Learning to drive.

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under the ivy

I’m having lessons atm (got one tomorrow). I was so nervous before my 1st lesson - didn’t sleep, physically sick before he picked me up. I suffer with anxiety so I’ve put off learning (late 20s now) but I just want independence, so fed-up of buses & struggling with shopping. Managed to save a bit of money during lockdown due to not having commuting expenses so thought I would see something for it!
I shocked myself on my 1st lesson, I went to 2nd gear and went around a roundabout I love hearing people’s experiences of learning. We can do this!
 
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kadykal95

I hated learning to drive. Hated every single lesson. Hated my driving instructor too

I passed my theory first time, but it took me 3 attempts to pass the practical. My legs would shake uncontrollably every time i did the test i could barely drive.

My main issue was roundabouts and junctions. I would find it difficult to slow down, while looking and seeing if i could go and then be ready to go all at the same time. It just overwhelmed me.

After i passed i wouldnt drive alone for about 6 months afterwards either. But then i became more confident, and the more i drove the better i got. A few years ago i travelled up and down the country monthly to see my sister and my confidence on the motorway improved too. Now i would say i'm quite a confident driver! At one point if you asked me to drive somewhere new i would panic but i often drive to new places now and it's not a big deal.

My advice is keep going! You will get there!
 
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judsmum

Well, after having my second test cancelled twice since March I’ve just re-booked. 17th of September. I’ve not told any one other than my husband and dad. I’m already feeling sick just thinking about it. I can drive but I just can’t park.
 
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Slatternly


That’s brilliant!!! I wonder what happened in your head to stop being anxious? I’m not an anxious person in every day life. Nothing much phases me but put me in a car and it’s a different story. Everything is a potential killer, 20mph feels like I’m flying a bloody plane...I feel like I’m in some terrible game with threats everywhere trying to kill me. I wonder if it’s because I’m learning in London? I’m fine on a bike though!


Have you tried watching YouTube videos over and over again? (Says she who can’t park either!) could you have a couple of lessons close to each other where you just practise parking over and over again?


So true about junctions. I slow down way to early as I’m worrying about gear changes. Putting the clutch up and down in time to set off again. I also take my foot off the clutch too quickly. Then I forget to look. Or I swing out too far in the road as I’m worrying about the clutch. There’s too much happening at once And not enough time...
 
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Belulah

Good luck @judsmum! Please let us know how it goes! I’ve been learning in automatic for three years- did have a baby and lockdown but I’m so frustrated now. Today I drove on major roads for two hours and made no mistakes. Felt totally comfortable but can not pass that bastard test!
Edit: 2 hours one way and two hours back! And parallel parked with a cranky toddler in the back!
 
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under the ivy

Something just twigged in my head and I just thought f**k it! Luckily I have a good instructor which makes or breaks learning. I’m learning in Leeds, not as busy as London but lots of cars on the road!
 
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HoGi

I had about 12 hours of lessons in a manual when I was 18. My instructor was such a knob and I dreaded the lessons. After I used up my block booking I did book again.

Then I didnt even think about driving for over 10 years. Moved to a town with a branch line train service and within a month started lessons in an auto

My husband had an electric car, which is auto, and said he would never buy a manual again. Even though he has been driving a manual for 20 years. He has just bought his 3rd auto!

So he suggested I try auto instead. Passed my theory first time (50/50 on the multiple choice!).

1 failed test, silly reason and horrible examiner who gave me a minor for stalling when you can't even stall an auto, my instructor went mad and wanted to appeal but I couldn't be bothered.

Passed second time with 4 minors, in the worst conditions! Went from full on down pour to bright sunshine in the space of seconds! I certainly showed them i knew how to use lights/wipers etc

I'm glad I learnt in an auto. Any plug in hybrid or electric car is auto, so they are the future and it means my left leg gets to have a little rest on long journeys haha

As a side note I have seen so many comments about horrible and rude instructors. Do they not realise they YOU are paying their wages?? I have never understood it. Without the learners they have no work, yet they treat learners like shit. At the end of the day YOU employed THEM.

It winds me up that they have all these terms and conditions that you can't cancel lessons within 48hrs or whatever but they don't give you the same respect back.

I think people need to understand this and not be afraid of changing instructor
 
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Kandy floss

You’ll definitely get there!

I found the theory easy and passed first time but I hated actually driving. I used to get so nervous before a lesson and just felt sick the entire time.

I had three instructors as my first quit teaching for personal reasons and my second was awful and just never turned up one day and I never heard from her again

Took me 4 tests to pass but driving since 18 made such a difference to me with college and uni, and I can’t imagine it now and drive on auto pilot without really thinking about it so it does get better
 
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under the ivy

I have a lesson this afternoon, I haven’t slept well and feel so nervous. Wish I could get over it because when I get in the drivers seat I’m fine!
 
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Kandy floss

YorkshireFox said:
I have a lesson this afternoon, I haven’t slept well and feel so nervous. Wish I could get over it because when I get in the drivers seat I’m fine!
Click to expand...
Aw I feel for you! It’s so awful being nervous for it and not really being able to focus on anything else!! I absolutely hated learning because of it
 
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Belulah

YorkshireFox said:
I have a lesson this afternoon, I haven’t slept well and feel so nervous. Wish I could get over it because when I get in the drivers seat I’m fine!
Click to expand...
I always have mine first thing to avoid this. There’s nothing worse than dreading each hour passing as it creeps closer. Could you ask your instructor for earlier lessons?
Hope your lesson goes well x
 

under the ivy

Belulah said:
I always have mine first thing to avoid this. There’s nothing worse than dreading each hour passing as it creeps closer. Could you ask your instructor for earlier lessons?
Hope your lesson goes well x
Click to expand...
My lesson went well thank you! Seemed to have mastered setting off and stopping manoeuvres. On to junctions next week Really like reading other people’s experiences, feel like I’m not on my own!
 
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Doyoureally?

This thread has made me realise I need to just start driving again and book a test. Failed a test a while ago and just hate driving with strangers, even an instructor that I’ve had several lessons with. In my 30s and It’s been inspirational hearing your stories especially those who have got their license in their 40s/50s. Thanks all for sharing your experiences.
 
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Belulah

YorkshireFox said:
My lesson went well thank you! Seemed to have mastered setting off and stopping manoeuvres. On to junctions next week Really like reading other people’s experiences, feel like I’m not on my own!
Click to expand...
It’s so comforting isn’t it! I always feel like I am the last person on the planet learning!
 
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under the ivy

Belulah said:
It’s so comforting isn’t it! I always feel like I am the last person on the planet learning!
Click to expand...
Same here! I just didn’t have the money when I was younger (still don’t haha) and had other things going on. Feels like the time is right for me now. Life is a marathon not a race
 
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Dexy

Good luck to everyone learning. I know how hard it is. Just focus on the freedom it will give you when you do pass. It’s life changing.
Once your confidence grows you’ll wonder how you ever coped without a car.

Proud to say never parallel parked since passing 14 years ago, would rather park a mile down the road where no one else is and walk stress-free to my destination. This has done me no harm.
 
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hrh89

Those of you learning at the minute, are you having to wear masks and gloves?
 
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