noseynopinions
VIP Member
Guys. I had my second driving lesson ! Much better instructor and I felt a little more confident making left turns. Can't wait for the next lesson now
- Notice
Thank(space)you
VIP Member
Had a driving lesson today, did really well. Instructor says practice as much in between lessons as possible (which isn't very much sadly) but on track for passing driving test next month 
Mamacita
VIP Member
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
nightfeedz
Active member
Good luck to everyone with tests coming up. I just booked mine today for the start of October and am dreading it but telling myself I’m excited.
My first test was almost a year ago to the day and went prettttty badly. I took a break to have a baby and once I booked my second test for April the pandemic hit so here we go again. I’m 34 and put it off for yearrrrrrs and now I’ve two kids and can’t even do the school run.
My driving is generally good but I get incredibly anxious and make very stupid mistakes. So much of it is in my state of mind, I’m seriously considering hypnotherapy between now and then if I can find someone. I need to throw everything at this test!!
It is SO refreshing and reassuring to hear from other people with similar experiences, even though I wish no one had to go through it as I can feel your pain!! Sometimes it feels like everyone passed at 17 and all drive around without a care in the world oblivious to the responsibility and the huge danger around them and it just isn’t the case. We can do this.
My first test was almost a year ago to the day and went prettttty badly. I took a break to have a baby and once I booked my second test for April the pandemic hit so here we go again. I’m 34 and put it off for yearrrrrrs and now I’ve two kids and can’t even do the school run.
My driving is generally good but I get incredibly anxious and make very stupid mistakes. So much of it is in my state of mind, I’m seriously considering hypnotherapy between now and then if I can find someone. I need to throw everything at this test!!
It is SO refreshing and reassuring to hear from other people with similar experiences, even though I wish no one had to go through it as I can feel your pain!! Sometimes it feels like everyone passed at 17 and all drive around without a care in the world oblivious to the responsibility and the huge danger around them and it just isn’t the case. We can do this.
hereforthememe
Chatty Member
I've lurked on this thread loads and used to see the manual/automatic debate
I used to be a very nervous driver. I passed in a manual, drove 200mi a week commuting in a manual, but the idea of driving outside of my comfort zone used to stress me out to the point of crying.
Two weeks ago I bought an automatic and I LOVE driving, why didn't I do this sooner?! I'm up and down the mway and just driving out to all sorts of new places.
If anyone here is a nervous driver and gets scared - I've been there, and please try an automatic before disregarding driving altogether
I used to be a very nervous driver. I passed in a manual, drove 200mi a week commuting in a manual, but the idea of driving outside of my comfort zone used to stress me out to the point of crying.
Two weeks ago I bought an automatic and I LOVE driving, why didn't I do this sooner?! I'm up and down the mway and just driving out to all sorts of new places.
If anyone here is a nervous driver and gets scared - I've been there, and please try an automatic before disregarding driving altogether
LaurieLaurie
VIP Member
Sat doing a bay park today and my instructor starts talking about bondage..!? 
He’s said a few odd things about women in catsuits before or talked about where the ‘ladies of the night’ worked but I felt so uncomfortable.
My 17 year old brother was learning with him too but he suddenly sacked him and he’s waiting to learn with someone else. I’m wondering what he’s said to him!
2.5 weeks til my test or id be off!
He’s said a few odd things about women in catsuits before or talked about where the ‘ladies of the night’ worked but I felt so uncomfortable.My 17 year old brother was learning with him too but he suddenly sacked him and he’s waiting to learn with someone else. I’m wondering what he’s said to him!
2.5 weeks til my test or id be off!
under the ivy
VIP Member
Really good! She got me driving down dual carriageways! I’m so happy
Hope your lessons went well x
Hope96
VIP Member
Thank you all for your kind words!
It was a lot of information in 1 hour for me but I am a complete novice. I stalled once because I panicked but the driving instructor was nice about it and I didn't stall after that. I am really pleased with myself for going ahead and not cancelling the lesson because I am notorious for talking myself out of things. I have another session booked for next Saturday so hopefully I don't forget how to start the car!nightfeedz
Active member
I took a wee reality check after posting about my anxiety the other night, there’s no way I can do my test next week, I just don’t feel safe.
Unfortunately that means I have to do my theory again but thankfully have been able to get a date for that in August. So I’m going to take things at my own pace for a bit, practice in my own car as much as possible and address my anxiety. It’ll be good to refresh my theory now I have more road experience too. Then hopefully I’ll be able to get a cancellation later in the year.
This is a tricky time to learn to drive!! It’s high pressure at the best of times. As many people here have said keep trying and you will make it eventually. I have no intention of giving up, I want my freedom and to be a good role model for my kids so bad! But my mental health needs a little tlc right now.
Unfortunately that means I have to do my theory again but thankfully have been able to get a date for that in August. So I’m going to take things at my own pace for a bit, practice in my own car as much as possible and address my anxiety. It’ll be good to refresh my theory now I have more road experience too. Then hopefully I’ll be able to get a cancellation later in the year.
This is a tricky time to learn to drive!! It’s high pressure at the best of times. As many people here have said keep trying and you will make it eventually. I have no intention of giving up, I want my freedom and to be a good role model for my kids so bad! But my mental health needs a little tlc right now.
Oh my god same!! My friend who is a right know it all, told me autos are really hard to drive and she kept “stalling the car” every 5 minutes. How can you stall a car that doesn’t have a clutch?!?!100% this.
When they say they like to be in control or autos aren't as fun to drive, I just roll my eyes. We are driving the streets of Essex not at Le Mans
LaurieLaurie
VIP Member
Last lesson before my test this morning and he spent the hour talking none stop about the bdsm programs he’s been watching and porn 
He’s just started talking like this over the past few weeks and I don’t understand why.
He’s just started talking like this over the past few weeks and I don’t understand why.
jawidjanqndn
VIP Member
2nd lesson done and I feel so much better. We did roundabouts today and I drove home on a 60 road I feel like I’m picking it up so well which is great.
I feel like I’m picking it up so well which is great.I really reccomend automatic. I passed my test somehow in a manual a few years ago and getting back in a manual car was horrible. I will never drive manual again so wasn't worth the extra lessons. Soon automatic will be the main type of car with electirc cars becoming more popular. Just keep trying, automatic takes away the stress of looking down at the gears.
Magee
VIP Member
I am so glad I have found this thread, and I’ll be spending the next few days catching up, driving is a sore subject for me. It feels like a stigma to be an older learner or to not drive, certainly where I live with poor public transport.
I learnt when I was 17 with a difficult instructor, who unfortunately had a lot of personal issues and then a mental breakdown. I was given another instructor who didn’t know the local routes, I didn’t feel confident enough but was off to uni 150 miles away and my parents wanted the test under my belt for the future. I failed miserably, I’d never been so nervous in my 18 years of life! I hit the kerb whilst driving on a straight road, I swore non-stop and the examiner told me if I didn’t get in control he would have to take over
I picked up lessons at Uni and it felt easier on new roads, there weren’t relics of bad lessons haunting me. I passed and that was 17 years ago, I havent driven since.
Ive spent 17 years with people saying “Oh you get the bus? Why don’t you drive? It’d be easier if you drove there!”. When it comes down to it, I just didn’t want to drive. Nothing would change my mind. I never even entertained it!
The past year has been hard and there have been so many times I’ve just wanted to get in a car and see someone. I’ve felt isolated as a result of not having a car. It’s now got to the point where I WANT to drive! I’ve got refresher classes booked post-lockdown to build my confidence and familiarise myself with the rules of the road and I’m actually excited to do it!
The first hurdle is getting back in to the drivers seat. For me, the biggest hurdle is wanting to drive and I feel I’m already half way there mentally! I’ll be getting an automatic. I’m not bothered about gear changes, it’s the biting point and stalling it that gives me anxiety. So many people around me have said it’s more enjoyable in an automatic. I passed in a manual but probably won’t ever drive one.
Good luck to all learners, those that have been ridiculed, mocked, embarrassed. I’m rooting for you
I learnt when I was 17 with a difficult instructor, who unfortunately had a lot of personal issues and then a mental breakdown. I was given another instructor who didn’t know the local routes, I didn’t feel confident enough but was off to uni 150 miles away and my parents wanted the test under my belt for the future. I failed miserably, I’d never been so nervous in my 18 years of life! I hit the kerb whilst driving on a straight road, I swore non-stop and the examiner told me if I didn’t get in control he would have to take over
I picked up lessons at Uni and it felt easier on new roads, there weren’t relics of bad lessons haunting me. I passed and that was 17 years ago, I havent driven since.
Ive spent 17 years with people saying “Oh you get the bus? Why don’t you drive? It’d be easier if you drove there!”. When it comes down to it, I just didn’t want to drive. Nothing would change my mind. I never even entertained it!
The past year has been hard and there have been so many times I’ve just wanted to get in a car and see someone. I’ve felt isolated as a result of not having a car. It’s now got to the point where I WANT to drive! I’ve got refresher classes booked post-lockdown to build my confidence and familiarise myself with the rules of the road and I’m actually excited to do it!
The first hurdle is getting back in to the drivers seat. For me, the biggest hurdle is wanting to drive and I feel I’m already half way there mentally! I’ll be getting an automatic. I’m not bothered about gear changes, it’s the biting point and stalling it that gives me anxiety. So many people around me have said it’s more enjoyable in an automatic. I passed in a manual but probably won’t ever drive one.
Good luck to all learners, those that have been ridiculed, mocked, embarrassed. I’m rooting for you
Thank(space)you
VIP Member
Well it could have gone a lot better, but was nowhere near as bad as I expected
The fact so many of you switched to automatic makes me feel better. I had lessons a few years back in a manual and absolutely beat myself up about it because I could not get to grips with juggling everything at once. Read a comment earlier in the thread saying changing gears is not that hard.. I mean for some of us it actually is. Gear changing whilst I’m sitting stationary practicing is all fine but on the road when you’ve got to be alert and manage other vehicles, pedestrians, lights, junctions etc. I found it very overwhelming to be honest. Maybe my brain is just not wired that way to be able to cope with so much at once.
I do think I could probably pass manual eventually but it’s the time that puts me off. I’m leaning toward automatic as I just want to drive now and I think it would speed the process up.
there’s still a part of me that feels inadequate though. I look at everyone I know whos managed to get to grips with manual and wonder why I can’t? It does make me feel like a bit of an idiot to be quite honest.
I do think I could probably pass manual eventually but it’s the time that puts me off. I’m leaning toward automatic as I just want to drive now and I think it would speed the process up.
there’s still a part of me that feels inadequate though. I look at everyone I know whos managed to get to grips with manual and wonder why I can’t? It does make me feel like a bit of an idiot to be quite honest.
kittypaws
VIP Member
Failed my test today could have been a different story but I was only 5 minutes in, came up to a roundabout going 3rd exit and an ambulance pulled out of the second exit which I just didn’t expect and didn’t react in time! Probably would have reacted better if the ambulance had its sirens on but never mind! It’s horrible how quick your test can end! No dates available for my next test just gotta keep looking
could have been a different story but I was only 5 minutes in, came up to a roundabout going 3rd exit and an ambulance pulled out of the second exit which I just didn’t expect and didn’t react in time! Probably would have reacted better if the ambulance had its sirens on but never mind! It’s horrible how quick your test can end! No dates available for my next test just gotta keep looking