I was 52 when I passed my test too and it has changed my life, I’m 61 now. I stuck with manual although it took a very long time to get the hang of the gears. I wouldn’t like to work out what all the lessons cost me but it’s an investment.I had loads of lessons and several instructors. The night before my first test i couldn't do anything! My instructor said he would still take me for my test but i cancelled it. Told him, dont mind embarrassing myself but didn't want to embarrass him.
He suggested changing to automatic and I agreed cos of I felt i had to salvage something out of the £££££ I'd spent.
I passed 2nd time at the age of 52!!! It's made such a difference to my life. Being able to chuck my shopping in the back and not have to humph it on and off buses. Being able to go places without having to panic about bus or train times. Not having to wait for taxis at the end of a night out (I don't drink)
It's also meant I've been able to get my mum out and about. She's getting frail and it was difficult getting on buses and trains. We wouldn't have survived lockdown without the car. Being able to drive to the riverside (5 min drive) and sit with a flask of tea has been life saver.
What I would say to you is to keep at it. It'll be worth it in the end. Your test is really about making sure you can control the car safely and are aware of what's going on around you. And I think is the most important thing - not that you're the best driver but that you aren't a danger to other road users.
Also if you're in the UK watch that series the secret of the driving test - guaranteed to make you feel like you're Lewis Hamilton!!!
It definitely depends where you live - round here the roads are bedlam until about 9.30 with all the commuters and parents doing school runs...and again from 2.30-3.30, and 4pm onwards. I found the quietest times was 11-12ish, had all my tests around that time.Also, I would recommend booking an early morning test as the roads will be quieter than middle of the day.
Brilliant! Good luck!I’m starting with my first female instructor on Monday.
Well done! The manoeuvres are difficult, so don't worry if you find them hard, that's natural - I still can't reverse into a bay or parallel park particularly well, even though I have a car with parking sensors and a reversing cameraHad my first lesson. Really pushed myself to do manoeuvres rather then putting them off. I was really nervous this morning.
Good Luck!! I’m hoping for a quick turn around after lock down.How’s everyone getting on with the learning? I’ve got my test coming up soon! I’m a key worker so it’s been a quick turnaround coming out of lockdown, praying I pass! I have a knee operation at the end of the month and it’s going to take about 6 weeks to recover and I don’t want to delay it anymore after a 4 month break - any tips for the nerves?!
thank youGood Luck!! I’m hoping for a quick turn around after lock down.
how many lessons are you having a week?
Ah nice! My instructor only does 2 hour lessons, I find them quite good personally because I get a bit more driving time. I put the money I would have spent on lessons aside each month in lockdown so I’ve got plenty to work with if I do failThat is amazing!! I’m only doing an hour! I’m going to ask about maybe doing two lessons a week when I next see her. I’m a teacher so have six weeks off now!
My first instructor was exactly the same! Told me the day of my test he wasn't going to let me sit it too, then to add insult to injury asked me if I wanted to drive home. I didnt, I got out and walked!You’ll get there honestly! I struggled so much to learn, I had a very vile instructor who used to basically tell me I’d never pass (nice!) which really dented my confidence too! Used to cry during lessons and everything. So degrading!
Wow that instructor sounds like an ass, im glad you found someone who was a good fit for you.My first instructor was exactly the same! Told me the day of my test he wasn't going to let me sit it too, then to add insult to injury asked me if I wanted to drive home. I didnt, I got out and walked!
He also told me I wouldn't be able to drive manual and that I should do automatic!
I got another instructor not long after but I had so many confidence issues I kept failing my test (2 fails, 1 I abandoned after 2 minutes). 3 and a bit years later I went back to it with a new instructor and passed first attempt with him!
I would use a word much stronger than assWow that instructor sounds like an ass, im glad you found someone who was a good fit for you.
gradually getting more nervous now, feel like I’m making silly mistakes and massively overthinking. Instructor isn’t helping either, I’ll be quite when my lessons are over to be honest, think I’m spending too much time with herwill have been 10 hours this week
Yep I’d consider switching to automatic, or at least just have a couple of lessons in an automatic to see if it helps. Gear sticks are on their way out I think, certainly going forward as we move towards electric cars and there are some cars now you can only buy as an automatic. I think it’s worth just trying and then you will know. Good luck!I had my second lesson after five months off (lockdown/broken leg) yesterday and it went very badly. I kept stalling at roundabouts.
My instructor is great but I feel he is losing patience with me. He told me that it was the worst I’ve ever driven. I am a nervous driver but he goes on about me being nervous which is unhelpful and a bit gas lighty as I’m usually fine nerves wise after an hour. I felt really despondent yesterday. I’m reasonably intelligent but unable to do this thing that everyone else is able to do. I find it hard to multitask in a car but can manage multi tasking brilliantly ar work!
I’m sick of learning to drive... I’ve been doing it every week for over a year. I’d sack the whole thing off of my mil wasn’t paying but I feel trapped into having to see it through to the end.
I just don’t seem to be improving. I’ve been learning to parallel park for months now and the penny hasn’t dropped.
Should I switch to automatic?!!
I’m so reassured to see others on this thread have struggled with the same issues as I have though.
Try a different instructorI had my second lesson after five months off (lockdown/broken leg) yesterday and it went very badly. I kept stalling at roundabouts.
My instructor is great but I feel he is losing patience with me. He told me that it was the worst I’ve ever driven. I am a nervous driver but he goes on about me being nervous which is unhelpful and a bit gas lighty as I’m usually fine nerves wise after an hour. I felt really despondent yesterday. I’m reasonably intelligent but unable to do this thing that everyone else is able to do. I find it hard to multitask in a car but can manage multi tasking brilliantly ar work!
I’m sick of learning to drive... I’ve been doing it every week for over a year. I’d sack the whole thing off of my mil wasn’t paying but I feel trapped into having to see it through to the end.
I just don’t seem to be improving. I’ve been learning to parallel park for months now and the penny hasn’t dropped.
Should I switch to automatic?!!
I’m so reassured to see others on this thread have struggled with the same issues as I have though.
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