Learning to drive - does it get better?

It will honestly get better. Have been passed and driving a long time but had about similar number of lessons from what I remember and passed second time and honestly if you had told me I would be where I am now I could not have imagined. I hated every lesson and honestly for a while after passing still was not keen but just kept putting one foot (or pedal?!) in front of the other. And now I don’t know what I would do if I had not have learnt, so keep focusing on the freedom and opportunities it will bring. Hang on in there, get as much practice you can, and it is true what they say that you don’t genuinely learn to drive until you have passed.

I think the average hours is around 60 (40 lessons but 20+ practice with someone else) or similar as the DVSA keep reminding my son of this in their emails, and the suggest closer to 100 hours is better so, I reckon you're on a normal track!

Yes. The key is do not give up! I had weekly lessons for over a year aged 17, failed by first test spectacularly. It took another 5 months of weekly lessons. The key is consistent practise. I needed a system, a set of instructions for lots of things, eg parallel parking. Driving did not come instinctively to me, I had to practise for a long time, but it does become automatic and second nature. Keep going! Good luck!

I agree you learn to drive after you've past your test

Completely normal my instructor use to joke about if I had a twin as some lessons I could drive great then the next lesson it was like I'd learnt nothing.

I'd rather retake my GCSEs, A-Levels, Degree and Masters than learn to drive again. I hated every minute of it. I don't think anyone is really a good driver until you've driven by yourself for a few months. Good luck with it, keep going. The annoying thing is, once it clicks, you'll wonder how on earth it was ever so hard!

Oh, 100% normal! The day before I took my test, I had a lesson so bad that my instructor said, ‘It’s like you’ve never driven before!’ But I passed. Sometimes nerves just screw you over, but adrenaline sees you through. Best of luck!

I’ve been driving 20 years without an accident but make the occasional daft judgement or mistake, as do most people because we’re human (although there’ll be some sanctimonious soul along in a minute to declare they’re the perfect faultless driver and nobody else should be on the road).

I therefore try my best not to judge others for similar, unless they are clearly just being dangerous or foolhardy.

Don’t overthink little things and let them become big things. Each small mistake this time is a lesson learned for next time.

It doesn't sound like you are test ready. If the instructor is still braking for you, thats not good. Neither is 'nearly going through a red light'. Both are major faults and an instant fail.

You probably need another 40 hours practice, which just about takes you to your test.

I'm not a driving instructor but I did practice with my 2 autistic lads just about every day. I knew they were ready when I no longer had to give them instruction and I was just a passenger giving directions. I didn't have the benefit of dual control so I have to have trust in them.

Both passed first go, one in a manual with just two minor faults and the other in an automatic with three minors.

I passed when I was forty first time. I’d had lessons in the past but the big difference was I went out with DH in a car we bought me. Every Sunday round an industrial estate.
What you are doing is learning to pass the test and then you learn to drive really after.

I was an Instructor for 32 years and can assure you that this is perfectly normal. If you're at the stage when your Instructor mostly gives you just route directions and little assistance, practical or theoretical, then you are nearly there. Have you done any mock tests yet? They can be a real help.
Also try running everything through your head as you go along eg... you are approaching a parked car on your side of the road, think through the process as you approach.....mirrors...do I need to signal....do I need to change speed....all clear? Complete the manoever then clear it out of your head and think what's happening next. This keeps you focused on what's happening. You can apply this to any situation. It might be that it wasn't clear to go around the parked car....mirrors.....where am I going to wait.....mirrors.....do I need to signal etc. Etc
Good luck

This was me because of anxiety, I was just so nervous I'd crash I'd go to pot. To the point I failed my first two tests and my driving instructor refused me any more lessons until right before my test as he said I could drive and it didn't feel right taking my money.

For my third test I had a cancellation so only had two weeks and didn't tell anyone and somehow all the nerves just went and I had two practice lessons that went fine and sailed through my test.

You mentioned having ND DC. Do you think you might be ND yourself? I have dyspraxia and find driving absolutely exhausting. It took me seven goes to pass my test!!!

Hang in there ! I passed my test this April , I honestly almost gave up at one point. It gets easier and honestly changes your life !

Yes it was normal for me! I learnt to drive on and off for a decade and it took me 4 attempts to pass

I would be great some lessons and then others I would be so anxious I'd make so many mistakes. Learning a skill isn't linear and there are set backs. But look at the point you started and where you are now and that's significant progress!

You can do it!