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Original poster

Pregnant 40 year old wanting to drive before baby gets here - test booked 2 weeks before due date - is this mental?

20 replies

preglearnerdriver · 15/09/2021 08:21

I have had zero time out on the road, but I passed my theory test last week (first time!) and the driving company have just emailed me with a date for my practical test - which is 2 weeks before my due date (eep)

I accepted the practical test date because they won't crack on with the lessons until the date is booked in, and its taken 6 months of waiting already. Also if I refused this date, the next booking would be later in the year - once baby is here and I am not sure if I will be able for it.

I want to be on the road before my baby arrives for a number of practical reasons - main one being school run with my eldest, and also it will mean we can move out of London and get a bigger place.

Am I being totally unrealistic? Can I learn to drive in 4 months, heavily pregnant and at 40 bloody years old - I haven't learned a new skill in 20 years!!

OP posts:

mdh2020 · 15/09/2021 08:26

I took and passed my test 6 months pregnant. I was pretty big by that time and the examiner asked if I would be ok to do an emergency stop. You can’t be sure that you will still feel comfortable driving when you are two weeks away from your due date although I was driving the day before I gave birth.

TheQueef · 15/09/2021 08:29

It's putting a fair bit of time stress on to an already stressful situation.
Why not keep the date, work towards it but have a contingency to rebook if needed?
Less pressure.

orangejuicer · 15/09/2021 08:32

You can definitely learn in 4 months but I would be very concerned about the date, not least that driving whilst heavily pregnant is uncomfortable and not easily done. I had to start my mat leave early because I just couldn't do my commute anymore and had a near miss in the car.

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orangejuicer · 15/09/2021 08:32

@TheQueef

It's putting a fair bit of time stress on to an already stressful situation. Why not keep the date, work towards it but have a contingency to rebook if needed? Less pressure.

This is good advice.

Original poster

preglearnerdriver · 15/09/2021 08:34

@TheQueef

It's putting a fair bit of time stress on to an already stressful situation. Why not keep the date, work towards it but have a contingency to rebook if needed? Less pressure.

This. Yes, this makes me feel a lot better. Thank you

OP posts:

AdriannaP · 15/09/2021 08:35

Of course you can do it! Can your DP or a friend practice with you outside of lessons?
Have a license during your mat leave will make things so much easier and give you more freedoms plus it will be hard to find time once baby is here!

Happyface120 · 15/09/2021 08:35

I failed my first test at 34 weeks and passed on my second attempt at 37 weeks! It was no more stressful than it otherwise would have been I don't think

Samanabanana · 15/09/2021 08:37

Keep the date and work towards it, but reassess when you get there. I'm 38 weeks pregnant and struggling to use the clutch and break pedal together because I'm so big bump wise that my legs don't want to get that close together

orangejuicer · 15/09/2021 08:40

@Samanabanana

I had to swap cars with my DP towatds the end as I literally couldn't fit behind the wheel!

idontlikealdi · 15/09/2021 08:45

I had twins but had to give up driving around 28 weeks - the bump meant I couldn't manoeuvre properly to see and turn right. Wholly spends on the size of your bump and the size of your car!

Original poster

preglearnerdriver · 15/09/2021 08:51

I am learning in automatic so no worries about clutch etc

No one I know has an automatic car to practice in but my DH is attempting to get an automatic company car, fingers crossed!

Good to hear the success stories!!

OP posts:

Original poster

preglearnerdriver · 15/09/2021 08:51

I am 5 months now and quite big already...eep!

OP posts:

trevthecat · 15/09/2021 08:54

You can definitely do this. As pp, have a contingency plan just in case but I think you will be fine. Good luck with this and the baby

Original poster

preglearnerdriver · 15/09/2021 09:27

Thank you!

OP posts:

timetochangeagainforever · 15/09/2021 10:07

I learned to drive when I was pregnant as didn't need to before. Passed my practical test when my daughter was 2 days old. Go for it!

BobsBurgersisthebest · 15/09/2021 11:58

When I was learning to drive, I stopped my lessons at 33 weeks pregnant. I was just too tired and bump was huge. Be prepared for that.

BareVanilla · 15/09/2021 12:00

I passed at 7 months so it’s doable. Check the seat belt fits if not get an extender from Amazon.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 15/09/2021 12:02

I passed at 6 months pregnant.. You can do it op.
You are a dm. We can manage anything!!

ComDummings · 15/09/2021 12:03

Go for it, if it gets near the date and you need to change it (I know there’s a huge backlog at the moment) then it’s fine, you can change it. But why not give it a go and see how you feel closer to that time.

Hen2018 · 15/09/2021 12:05

That sounds entirely possible to me. Get as much practice as you can.

(I handed in the last piece of work for my MA at 36 weeks pregnant, and drove the 180 mile round trip).

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