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Original poster

If you HATED learning to drive, did you ever start liking driving?

77 replies

ColonelCathcart · 20/08/2019 20:28

I hate it. I’m rubbish at it, I don’t like doing it. I find it so stressful. If you hated it, has that changed? Have you just accepted it? Or does it get better?

OP posts:

ALemonyPea · 20/08/2019 20:41

Like a few others on here, hated learning to drive, cried a few times to DH after lessons., and 10 years on I still dislike it, but I do like the freedom driving gives you.

LL83 · 20/08/2019 20:42

I hated lessons and it took me a long time to learn. Was nervous after I passed but didnt take long to become second nature to me and now it is easy. I don't enjoy it i.e. I wouldn't gona drive for fun and a long drive can be boring but it isn't difficult and I enjoy the freedom it brings.

TheBigBallOfOil · 20/08/2019 20:44

Totally. Automatic transmission changed my life. Got 200 mile drive tomorrow and really looking forward to it!

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Wereonabearhunt · 20/08/2019 20:44

I hated it but not necessarily bad at it. My instructor always told me I was a good driver and I passed first time with 1 minor... however.. this was 9 years ago and ive drove about 6 times since passing. I HATE it.

Trixya · 20/08/2019 20:45

I hated learning to drive! It does get better, I don't hate driving now, but I do hate driving outside of my home city so I don't do it

WereYouHareWhenIWasFox · 20/08/2019 20:45

Only started to enjoy it when I got a fun little convertible. I still prefer being a passenger, but some cars are really fun to drive.

Herat1986 · 20/08/2019 20:46

I HATED learning to drive and enjoy driving now. Took a while to stop feeling nervous but I just kept on at it - drive most days as I drive to work.

60minutemakeunder · 20/08/2019 20:47

I hated learning, hated the tests (3 of the buggers), hated driving.

I only took the test so I could claim driving allowance from work.

I hate being in a car, whether I’m driving or being driven. Trains, buses etc I’m fine with, just hate cars.

I’ve never asked for a lift, or had to go somewhere non accessible by public transport.

Original poster

ColonelCathcart · 20/08/2019 20:57

Hate having to constantly pay attention.

Yes this is me too, love being able to read a book/daydream on public transport.

Thank you everyone though I am going to save this thread as motivation.

OP posts:

mistermagpie · 20/08/2019 21:13

I hated every minute of it, failed my test three times, passed on the fourth and never drove again for about 15 years. Don't do what I did, I now see that I passed my test so I could stop driving, rather than so I could start. I developed a total phobia about it a it was real issue for my self confidence and independence.

About two years ago I had had my second baby and decided that I was going to conquer my fear. I went all out and bought a brand new car! It has been a journey in every sense of the word, at first I would be physically shaking when I had to drive and it would affect me for hours even after I had got out of the car.

Now, I drive nearly every day. I went on holiday last week and when I got back and went out in the car yesterday I realised that I had actually missed driving! Driving has literally changed my life, it's so much easier with the kids and I am so much more confident as a person because I conquered something I was afraid of.

Stick with it. Please. Believe me, I know exactly how you feel but it will be so worth it when you have your freedom and you can go anywhere you want. I'm so annoyed that I wasted years avoiding driving when now I don't mind it at all!

Montsti · 20/08/2019 21:20

Once I passed my test, driv8ng suddenly became enjoyable...daunting the first few months but great after that..I learnt on a manual but it is so much easier and more enjoyable imo driving an automatic!

neverornow · 20/08/2019 21:46

Absolutely hated it. Didn't start enjoying/appreciating it until a good year after passing my test (my 4th attempt at passing btw) my confidence grew and now I love it and couldn't live without my car. Love the freedom of being able to hop in and go anywhere
Stick with it!

NerdyBird · 21/08/2019 08:50

I learnt twice! First time at 17, didn't enjoy it but still passed my test first time. Moved to London so didn't really need it till I moved out at 36!
Had to start from scratch. It was much better this time round. Now I don't hate it even if I don't actively enjoy it. I am not great at parking still but getting better. It doesn't help that we have a 7-seater with a bike rack on the back and no parking sensors!

It is soooo useful where I live though, I would barely be able to do anything as the public transport is expensive and unreliable. We're not even that far out of London!
Keep at it and I'm sure you'll manage it.

KennDodd · 21/08/2019 08:55

Yes, me! I hated learning to drive, thought I'd never get it, nearly gave up many times. I love driving now.

Babdoc · 21/08/2019 09:01

Learning to drive is totally different to actually driving after you pass the test.
I’m autistic and used to suffer from terrible anxiety. I was rigid with nerves during lessons! But I’ve now driven over 350,000 miles, and find it comfortable and enjoyable.
Being a competent relaxed driver is the polar opposite of a clumsy, stalling, sweating, embarrassed learner, honestly OP. There’s no comparison. Persevere, your confidence will grow.

bwydda · 21/08/2019 09:03

I hated driving. I just don't likenit now (10 years on). I'll never be the kind of person who says "let's go for a drive!" Or volunteers to drive. I don't like it at all. But I do it

BizzzzyBee · 21/08/2019 09:04

I hated it because it was so stressful. I felt like I was constantly being judged and embarrassed when I made a mistake. After passing the test it was so liberating to drive on my own! If I stall the car it’s tough shit, I just restart it. If I pull out in front of of someone and they beep it doesn’t matter as long as nobody was hit. I don’t have to do the stupid manoeuvres - if the street is empty I quickly reverse round the corner in the middle of the road, no more pissing about reversing slowly to keep the car right next to the kerb. I don’t do reverse parking ever - I drive in forwards or if I would need to reverse I just give up and find another space. I love being able to travel quickly and privately to places that would be inaccessible on public transport.

museumum · 21/08/2019 09:07

I hated it until the gears/clutch/handbreak became second nature or muscle memory. Up till then, while I still had to think about it, I felt I didn’t have enough attention left for the road and other —eejits— drivers.
We should have more places where we can practice car control first (including hills etc) before dealing with traffic.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 21/08/2019 09:08

Yes! I gave up on learning to drive twice because I hated it. Even after I passed my test I hated it. I used to plan my route so carefully to avoid junctions I didn't like. After about a year I became more confident and now there isn't anywhere in the country I wouldn't drive. Just this summer I've driven myself and the kids on 3 motorway journeys, 5 hours to the south coast, 3 hours to the east coast and a more inland day out.
Stick with it and your confidence will build.
Good luck.

OoohOnly90CaloriesIllhave10 · 21/08/2019 09:30

I HATED driving lessons.

Love driving now.

whattodowith · 21/08/2019 09:33

It took my DH nine attempts to pass, he absolutely loves driving. He just got ridiculously nervous during tests and messed up on silly things.

I just started learning to drive five months ago, test is next month and I hate learning too. DH assures me I’ll enjoy driving once I pass. The lessons just piss me off at this stage, I’m paying an old man to criticise me basically .

amusedbush · 21/08/2019 09:40

It took me seven years of stop-start lessons to finally sit a test and even then I passed third time. I also passed in an automatic because after 40 hours of manual lessons (plus going out in the car with my dad) I couldn't get to grips with the clutch.

I passed in 2015 and drove for six months in an old banger which let me down so many times my nerves were shot and I scrapped the car. I didn't set foot in a car again until March this year and while I'm okay pootling around locally, I haven't been on the motorway and I have to study google streetview extensively to ensure I know a route before I'll drive somewhere new.

Nottobesoldseparately · 21/08/2019 09:46

I hated lessons. But loved driving.

I only took lessons to pass my test, DH had already taught me to drive. I just got really nervous and was very aware of how much it was costing and that we could do without me fucking up and it costing more.

Unfortunately, as I passed after 1997, I now need to take an additional test so I can tow our caravan without the L plates on it!!

HJWT · 21/08/2019 10:07

I drove for 5 years hating it! Now drive automatic and love driving, you only have to pay attention to the road don't have to think about gears, clutch etc makes it much more pleasurable !

Chipsahoy · 21/08/2019 10:08

Hated lessons, hated hated hated them! Took me a yr after I passed to start liking driving, 14 yrs on and I find it relaxing.

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