Support thread for new drivers

[Lottapianos]

I've been driving for 6 weeks now and its definitely feeling a bit more comfortable. I'm 40 this year and only passed my test recently so I'm definitely an 'older' driver and its been very tough getting my confidence up. I know a lot of us are in similar situations so let's share what's going well and what we think we still need to work on

Good stuff for me - loads less scared in general, much happier with mini roundabouts, driving at 50mph, reacting to traffic around me, not panicking at roundabouts even if I'm in the wrong lane, following sat navs

Still need to work on - making gear changes less, um, lively (!), getting in and out of fifth gear, feeling confident at hill starts

How is it all going for everyone else? Come and share!

Something else I need to work on - not murdering people who ask me if I'm 'enjoying' driving

That's brilliant! Apart from the murdering thing.

I'm still having lessons and I'm almost test ready, but keep doing stupid things. Mostly out of panic. I'm 34, so definitely older than average for learning.

Keep at it Bee. Stupid mistakes are all part of learning, and they definitely don't end once you pass your test! I have friends who have been driving for 30 years who say they still do daft stuff at times

Its fucking hard. People who passed their test as teenagers have no idea

I have found my people! I passed early March (i'm 34) and I have had my car for a week.

I'm struggling with stalling it every time I have to pull away from a traffic light and mini roundabouts and hill stop/starts are making me cry!

I have persuaded my DHTB to come out with me of an evening and weekend morning to help me but I am scared i'm never going to be able to not stall at a blinking traffic light!

I should say, I passed in a clapped out old Fiesta and I have a new Toyota Aygo so I know the clutch and everything will be different but I just want to be able to drive to work without having to wring my t-shirt out when I get there lol!

Yay, welcome sam, and a huge well done for passing! It's an amazing achievement

I stalled LOADS in my first couple of weeks. It's just nerves, or terror, if you prefer I'm only 7 weeks in myself but haven't stalled for a while, even on hills. I have a colleague who has been driving for 40 years who said she messed up the gears for weeks when she got a new car!

Bump

I had a huge meltdown this morning!

Drove to work on my own for the first time and stalled it at the same bloody roundabout as always... but I spent some of the afternoon watching YouTube videos and reading tips on how not to stall..

Bloody managed to drive home, on my own, and no stalling!

Who knew you could rev it up that bit more and make it easier to set off at speed..

Just need to practice my forward bay parking and I'll have hopefully cracked it.

Hope everyone else is getting on okay

I'm restating lessons next week after a break of 15 years! Aaaaarghh! I'm so nervous!!!