Learning to drive.

[LaurieLaurie]

Does anyone know when they release new test dates? My instructor says I have to check everyday until I get one.

 

[Thank(space)you]

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?

The hypnosis app by Paul mckenna and the rescue remedy pastilles help me. Also eating a banana beforehand. Probably all placebo but it is my little routine

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I messaged the new instructor at 9am today and she's not replied yet so I have no idea if I'm actually gonna be able to do my lesson @ 4

Let’s us know if she turns up.

 

[MaryX82]

I have had the worst experiences with instructors both men and women.It’s put me off would love my licence but don’t have anyone who would allow me to drive with them away from lessons for hours on end so have currently stopped all together.Attached some of the many back and forth between me and my so called instructors.I have tried an intensive course but was told on the last day I wasn’t ready for the day a complete waste of 20hrs and my entire week and over £600.Not sure what way to turn to after all this.Maybe automatic??Any advice welcome

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Good luck you got this!! I used a few theory apps and they worked well

I had another lesson after I said I would change instructor and damn I shouldn't have done it ... She quizzed me on my anxiety symptoms and cross examined them making me feel like I was lying/nothing wrong with me basically

This week I cancelled it, so now just looking for someone else. I have a test booked for Oct 22nd but I'll just delay if needs be - I need to remove the pressure on myself to help with the anxiety I think, slow it down....

You should have told her to mind her own business!
Good luck finding someone better but do it ASAP. The next tests I’ve seen are for February

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Aww I’ve been checking all day and there’s still no tests in my area.

 

[Ahahha]

Hello all here is a question should I do my theory before I do some driving lessons also I really have bad anxiety what's the best advice also manual or automatic sorry for the questions

 

[under the ivy]

Do you have access to a car you can practice in as well outside of your lessons?

Unfortunately not

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I messaged the new instructor at 9am today and she's not replied yet so I have no idea if I'm actually gonna be able to do my lesson @ 4

Phone her?

 

[Dramabyname]

I passed my theory test today

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

Well done, amazing news

 

[Gembo]

There are cars for sale that I like and they are automatic so eventually I'll probably drive one but I can't get my head around how they work. I'm probably thinking too much into it and will find it self explanatory if I drive one

I was the same! I could not figure it out at all but it took less than 5 mins. My husband was pushing me to get an automatic and I absolutely refused but he dragged me to the garage under the false pretence that I was going to look manual. I didn’t even want to try the automatic but within minutes of driving it I was sold. I was really good at clutch control in my old car so found reversing and maneuvering really easy and thought I would struggle with that but can’t say I’ve even noticed!

never tried an automatic no! I only had about 8 lessons in a manual so I clearly didn’t give myself enough time but even those few lessons I could sense it was a bit too much to juggle at once. My instructor was an arse too and made me feel like shit so that didn’t help

I’d definitely recommend trying to have a lesson in one then and see what you think. A good instructor goes a long way too!

 

[alwayslurkin]

I think for sure it’s all a mind thing. I’m a nervous wreck before my lessons - I always Google how to start a car before my lessons then I get to the car and I just do it like it’s natural! So weird.

God my current mood haha think I'll just grab a bit of fuel first to get back into the swing of it before the drive

 

[BettyCrocker]

I'm starting to learn early next year. I'm planning on buying a small little car first as I want to learn in my own car. I've also decided to learn in an automatic. I'm not here for a discussion for what's better as I'm early thirties and I would rather take the slightly easier route - thankfully I've a friend whose agreed it's what's best I'm just annoyed and embarrassed that I can't drive yet, but I lived in London for years and never had the need too 9my excuse anyway).

Now where I live it's hard to get a job without a car and the mobility needed. I start a new job soon and being mobile is going to be a huge requirement.

Long story short, what cars did most people learn to drive in?

learnt in & now drive a manual.

Can I ask - you said it’s an easier option to learn in an automatic,but it doesn’t sound like you’ve ever had any experience in driving yet, you might be surprised that actually a manual
Car really isn’t hard to learn in. I think a lot of people put a huge emphasis on changing gears as being some sort of barrier to learning to drive but actually once you’ve learnt how to do it, you can do it. I think the more difficult aspect of learning to drive is getting everything else right - trusting your judgment, being aware of what’s going on, speed, manoeuvres etc

I’m not saying you are wrong or whatever I’m just interested as to why lots of people see a manual car as hard to learn in.

 

[kittyz]

To be fair, I didn’t find it difficult learning how to use gears, that was my point, gears are the easy bit. if anything the thing I would say most people struggle with in a manual is the clutch and the bite point. I have a work colleague who had a few lessons and could not get the car to move because she couldn’t handle the clutch, she’s got a motorbike now instead.
I really struggled with learning to drive, not because of the gears or clutch, it was more just that I’m a nervous person and I have a terrible sense of position and judgment!
I didn’t have anyone else to help me either, I had my one lesson a week and that was that, which probably didn’t help.

Gears and clutch are one in one though. I didn't realise you guys were specifically talking about confusion relating to gears vs. speed etc. Change my original comment from "gears" to "manual" lol. Either way, an automatic *is* easier. There's absolutely no denying that. I have zero intention of ever driving one and I personally think you forgo an element of control for the sake of ease, but it is still easier, especially for new drivers. I do think it makes a lot more sense to learn in a manual and then drive an auto knowing you can do both but a lot of people simply wouldn't drive if that were their only option.

I had 0 lessons which is why I highly recommend YouTube videos, basically free driving lessons. Watch the YouTube, practice it under your own supervision, repeat. It's comforting watching other learners get flustered by the same things you are too. I sat in on 2 of my partner's lessons and I think the instructor was a bit full-on. All my friends telling me stories of the instructor grabbing the wheel or preventing them from stalling by dipping the clutch, or the worst - instructors encouraging people to move off using only the clutch?! 2 people I know still stall a year after passing because they think you don't need to put revs in. I didn't progress to roads until I felt comfortable (started in an empty Tesco car park and thought I'd crash going 5mph LOL) but I think knowing I only had myself to rely on, not dual controls, made me learn quicker tbh.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

is the testi app worth the £9.99?

I don’t know. I’ve paid for it but they don’t always send notifications and when they do it’s often too late. I just keep opening/checking the app to be honest.

 

[Millymoo32]

I passed my test first time in December and I honestly don't know why! I was 38 weeks pregnant at the time so desperately needed to pass but I hate it. I'm so nervous and don't ever feel like I'm in control. I've had my car for 7 months and the amount of bumps and scrapes I've had is crazy. I'm not a natural in the slightest and several times I've had a panic attack at the thought of having to drive. Ironically when I first passed I drove 249 miles to Edinburgh and it didn't phase me. The more I drive, the worse I get. People keep telling me that I'm still new (totally true and I really appreciate that) and it will get better. Good luck to all of those taking their tests. It's scary but you've got this!

This is my second round trying to drive if someone hands me the keys I start shaking other ppl just seem to hop in a car and away but a driving instructor told me I'm to cautious I'm like I'm sorry I dnt want to knock ppl down if I see another car coming I try squeeze like the car is gonna squeeze in lo hopefully I get it b4 I'm 35

 

[alwayslurkin]

Yeah absolutely agree. The skill of driving a car is like anything else it’s just practise and after a while physically making the vehicle move becomes natural and seamless. Far too much weight is placed on “gears” - using a clutch and changing gears is not the biggest obstacle when driving. You only learn to drive after you have passed your test and are out on the road on your own, when you have no choice but to make your own decisions and when it’s only you that can make that car do what you want it to do!!!! Getting into the correct lanes, signalling to come off roundabouts correctly, matching your speed to the road & conditions, looking out for hazards, reacting appropriately to other (idiot) drivers and road users (cyclists!) etc - that is all far more involved than changing gear.

Exactly this! I was worried no one would agree lol personally I reckon everyone should learn on a manual, then do what you want when you get a car. At that point though be used to gears and clutch

 

[Thank(space)you]

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

Yes he did, I had an off week last week (was unwell so not my best driving - I just had an infected piercing) anyway after that he said about postponing my test and this week was to determine if he felt I was ready

 

[TheGlossy]

Does anyone have any experience with automatic cars? How is it compared to manual?

I got my theory test in April 2018, then started lessons right away. Fast forward, two years later, I still don't have a license. Sat the test in manual twice in 2019. Failed it both times . Spent over €6K on lessons which all turned out to be a complete rip off. I haven't been able to get lessons since March 2020 due to COVID. I just took one lesson in manual in October 2020 to see if I still wanted to drive a manual, it was a complete disaster and the instructor suggested I go for automatic. I know an automatic license is restrictive, but at least, I'll have a license.

All women in my family are license-less and it would be a huge accomplishment for me to beat this generational curse! I need my transportation freedom. I'm 30 and this is way overdue!

 

[TheGlossy]

Congratulations! Must feel like a dream!

@TheGlossy - could you have a one off lesson in auto and see how you get on?

Yeah, I wanted to book a lesson just to give it a try, but every single school I rang said they're operating on a waiting list basis now because they have so much demand post-lockdown that they no longer have immediate availability. The earliest available slot is end of September/early October. They're prioritizing essential workers. It's a bit annoying as I renewed my license in October and almost one year later, I haven't been able to drive at all. I bet they'll use this as an excuse to increase their prices.

I unfortunately don't have anyone to drive with, so I'm completely dependent on driving schools which is an utter pain and financial drain.