Driving to work (new driver)

[Yorkiee]

Hi everyone,

Just need some advice. Please no bashing..

I passed my driving test last year and got a car in December. Before lockdown I used to drive to my mums. 20 minute drive. Now and then I would drive with my husband because I still don't feel that confident.

I'm always worrying about red lights, speed cameras although I try to be careful.

I think my biggest worry is how other people drive.. they always over take me, drive to close too fast and I get scared.

Not sure if that is normal..

So I try to avoid driving as much as possible or drive with husband. Problem is he has been driving for a very long time and expects me to drive like him. He gets into the right lane at good timing etc.

I just follow the rules. If its 20mph I got just a little under.

Tomorrow I go back to work and he has offered to drop me off but I'm thinking I need to face it and go alone.

All this worry about red lights, speed cams and others driving I need to face it and get on with it.

Or do I need more pratice driving?

The only way you will gain confidence is by getting in the car and driving by yourself. You wouldn’t have passed your test if you weren’t capable. I know it’s a bit scary but you can do it!

Just drive. I passed my test in 2015 (at 25, because I kept quitting lessons through nerves) but I didn’t get a car until March last year. I was a sweaty mess whenever I went out.

I then got a parking space at work (they’re like hen’s teeth!) and I drove every day through the city. My confidence sky rocketed and I didn’t even notice it happening. Since then I’ve driven to the airport, which is something that always scared me due to all the lanes and roundabouts, and I drove two hours on the motorway by myself, to somewhere I’d never been before. On the return journey I was passing massive lorries in the worst rain I’ve ever seen.

Don’t get me wrong - I still make mistakes and I check out every new journey on street view so I know what to look out for, but I now get in the car and just go without a second thought. Cities, motorways, country lanes... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry for the ramble! In short: keep driving. It gets so much better. One day you’ll be driving with the window down on a sunny day, music playing, and you’ll realise that you love it.

The only way to practice driving is to drive! Why don’t you ask your husband to go with you tomorrow but you drive? Then he can drive the car home, same on the way home- he picks you up and you drive. Then the following day, do it on your own. Also, if people are frequently overtaking you on single lane roads then I seriously doubt you need to even think about speed cameras as it doesn’t sound like you’re even coming close to speeding! Not sure what the issue is with red lights but you wouldn’t have passed your test if you couldn’t spot one. Be confident, I’m sure you’re a much better driver than you’re giving yourself credit for.

@Watto1 @amusedbush thank you for the replies. I would love to drive to the airport one day. @amusedbush thanks you for sharing your journey. Motivated me. I will be drive to work tomorrow and see how it goes!

@ShyTown thank you for your kind reply! :) Feels like I worked so hard for my licence and only have 6 learner points so feel like I can't make any mistakes not that I should be anyway.

I have been driving like that with my husband. I drive he looks on but I think that stresses me even more. Randomly he will tell me turn right or left and I'm like I just passed that street..

I'm going to go alone and see what happens. I passed third go. This instructor failed many people so I'm thinking I defo did deserve my licence.

It’s totally normal to be anxious after you pass your driving test but the only way to overcome this is to get behind the wheel and drive. When I passed my test - many moons ago I had to plan every journey in my mind beforehand and it was only when I had my ‘own car’ that I really relaxed, you’ll be fine just go for it!