Learning to drive.

[Belulah]

I would beseech anyone thinking of giving up to stick with it. I have hundreds of hours of lessons, 5 instructors, failed three theory and three practicals but I passed. I can’t tell you how euphoric it felt when you pass- and how completely life changing it is!

I’m not being hyperbolic using the word “beseech”-I’m passionate that everyone can pass because I did and my God I was not born to drive!

 

[kittypaws]

Guys I just have to say to anyone who absolutely hates their lessons/is terrified of driving, I PROMISE you will get there. It may take some people longer than others but it WILL come naturally at some point and I can’t believe it’s me saying it tbh!

I’ve posted on this thread a lot but as a bit of background I’m 29 and first started having lessons when I was 19! Then I went to uni so stopped for 3 years and since then due to money, anxiety, cataract surgery, moving to a new city and covid, my lessons have been stop start stop start stop start. I’ve always hated driving and over the years I’ve had 5 different instructors.

I started with my current instructor in early 2020 and I dreaded every single lesson, I’d even cancel lessons and make up excuses cos I just hated it. Then covid happened and I resumed my lessons with her again in august 2020 and out of nowhere on my first lesson back my confidence just really increased. I was still dreading lessons though and was a very nervous driver, just not as bad! Anyway then the 3rd lockdown happened and I resumed lessons again in April then bought myself a car. My first lesson back in April I felt SO sick, I bought rescue remedy pastilles but it went really well and over the coming weeks I dreaded my lessons less and less and my confidence just increased more and more.

So now it’s June, my test is in a couple of weeks and I am a completely different driver to even 2 months ago! I don’t even have nerves anymore (apart from when I panic when I stall ). But in my own car with my bf I’ve been doing all the huge spiral roundabouts in my city (there’s loads!) and all the A roads and dual carriageways doing 70mph when 2 months ago I was scared to go over 30mph!!! Trust me one day it’ll just click and come to you and you’ll be a different person on the road and that’s me now! I never ever ever thought I’d be in this position with my driving and am so proud of myself for not giving up and really pushing myself.

So to anyone reading this all I want to say is I PROMISE you can do it, it just takes time

Just gotta control my nerves now on my test day

 

[under the ivy]

I’ve booked 1 hour automatic lessons with a female instructor for 18th April

 

[judsmum]

So, my 3rd test was on the 16th of September, exactly one year after my last one! I passed with 2 minors! I’ve been driving ever since and I still hate it! Had to go on the motorway yesterday and I thought I was going to have a breakdown - me, not the car. However, on rainy days like today it makes the school run soooo much easier! I’m not gonna pretend that you should learn to relax because it took me some terrible days and eventually anxiety and depression medication to get over my massive anxiety, which I havnt fully, but what I will say is, watch YouTube videos religiously because they help and on a test, chat. Chat to the examiner, it helps!

 

[Thank(space)you]

I've bit the bullet and finally message another instructor about availability

 

[Thank(space)you]

Lesson went really well she said there's a few tweaks we need to work on but nothing major and she sees absolutely no reason why I won't pass my test next month

 

[Thank(space)you]

I drove on the motorway today, first time since passing my test very pleased with myself

 

[nightfeedz]

I passed my theory today thank goodness. Second time it has expired. Happy to be one step closer.

Had to come on here to say because my family are like ‘oh right well done, old news mum’ because I’ve passed it twice before but I hardly got a chance to study for it so I was not confident and I’m very relieved!

 

[kittypaws]

Does anyone else piss loads before their driving lesson!? Had my driving lesson this afternoon and must have gone for a wee 5 times the hour before

Lesson went really well though, did some roundabouts I'm not used to doing and need to work on my approach cos I don't half panic myself lol

 

[LaurieLaurie]

How did your test go???

I failed. I had a brain dead moment and got confused over his directions. Ended up driving straight ahead when it was right turn only in that lane. Crossed markings I shouldn’t have.

Ive rebooked for March (earliest available) so I’m taking a break from lessons until I find a new instructor. Five minutes before my test starts and mine was telling me he’s been on OnlyFans and talking about someone called Miss Whiplash (!?!?)

Thanks for asking

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I've bit the bullet and finally message another instructor about availability

 

[judsmum]

Honestly I'm the same, someone once gave me this advice:
"eventually you'll realise that's its all good because you'll know its not the car that's in control, you're in control"
That's exactly what I'm scared of I don't drive much but can do it if I have to. Still hate it though, never understand people who go for a drive for fun

Neither do I! There is nothing remotely fun about it! I literally want to be able to drive the 3 miles to work and back. That’s it. My lessons are on a Thursday and I start getting nervous on a Tuesday afternoon! Bloody horrible experience so it is.

 

[Glaschelle]

I posted early in the thread that i took loads of lessons in a manual and then freaked the night before my test. My instructor suggested using the automatic - I passed 3 months later at my second attempt.

And yes, I did get a couple of sarky comments from people who passed years ago and who probably wouldn't pass the test these days.

But!!! What do I care! I get in my fiesta and off I go. Its really made a difference to my life and my mum's. I'd be lost with my wee car.

 

[FishCustard]

I’m so glad this thread exists! I’ve been having lessons on and off with a manual and really hate it. I’ve done about 25 hours now and know that it takes time, but really just want to pass in an auto. I absolutely hate the weird comments that people make about automatics, I’m so stressed when I’m in a lesson and can’t focus on anything but the gears.

 

[petra23]

I took my test back when I was 17 as I lived in the middle of nowhere and desperately needed to drive. During my three point turn I tapped the curb and just thought oh fuck it, I've failed so drove normally. When we got to the test centre the examiner said congratulations and I was like eh?? but he said as soon as I had let go of the nerves he could see I was a safe and considerate driver... I went home all sad and my Dad goes 'I knew you wouldn't pass' until I slapped the certificate down in front of him and he had to eat his words

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Passed my test today 4 minors

Congratulations send a photo of your certificate to that instructor that doubted you so much

 

[Belulah]

I have my test booked for April- the very last date I can do before my theory runs out! 4th time lucky I hope!
@under the ivy Auto is the way to go!

 

[Belulah]

I passed my driving mock today after taking the blockers! Feel much better about the real thing now

 

[kittypaws]

So my next test date was December, been trying like mad to get a cancellation but they get snapped up in seconds! Everytime I get a notification on the app it's already gone even though I click straight away. Then this morning they've been releasing loads!!!! My app is going mad, got a new date for October, then 5 mins later an August date came up so changed it again! I have 6 weeks to prepare now, thank God I've got one so much sooner!

 

[Gembo]

Please don’t anyone worry about what anyone thinks about automatics. I used to be the same, I thought they were for people who couldn’t drive properly because that’s what I’d grown up listening to my dad saying, well he ended up getting an automatic! My husband made me test drive one against my will and I was sold, I’d never go back now. No one is thinking about what you drive but if it helps at all a lot of high end cars don’t even offer the option of manual and I do think manual will be a thing of the past in the next decade or so because of the gradual change to electric cars. Driving an automatic is a dream!