Defo go with automatic. All new cars are automatic, manual is outdated. Why give yourself the extra stress of gears and clutch control. Good luck x
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I'm with you there! I've had ten lessons and was finally starting to feel a *teeny* bit better about it, but then covid happened and now I'm gonna be right back at the beginning 
I'm so scared even thinking about resuming my lessons. Part of me thinks maybe I should just give it up 
I'm so scared even thinking about resuming my lessons. Part of me thinks maybe I should just give it up 
If I can’t give it up then you’re not so ner ner!! We’re just gonna have to crack in as much as we detest it! It’ll be worth it in the end!! I keep thinking about that first time we have to drive all alone after we pass! Imagine how scary that will be!!I'm with you there! I've had ten lessons and was finally starting to feel a *teeny* bit better about it, but then covid happened and now I'm gonna be right back at the beginning
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!
I think I was about 26 when I finally passed (after many many failed attempts from the age of 18!). What actually did it for me was moving to a new area and having a complete fresh start. Where I took all the other tests was full of bad memories and I’d panic over certain roundabouts/hills. I took my test about 2 months after moving to a completely new area and thought I’d fail cos I didn’t know the roads but I actually did better because I didn’t have all the baggage! If that makes any sense? So maybe see if you could at least do a test in an area that’s not where you normally drive?
I don’t agree that people who struggle to drive are better off in automatics. This really limits what you can drive when you pass and changing gears really isn’t the hardest part.
I never thought I’d be a good driver or a confident driver, but I’d say now I’m both - I drive for my job and love never having to rely on lifts. I have so much more independence I could never have before. Don’t get me wrong cars are a ballache sometimes but I couldn’t do without mine now!
I think I was about 26 when I finally passed (after many many failed attempts from the age of 18!). What actually did it for me was moving to a new area and having a complete fresh start. Where I took all the other tests was full of bad memories and I’d panic over certain roundabouts/hills. I took my test about 2 months after moving to a completely new area and thought I’d fail cos I didn’t know the roads but I actually did better because I didn’t have all the baggage! If that makes any sense? So maybe see if you could at least do a test in an area that’s not where you normally drive?
I don’t agree that people who struggle to drive are better off in automatics. This really limits what you can drive when you pass and changing gears really isn’t the hardest part.
I never thought I’d be a good driver or a confident driver, but I’d say now I’m both - I drive for my job and love never having to rely on lifts. I have so much more independence I could never have before. Don’t get me wrong cars are a ballache sometimes but I couldn’t do without mine now!
I started to learn to drive - automatic. But gave up as I met and married a man who can't be in a car longer than 30 mins.
The only time I wish I kept going with my lesson as I hate carrying my shopping home.
The only time I wish I kept going with my lesson as I hate carrying my shopping home.
I got nowhere learning in a manual but improved immediately in an automatic. I didn’t even care that it would limit my choice - I recognised that there was no way I’d ever pass or even get to test level in a manual So it was a no brainier. It still took me 4 automatic tests before I passed - I’m just not naturally good at driving. It does get easier after you’ve passed though. I used to hate driving and now even though I’ll never enjoy it I find that I don’t mind it as long as it’s a short journey.
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....
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....
I passed on my 4th attempt, anxiety used to get the better of me and I’d physically shake so much on my test that I couldn’t properly control the clutch. Eventually my instructor suggested that instead of having more lessons I have some hypnosis. I was highly sceptical but went for some sessions anyway. The morning of my 4th test I said no I just can’t do it but my instructor persuaded me and I found I was surprisingly calm and I passed. So I do think he hypnosis helped. However I’m still a pretty nervous driver and am only happy to drive places I feel really familiar with so I feel driving gives me freedom, but limited freedom 
I started learning to drive at the age of 18 and finally passed on my sixth attempt at the age of 23. I was so overjoyed & relieved that I asked the examiner if I could kiss him!! 
I too suffered badly from anxiety during my tests to the extent that my GP prescribed me one and a half Valium tablets to be taken in the days leading up to my final test 
Don’t ever give up, you will get there in the end! 
I too suffered badly from anxiety during my tests to the extent that my GP prescribed me one and a half Valium tablets to be taken in the days leading up to my final test Don’t ever give up, you will get there in the end! The fact so many of you switched to automatic makes me feel better. I had lessons a few years back in a manual and absolutely beat myself up about it because I could not get to grips with juggling everything at once. Read a comment earlier in the thread saying changing gears is not that hard.. I mean for some of us it actually is. Gear changing whilst I’m sitting stationary practicing is all fine but on the road when you’ve got to be alert and manage other vehicles, pedestrians, lights, junctions etc. I found it very overwhelming to be honest. Maybe my brain is just not wired that way to be able to cope with so much at once.
I do think I could probably pass manual eventually but it’s the time that puts me off. I’m leaning toward automatic as I just want to drive now and I think it would speed the process up.
there’s still a part of me that feels inadequate though. I look at everyone I know whos managed to get to grips with manual and wonder why I can’t? It does make me feel like a bit of an idiot to be quite honest.
I do think I could probably pass manual eventually but it’s the time that puts me off. I’m leaning toward automatic as I just want to drive now and I think it would speed the process up.
there’s still a part of me that feels inadequate though. I look at everyone I know whos managed to get to grips with manual and wonder why I can’t? It does make me feel like a bit of an idiot to be quite honest.
No please don’t let it make you feel like an idiot, it’s really so unimportant and I don’t think anyone even thinks about whether someone drives a manual or automatic, I can’t think off the top of my head what most of my friends and family drive. I learnt manual and drove one for 10 years but when I upgraded my car I switched to automatic and honestly I’d never go back, it’s a dream! There are cars that you can now only buy an automatic version and I think going forward with electric cars manual will become a thing of the past. I wouldn’t waste the time or money pushing yourself to learn manual when there’s an alternative. Have you tried an automatic? If not give it a go and see what you think
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
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 a too and made me feel like tit so that didn’t help
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!
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!
I feel your pain! I am almost 35 and I still can't drive. I feel really ashamed of it, actually. It's the ONE thing I am really frightened of and I worry so much about causing an accident.
My first driving instructor, when I was a teenager, was a nightmare. She would spend the first 15 mins sitting stationary chatting tit about her life, then at the end of the lesson she would park up on my mom's drive and continue yapping on at me while I desperately tried to get out the car. She really got me off to a terrible start the silly bint.
I am determined to pass my test by the end of this year! Good luck to you!
My first driving instructor, when I was a teenager, was a nightmare. She would spend the first 15 mins sitting stationary chatting tit about her life, then at the end of the lesson she would park up on my mom's drive and continue yapping on at me while I desperately tried to get out the car. She really got me off to a terrible start the silly bint.
I am determined to pass my test by the end of this year! Good luck to you!
Absolutely switch!! I had lots of negative comments about automatic but for me it was either learn to drive (with an auto) or don't! Now one of my friends who thought I was ridiculous and is able to drive manual has recently switched to auto and thinks its great
My last instructor was terrible. Would turn up an hour early and tell me he had changed times, cancel at the last minute. Not reply to my messages for weeks at a time. I’m a single parent to it was a nightmare for arranging childcare.
Yes my brother-in-law always jokes about my “go-kart” lessons but has recently purchased an automatic.Absolutely switch!! I had lots of negative comments about automatic but for me it was either learn to drive (with an auto) or don't! Now one of my friends who thought I was ridiculous and is able to drive manual has recently switched to auto and thinks its great
I only passed my test 4 years ago (in my 40s). I started lessons on my 17th birthday but my instructor was awful - if you've ever seen the Peep Show episode where Mark has a driving lesson, I swear that guy was modelled on my first instructor. I eventually took 3 tests at 17/18 but I failed them all, which tbh was right because I couldn't drive 
So then I went off to uni, and just started living a life as a non driver. You just find ways round it. I was totally comfortable travelling anywhere by public transport, know all the local bus routes, underground, getting from A to B I'm the expert. Had my railcard (young persons initially, then family & friends once I had kids...) I managed, because you do.
Anyway about 5 years ago my then partner challenged me to do my theory test, which I did and (to my surprise) passed. So then I thought maybe I could actually learn to drive. I bought myself a tiny car, and we used to pootle around the local streets in it, going to the shop, or to pick up a takeaway, just little everyday journeys. I then started lessons - my driving instructor was like the nicest man in the world, always had something good to say, really positive (but not in an OTT way), and I just used to chat to him, and drive. Took a test - failed for a stupid reason. Took another test - ditto.
The morning of my 3rd (or 6th if you count the other 3) test I cried and said to my partner it was all too much, I couldn't cope with the pressure. He said to cancel, but being tight I didn't want to waste the money so I went along...and I only bloody passed!! It was probably one of the best feelings in my entire life. I cried!
I love driving now, even on motorways, it's been one of the things I missed since lockdown, barely using my car. I can't believe I made my life so much harder than it needed to be for so many years by not driving. I have spent £1,000s probably on lessons but it doesn't matter really because I can drive now so it was all worth it
So to anyone doubting yourself, don't. If I could pass anyone can. I have quite poor spatial awareness (I'm very over cautious about distances!) and lack co-ordination. At first I thought I'd never get the hang of gears, and I still ride the clutch far too often, but none of that matters.
The thing that I didn't really realise until after I passed my test was that the examiner doesn't expect perfection, just that you are consistently good and safe for that 40 mins. And they expect you to make mistakes, because it's how you resolve them that shows if you are capable or will just panic.
So then I went off to uni, and just started living a life as a non driver. You just find ways round it. I was totally comfortable travelling anywhere by public transport, know all the local bus routes, underground, getting from A to B I'm the expert. Had my railcard (young persons initially, then family & friends once I had kids...) I managed, because you do.
Anyway about 5 years ago my then partner challenged me to do my theory test, which I did and (to my surprise) passed. So then I thought maybe I could actually learn to drive. I bought myself a tiny car, and we used to pootle around the local streets in it, going to the shop, or to pick up a takeaway, just little everyday journeys. I then started lessons - my driving instructor was like the nicest man in the world, always had something good to say, really positive (but not in an OTT way), and I just used to chat to him, and drive. Took a test - failed for a stupid reason. Took another test - ditto.
The morning of my 3rd (or 6th if you count the other 3) test I cried and said to my partner it was all too much, I couldn't cope with the pressure. He said to cancel, but being tight I didn't want to waste the money
so I went along...and I only bloody passed!! It was probably one of the best feelings in my entire life. I cried!I love driving now, even on motorways, it's been one of the things I missed since lockdown, barely using my car. I can't believe I made my life so much harder than it needed to be for so many years by not driving. I have spent £1,000s probably on lessons but it doesn't matter really because I can drive now so it was all worth it
So to anyone doubting yourself, don't. If I could pass anyone can. I have quite poor spatial awareness (I'm very over cautious about distances!) and lack co-ordination. At first I thought I'd never get the hang of gears, and I still ride the clutch far too often, but none of that matters.
The thing that I didn't really realise until after I passed my test was that the examiner doesn't expect perfection, just that you are consistently good and safe for that 40 mins. And they expect you to make mistakes, because it's how you resolve them that shows if you are capable or will just panic.
This has given me a lot of hope! Why are so many driving instructors so crap, though?! My previous two were middle aged men and I made a point of saying I had a phobia of driving. Both of them seemed to find it amusing as though I was being silly. It made my nerves much worse and also made me feel stupid.I only passed my test 4 years ago (in my 40s). I started lessons on my 17th birthday but my instructor was awful - if you've ever seen the Peep Show episode where Mark has a driving lesson, I swear that guy was modelled on my first instructor. I eventually took 3 tests at 17/18 but I failed them all, which tbh was right because I couldn't drive
So then I went off to uni, and just started living a life as a non driver. You just find ways round it. I was totally comfortable travelling anywhere by public transport, know all the local bus routes, underground, getting from A to B I'm the expert. Had my railcard (young persons initially, then family & friends once I had kids...) I managed, because you do.
Anyway about 5 years ago my then partner challenged me to do my theory test, which I did and (to my surprise) passed. So then I thought maybe I could actually learn to drive. I bought myself a tiny car, and we used to pootle around the local streets in it, going to the shop, or to pick up a takeaway, just little everyday journeys. I then started lessons - my driving instructor was like the nicest man in the world, always had something good to say, really positive (but not in an OTT way), and I just used to chat to him, and drive. Took a test - failed for a stupid reason. Took another test - ditto.
The morning of my 3rd (or 6th if you count the other 3) test I cried and said to my partner it was all too much, I couldn't cope with the pressure. He said to cancel, but being tight I didn't want to waste the money
I love driving now, even on motorways, it's been one of the things I missed since lockdown, barely using my car. I can't believe I made my life so much harder than it needed to be for so many years by not driving. I have spent £1,000s probably on lessons but it doesn't matter really because I can drive now so it was all worth it
So to anyone doubting yourself, don't. If I could pass anyone can. I have quite poor spatial awareness (I'm very over cautious about distances!) and lack co-ordination. At first I thought I'd never get the hang of gears, and I still ride the clutch far too often, but none of that matters.
The thing that I didn't really realise until after I passed my test was that the examiner doesn't expect perfection, just that you are consistently good and safe for that 40 mins. And they expect you to make mistakes, because it's how you resolve them that shows if you are capable or will just panic.
Anyway, well done you! And thanks for the inspiration!
I’m starting with my first female instructor on Monday.
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