Learning to drive.

[LadyB65]

How can they fail you if it was another drivers fault?
Probably a dumb question I don’t drive but that seems very harsh and unfair. Surely if you reacted in as safe a manner as possible it shows you are competent and also aware on roads.

They said I should have waited, but I had literally started pulling out when he came up the hill, the road was a 60 and I swear he must have been going at least 100, the examiner even commented on how fast he was going and I had stopped as soon as I seen him, as I knew if I pulled away too slow or made a mistake he was going into the side of me. He couldn’t answer me when I asked what he would have done in that situation I’ve passed my test now, and would still do the same if it happened today? So goodness knows! Sometimes I do think that they have quotas to meet

My test is in six weeks. Do you have another booked?

I feel confident at driving but I’m worried I’m going to fail because of other drivers driving like this. We can react all we want but it’s still classed as a dangerous fault I was talking to my friend about it last night and he said people do this to him every single day on his way home from work.

6 weeks is loads of time, and if that was your only fault (even if it wasn’t actually your fault), then I would say you’re onto a winner, but again, anything can happen on the day!
I didn’t drive for 3 years after failing that test, started lessons again in Dec 2019, done theory again the day before lockdown and passed at the end of last year - 3rd time lucky! I wasn’t a confident driver, and that was my biggest stumbling block, so I would say if you’re confident you’re more than half way there!

 

[BettyCrockerr]

My test is in six weeks. Do you have another booked?

I feel confident at driving but I’m worried I’m going to fail because of other drivers driving like this. We can react all we want but it’s still classed as a dangerous fault I was talking to my friend about it last night and he said people do this to him every single day on his way home from work.

A proportion of the test and wether you pass or fail is unfortunately down to luck of the draw on the day. All you can do, is take the test and hope for the best - you can’t control what others are doing on the road and sometimes as unfair as it is, other people’s poor driving or bad decisions does have a negative impact on you. Try not to let this put you off - just go for the test and give it a shot.

 

[Thank(space)you]

I messaged the new instructor at 9am today and she's not replied yet so I have no idea if I'm actually gonna be able to do my lesson @ 4

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I messaged the new instructor at 9am today and she's not replied yet so I have no idea if I'm actually gonna be able to do my lesson @ 4

Let’s us know if she turns up.

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I messaged the new instructor at 9am today and she's not replied yet so I have no idea if I'm actually gonna be able to do my lesson @ 4

Phone her?

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

I had a practice driving test yesterday.. Failed Someone flew out of nowhere on a roundabout, cut me up and I had to slam my breaks on. They must have been going double the speed limit

At least it was just a practice! Was you on the roundabout and the driver pulled out on you or did you pull out on them? It’s a bit harsh if the driver pulled out on you, but maybe the instructor thought you slamming the brakes on was an over reaction? Could you have braked, but not slammed on?

Obviously it’s hard to judge without us knowing totally what happened and stuff happens so quickly in the moment. I’ve never been able to relax when driving since passing my test, I’m always so on alert for danger because so many people drive so dangerously!

 

[LaurieLaurie]

At least it was just a practice! Was you on the roundabout and the driver pulled out on you or did you pull out on them? It’s a bit harsh if the driver pulled out on you, but maybe the instructor thought you slamming the brakes on was an over reaction? Could you have braked, but not slammed on?

Obviously it’s hard to judge without us knowing totally what happened and stuff happens so quickly in the moment. I’ve never been able to relax when driving since passing my test, I’m always so on alert for danger because so many people drive so dangerously!

My instructor went for the breaks too.

I was on a three roundabout and they came flying around the inside lane and and flew straight in front of me and shot past to exit. So they were in the wrong lane, double the speed and just doing what the hell the wanted.

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

My instructor went for the breaks too.

I was on a three roundabout and they came flying around the inside lane and and flew straight in front of me and shot past to exit. So they were in the wrong lane, double the speed and just doing what the hell the wanted.

Sounds like they were just wanting to overtake you, but doing it in a very stupid place and like an idiot! I had this happen to me a few times when I first passed my test (I didn’t even have P plates) and I had idiots overtaking me on roundabouts, honestly it was scary!

 

[under the ivy]

I had to slam the breaks on at traffic lights last week as a big Range Rover tried to over take me as I was turning left! I dread to think if that happens on my test I know someone failed their test because they pulled in at an unsafe space as a ambulance with blue lights was approaching them, I mean you’re already nervous on your test and then that happens!

 

[Thank(space)you]

Lesson went really well she said there's a few tweaks we need to work on but nothing major and she sees absolutely no reason why I won't pass my test next month

 

[BettyCrockerr]

Lesson went really well she said there's a few tweaks we need to work on but nothing major and she sees absolutely no reason why I won't pass my test next month

Awesome!!!! Now dont ever go back to that other guy!!!!

 

[nightfeedz]

Lesson went really well she said there's a few tweaks we need to work on but nothing major and she sees absolutely no reason why I won't pass my test next month

Yippee!! Good for you x

 

[LaurieLaurie]

Sounds like they were just wanting to overtake you, but doing it in a very stupid place and like an idiot! I had this happen to me a few times when I first passed my test (I didn’t even have P plates) and I had idiots overtaking me on roundabouts, honestly it was scary!

My instructor has done this for 40 years and says it’s getting worse on the road.

Sounds like they were just wanting to overtake you, but doing it in a very stupid place and like an idiot! I had this happen to me a few times when I first passed my test (I didn’t even have P plates) and I had idiots overtaking me on roundabouts, honestly it was scary!

I think it’s just pissed me off because they appeared out of nowhere and they were going that fast then instead of them being in the right lane they thought oh I’ll duck over a learner

 

[hereforthememe]

I had a practice driving test yesterday.. Failed Someone flew out of nowhere on a roundabout, cut me up and I had to slam my breaks on. They must have been going double the speed limit

This happened to me on my real test and I still passed. If you aren't at fault and you were safe, it is a pass. Not sure why you got a fail for that

 

[Rippedjeanmaybe]

My instructor has done this for 40 years and says it’s getting worse on the road.

I think it’s just pissed me off because they appeared out of nowhere and they were going that fast then instead of them being in the right lane they thought oh I’ll duck over a learner

Id be totally pissed off too, it’s just pure arrogance honestly and there’s no need for it. There’s some horrible people on the roads these days and it’s terrifying at times. I had a van almost crash into a bollard in the middle of the road because they were trying to overtake me on a roundabout!

 

[jawidjanqndn]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

 

[Belulah]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

Remember it is a long slog- don’t expect it to all make sense straight away- and regressions are normal.

 

[hereforthememe]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

Go easy on yourself and remember that driving is actually quite difficult to learn. Once you've got it, you've got it, but we all learn at different rates and have different experiences. Tell your driving instructor you are anxious, but for your first few lessons they will be driving you out somewhere quiet for you to learn things like the clutch and pulling away. Took me a few lessons before I went above 10mph!

Also, the only way to become a better driver is to drive. Go to lessons regularly and when you get a bit more confidence, ask family/friend if you can drive in their car

 

[Thank(space)you]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

Rescue remedy, hypnotherapy app, banana, all help calm nerves
The DGN driving school videos are great to watch on YouTube
Tell your instructor how you're feeling and what specifically you're anxious about

 

[BettyCrockerr]

got my first lesson next month.. any tips? i am a very anxious person.

Remember that your lesson is exactly that; It’s a lesson. You are there to learn. Don’t put pressure on yourself going into it, it’s your first ever lesson to learn a new skill - there’s no expectation on you to know what you are doing. Trust your instructor, they know what they are doing so let them guide you and just listen to what you are being told and asked to do - if you don’t understand something or you need something clarifying then just ask.

if you can, it might be good to get someone with a car to allow you to get in the drivers seat and practice Turing the ignition on, adjusting your seat & mirrors, learning how to turn on the wipers/indicators etc and maybe even putting the car into gear and moving off if you have a drive way or some private space to do so safely - just so you get over the initial fear of getting in the car and not having a clue. But if you cant do this it’s no big deal as your instructor should cover this on lesson 1