Learning to drive.

[silkytoes]

Is this the case for every test? I did reverse out of parking bay the other day and it went well but I didn’t like doing it

I got told the 4 I could get are:
Reverse bay park
Forward bay park
Parallel park
Reverse on the right hand side of the road

Apparently the old test centre in my town never did bay parks because they shared a car park but then they moved so now they do. I don't remember the test centre in my previous city doing them but I may have just been lucky in my 3 tests!

In test number 3 I had to do reversing round the corner of a road and I hated iiiit and stopped and cried because I was waiting for a car to go round me so I could continue but they just stayed there and beeped me instead and I didn't know what to do!

 

[under the ivy]

I was wondering if anyone had any advice on buying your first car? Like should I try to buy it outright, or is finance okay? I've been looking around on autotrader, gumtree Arnold Cark etc and really like the look of a mini countryman. I have no idea what to look for, no one I know drives and can offer any advice.

I am looking for a car that is in a low insurance group and is 1.4L engine or less. I'm learning in a Vauxhall Corsa and they are quite good! Citreon C1/Peugeot 107 are the same car and are good first cars. As are Skoda Citigo/Seat Mii/VW Up! (all the same car). Mini's are expensive to insure and I think are a pain to repair? I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Thank(space)you]

Update:

So my mock went Rubbish. Instructor said he's postponing my test to just wanna cry. 7 minors and 7 majors so I get it but it's frustrating. He even said the fact I was nervous is a sign I'm not ready

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Ugh, not looking forward to my driving lesson tomorrow. It might be my mental health playing up but I feel like my instructor doesn't believe in me. He's asked me to bring a list of questions/topics I'm unsure of to tomorrow's lesson. The only thing I can think of is the show me tell me stuff as he's never covered that with me.
I've got to cancel my lesson next week as my healthcare at home nurse is coming and they never give you a specific time that they're coming. So I'm dreading having to tell him even though it's my actual health which is more important than driving.
Part of me thinks maybe I should look for an intensive course and just do that eg a 10 hour course and test afterwards.

I think you are really over thinking everything and getting yourself in a pickle!

your instructor probably asked you to bring a list because he wants to spend your lessons focusing on things you maybe don’t feel as confident at - is there nothing else you want to brush up on/work on? are you banging out all your manoeuvres perfectly every time? Are you completely confident doing the independent drives? Are you at ease with things like roundabouts/going through the gears etc? i don’t think he’s trying to trip you up - I think he’s probably just wanting to narrow down the areas you feel you want extra help with in the run up to your Test.

that being said - please, just try a lesson with a different instructor- just to see how you get on with someone different?

can you not just drop him a text or something regarding next weeks lesson? And ask for it to be rescheduled rather than cancelling it?

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Please tell me it’s normal to have a shit lesson a week before your test right at the start of my lesson today I was approaching the roundabouts far too fast I dunno what was going on lol. Then my manoeuvres weren’t as good as normal so now I’m dreading my test next week it’s really put me on a downer even though it shouldnt

It’s normal to have lessons like this anytime. Mine was shit on Friday and I got a good telling off for flying up to a roundabout just waiting for my test too.

 

[megsmagoo]

Hi everyone!

I’m trying to find a new instructor for when restrictions ease off in April. I’ve also been thinking of learning automatic - 1) because I want to pass ASAP and save money with lessons 2) honestly, gears & clutch are what make me anxious. I know people say learn manual then you have the best of both but I’m just not bothered. I’d be happy buying/leasing automatic cars. It would make me a more confident driver as I’m able to focus on what’s going on around me I think.

Has anyone learnt just automatic?

Yep I’ve done just automatic no regrets! Got it done within a couple of months and saved a lot of money. I can get quite bad anxiety and not having to change gear was just one less thing to think about. If it makes you feel better go for it!

a lot of people told me to do manual and when I asked them what they drove guess what? Automatic and they would never go back to manual lol

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Nearly cancelled my lesson for Thursday but talked myself out of it. I need to do this for myself!

Keep going.
I feel like this all the time for no reason but we’ve come this far.

 

[Belulah]

Hope you’re all doing well!

I’ve just come back from a lesson where my instructor says I need to use my mirrors. I’m not being stubborn by writing this, but I do thoroughly use my mirrors before signalling etc. How can I make it more obvious that I’m looking at the mirrors?!

Put your hair in a high ponytail! Put a scarf in it if possible!

 

[under the ivy]

I had an interesting lesson to say the least. Driving was fine - went on a busy road and overtook a bus! However I was driving back, down a road with cars parked at either side, so slowed down to let a car pass me. Said car then wound his window down and called me a ‘learner w*nker’! Which was nice....

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I passed my theory test today

I also have a mock test booked in for 4 weeks time! So proud of myself.

Well done!

 

[under the ivy]

Same old same old. Instructor says I drive very well, just need to slow down going around corners. Test is still in November.

Hope everyone is going on ok xx

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Just failed my test. Examiner was actually so horrible from the get go ... “step back step back you’re too close” ... also really unclear with communication.. I’m actually in shock at how poor communication was and also when I made a mistake she was making lots of “tutting” sounds/sounds of frustration

Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. Did you talk it over with them and your instructor?

I'm in the same boat (well, I was, prior to these repetitive lockdowns). I passed my theory test in 2018 and started the lessons then. Well, 3 years later, I still don't have my full license which is a huge frustration!

1. First instructor (School A) - Terrible, one lesson, he was rude and asked me to do more lessons before starting the EDT. Ridiculous.

2. Second instructor (School B) - Great lady, but she ended up leaving the school.

3. Third instructor (School B) - Great instructor, but he was really pushing to get me to book more lessons as he knew I was solely relying on them to get some driving experience. I was spending tons of money on those and they were getting rather expensive with no discount. The school was also quite pushy to get me to book lessons. One time, he mentioned about how some of his students gave him tips after they passed and said we should go for a drink after the lesson. I stopped the lessons right after that. It's inappropriate to expect me to give him an additional tip when I'm already paying a fortune on lessons (most expensive school in Dublin).

At that point, I already had one year experience (3/4 hours per week).

4. Fourth instructor (School C) - Father of a former colleague. Complete car crash. Took lessons with him for a year in addition to the above mentioned year. Failed the test twice in Raheny. Second time around, he increased the price of the test car rental on the spot right before my test because he saw I didn't have any change (price was 135, but I only had 150 and he said "Oh it's 150" - complete lie as he had only charged me 135 the last time and never mentioned any price increase). Then I went on to take the test and the tester took me for a one hour drive (not the usual process). Then when got back to the center, he said the car was not road worthy and he knew it as soon as he got into the car but didn't want to stop the test because I had paid (lol). Failed the test obviously and he asked whether I ever drove in a different country as I was confusing my right and left (complete joke, I only have experience in Ireland - obviously prejudiced as he saw I was born overseas). The instructor said his car was perfectly fine (bit of a lie as the car was indeed roaring the whole time). Needless to say, I never took lessons with him again.

At this point, I still have my provisional, but hoping to take automatic lessons once this lockdown is up and with a bit of luck, I'll be able to put this disaster behind me. If I'd known then, I would have gone for automatic instead of this manual hassle, but at least I have some experience now. Next test might not be in Raheny though. Pass rates are low and testers are quite rude.

Don’t give up. I’d been learning for 12 years (!!) on and off before I found an instructor I’m happy with.

 

[megsmagoo]

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?

I had rescue remedy before my lessons and sometimes if I know I have a big drive ahead. I’m quite an anxious person anyway and I found that it helped, even if it was a placebo.

honestly the biggest difference for me was my instructor, I felt very safe with her and she talked the whole lesson and had the radio on so it waspretty relaxing!

When I had my test the guy who did it was super relaxed which really helped, we joke that we had the easiest test ever lol

 

[kittyz]

Of course "once you've learnt" how to use gears, they're easy, like most things... but you know what's easier? Not having to learn them in the first place.

Anyone who's learning - do you do anything outside your lessons? Obviously driving another car is helpful but honestly, watch YouTube videos of others lessons. Bonus if they're local to you. Hands down the best thing I did when learning tbh.

 

[under the ivy]

I found steering hard too. I thought that would be the easy part! I used to oversteer on turns and on roundabouts. It all takes practice and time.

 

[Belulah]

@TheGlossy I’d get on the waiting list. I think it sounds like you’ve made you mind up about going auto. I was totally dependent on driving schools for a long time. It was such a drain.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

My instructor is annoyed I'm self isolating as my child has covid-19 symptoms. He's saying how do I expect to pass my test if I'm cancelling lessons

I beg of you - please, find a new instructor, everything you’ve posted about him is just ringing alarm bells.

 

[nightfeedz]

Good luck! Let us know how you get on. x

I have my second driving lesson tomorrow and it's for 1.5 hours rather than an hour and I can't even remember how to start the car. Well done me!

Thank you! It was good apart from the full day of anxiety beforehand. I don’t love spending time with my instructor, he is a bit annoying but I think I’m ok with that!

What I need is to be comfortable making my own decisions and driving on my own without panicking and I think he is going to push me to do that. He reckons the test I have booked in July will be good timing.

Good luck with your lesson! Muscle memory will kick in for you once you’ve had a bit of practice, take your time

 

[FishCustard]

Wow! That’s expensive. I’m learning with a local instructor who’s been doing it for 39 years so he’s just ticking over until he retires next year. Even when I was with the AA I only paid £40 for two hours.

The average is actually £35 an hour where I am right now, all the instructors prices went straight up to make back the loss from not working. My bank account is sobbing.

 

[under the ivy]

My heart is already racing thinking about tomorrow's lesson feel like just giving up

You can do it! Think of how good you will feel when you’ve had your lesson. I know it’s hard now. It helps me to watch YouTube videos of people having their lessons, so I kinda know what to expect x