but.. Does anyone have any last minute tips? I’m in Ireland.
All I can say is 'You got this!!!" Good luck xx
Rescue remedy, banana and affirmations for the nerves. Remind yourself you are a calm, competent driver. Some people find it helpful to act like it is just another lesson, but with a new instructorI posted in the first thread and somehow missed this new one!
I’m finally going for my test tomorrow (after close to 4 years driving). I’m not feeling 100% ready but.. Does anyone have any last minute tips? I’m in Ireland.
Well… failed anyway! 🫣I posted in the first thread and somehow missed this new one!
I’m finally going for my test tomorrow (after close to 4 years driving). I’m not feeling 100% ready but.. Does anyone have any last minute tips? I’m in Ireland.
Oh no I'm sorry! Don't worry though, I'm still awaiting a new test date sooner rather than later x
So glad I discovered this thread. I am a late learner (30+) and started lessons in March this year. I bought myself a little car when I felt like I was good enough to do it (didnt want to be wasting huge money in case I was terrible). I'm about to do my last lesson next week. There's a long waiting list in Ireland for the test which suits me grand as I can get a lot of practice in.
One thing that's getting me down is the fear. I have been avoiding going out driving. Fear of cutting out (manual car) and fear of other drivers being dickheads is really getting to me. I'm trying to push myself to do at least one hour of driving every evening. I know there is no magic switch that will help with my fear/anxiety. It's very reassuring to read others experiences here, it's nice to know I'm not the only one going through it.
Keep up the good work everyone
One thing that's getting me down is the fear. I have been avoiding going out driving. Fear of cutting out (manual car) and fear of other drivers being dickheads is really getting to me. I'm trying to push myself to do at least one hour of driving every evening. I know there is no magic switch that will help with my fear/anxiety. It's very reassuring to read others experiences here, it's nice to know I'm not the only one going through it.
Keep up the good work everyone
It took me 4 goes and around 3 years of lessons to pass at the grand old age of 37. I def believe in the rescue remedy and bananas. Even it was a placebo it did the job. My other tip is first test of the day, no time to stress or stew before the test. Good luck!
I’ve been driving for 34 years and I can still get anxious and go in the wrong lane when I don’t know where I am.
As others have said, it does help to have a look at Google Streetmaps and literally look at the lanes at the junctions and plan your journey. It’s very annoying when the painted markings on the lanes are either faded or a bloody lorry is covering it so having a look beforehand is really helpful. I have had a Garmin satellite for years and the lane assist is very good on motorways. All satnavs can be pretty bad at roundabouts though as they tend to count every exit, some of which can just be a lane to the local tip
. If I do get myself into a tizz, I just think what’s the worst thing that can happen? I end up going in the wrong direction but the satnav will get me back on track, I’ll just be later than planned. There aren’t people still driving round lost after 24 hours
There’s a guy on YouTube covers things like this. As you can see, it happens to professionals too. My Fil is an ex police advanced driver, and he still does it.
I really like my driving instructor but his car is a Hyundai Tucson which I'm struggling to drive as it's a large car. I would never buy myself such a large car and when I practice with relatives I'm driving a little Toyota Aygo, so there's quite a difference!
I'm struggling with corners and clipping the kerb. Has anyone had lessons in such a large car? Did your instructor give you pointers? Mine seems to think I'll get it in the end but I'm doubting it
I'm struggling with corners and clipping the kerb. Has anyone had lessons in such a large car? Did your instructor give you pointers? Mine seems to think I'll get it in the end but I'm doubting it
What car will you be doing your test in as this is the car you should most practice if poss. If you can drive a bigger car, you’ll have no problem then moving to a smaller car after. If you’re new to lessons, you will learn the size of the car. Don’t doubt yourself. It’s just practice.
I think I'll be doing the test in the instructors car. It has a rear camera so that makes things easier. I'm on my 7th lesson and corners have been the worst part. Even parallel parking was easier than corners - I really struggle with the tight 90 degree corners, even at snail's pace I clip the back tyre.