Learning to drive.

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

I passed my test yesterday!!!! Still can’t quite believe it, I was convinced I was going to fail! Everything just went my way and I only got 2 minors!

A year ago I was an absolute mess when it came to driving. I hated my lessons, felt sick the day and morning before and would even cancel them cos my anxiety was so bad. I’ve been learning on and off for 10 years and had so many barriers it’s been unreal. It’s been such a long journey but I never gave up. I was close at times but I was determined and I have FINALLY done it! To anyone reading this who is feeling like I used to, please take it from me that you CAN do it. I never thought I would and today I’ve driven to Asda by myself and filled my car up with diesel. This is just the very start of the rest of my life

That’s amazing! Well done for persisting and not giving up! I hope you enjoy your freedom!

 

[Thank(space)you]

You might have to drive on less sleep in the real world once you pass, so less harm now in a dual control car!

I would just tell your instructor you had a bad night and try not to over think it.

What time is your test next month? Will someone be able to have you child so you can have a better night sleep that night? Although nerves may keep you up

Yes, I've arranged childcare for the night as my test is early in the morning.


Thank you everyone for the reassurance, think I'm just overthinking

 

[Thank(space)you]

Got my test next month eeek, excited and scared. Any tips for my last few lessons? Doing 2 lessons a week at the moment

 

[Magee]

Got my first automatic lesson today, nervous

I know I can drive, I’ve driven a manual car before and overtook a bus on one of my lessons. I’m with a new instructor so I just hope everything goes well!

You’ve got this I promise you that you’ll find it so much easier! You can concentrate on the road because you’re not overthinking about bite points, which gear to be in!

 

[Minipizza]

Hey @Minipizza
How did your test go???

I unfortunately failed literally the last 30 seconds when I had to do a reverse bay park, I felt my instructor was abit mean towards things though and seemed to put a massive downer on everything.

 

[Thank(space)you]

Had a lesson today, only 1 more lesson now until my test. Today's lesson wasn't the best, it wasn't bad at all, and at the end of the lesson she reassured me she has no concerns that I won't pass. It's just my nerves kicking in a bit I think. I was thinking or taking kalms to help a bit in the week before my test. Does anyone think this will help?

I'm more confident with my actual driving than I am with my manoeuvres I'm happy with my parallel parking, and parking on the right. Just not so happy with my bay parking.

 

[under the ivy]

You can book tests from tomorrow

I’m no where near test ready but good to know! Thinking of booking my theory soon. Been doing the practice tests online & getting a pass each time

 

[under the ivy]

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!

 

[Thank(space)you]

What is it that worries you so much?

I have anxiety anyway but I just find driving terrifying. Sometimes I struggle even being a passenger in a car.
I hate learning new things, I'm a perfectionist. I don't want to make any mistakes. I don't like not being good enough. Basically, I'm just shit

 

[Thank(space)you]

She had a new car, my first time in it so I think it was just my reference points needed fine tuning. I'm trying to think positively about it and I keep having day dreams about passing so

 

[LadyB65]

Just done my last drive with my partner before my test Got a lesson with my instructor tomorrow then my test Thursday

It still amazes me that I’ve got to this level of driving. We can all do it!

Good Luck!! You can do this, let us know how you get on

 

[HoGi]

I'm in Somerset, UK.

I can't remember all of the majors but the ones I remember are:

*didn't stop at a closed junction
*did stop at an open junction
*didn't accelerate quick enough onto a roundabout which caused a car to slow down
*mounted the pavement during a parallel park
* looking in my mirrors only when joining a dual carriageway from a slip road, rather than also looking over my shoulder.

I wouldn't say any of those things warrant you postponing for potentially several months. You have a month until your test and can easily get in another 10 hours in that time which is a fifth of the average hours needed to pass and you have presumably had lessons for a while.

Did your instructor say you were ready to book when you booked this test?

 

[Thank(space)you]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

Rescue remedy, hypnotherapy app, banana, all help calm nerves
The DGN driving school videos are great to watch on YouTube
Tell your instructor how you're feeling and what specifically you're anxious about

 

[loobyscoobydoo]

Good luck!
You're in good company here rescue remedy helps with nerves, as does bananas. Keep breathing and tell your instructor how you're feeling
The DGN driving school videos on you tube are amazing too

Thank you! I will try a banana and maybe some rescue remedy too.

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

I used the DVSA app last time and it was so good! Just re downloaded it now, I got a bit addicted last time and spent too much time on it and watching youtube videos might try and take a bit more relaxed approach this time around... I'm not too worried about the theory but still another thing to be thinking about.

 

[GiggleBee]

I couldnt get to grips with a manual, even my instructor told me I was wasting my time. Went to an automatic and passed both my theory and practical first time. This was around 5 years ago and ive driven maybe twice since then.
I hate it, my concentration isnt the best and for my safety and the safety of others I dont drive.

 

[Belulah]

Thank you everyone!!!! I’ll still be on this thread to help others and offer any advice I can! Xxx

Beyond thrilled for you! Like you said it’s the start of a new life! Well done-enjoy every minute!

 

[nightfeedz]

Just done my last drive with my partner before my test Got a lesson with my instructor tomorrow then my test Thursday

It still amazes me that I’ve got to this level of driving. We can all do it!

Good luck! Inspirational

 

[Former_Antelopee]

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.

I’ve also heard minis are a pain/expensive to repair. My first car my parents gave me as they were getting a newer one, it was 15years old and lasted me a year. I knew it was going to fail it’s MOT in January but it wasn’t a dangerous issue and I could still drive it fine (it just wasn’t as economical) so I kept it until November (had MOT until December). Sold it to we buy any car for £450 with a months MOT left on it and bought a 14year old car from my dads friend for £500 which I’ve now had for a year and a half. I don’t know how much longer it’ll have so I’m looking at newer cars just now incase, I like the look of the Hyundai i10 I think I don’t know anything about cars though. I don’t really like my car that I have atm but it does the job and I’ll keep it until it breaks/isn’t worth fixing. I’m glad I bought cheap cars for my first cars as now I’m more confident so it wouldn’t bother me as much spending more on one.

 

[Magee]

Have you got any advice please? I passed well over ten years ago and I'm only able to drive around my local town and even that is a struggle

Reflecting on the last few months, here are a few things that I did to help ease in to it;

- Firstly I WANTED to do it! It didn’t feel like when I was 17 and felt obliged because everyone was doing it and it felt like a rite of passage. I wanted to drive, in fact, I now need to drive for work as I’ve moved so that was more motivation. There’s a hen do and a wedding at the end of this year on awkward bank holidays (crap train service) so that was extra incentive.
- Started locally and always had somewhere to drive to, Tesco, Morrison’s etc so it was a small goal. I started going via different roads to get used to different layouts and road signs.
- Then started to flirt with dual carriage ways to increase my speed, getting closer to the motorway, I practiced merging lanes at speed getting ready for a slip road as that’s what terrified me the most.
- Did a tiny bit of the motorway, literally got off within 5 mins just to test the slip road and the actual feel of the motorway.
- Built up to longer stints, again had an aim such as driving to my brothers or grandads.

The reality of it is I cried at least 3 times doing the above where I had periods of feeling worthless, stupid and embarrassed I’d left it so long! It hit home that I’m only going to get better if I force myself to go and the sense of satisfaction afterwards when I did it was worth it. You only grow out of your comfort zone

I use the headspace app which is amazing if you’re an anxious person like I am. I have 1000 worries in the car, I can’t drive with music on, take calls, talk and I have to be in trainers. It’s learning to accept these worries but not letting them inhibit your driving. I really hope this might help, believe me when I say you will feel SO relieved to conquer it xxxx

 

[Lollypad]

Had my lesson today, my instructor said the reason he's not convinced I'll be ready in time is my confidence. He said I've got the knowledge and the understanding.

He also said if you get both show me/tell me questions wrong it's a major but it's not?

Your instructor is a professional but I’d argue it must be hard to have confidence in yourself if your instructor doesn’t! You’ve been practicing for a long time, you’ve got this. We all have faith in you