Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Driving and dyspraxia

29 replies

dogaibu · 29/11/2021 15:01

Feeling a little despondent. Back from my first day of a 5 day intensive driving course, and my dyspraxia is making it really hard. Struggled badly with junction turns and spacial awareness, also finding it really hard to think of so many things at the same time.

Any other dyspraxic drivers out there? Any success stories would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:
Kuachui · 29/11/2021 15:14

opposite of a success story sorry.

i did pass my test. bought a car. crashed it in a week quite a bad accident. bought another car has 6 near accidents and 1 accident within the first month. just decided to sell the car and call it quits. i cannot driveand now have ptsd from all of the mistakes/accidents

Gatredge · 29/11/2021 15:15

Hello, dyspraxic driver here. It took me 18 months and 4 driving tests but I did it. I have now been driving for over a decade and drive to work daily - never been in an accident. My car has always got a scratch or two so I would never lease an expensive car - 2nd hand runarounds for me. Parking sensors are a good idea too! You'll get there, good luck!

Gatredge · 29/11/2021 15:16

My advice would be do not give up. Even if you don't pass, book your next one. Keep going.

Bebabelouba · 29/11/2021 15:18

It might be helpful to have a driving assessment, a colleague with dyspraxia did this. I think she had some adaptations made to her car, so pedals switched and some hand controls added. She's been driving for many years now.

RampantIvy · 29/11/2021 15:19

Maybe consider switching to an automatic?

TeenMinusTests · 29/11/2021 15:19

DH taught DD who has dyspraxia in an automatic.
Took 80 hrs of learning, initially very short lessons, but she passed first time.

swimdrum · 29/11/2021 15:20

It took 8 years, 2 tests and 5 instructors for me to pass my test. I have been driving for twelve and a half years.

I would say give yourself time. It does not matter if it takes you longer than most people. The right instructor can make all the difference. You need someone calm and patient who will not mind how many times they need to go over the same things. You can do it.

laneyjane84 · 29/11/2021 15:22

I have dyspraxia and have been driving now for 11 years. I had to have a LOT of driving lessons (2-3 2 hour lessons a week for 10 months!) and it took me 3 tests to pass but I didn't give up. Take it slow and take your time. Eventually my brain figured out ways to process and organise the manoeuvres and sequences. Driving is now essential for my life so I am so glad I persevered and wish you the best of luck!!!

Pootles34 · 29/11/2021 15:23

I managed to pass first time after many, many lessons. I think you've done yourself a disservice by going the intensive route - you'll be exhausting your brain. I found 2 hour lessons more than enough!

I think you just need to give yourself lots of time & patience - it'll come. Also second the automatic suggestion - although I passed in a manual, we have an automatic now, much better.

I found the hours and hours of repeating the same things were what I needed - you're creating a muscle memory of gear changes, etc., so you don't even have to think about that bit, and can concentrate on whats going on around you - a bit like touch typing, for example.

FoggySpecs · 29/11/2021 15:40

I'm on the verge of giving up, I've had a few minor accidents but it is so exhausting.

TuftyMarmoset · 29/11/2021 15:43

No success story from me I’m afraid, unless it counts as a success to come to terms with the realities of my limitations. I struggle to judge speed and distance which means it just isn’t safe for me to drive. Driving isn’t compulsory and it’s not suitable for everyone so don’t feel pressured if you are really struggling.

StormyCornishSeas · 29/11/2021 17:38

I'm dyspraxic and i eventually past it just took a lot of time & lessons.

Can you drive another car between lessons? Even if it's to the local supermarket it just kept everything ticking over in my head

purdypuma · 29/11/2021 18:31

Hang on in there! I was diagnosed with dyspraxia at 35 but it took me 4 attempts to pass my test in a manual age 20.

I don't think an intensive course is your best option as its a lot of info in a short time. I find that when I am learning my best option is to break it down & rebuild it, bit like a jigsaw. If you have access to a car then it might be worth practising inbetween lessons as much as you can & possibly taking your test in your own car. Swapping between cars can confuse matters further. If you don't have a car then I would suggest that you chose one very carefully as I've found that I keep mine longer than average as I get used to them & find the familiarity comforting.

Don't lose faith in yourself if driving is what you really want to do. Dyspraxia simply means that you learn & process information differently than a "neurotypical" person.

Good luck!Smile

RandomMess · 29/11/2021 18:35

DD passed first time despite Covid.

She has 2 lessons before lockdown and I can tell you sitting in the car was terrifying and I got elbowed regularly when she changed gear 🤣

You will get there. Her car is rather dented and scratched but she was young and determined and I'm very proud of her.

m030978 · 29/11/2021 19:01

Dyspraxic driver of over 25 years here.
I started with 2hr lessons, but it exhausted my brain, so I had a break then switched to 1 hour lessons with a different instructor.
I drove in slight zigzags for a very long time but I got there in the end.
Against the odds I passed first time at the age of 17 in a manual car.
Never had an accident in over 25 years, super careful but enjoy driving etc. Always in a manual car. I could never drive for more than a couple of hours at a time though. Long holiday distances require shared driving. I get exhausted so easily, started hating driving Sad

Recently got an electric car, no gears, almost no braking needed in this particular car and its SOOOO nice! My brain has to do so much less and I'm enjoying driving again.

inferiorCatSlave · 29/11/2021 19:08

I'm not sure I'm a success story.

I passed second test - that was after 2 hour lesson once a week for months - they worked better than the previous instructor and one hour lessons.

However then had to convenience my parents I was safe in their car which I never did. So haven't driven since - keep thinking I'll get back to it possible with automatic or even electric car but DH doesn't drive grew up in a family that doesn't drive and the kids are teens now so I think it's looking less and less likely I will get back to it.

SarahAndQuack · 29/11/2021 20:21

I'm dyspraxic and I was very slow to learn.

However (fingers crossed) I've never had an accident more serious than hitting a stationary car/ wall at slow speed, and I've not hit anything in years. In fact recently DP said in puzzlement 'it's strange, I always seem to be driving when we get little bumps on the car' Grin. I pissed myself laughing as I pointed out there might be a more than coincidental relation between the driver and the frequency of minor prangs!

I think the good thing with dyspraxia is that, once you do learn something, you have a really thorough knowledge of it in the muscle memory - and you are more wary and less inclined to take silly risks.

SarahAndQuack · 29/11/2021 20:22

(I passed my test nearly 20 years ago.)

PinkBuffalo · 29/11/2021 20:24

I could only learn to drive in an automatic
But I drive to work everyday since passing my test but I do not drive anywhere else really cos I find it really hard going new places

Yummypumpkin · 29/11/2021 20:25

Me too. You can do this. I find driving easier than walking (always walking into things!).

I'm not sure an intensive course would suit me. That bit if my brain is not well developed and gets tired easy. But however you approach it it really is possible and actually having dyspraxia makes you a more cautious, possibly safer driver

Emmelina · 29/11/2021 20:26

I’d recommend switching to an automatic, then you take away having to think about when to change gear, pushing down the clutch and moving the gearstick at the same time while also steering/indicating/using your mirrors! It takes a big chunk of the thought process out when you only have go and stop :)

verytired42 · 29/11/2021 20:34

Needed quite a few lessons. Crashed the car and broke my arm learning to drive. Failed the test once. But. Then passed and have had twenty plus years of driving since with (touch wood) no more accidents. You can do this!

Bwix · 29/11/2021 21:38

I’m dyspraxic. Took me four attempts to pass and three instructors. I haven’t had any big accidents but the car has lots of minor scrapes on it.

Original poster
dogaibu · 30/11/2021 08:29

Thank you everyone for your comments

I'm learning in an automatic, I should have said that.

My instructor is lovely and he is patient with me.

I do need to drive, as DS's secondary school is a lot further from home than his primary is, and although there are buses, driving will take much less time.

You're right I just need to persevere! Thank you again

OP posts:
amusedbush · 30/11/2021 10:25

I was only diagnosed with dyspraxia this year but it explains so much about my life.

I had 40 hours of manual lessons in 2008, when I was 18. I just couldn’t get to grips with it and I quit due to the anxiety. I picked up and dropped lessons over and over until 2015, when I decided to get serious and took automatic lessons until I passed - on my third test.

I bought a cheap car but it turned out to be a total lemon and it was so unreliable I couldn’t trust it to get me from A to B so I scrapped it and didn’t drive again until 2019.

I’m still really anxious driving anywhere new and I struggle with spatial awareness, knowing my left from right, I can’t go anywhere without GPS and I hate parking anywhere busy but my confidence is through the roof compared to three years ago.