Learning to drive.

[LaurieLaurie]

It’s 8 weeks til my driving test. Had a lesson yesterday and I was making stupid mistakes (leaving the handbrake on, not looking at my blind spots). I can drive and my instructor says I’m confident. I’m just dreading the test now.

Plenty of time to iron out any minor things.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

How’s everyone getting on?

I’ve got a new test date for October after he was double booked for my august test. I’m just going to hope we aren’t back in restrictions by then..! Enjoying my lessons, I’m kinda glad it’s been pushed back as I feel more confident every lesson

 

[Thank(space)you]

I’m excited for it.. It’s 4 weeks tomorrow. How about you? It’s this month isn’t it? My biggest worry is someone else driving like an idiot as it’s happened on a few lessons recently.

Yes I'm this month, I'm nervous but excited. I keep telling myself I can drive, I'm just showing someone how well I can do it

 

[Kim Mild]

I’ve been driving about 7 years and I still stall all the time, especially when I’m trying to park and someone is watching me

I've been driving for years too, I've been fine with my old cars, it's just this particular one. I've had it a while and it's not getting any better.

I have had the worst experiences with instructors both men and women.It’s put me off would love my licence but don’t have anyone who would allow me to drive with them away from lessons for hours on end so have currently stopped all together.Attached some of the many back and forth between me and my so called instructors.I have tried an intensive course but was told on the last day I wasn’t ready for the day a complete waste of 20hrs and my entire week and over £600.Not sure what way to turn to after all this.Maybe automatic??Any advice welcome

Change your instructor again if you aren't happy , you have employed them to provide a service for you. Also, changing lesson times all the time isn't fair , that's an inconvenience .
Re intensive course , personally in learning new skills ( generally, not just driving) , it takes time for it to 'click' and this isn't always related to the amount of practice.

 

[under the ivy]

My DI cancelled my lesson this weekend due to illness. I mentally prepared myself as well so I feel rubbish when it gets cancelled! Hoping to do it during the week after work.

 

[nightfeedz]

I am already nervous for my lesson tomorrow afternoon. Even though the last one went fine. I really just want to feel comfortable on the road and trust that I can be safe and get from a to b.

Urghh this has to be the most annoying time to learn to drive ever. There’s so much extra pressure with all the tests and instructors being so busy.

 

[nightfeedz]

That’s a horrible experience, some drivers are impatient and I suppose just get in the car remembering that- but also remember there are so many drivers out there that understand, they are patient and respect you are learning. These vile people who feel the need to shout those things aren’t worth bothering about. They themselves aren’t good drivers if they are shouting that. I mean we all had to learn and start somewhere, even the one shouting that!
Please, please don’t let it put you off, I know it’s hard. You deserve to be on the road just as much as that driver does. You will always get people like that, even when you pass. I have so many idiots tail gating me because I’m not going fast enough! I mean I think I drive at normal speeds! And I had some lorry driver beep me on a dual carriageway the other week which upset me, because I genuinely don’t know what I did! Some people are knobs and they have no patience. So please just try and ignore them. Idiots they are! Xx

You’re so right, the aggressive drivers that try to bully learners are NOT the good drivers. The fear when someone beeps!! I panic and think I’ve done something dreadful and it turns out it’s just someone pissed off they can’t go at a roundabout or are saying hiya to their mate. Could easily cause an accident by panicking people. Also people who sit up your arse or overtake at impractical times JUST because you are a learner is so stupid. They are only putting themselves at risk and causing confusion. Easy to get angry about it but it is their problem not ours.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned it but World Driving UK on youtube is really good too, especially for manoeuvres and test tips, the guy explains everything so clearly.

 

[Pixipoppy]

My test was booked for 4 weeks time. He said he will try to get me a new test date in September


He said he wouldn't let me use his car if I kept my test date so i don't really have a choice but to postpone


Not a new instructor, I've been having lessons with him since 2019 (lockdown has been delaying things) he told me I was ready.

I understand why he's told me to postpone but I'm still allowed to feel despondent about it.

4 weeks is still a decent amount of time depending on how many hours you can fit in - what were the majors for? Can you narrow down where your biggest weaknesses are? Honestly sometimes it can just be a bad day, I’ve had tests where I’ve had no majors and all minors... or several majors and no minors at all. My driving was never consistent when I was learning due to extreme nerves! If I messed up one thing it threw me and I’d make loads more mistakes.

 

[Belulah]

My doctor has prescribed me a beta blocker. Has anyone had any experience with them?
good luck tomorrow @judsmum

 

[LadyB65]

How can they fail you if it was another drivers fault?
Probably a dumb question I don’t drive but that seems very harsh and unfair. Surely if you reacted in as safe a manner as possible it shows you are competent and also aware on roads.

They said I should have waited, but I had literally started pulling out when he came up the hill, the road was a 60 and I swear he must have been going at least 100, the examiner even commented on how fast he was going and I had stopped as soon as I seen him, as I knew if I pulled away too slow or made a mistake he was going into the side of me. He couldn’t answer me when I asked what he would have done in that situation I’ve passed my test now, and would still do the same if it happened today? So goodness knows! Sometimes I do think that they have quotas to meet

My test is in six weeks. Do you have another booked?

I feel confident at driving but I’m worried I’m going to fail because of other drivers driving like this. We can react all we want but it’s still classed as a dangerous fault I was talking to my friend about it last night and he said people do this to him every single day on his way home from work.

6 weeks is loads of time, and if that was your only fault (even if it wasn’t actually your fault), then I would say you’re onto a winner, but again, anything can happen on the day!
I didn’t drive for 3 years after failing that test, started lessons again in Dec 2019, done theory again the day before lockdown and passed at the end of last year - 3rd time lucky! I wasn’t a confident driver, and that was my biggest stumbling block, so I would say if you’re confident you’re more than half way there!

 

[alwayslurkin]

I already have my licence but dunno where else to post this

I'm driving on completely new (to me) roads tonight and I'm honestly bricking it lol why am I like this tell me you experienced lot if you still get a bit nervous in new places, even when you know you can drive it's just all in your head

 

[Belulah]

Had my first lesson. Really pushed myself to do manoeuvres rather then putting them off. I was really nervous this morning.

 

[Lollypad]

I'm nervous about the idea of looking for another instructor for several reasons:
- availability. My lessons are on my day off during school hours, so perfect time for me
- different instructions teach things differently, so I'm worried that would confuse me/cause a set back
- I'm worried that other instructors may not be as good
- maybe I am the problem

Just a quick one here - you are NOT the problem. We all learn in different ways at different speeds (as this thread shows!) you’re not doing anything wrong.

 

[Lollypad]

First lesson since December this afternoon explained to my instructor that I need a couple of hours of back to basics to start with just to get my confidence back up so hopefully not too much to worry about

 

[flopsymopsy]

I failed one test, took a few weeks off driving lessons, then covid hit so it was all cancelled for ages. Came back to it, drove in lessons with a new instructor who massively focused on my confidence as a driver, and that made the difference for me. My actual driving examiner was also a great person, really put me at ease. Said he wanted to see that u was a safe driver, not a perfect driver. I passed second time!

 

[Slatternly]

I’m having lessons atm (got one tomorrow). I was so nervous before my 1st lesson - didn’t sleep, physically sick before he picked me up. I suffer with anxiety so I’ve put off learning (late 20s now) but I just want independence, so fed-up of buses & struggling with shopping. Managed to save a bit of money during lockdown due to not having commuting expenses so thought I would see something for it!
I shocked myself on my 1st lesson, I went to 2nd gear and went around a roundabout I love hearing people’s experiences of learning. We can do this!

That’s brilliant!!! I wonder what happened in your head to stop being anxious? I’m not an anxious person in every day life. Nothing much phases me but put me in a car and it’s a different story. Everything is a potential killer, 20mph feels like I’m flying a bloody plane...I feel like I’m in some terrible game with threats everywhere trying to kill me. I wonder if it’s because I’m learning in London? I’m fine on a bike though!

Well, after having my second test cancelled twice since March I’ve just re-booked. 17th of September. I’ve not told any one other than my husband and dad. I’m already feeling sick just thinking about it. I can drive but I just can’t park.

Have you tried watching YouTube videos over and over again? (Says she who can’t park either!) could you have a couple of lessons close to each other where you just practise parking over and over again?

I hated learning to drive. Hated every single lesson. Hated my driving instructor too

I passed my theory first time, but it took me 3 attempts to pass the practical. My legs would shake uncontrollably every time i did the test i could barely drive.

My main issue was roundabouts and junctions. I would find it difficult to slow down, while looking and seeing if i could go and then be ready to go all at the same time. It just overwhelmed me.

After i passed i wouldnt drive alone for about 6 months afterwards either. But then i became more confident, and the more i drove the better i got. A few years ago i travelled up and down the country monthly to see my sister and my confidence on the motorway improved too. Now i would say i'm quite a confident driver! At one point if you asked me to drive somewhere new i would panic but i often drive to new places now and it's not a big deal.

My advice is keep going! You will get there!

So true about junctions. I slow down way to early as I’m worrying about gear changes. Putting the clutch up and down in time to set off again. I also take my foot off the clutch too quickly. Then I forget to look. Or I swing out too far in the road as I’m worrying about the clutch. There’s too much happening at once And not enough time...

 

[TheFabFader]

I had loads of lessons and several instructors. The night before my first test i couldn't do anything! My instructor said he would still take me for my test but i cancelled it. Told him, dont mind embarrassing myself but didn't want to embarrass him.

He suggested changing to automatic and I agreed cos of I felt i had to salvage something out of the £££££ I'd spent.

I passed 2nd time at the age of 52!!! It's made such a difference to my life. Being able to chuck my shopping in the back and not have to humph it on and off buses. Being able to go places without having to panic about bus or train times. Not having to wait for taxis at the end of a night out (I don't drink)

It's also meant I've been able to get my mum out and about. She's getting frail and it was difficult getting on buses and trains. We wouldn't have survived lockdown without the car. Being able to drive to the riverside (5 min drive) and sit with a flask of tea has been life saver.

What I would say to you is to keep at it. It'll be worth it in the end. Your test is really about making sure you can control the car safely and are aware of what's going on around you. And I think is the most important thing - not that you're the best driver but that you aren't a danger to other road users.

Also if you're in the UK watch that series the secret of the driving test - guaranteed to make you feel like you're Lewis Hamilton!!!

I was 52 when I passed my test too and it has changed my life, I’m 61 now. I stuck with manual although it took a very long time to get the hang of the gears. I wouldn’t like to work out what all the lessons cost me but it’s an investment.

 

[Ken_barlow]

Glad I found this thread, and the comments have been very useful!

I’m 28 and have never had the desire to drive (quite frankly cars terrify me)

but unfortunately I’m currently in a position where basically I need to learn, my son requires a lot of appointments for health issues.

My mum took me to a car park to have a go - it was my first time behind the wheel and I was so anxious. I slammed the breaks every time the car moved about 10cm

has anyone ever been absolutely terrified yet managed to get there in the end???

I just hate the thought of being in control of a car, and even though I’ve only tried this one time I’m convinced I will never be able to do it

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I'm nervous about the idea of looking for another instructor for several reasons:
- availability. My lessons are on my day off during school hours, so perfect time for me
- different instructions teach things differently, so I'm worried that would confuse me/cause a set back
- I'm worried that other instructors may not be as good
- maybe I am the problem

You’re not the problem. I think you need to be firm with him and tell him you’re not changing your test again, the last dates I saw on there were for the last week in December and they were snapped up!

I boss the shit out of mine when he starts getting irritable, he soon shuts up and changes his tune

 

[BettyCrockerr]

My test was booked for 4 weeks time. He said he will try to get me a new test date in September


He said he wouldn't let me use his car if I kept my test date so i don't really have a choice but to postpone


Not a new instructor, I've been having lessons with him since 2019 (lockdown has been delaying things) he told me I was ready.

I understand why he's told me to postpone but I'm still allowed to feel despondent about it.

Where do you live? When I took my test, I was the one who had to book it - not my instructor. How can your instructor try to re-book on your behalf??

Everyone is nervous before the test, that is completely natural and normal. What were your 7 majors??