Learning to drive.

[nightfeedz]

I took a wee reality check after posting about my anxiety the other night, there’s no way I can do my test next week, I just don’t feel safe.

Unfortunately that means I have to do my theory again but thankfully have been able to get a date for that in August. So I’m going to take things at my own pace for a bit, practice in my own car as much as possible and address my anxiety. It’ll be good to refresh my theory now I have more road experience too. Then hopefully I’ll be able to get a cancellation later in the year.

This is a tricky time to learn to drive!! It’s high pressure at the best of times. As many people here have said keep trying and you will make it eventually. I have no intention of giving up, I want my freedom and to be a good role model for my kids so bad! But my mental health needs a little tlc right now.

 

[LadyB65]

Bloody hell you're pretty much describing me here! A good while ago I used to always try and cancel my lessons, it was so bad! I was so nervous, hated being on the road and would mess up whenever I was given an instruction just like you. I also hated roundabouts and forward bay parks I'm so much better now, I just worry about going to pieces on my test and need to seriously calm myself down about it! I'll definitely use your tip and repeat the instruction in my head so I can talk myself through the process. It's just so much pressure being watched by a man you've never met lol and that 40 minute drive could literally change your life! When I pass I don't think I'll be able to stop crying for a few days hahaha

I refused to look at cars for a few days after my test because I just couldn’t believe that I had passed! honestly, my driving instructor used to tell me that keeping calm was the best advice that he could give me, if I felt myself panicking or worrying just go through the steps in my head! I found the driving following the sat jab the easiest as I could kind of see the route ahead, so I knew where I would be going. I think my area has lots of test routes, so one thing we did was drive around the areas where people get tripped up etc (one way streets, stop signs, roads with variable speed limits etc) so that I wouldn’t have a problem with these! Good luck with your test, let us know how you get on!

I took a wee reality check after posting about my anxiety the other night, there’s no way I can do my test next week, I just don’t feel safe.

Unfortunately that means I have to do my theory again but thankfully have been able to get a date for that in August. So I’m going to take things at my own pace for a bit, practice in my own car as much as possible and address my anxiety. It’ll be good to refresh my theory now I have more road experience too. Then hopefully I’ll be able to get a cancellation later in the year.

This is a tricky time to learn to drive!! It’s high pressure at the best of times. As many people here have said keep trying and you will make it eventually. I have no intention of giving up, I want my freedom and to be a good role model for my kids so bad! But my mental health needs a little tlc right now.

If you think that’s best for you then you have 1 million percent made the right decision! It’s extra pressure right now because of how scarce tests are, but you should never feel rushed into it! Good luck in eradicating your anxiety, it’s not easy, but definitely worth it!

 

[LaurieLaurie]

My lessons are £35 an hour and I’ve got my first one tomorrow for 1.5 hours so that will be £50+

I can’t believe how hard it is to find a test at the moment! I’ve had a look and nothing near me at all.

You’ve got to look constantly.

I’ve got the Testi app so it sends me notifications when tests dates are made available. Mines booked for late summer but I noticed they had put a week of tests on for December, five minutes later they had all gone.

 

[Katiesmale]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

 

[under the ivy]

Congratulations @Katiesmale You should be so proud of yourself and I’m sure your late husband is too. Happy driving xx

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

Well done

 

[nightfeedz]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

Congratulations on passing your test, thank you for sharing x

 

[Very traditional]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

Well done, you should be so proud of yourself. Driving by yourself for the first time is super weird but once you've done it once you'll be fine. Your little girl will be delighted to be able to get out and about with you xx

 

[Belulah]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

A massive congratulations! I didn’t find my first solo drive too scary- I drove a route I knew really well at a time I knew would be quiet. Be prepared for your girl to become a back seat driver! My two year old is more critical than the examiner!

 

[KB2611]

I was on a mock test years ago, a silly lady smashed into me on her mobile phone and we were smashed from behind into the traffic lights. She had numerous offences after being off work for a while I was was pulled in to be told I needed to change work location for a while as the lovely law abiding citizen was on my wing as she had been remanded in custody.

fast forward 7 years, me and my neurodivergent self have learned automatic, passed my theory and now just battling for a test.

automatic is a breeze. Honestly. Don’t panic if you’re struggling manual go with automatic. I can drive a manual however, it wasn’t worth the stress it was giving me about motorways and dual carriageways and my silly brain not engaging.

I love driving a go-kart. Stop & go.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I enjoy driving manual, the gears and clutch etc are second nature to me now. I’d be bored just driving around pressing stop/go.

 

[nightfeedz]

A massive congratulations! I didn’t find my first solo drive too scary- I drove a route I knew really well at a time I knew would be quiet. Be prepared for your girl to become a back seat driver! My two year old is more critical than the examiner!

I can see this happening in my car too. The best compliment I got from my daughter when driving was ‘mummy that was so boring’. Trust me darling boring is good!

 

[Applespice]

Hi everyone,

At the age of 35, I passed my driving test today. I wanted to share this in case it gives others hope. I always thought that driving wasn’t for me. I never needed it for work and my husband always drove. Last year, my husband passed away after a four year battle with bowel cancer. I suddenly found myself as a widow and sole parent to our beautiful daughter. I knew I needed to learn to drive to be able to give us some freedom. However, it did not come easy to me! I’ve actually had lessons, on and off, for the last ten years. It was only last summer when I finally got stuck in.

I had my test this afternoon as cannot believe I have managed to pass. I was so nervous in the lead up but all those nerves disappeared as soon as I started the test. I feel like I barely have any recollection of doing the test and couldn’t even tell you which roads I went down. I guess I was very ‘in the zone’.

I literally think that, if I can pass, then anyone can. And I sincerely mean that!

I’m now nervous because I’m going to have to buy a car and go for my first solo drive before contending with a sassy five year old in the back!
If you’re nervous, keep going! x

Thank you so much for posting this. I am 32 and still don't drive. I had lessons when I was 21 for a year or so but found it difficult and then moved away to a different city and had no need to carry on lessons (I could walk everywhere, get the bus, my husband drives) My mum didnt learn to drive herself until she was 37 and even then doesnt much at all, my dad has always chaperoned us everywhere! Her own parents died in a car crash when she herself was 21 which is why she has been terrified of it..and I think this passed down to me too. I now have a baby and would really love to start lessons up again.. it really great to hear its possible even at such a later point in life!

 

[Very traditional]

Thank you so much for posting this. I am 32 and still don't drive. I had lessons when I was 21 for a year or so but found it difficult and then moved away to a different city and had no need to carry on lessons (I could walk everywhere, get the bus, my husband drives) My mum didnt learn to drive herself until she was 37 and even then doesnt much at all, my dad has always chaperoned us everywhere! Her own parents died in a car crash when she herself was 21 which is why she has been terrified of it..and I think this passed down to me too. I now have a baby and would really love to start lessons up again.. it really great to hear its possible even at such a later point in life!

My best friends mum who is 61 is currently learning and my uncle passed when he was 56. Oh and I was 32. You can 100% do it!

 

[kittypaws]

How’s everyone getting on?

Got my test on Thursday, so nervous! Never dreamed I’d be test ready and I’ve been learning on and off for the last 10 years! Any test advice?

 

[Hope96]

How’s everyone getting on?

Got my test on Thursday, so nervous! Never dreamed I’d be test ready and I’ve been learning on and off for the last 10 years! Any test advice?

Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

How’s everyone getting on?

Got my test on Thursday, so nervous! Never dreamed I’d be test ready and I’ve been learning on and off for the last 10 years! Any test advice?

Good luck!
No advice but I feel the same. Started at 18 and now waiting for my test at 31 after years of being on/off.

 

[kittypaws]

Good luck!
No advice but I feel the same. Started at 18 and now waiting for my test at 31 after years of being on/off.

It feels so more intense and means so much more at our age doesn’t it? I’m 29 and I feel like if you’re doing your test at 17/18 then yeah it’s exciting, but taking it after living 10+ years without being able to drive makes it mean so much, it’s life changing.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

How’s everyone getting on?

Got my test on Thursday, so nervous! Never dreamed I’d be test ready and I’ve been learning on and off for the last 10 years! Any test advice?

Test advice:

make things obvious- exaggerate your actions when checking mirrors/blindspots etc and if it helps say things out loud, so the examiner is aware of what you are doing.

don’t panic - if you make a mistake just keep your cool and carry on; don’t just give up or go to tit

if you stall - keep calm, get the car going again, check it’s safe and carry on

remember the test isn’t over until it’s over!!!

good luck xxx

 

[kittypaws]

Test advice:

make things obvious- exaggerate your actions when checking mirrors/blindspots etc and if it helps say things out loud, so the examiner is aware of what you are doing.

don’t panic - if you make a mistake just keep your cool and carry on; don’t just give up or go to tit

if you stall - keep calm, get the car going again, check it’s safe and carry on

remember the test isn’t over until it’s over!!!

good luck xxx

Thank you!