I’ve been offered driving lessons - should I try ?

[dyspraxiadriving]

I’m dyspraxic, and have always been very much , ‘I can’t, I can’t so I won’t try’ .

I haven’t been assessed since I was much younger, about 12 years old, at that time they said I was mildly to moderately affected and more problems with my muscles than anything . My spatial awareness and posture can be pretty (very) crap - I’ve been told I should do Pilates or yoga to help .

I’ve never tried driving - I’ve never felt able to and never had the money to - which is restricting me hugely in terms of being able to go to places, to socialise, travel, etc . I was brought up very rural (ie one bus an hour) and still in the same area . With COVID it’s been absolutely crap because can’t get anywhere without public transport .

A relative has tonight offered to pay for some driving lessons so I can try it out and get a feel for what I can - or can’t - do . I’m totally flummoxed as I’d always felt that’s totally outwith my capabilities and not sure at all . Should I try - what happens if I can’t ?

Give it a go! Nothing ventured nothing gained... And if you don't like it, at least you tried! Good luck

Maybe try learning in an automatic. It’s a lot easier to drive.
Sorry, I’m trying to convert everyone to automatics after driving manuals for 23 years. I don’t what took so long.

Yes! Absolutely! I have ADHD and I thought I was much too distractible to drive, but I went and had some lessons and actually really enjoyed it. I was better than I thought I'd be and I didn't feel like I was wielding some kind of death machine.

You can always try automatic if you don't get on with manual. There are so many automatic cars these days it's not really a handicap any more. But giving it a go - definitely definitely worth it.

My only tip would be shop around - contact at least 10 different driving schools, ask about availability of manual vs automatic, see if you can speak directly to the instructor you'd use, and see how comfortable you feel with them. I didn't pass and I think it's because I didn't do this. Can't afford more lessons at the moment, but I've identified exactly where I'm going and who I want to teach me when we can :)

Go for it.

I'm not particularly clued up on dyspraxia, but if you struggle with coordination, maybe try an automatic only, if the gears seem to elude you.

So what if you can't? You won't be allowed to crash. Instructors have dual controls - a brake and clutch to stop the car if needed. They can reach within reason touch the steering wheel. They also have other mirrors around the car to see from the passenger seat.

They won't just expect you to hop in the car on your first lesson. They will pick you up, take you to their favourite car park and then swap over. They know the quiet roads to build confidence and add road 'features' like roundabouts when you are ready, and keep practising until you're happy.

I'd worry more over what if you can what could possibly get up to with all that freedom!

To get lessons on a road you also need a provisional driving licence. I’m not sure of the cost but you’d need to factor that in too prior.

We have a juniors driving experience near me where those without a provisional driving licence (usually children over 11) get the chance to drive round a car park in a dual control car with a proper driving instructor.

If you’re not confident perhaps you could try one of those kind of lessons initially so you only have to pay for it and not a driving license too?

Once you’ve had that you’ll know if you are into it or not. Ask for an automatic car if you think co-ordinating hands and feet doing stuff at the same time would be too hard for you?

I have dyspraxia. I tried learning in an automatic (didn’t bother with a manual as I knew it was beyond me!) but I wasn’t very successful. Spent a lot on lessons and eventually gave up as I was making such rubbish progress and it was costing me a fortune. Maybe I should have persisted, but I did try for a year. I just found the lessons so, so stressful and would basically cry every lesson which wasn’t great, because then you start to dread them and it becomes a bit of a vicious cycle. I would love the freedom of being able to drive though. Wish you luck whatever you decide, and sorry to be a bit of a downer- just speaking from my own experience.

I have dyspraxia but wasn't diagnosed till mid 30's. Passed my test on 4th attempt in a manual at age 20 now 44. Don't let your dyspraxia put you off as it doesn't mean that you can't learn, just that you will process the learning in a different way. I drive everywhere including motorways & love it! I would suggest, that if you can, to learn in the car you will drive after passing your test or don't have lessons in one car & practice in another on the side. Definitely go for it!

I'm dyspraxia. It took me 60 lessons but I passed first time. Give it a go, you'll always wonder what might have been otherwise.

You absolutely need to give this a go, but mention to the instructor about your dyspraxia in case they haven’t come across this before. You might surprise yourself! Good luck

I’ll give it a shot I think . I’m absolutely terrified as I’m so good at quitting things straight away - get too frustrated with myself and tearful, but I genuinely want to give it a go . Been playing around with theory test app all evening .

Yes would need a provisional ... and I think definitely automatic ! I’ve never even sat in a driving seat before so a lot to think about first . I can’t believe I’ve even been offered the lessons, even just to get the licence would help a lot . Open a lot of opportunities etc .

Definitely give it a go, and, if you have access to the money in one go, book a couple (or three) lessons a week.
If you have an hour's lesson, then do nothing for a week, you'll probably spend a good 20mins of the next lesson getting back to where you left the first lesson, etc etc. If you have them closer together, you don't lose / forget so much so, in the long run, you spend less.

Good luck - it is SUCH a valuable skill to have.

I didn't learn to drive til I was 35, I'd had a few goes with my DP but didn't have the coordination to manage gears and clutch. I started lessons in an automatic and it took me about nine months and 2 attempts but it's made such a huge difference to my life.

I have dyspraxia. I had a LOT of lessons and failed my test 5 times. But then it just clicked and now I feel very confident when driving familiar routes.
I hate hate hate parking though. I get very anxious about it but have strategies that help such as avoiding busy times etc.