Thank(space)you
VIP Member
Driving lesson with a different instructor booked in for Saturday. Very nervous and excited. I'm really really hoping this helps with my confidence
- Notice
under the ivy
VIP Member
I’m naturally an anxious person and I’m not refusing to do gears! I had 20 hours of manual lessons nearly, I got the gears and clutch but I was never fully concentrating on the road and made loads of dangerous errors! I have personal reasons why I want to pass quickly and I think automatic best suits me 
LaurieLaurie
VIP Member
Three weeks today for my test 
I’ve only told one person when it is so that there’s no pressure from anyone else.
I have been having the best lessons so fingers crossed I drive as good on the day
I’ve only told one person when it is so that there’s no pressure from anyone else.I have been having the best lessons so fingers crossed I drive as good on the day
alwayslurkin
Well-known member
Something else I thought about re learner drivers
Driving is one of those skills you only develop through actually doing it. It is so hard when you only get access to car once a week for an hour with an instructor, and you'll spend most of the time going over the same things, but I promise it is so worth it!
I have been there with the anxiety... In fact, I was caught on a huge roundabout in the wrong lane and no one would let me change so I ended up in a B&Q car park and literally just had a big cry. This was after passing my test and having six months solo driving under my belt.
It does get better, honestly, and these wobbles happen to all of us so please don't let it put you off. Enjoy it, it is so liberating when you can literally just hop into a car and go wherever the hell you want.
Driving is one of those skills you only develop through actually doing it. It is so hard when you only get access to car once a week for an hour with an instructor, and you'll spend most of the time going over the same things, but I promise it is so worth it!
I have been there with the anxiety... In fact, I was caught on a huge roundabout in the wrong lane and no one would let me change so I ended up in a B&Q car park and literally just had a big cry. This was after passing my test and having six months solo driving under my belt.
It does get better, honestly, and these wobbles happen to all of us so please don't let it put you off. Enjoy it, it is so liberating when you can literally just hop into a car and go wherever the hell you want.
under the ivy
VIP Member
Lessons going well thanks! So glad I switched to automatic. Got my theory on Sunday, so revising all week.
under the ivy
VIP Member
I’ve had 3 all together. First one; his car was filthy and I found it distracting. Didn’t turn up one lesson to pick me up at home, I was stood looking out of the window and he texts me saying I didn’t turn up?!
Second one; Tried it on with me, made comments about my looks. Whenever I did something ‘wrong’ he would take the wheel from me, use his pedals, and proceed to give me a lecture. Bye
Im with a female now and she is lovely, we talk about all sorts while I’m driving and it really helps me. She gives me good tips and tells me what I need to focus on.
Second one; Tried it on with me, made comments about my looks. Whenever I did something ‘wrong’ he would take the wheel from me, use his pedals, and proceed to give me a lecture. Bye
Im with a female now and she is lovely, we talk about all sorts while I’m driving and it really helps me. She gives me good tips and tells me what I need to focus on.
hereforthememe
Chatty Member
I failed my driving test the first time and passed second time - the second time was one of the best drives I've ever done 
You'll get there
You'll get there
Found this at just the right time. Just started learning again and have had my first lesson after a 5 year gap.
Town number 3, instructor number 5. 3 failed practicals and 1 passed but expired theory test behind me!
I don't think my mental health or my confidence were where they needed to be before and I really did not gel with 3 out of my 4 previous instructors while this one is much more calm and very highly recommended by my boyfriend who passed his test last year first time. So fingers crossed this is it!
Town number 3, instructor number 5. 3 failed practicals and 1 passed but expired theory test behind me!
I don't think my mental health or my confidence were where they needed to be before and I really did not gel with 3 out of my 4 previous instructors while this one is much more calm and very highly recommended by my boyfriend who passed his test last year first time. So fingers crossed this is it!
loobyscoobydoo
Well-known member
I have my first driving lesson in over 2 years on Monday morning. I had about 10 hours a couple of years ago and gave up as it was another stressor at a time when I was struggling with my MH. I've been on a wait list for ages and now I'm finally able to pick back up I feel so nervous! Not sure how to alleviate nerves but I'm glad I've got a morning slot as at least then it's over and done with for the day rather than me sitting around all day worrying about the lesson
I also need to rebook my theory as that ran out a few months ago.
I also need to rebook my theory as that ran out a few months ago.
LaurieLaurie
VIP Member
I’m onto my fourth instructor, sod them if they aren’t right for you. There’s plenty more out there.
So glad I found this thread! So I have been learning to drive in an automatic since May 2019. I have Cerebral Palsy so learning to drive has not been easy! My instructor wasn't very patient or understanding either so I'm not confident that I'm up to test standard (in Ireland).
We're in full lockdown at the moment, so I've cancelled my instructor and won't be continuing my lessons until I can afford my own car, (which should be by December time!). I applied for my full test last September but I have no idea when I will be invited to book my test.
My instructor really didn't give me much confidence in myself, constantly nit-picking my small mistakes and even being quite condescending. I'm quite intelligent but my legs just don't work as well as they should haha. He would tell me when to release the break, etc and never gave me the chance to independently make that decision for myself; despite me asking him multiple times. I'm looking forward to driving again and I really hope I can find a better instructor to suit my needs.
We're in full lockdown at the moment, so I've cancelled my instructor and won't be continuing my lessons until I can afford my own car, (which should be by December time!). I applied for my full test last September but I have no idea when I will be invited to book my test.
My instructor really didn't give me much confidence in myself, constantly nit-picking my small mistakes and even being quite condescending. I'm quite intelligent but my legs just don't work as well as they should haha. He would tell me when to release the break, etc and never gave me the chance to independently make that decision for myself; despite me asking him multiple times. I'm looking forward to driving again and I really hope I can find a better instructor to suit my needs.
noseynopinions
VIP Member
My second lesson went so well today. I'm getting better at my turns and positioning the car. Still fuck up sometimes but with practice, I will improve. My instructor allowed me to drive home half way so that was nice 
I’ll still be on this thread to help others and offer any advice I can! Xxx
Dot_Cotton
VIP Member
I had one instructor in a manual car. He got on my nerves so I stopped going. We needed to travel down south so I decided I needed to pass my test quickly. I got an automatic instructor and passed my test within about 6 weeks. It was good because all you have to learn really is the rules of the road and so on as the car is literally start stop. I would recommend it. Even my partner who is used to manuals always says he would always get an automatic because it just makes no sense to get a manual.
kittypaws
VIP Member
Why are there so many SHITE driving instructors around?
I’ve not had terrible experiences but I feel like sharing a few of mine BELT UP, it’s a long one!
First instructor I ever had I was with for a while but then I had a huge cystic acne breakout which was VILE to look at, was so painful and I wouldn’t even leave the house. Anyway I text her to cancel my lesson 2 days in advance, explained what happened and said how sorry I was. We had a lesson booked in the following week but she never replied to my text and never turned up to the lesson the following week so I gave up with her.
Found another instructor who advertised that she taught pupils in my town but it seemed she rarely came to my area. I told her my address, had the first lesson booked. Waited for ages on the day and she never turned up. So I text her and she said she turned up but couldn’t find my house! Then she apparently realised she’d gone to the same name road in another town and couldn’t find my house number, even asked the postman apparently. Then rather than ringing me she just drove off and never contacted me as I was the one who messaged her!? So booked another lesson, she turned up that week with another pupil in the car and she had to drive him home first which was about 25 mins away. Then she made me drive from his house back to mine, having no idea how good or safe I was at driving and I’d never done main roads before. Got back to my house and she said she was going in for surgery and wasn’t available for 4 weeks. Told me to text her in 4 weeks for another lesson and she also said she would contact me. Neither of us bothered so that was the end of her
I moved to another city and found an elder lady with loads of experience to teach me. On my first lesson I got to her car she couldn’t believe how tiny she was and she was well in her 70s! She had really old fashioned ways of teaching and didn’t understand why I was struggling with certain things and got really impatient - I’m a fucking learner! Her lessons made me so bloody anxious I binned her as well.
The next one was ok but we didn’t quite gel. Then she turned into a right twat. She worked for a driving school who used a computer booking system to book in lessons. I had a week off cos I was busy so then text her to book my next lesson in She offered me a time which I agreed then the booking confirmation text was the wrong day so I text her and told her I couldn’t do the day she had booked me in for as we had agreed the day before. She text back and said she’d book me in for another day. I never got another booking confirmation text so I was confused. That Saturday I went to my mums and my driving instructor rung me saying I’m outside where are you? I said I didn’t know we had a lesson!? I never got a text. She text back saying she’s booked me in for the following week but I still got no booking confirmation. The day before my supposed lesson she text me checking I could still do the next day. I said “no? I didn’t know we had a lesson tomorrow I got no text about it?”. She was really arsey and I sent her a clear text explaining that I am NOT receiving the confirmation texts from the driving school for some reason so can she please text me personally with the day and time otherwise I have no idea when the lesson is. She said the problem must be my phone.Then a few days later she texts me at 8am “if you’re awake I can do a lesson now?” wtf!? I was so fucked off with her that I binned her as well
I am FINALLY with an amazing instructor now but I went through hell to get here
I’ve not had terrible experiences but I feel like sharing a few of mine
BELT UP, it’s a long one!First instructor I ever had I was with for a while but then I had a huge cystic acne breakout which was VILE to look at, was so painful and I wouldn’t even leave the house. Anyway I text her to cancel my lesson 2 days in advance, explained what happened and said how sorry I was. We had a lesson booked in the following week but she never replied to my text and never turned up to the lesson the following week so I gave up with her.
Found another instructor who advertised that she taught pupils in my town but it seemed she rarely came to my area. I told her my address, had the first lesson booked. Waited for ages on the day and she never turned up. So I text her and she said she turned up but couldn’t find my house! Then she apparently realised she’d gone to the same name road in another town and couldn’t find my house number, even asked the postman apparently. Then rather than ringing me she just drove off and never contacted me as I was the one who messaged her!? So booked another lesson, she turned up that week with another pupil in the car and she had to drive him home first which was about 25 mins away. Then she made me drive from his house back to mine, having no idea how good or safe I was at driving and I’d never done main roads before. Got back to my house and she said she was going in for surgery and wasn’t available for 4 weeks. Told me to text her in 4 weeks for another lesson and she also said she would contact me. Neither of us bothered so that was the end of her
I moved to another city and found an elder lady with loads of experience to teach me. On my first lesson I got to her car she couldn’t believe how tiny she was and she was well in her 70s! She had really old fashioned ways of teaching and didn’t understand why I was struggling with certain things and got really impatient - I’m a fucking learner! Her lessons made me so bloody anxious I binned her as well.
The next one was ok but we didn’t quite gel. Then she turned into a right twat. She worked for a driving school who used a computer booking system to book in lessons. I had a week off cos I was busy so then text her to book my next lesson in She offered me a time which I agreed then the booking confirmation text was the wrong day so I text her and told her I couldn’t do the day she had booked me in for as we had agreed the day before. She text back and said she’d book me in for another day. I never got another booking confirmation text so I was confused. That Saturday I went to my mums and my driving instructor rung me saying I’m outside where are you? I said I didn’t know we had a lesson!? I never got a text. She text back saying she’s booked me in for the following week but I still got no booking confirmation. The day before my supposed lesson she text me checking I could still do the next day. I said “no? I didn’t know we had a lesson tomorrow I got no text about it?”. She was really arsey and I sent her a clear text explaining that I am NOT receiving the confirmation texts from the driving school for some reason so can she please text me personally with the day and time otherwise I have no idea when the lesson is. She said the problem must be my phone.Then a few days later she texts me at 8am “if you’re awake I can do a lesson now?” wtf!? I was so fucked off with her that I binned her as well
I am FINALLY with an amazing instructor now but I went through hell to get here
Thank(space)you
VIP Member
Just put a deposit down on car 
and had my final lesson before my test next week.
The car I've put a deposit down on, is diesel. Does that matter? Some people are telling me its a good thing whereas some say the opposite. Also a few people have raised eyebrows at me for buying a car before I've passed my test, does it matter?
and had my final lesson before my test next week.The car I've put a deposit down on, is diesel. Does that matter? Some people are telling me its a good thing whereas some say the opposite. Also a few people have raised eyebrows at me for buying a car before I've passed my test, does it matter?
loobyscoobydoo
Well-known member
Congratulations @Thank(space)you and @judsmum sounds like you both smashed it!!
I did roundabouts and roundabouts and roundabouts this morning, it is getting so much easier already and I was able to navigate the last few pretty much independently. Got stuck in a traffic jam so good clutch control practice and did a bit of parking towards the end which was okay, just need lots and lots of practice with that, which is next weeks job. People are really right when they say a good instructor makes a world of difference, I feel so confident and positive coming out of that lesson, which makes a change!
I did roundabouts and roundabouts and roundabouts this morning, it is getting so much easier already and I was able to navigate the last few pretty much independently. Got stuck in a traffic jam so good clutch control practice and did a bit of parking towards the end which was okay, just need lots and lots of practice with that, which is next weeks job. People are really right when they say a good instructor makes a world of difference, I feel so confident and positive coming out of that lesson, which makes a change!
kittypaws
VIP Member
100% recommend this app! I put it on my ipad, used it every night for a few hours, did all the quizzes, games and mock tests and passed my theory first time!
Just got back from my lesson, my confidence has improved so much I'm really happy! Those pesky roundabouts still need some work but everything else is generally ok and I actually enjoy my lessons now as I'm not scared of driving! It's so good to read everyone elses posts as well and know I'm not alone in learning to drive as previously I've only been able to talk to people who have already passed!
Tinytonito
New member
I tried manual for ages and failed miserably! Gave up completely for years. Started again with automatic..failed 3 times!!! Passed on my 4th attempt and now drive everyday. You will get there, just keep at it! Just to add, I was THE most nervous driver but it took an amazing instructor and taking the pressure off slightly by driving an auto and I got there 
good luck !!!
good luck !!!