Positive driving alone first time experiences

[NervousAndScared1]

I finally passed my driving test recently. It took me over 1.5 years to learn and 4 tests. I really struggled with learning mainly due to lack of confidence and nerves. I've bought a car and have my insurance ready to start this weekend and will go out driving on quiet roads with my dad until I'm used to the car and feeling more confident to go out alone.

I know that I can't rely on him forever but the thought of going out by myself for the first time really worries me and I'm scared about taking my children in the car. I had a read online of people's first time driving alone experiences and read a lot of horror stories which has put me off even more.

It feels like everyone has a story to tell which involves being in an accident so what I'm looking for is people to tell me their positive driving stories to show me it's possible to drive and not be involved in a crash. I have a real fear of driving and I'm considering hypnotherapy so would also be grateful if anyone could tell me their experiences of that.

I also just want to add I will not go on the road alone until I'm feeling 100% confident before anyone tells me I'm a danger and shouldn't be driving etc.

Well you have got one!

So get in your car and use it!

If it’s any consolation OP.

I passed my first test on a motorbike. Celebrated by buying myself a proper motorbike (just a little one) to do my commute on rather than the borrowed moped I’d,been using.

Rode pillion on my boyfriends bike to pick it up from a dealer in a town centre. Confidently started it. Stalled it. And again. Kangarood it. Then near as damnit dropped it.

My fella was frantically working out how the hell to get it and me home. Then it suddenly clicked. And I zoomed calmly off like I’d been doing it forever.

Rode the 40 miles home in difficult traffic, absolutely fine. I’ll be honest there were bits where i did feel scared. I sweated so much it took my old fashioned bike leathers days to dry.

First proper drive in a car was loads easier by comparison. 🤣

Well I'm home. Drove around for about 2 hours with my dad. I found the car really easy to drive thankfully. I stalled at a busy roundabout and no one beeped at me. A BMW with a couple of young guys and they didn't get annoyed with me (well they probably did but didn't make it known). My P plate had blown off so I feel a lot more confident that no one beeped me without them.

I also pulled out at a round about and caused someone to slow down and they didn't beep me either but I'm really annoyed at myself for that as it was a dangerous thing to do so I will have to make sure to judge gaps more carefully. We will go back out tomorrow and then I'll go a lone drive. It was a bit nerve wracking but I done a lot better than I thought although still beating myself up about the roundabout and my parking was shite.

Ah well done OP! Properly chuffed for you!

Well done! Our faith in you was proven!

I'd say "go and knock 'em dead!", but in the context, maybe not

We all mess up at roundabout/lights/just driving along sometimes, no harm done.

Brilliant, well done! It’s so easy to dwell on mistakes but the people affected by them have probably already forgotten - there’s probably loads of times I’ve been held up by someone being a bit slow to pull away and barely even noticed, never mind remembered it later on.

Thanks so much everyone you are all lovely

@BuzzShitbagBobbly .

Trying not to let the roundabout get to me too much but it does bother me that I was too close to the car. I guess though it's a lesson learned and I'll be sure to be a lot more careful now.

I feel a lot better now and not so scared thinking about going out alone or with the children.

While I'm here can anyone advise me the safest position for my 2 years olds forward facing seat. Its currently in the middle seat but I would have preferred to have her behind the passenger seat. Except I'm reading online that the middle is the safest?