Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

How do you steer a car?!

70 replies

Berryberryberry · 20/08/2021 22:02

I know that sounds stupid. I had a driving lesson today and I couldn't work out were I should be in the road or how to get the car to stay there. The instructor spent a lot of time adjusting my steering. I have Dyspraxia and can't visualise things. I feel like I'm never going to do it because I don't understand how.

OP posts:
godmum56 · 20/08/2021 23:29

@HumdrumGuga

Do automatic, people are snobby about it but once you pass no one gives a single fuck. It is so much easier. You can concentrate on the driving instead of having to think about six things at once.
the only thing with passing on automatic is you can only drive automatic afterwards...if you can pass on a manual then its more useful as you can drive either.
BastardMonkfish · 20/08/2021 23:32

You'll get used to it. Try to look naturally at the whole picture ahead of you and don't focus strongly on one spot on the road. Don't look at the white lines, or the other side of the road too much because you will swerve towards them. That's something I only learnt well after I passed my test though - it takes time and practice, practice, practice.

Houseofvelour · 20/08/2021 23:36

I struggle massively with my position in the road so I aim to keep the white line in the centre of the road in the bottom right corner of the windscreen. It works on most roads except really narrow ones. HTH

MushMonster · 20/08/2021 23:37

You will be ok OP. It is the very same as steering a bike! Nothing further.
You just look where you want your car to go and move the wheel towards that direction, same as you move the handle bars. End of!

BastardMonkfish · 20/08/2021 23:37

@HumdrumGuga

Do automatic, people are snobby about it but once you pass no one gives a single fuck. It is so much easier. You can concentrate on the driving instead of having to think about six things at once.

It's ironic that people are snobby about it when the best and most expensive cars on the road are automatic!

HumdrumGuga · 20/08/2021 23:39

@godmum56 I know, but when you have issues with learning to drive it honestly takes so much pressure off. Wish I'd done it at 17 (took me til 35 to pass, after 3 separate attempts at learning in a manual), passed easily in an automatic.

HumdrumGuga · 20/08/2021 23:40

I know, have had absolutely ridiculous comments from people about only being able to drive an auto even though really makes bugger all difference.

Airpit · 20/08/2021 23:53

Do you have access to a vehicle at night?
If so, get in the drivers seat and turn the headlights on. look at that point where the light joins the darkness. That's how far out you can/ should look whilst driving.

I don't know about disparaxia. Do you have any sense of space? Is there a fear that if you look too far ahead that you might miss the car just in front of you and hit it?

If so, try to look at where the road meets the car ahead of you while you drive. If possible the rear left wheel or side.

Stick to the far left as safely as you can.

And whatever you do. Don't give up. A lot of idiots drive and you care enough to do it right. You've got this.

ISpyCobraKai · 21/08/2021 00:12

I drive an automatic, have for five years, and will never go back to a manual.
They are brilliant.

DinosaurOfFire · 21/08/2021 00:29

@Houseofvelour

I struggle massively with my position in the road so I aim to keep the white line in the centre of the road in the bottom right corner of the windscreen. It works on most roads except really narrow ones. HTH
I do this too. I tend to keep towards the centre rather than the curb as my instructor encouraged me to take the space I need rather than trying to squeeze over to the curb- I did a lot of road cycling before learning to drive so would try to shrink out of the way of oncoming traffic!

In terms of basic steering: If you want to steer left, pull your left hand down and push your right hand up, then if you want to steer right, right hand down, left hand up. Whichever way you want to turn, that hand on the steering wheel goes down. Don't be afraid to ask your instructor for more specific instructions, thats what they are there for.

BlankTimes · 21/08/2021 00:41

An automatic gives you the opportunity to fully focus on moving the car and observing the road conditions.
It only has 2 pedals, you either push the accelerator to go forwards, or

you push the brake to slow down or stop. You do not use your left foot at all.

It also doesn't slide backwards on hills and you do not have to adjust the "gearstick" at all when you are moving.

For anyone with co-ordination difficulties, it's a much, much easier way to drive, there's so much less mental processing needed, so all of your attention can be on the road.

Don't be discouraged OP and please ignore the nasty disablist comments. I see MN are on the ball and have deleted them which is great.

54321nought · 21/08/2021 00:45

@eurochick

I think it's one of those things you can overthink. Can you steer a bike?
I'm dyspraxic, and there is no connection at all between steering a car and steering a bike

OP, I tried for 5 years, I actually don't think dyspraxics should be allowed to drive, it can't ever be truly safe

54321nought · 21/08/2021 00:47

@MushMonster

You will be ok OP. It is the very same as steering a bike! Nothing further. You just look where you want your car to go and move the wheel towards that direction, same as you move the handle bars. End of!
It is not in any way related to steering a bike, to a dyspraxic
Grellbunt · 21/08/2021 00:50

Automatic is the best! My safety and that of my kids is more important than some vague fear of being laughed at. In a world where get Alexa to switch off lights rather than getting off their lazy arses it's a disgrace that so many folk look down on automatic drivers.

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 21/08/2021 00:52

I remember the first conversation I had with my driving instructor when he put me behind the wheel was "what do you think if going to be the hardest part about this" I told him changing gear. Apparently it is steering, most people struggle with it.

Don't give up, I did my first 2 lessons driving round industrial estate car parks to get used to steering. It'll come, one day you'll be driving down a road and it will randomly hit you "I used to stuggle with this"

FelicityBeedle · 21/08/2021 01:01

@54321nought
You might not be able to but different people are affected differently. Some dyspraxic people can drive perfectly well

JedEye · 21/08/2021 01:23

I remember oversteering when I was learning to drive but you literally just get used to it and it becomes easier the more lessons you have.

user1494055864 · 21/08/2021 08:38

When I learnt to drive, 30 odd years ago, my driving instructor had painted white dots on the windscreen wiper, which lined up with the kerb, so if the dots were along the kerb in my line of vision, I was in the right place.

He also used to say "go round like a banana" if I was on a roundabout, so I stayed in my 'lane' and didn't cut anyone up Grin

RampantIvy · 21/08/2021 08:48

I'm not dyspraxic, and have been driving for years, but there are some great tips on this thread.

Thank you.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 21/08/2021 08:52

My driving instructor had some dots stickered on the windscreen in the very beginning to help to keep the car middle of the road.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page