Learning to drive.

[kittypaws]

Just thought id add my own story and hope I can help someone out

Started to learn at 17, had 2 instructors and 20+ lessons and simply couldnt drive. My brain couldnt cope with gears, speed, mirrors, I was a nervous wreck the whole time so I quit.

January last year I decided to try again at age 32! Had 4 lessons with the most amazing, calm, patient instructor then lockdown hit 2 weeks after I passed my theory 1st time. Test was booked for April that obviously got cancelled. I bought a cheap run around car, insured it, slapped L plates on and had my dad take me out once a week. Had 2 lessons and passed 1st time in August! With 4 minors for stalling x2, clearance and speed approaching a junction.

I am a very anxious person, massive overthinker and worrier soI never thought I could drive. I was still nervous for months after passing (and no one tells you about that first solo drive after your test! I even had my kids in the car!) Now im almost 10 months in and ive gained so much confidence, I drove 400 miles to Scotland and 400 back on motorways, weve been on holidays to the coasts, Ive driven on busy roads, country roads, dirt roads! And i am VERY good at parallel and reverse bay parking thanks to my instructor!

You are very much able to do anything you set your mind to, no matter your age, experience, confidence or skills, its just about pushing yourself and not giving up

Amazing story, thank you for sharing! So pleased you passed! You sounded like how I used to be. Up until only a few months ago I used to dread my lessons and just hated being on the road! My confidence has massively improved. My only issue now is lane discipline on roundabouts. I used to be scared of approaching roundabouts because of the judgement you have to quickly make, but I'm alot better at that now! So normal roundabouts I'm fine with, but huge roundabouts with lanes I dislike now because I just struggle to work out and understand what lane I need to be in, but my instructor is going to focus on roundabouts with me next lesson and I'm going round all the test roundabouts with my bf too, so I will get there just like I did with every other driving fear I had!

 

[Thank(space)you]

Driving lesson tomorrow, feeling very despondent about it. Feel like I'm never gonna get there and I'm wasting my money my friends are sick of hearing me moaning about it and have even questioned me whether it's worth me continuing my lessons as I don't enjoy them.

I just want to be done with lessons and be able to drive now

 

[Raymond Luxury-Yacht]

I’m having a panic. My test is in about two weeks and I am having a crisis of confidence. I’m cutting it quite fine with my theory test expiration and I don’t think I’ll be able to push back the date.

I don’t even know why I’m posting, I know I have to do it and try my best. I just wish my confidence wasn’t so bloody fragile

I don’t really post here because I already have my licence but I just wanted to say that it’s quite common to feel this way before your test because learning to drive is an overwhelming experience. I was the same because I absolutely hate exams and all the stress that comes with them. I was anxious. However, once I got there, my anxiety started to feel more under control because I understood there was no other way out.

I’m sure you can do it! Good luck!

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I failed a driving test because of someone else speeding, I was pulling out a junction and had to stop as they came speeding up the hill, and I was about 5 inches over the line, which meant he had to slightly swerve. I was livid, especially because there was literally nothing else I could have done and it was his fault for doing at least double the speed limit!
It’s so much worse when it’s someone else fault, isn’t it?! Like what would any driver have done in that situation? Surely it was better to be slightly over the line rather than him going into the side of me?!
Anyway, sorry I didn’t mean to make that about me, just sharing my frustration with you! Do you have a test booked?

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.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I drove one of the test routes yesterday (my test centre has 2 possible routes) and it was quite difficult! It might have been the time of day I was driving (school pick-up time) but there was cars cutting across me and trying to overtake. I kept my cool though and my DI said I drive very well I have another lesson on Friday but I'm really pleased with my progress.

Has anyone managed to change their test date to an earlier one? I want to have a look and see if I can move mine forward from November but I'm worried I'll lose my date!

I paid for the premium version of the Testi app and I’ve got a test three months earlier but you just can check via the official booking website without it affecting the date you have. They constantly put extra tests on there, I saw some for this month and July but you’ve got to hit lucky.

Log in with your driver numbers and click change test. Show earliest available and if there isn’t any you want it doesn’t affect your booking.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Hope everyone is doing well.

I’ve just come back from a lesson - I feel a bit flat after it tbh! I did nothing wrong but my DI kept taking the wheel and she’s never done that before. I wasn’t in the way or making errors, just made me feel a bit off!

Otherwise, I’m doing well. I keep looking for a test cancellation but no luck.

Get the Testi app. I’ve managed to move mine from November to August, they are constantly adding dates

My lesson was a bit meh this morning, I got a telling off but we have enough banter to laugh it off.

 

[NewReader909]

With this whole sanitary pass regulation, I'm seriously hoping the Irish government won't also extend it to driving lessons/tests although I have a feeling they will (if we don't wind up in another lockdown in September, that is).

What is this regulation, if you don’t mind?

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Still having lessons! Not learning anything new though. Wish my test was sooner

Use your lessons to do mock tests. There’s no point just driving around aimlessly, tell your instructor you want to do mock tests and just drill all the manouvers/test routes/independant drives etc - they should be using the time YOU are paying them for properly.

 

[Applespice]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

Thank you so much for posting this. I am 32 and still don't drive. I had lessons when I was 21 for a year or so but found it difficult and then moved away to a different city and had no need to carry on lessons (I could walk everywhere, get the bus, my husband drives) My mum didnt learn to drive herself until she was 37 and even then doesnt much at all, my dad has always chaperoned us everywhere! Her own parents died in a car crash when she herself was 21 which is why she has been terrified of it..and I think this passed down to me too. I now have a baby and would really love to start lessons up again.. it really great to hear its possible even at such a later point in life!

 

[under the ivy]

I’ve emailed 2 automatic driving schools, hope I get a response. My theory is booked for June. If I could pass my test by the end of the year I’ll be so pleased.

I think another reason I want to learn automatic is the waiting lists for lessons because of Covid. The quicker I can learn, the quicker I can pass.

 

[Belulah]

Remember you are paying him, if he’s going to be a twat take your money elsewhere.

So many people said that to me about my penultimate instructor, who was always cancelling lessons and saying he’d told me things over the phone when he hadn’t- I suffer from paranoia so just assumed I was the one making mistakes, but for some reason I felt like I couldn’t tell him I didn’t want lessons. He always went on and on about me being a single parent (as if I was there with my begging bowl) and how he was being so nice to me by knocking £3 or £4 off a block of lessons. He charged me £600 for lessons before lockdown 1 and never contacted me or responded to my messages. So much for giving my a discount for a single parent.

 

[NewReader909]

Hi everyone! I’ve been following this thread for a while, hope everyone is well!

I’ve been learning to drive for about 18 months now and to be honest, I don’t think I’m getting any better!

I still get panicked going out onto the road when it is busy - I feel I drive with confidence when the roads are empty (I’ve mainly been heading out for practice early morning or late nights).

Does anyone have any tips to overcome anxiety? I know I really have to go out more at busier times, has anyone tried Rescue Remedy or similar?

 

[Lollypad]

Moved my test to September to get on a waiting list with an instructor, hope everyone is doing well!

 

[under the ivy]

Driving lesson tomorrow, feeling very despondent about it. Feel like I'm never gonna get there and I'm wasting my money my friends are sick of hearing me moaning about it and have even questioned me whether it's worth me continuing my lessons as I don't enjoy them.

I just want to be done with lessons and be able to drive now

I think you should tell your instructor how you feel and have a lesson plan in place. For example, mine gives me some homework to do (mainly watching YouTube videos) on what we’ll be doing on my next lesson. I’ve had 4 hours with her so far and I’ve learnt more in those hours than I did with my last instructor over 15 hours. My driving has come along quickly as well.

I hope your lesson goes ok tomorrow x

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I’ve got the Testi app and there’s never any cancellations. Even when there is you can click them the second they pop up and they are gone.

 

[under the ivy]

It’s so comforting isn’t it! I always feel like I am the last person on the planet learning!

Same here! I just didn’t have the money when I was younger (still don’t haha) and had other things going on. Feels like the time is right for me now. Life is a marathon not a race

 

[under the ivy]

I have my first driving lesson in over 2 years on Monday morning. I had about 10 hours a couple of years ago and gave up as it was another stressor at a time when I was struggling with my MH. I've been on a wait list for ages and now I'm finally able to pick back up I feel so nervous! Not sure how to alleviate nerves but I'm glad I've got a morning slot as at least then it's over and done with for the day rather than me sitting around all day worrying about the lesson

I also need to rebook my theory as that ran out a few months ago.

Good luck

The DVSA theory test app helped me loads. It’s £5 but it’s worth it. I also recommend watching YouTube videos - that’s helped me loads. Looking forward to hearing about your lessons! X

 

[LaurieLaurie]

My test isn’t til the start of November and I’m thinking of having my lessons every other week, rather than every week. I can drive now and like you say @Thank(space)you , I’m not getting any critiques. It’s a bit poor of him to say to practice daily if you can’t! My uncle offered to take me out on Sunday but he drives a manual

I considered doing this then I skipped the odd week due to him needing the day off and my next lesson back was a little rusty. Glad I’ve kept one a week.

 

[Kim Mild]

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

I'm like this too , I worry about getting parked etc . I think it's anxiety playing tricks on me. I'm sure I've got worse over the years , not better.

 

[Belulah]

My last instructor was terrible. Would turn up an hour early and tell me he had changed times, cancel at the last minute. Not reply to my messages for weeks at a time. I’m a single parent to it was a nightmare for arranging childcare.

Absolutely switch!! I had lots of negative comments about automatic but for me it was either learn to drive (with an auto) or don't! Now one of my friends who thought I was ridiculous and is able to drive manual has recently switched to auto and thinks its great

Yes my brother-in-law always jokes about my “go-kart” lessons but has recently purchased an automatic.