Learning to drive.

[LaurieLaurie]

Five lessons until my test. Just want it to be here now.

 

[Dancing Dave]

Fair enough but it's my choice at the end of the day and after conversations I've had I'd prefer to learn automatic

 

[under the ivy]

Just come back from a really good lesson - I did my first forward bay park and reverse and they both went really well! Such a confidence boost Hope people’s lessons have gone well this week!

 

[hereforthememe]

May I ask what it is about the manual thats given you this boost?

The fact I don't have to think about the clutch

My clutch control is fine, but it's just one more thing to think about especially given I drive in heavy traffic most of the time

It's hard to describe - I think people should try a manual as you learn a lot about driving and how cars work, but don't stress if it doesn't "click" as I've driven for years and it never clucked

 

[Thank(space)you]

My lesson today went so so well! Really given me a massive confidence boost that I can do this and i am a good driver. My instructor had barely any comments to make

 

[TommyTBFC]

I failed my theory test 5 times, and driving test 3 times passing on my forth. I was still driving around industrial estates on my 30th lesson, I wasn’t at all a natural. Now I’ve been driving 8 years, drive the length of the country numerous times, drove city centres, drove abroad. It’s all Experience and confidence

 

[jawidjanqndn]

It was good honestly! I managed to do a good amount of left turns and some right turns. We also practiced doing emergency stops. I feel like I picked it up fairly well

I wish you could tell your past self things aren’t going to be as bad as you make them out to be in your head

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Thank you
I’m glad I know what to expect next time.

 

[Upintheair83]

Neither do I! There is nothing remotely fun about it! I literally want to be able to drive the 3 miles to work and back. That’s it. My lessons are on a Thursday and I start getting nervous on a Tuesday afternoon! Bloody horrible experience so it is.

Oh I feel for you so much! It took me years to pass my test- had about ten instructors! In fact one I had, one lesson we never even got off the driveway! Iv had all sorts. And Iv always hated driving! I could never seem to get my head around it. Iv been passed about 6 years now, but I was 29 I think when I passed. I used to dread my lessons, I used to panic the night before and I would try and think of excuses to make. I would get all sweaty when I was actually learning and I never even felt comfy. I remember the day I passed my test, I think my mum gave me some sort of sleeping tablet to relax me!! I mean who does that!???but I was in such a state, however it worked! I did pass! Ever since I can’t say my love of driving has increased, because it hasn’t. Iv accepted I will never enjoy driving, but i do enjoy the freedom it gives me. To not have to ask people to take me places is amazing. One bit of advice though is you don’t have to drive anywhere that makes you uncomfy. Even now I will always take the route that I find easier, even if it takes me longer. And don’t let other drivers bully you into going faster etc. I also hate parking! And I try and get what I call ‘drive throughs’ Spaces where I can pull forward basically! So I don’t have to reverse out! Oh I’m terrible when I write it down, but I’m also proud. Because learning to drive was a chain around my neck for years! No one thought I would pass, and people used to tease me with how long it took! But I did it! You will get there, I really do sympathise with you. When you pass, you will find it so freeing and you say you will just go to work and back but I’m sure you will slowly find abit more confidence to go here and there. Just take your time and do what feels ok to you! But I’m in your club and I hear every word you say! Good luck!!!! Xx

 

[Slatternly]

I've found my people! I am learning to drive at the ripe old age of 47....I started learning October 2018. Started with a crap, angry impatient and have now found a wonderful one. I've haven't had a driving lesson since February due to breaking my leg and then corona. I am dreading starting again.

Learning to drive has taught me that I'm not as clever as I thought I was. It's taken me ages to work out what the clutch is for, I find multi tasking impossible and my anxiety is through the roof. I am not normally an anxious people but feel like I'm staring death in the face if I go above 30 mph. I think the anxiety might be worse now I've been injured and have had so much time off. It's also costing me a fortune. I need to get it done though. I'm determined to stick with manual. as I've finally got my head around gear changes....

I don't know anyone who's taken this long to get to test stage. Everyone around me started driving at 17 and did about 10 lessons....

 

[Belulah]

I had an interesting lesson to say the least. Driving was fine - went on a busy road and overtook a bus! However I was driving back, down a road with cars parked at either side, so slowed down to let a car pass me. Said car then wound his window down and called me a ‘learner w*nker’! Which was nice....

What a dick. My sister was once out with L plates on practicing and some wanker told her to learn to drive! What did he think she was trying to do?
Best of luck @judsmum I’ll be thinking of you!

 

[HoGi]

I learnt in an auto. Best decision I ever made.

Electric cars are always auto so they are the future.

My husband had been driving for 15 years and got an auto and has never looked back.

It makes driving a lot less stressful in my opinion and I certainly enjoy driving more than when I tried a manual.

No one has judged me for passing in an auto. When I'm discussing cars at work etc people might suggest some smaller cars and I have to say they don't make that in an auto so it isn't an option and they then remember I can't drive manual.

At the end of the day I think you get far more stick for not driving than you do for "only" driving an auto

 

[Thank(space)you]

Lesson went so well thank you everyone for letting me constantly moan

 

[Thank(space)you]

I've had about 12 double lessons, passed my theory well but I hate my lessons I get so anxious, can't sleep etc etc... My instructor is ex army and if I make a mistake, not even a dangerous one, she will say 'WHY did you do that?' in a real attitude and the lesson doesn't carry on until I provide a suitable answer - sometimes I don't know why .
The whole experience is feeling a bit soul destroying and being close to the age of 40, mum of 2 and recently also redundant I could do with not feeling like I do... I don't know if I should switch to automatic or even instructor or just ride it out

Definitely sounds like you need to change instructor

 

[Ef27]

Glad I found this thread I’m from Ireland and have my test in 2 days I’m soooo nervous I did my theory test years ago and the compulsory 12 lessons when I was in my early 20’s but went traveling and working abroad in Asia for 2 years. I’m home since Christmas and have done a few lessons again to refresh and finally bought my first car 3 months ago at the age of 27 I feel like I’ve improved loads and have been practicing but I still get so anxious in the car and it affects me so bad! I make mistakes with the gears,clutch control etc I’m afraid it’ll happen in my test please send me all your good vibes I’m trying to stay positive and believe in myself that I can do it

 

[Belulah]

I failed didn’t stop fully at a give way. Such a stupid mistake.

 

[HoGi]

Do any of you have advice for the theory side of it all?

I keep being pushed to start learning and tbf it would be very useful, but having looked at some theory books I have no clue where to start or what to do

Check if your library provide free access to theory test pro or similar. Mine did and I just used that and got 50/50 on the questions and can't remember what I got on hazard perception but I passed first time!

I think if you're an older learner you know more of the answers from experience of being in cars etc

 

[emerald]

Was just having a nosey at this thread. I applaud anyone who learns to drive, it is so tricky for some people (myself included!) but it opens your world up so much and the feeling of not having to rely on anyone for lifts does wonders for your sense of self-sufficiency. I passed 10 years ago this year but it took me nearly two years of 6-8 hours of lessons a week. It was soul-destroying if I'm being honest but again so SO worth it. I'm wishing you all the best of luck, you can do it.

 

[Thank(space)you]

How are you finding the new instructor?

Yeah she's lovely bless her

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I got overtook loads on my lesson last Sunday, I'm a learner! I'm learning how to drive safely, no acting like an idiot with no patience!

Don’t pay any attention to anyone who overtakes you - just as long as you are driving at an appropriate speed for the road and conditions. Try to keep to the speed limit and not drive too much slower, if you are on a 60mph road try to be going at 60, or whatever speed the road is.

Do any of you have advice for the theory side of it all?

I keep being pushed to start learning and tbf it would be very useful, but having looked at some theory books I have no clue where to start or what to do

Get the official DVLA theory test kit and app on your phone. Try doing a mock test, and then go from there. Just do the mock tests daily and anything you don’t know then look up and learn. Practice the hazard perception part.