Refresher driving lessons

[Wishimaywishimight]

I got my driving licence quite late in life (late 30s) about 14 years ago. For the first few years I drove regularly but I have very much let it slide purely out of laziness. Both DH and I did not have parking in work so used public transport, so only used the car at weekends or for weekends away. DH loves to drive, I didn't mind it but didn't love it, so got in the habit of letting him do all the driving.

I do drive, locally only i.e. to the supermarket, from time to time but I am disappointed in having let this skill slide (I hang onto the memory of my driving tester telling me I was a very good driver!) and really want to remedy this and get my confidence back. I have never driven on a motorway, haven't gone up an indoor car park in many years etc so lots of skills I need to learn or re-learn.

I am thinking of booking a batch, maybe 4 or 5, refresher lessons as a gift to myself in the new year. I have found a school that specifically mentions lessons for people who used to drive but haven't for some time.

Just wondering if anyone did this and successfully regained their driving confidence?

Yes I did this to gain some confidence driving in a new town. It did help but probably what helped more was just me getting out and about on my own. I would definitely book some and tell the instructor the areas you specifically would like to practice with them.

I was a very nervous driver (I'm still a bit reluctant but I do it regardless!)

I just took myself out. A few 15 minute journeys at a quiet time really helped me just feel like I could do it.
I also used Google streetview quite a bit, mostly around tricky or unusual junctions. It really helped being able to work out which lane I would need to be in.

Yes I did, and it really helped me get back driving again. I did it a few years ago and actually got a couple of either free or really discounted lessons through the AA for returning drivers - I don't know if they still do it though.

As pp said though, the real key is to take yourself out regularly - I live in London and because I don't have to drive, I find myself making excuses not to then it is a real mental battle to get back in the car again.

Something like this might help - you don't have to do the test unless you want to: www.iamroadsmart.com/courses/advanced-driver

I passed my test at 17 but didn't have access to a car or need to drive until I was 30. By which point I was living in central London. I booked a lesson with a local driving instructor and asked his opinion about my driving (expecting to need a few refreshers with him). He said I was fine and didn't need anything other than experience.

I did this after about 15 years of not driving. Gave me some much-needed confidence!

Many thanks for all your responses.

I agree that what I really need to be doing is getting out there and practicing even if it's just for 15 minute short trips (as @ClaudiaWankleman has done). I just keep putting it on the long finger and the longer I leave it the more I actually start to get nervous thinking about it.

I think by getting a third party involved (and paying them!) I am forcing my own hand and cannot keep making excuses - bad weather, don't like driving in the dark etc etc - and just do it.

@fakereview - many thanks for that link, I am actually in Ireland though (probably should have said that as I know this is mainly a UK based site!).

I am pretty comfortable with the actual driving but it's the knowing what lane to be in on the bigger roads, changing lanes, getting in and out of parking spaces and especially motorways that I dread (even as a passenger I am a bit nervous on motorways!).

@onemouseplace - that's exactly what it is - a "mental battle" whereas when I was first driving I just happily went out and got into the car without giving it too much thought. I have just let the years go by and driven less and less each year.

Thanks all, you have helped in making me more determined to finally sort myself out driving wise!

@ClaudiaWankleman When you say you used 'google streetview' is this on your phone / hooked up to bluetooth or something like that? Sorry to sound utterly clueless but we don't have a satnav and I have zero sense of direction so I feel I would be terrible at trying to find my way when driving somewhere new.

No I should have been clearer. I 'drove' the route on streetview before I got in the car.

This is my current situation. It's been 10 years since I got my licence and also since I was last behind the wheel. I have two young children now and we own a tank of a car so I feel like a couple of lessons will help. It has proven tricky to find an instructor though. I'm hoping to get a few lessons done in the new year.

@ClaudiaWankleman Ah, I understand. A friend of mine uses Google Maps (I think) hooked up to bluetooth and it works great, think I will definitely need that, otherwise God only knows where I might end up!

@QueenGoblin I really have no excuse, our car is quite small, easy to manoeuvre and park etc. I have already located a driving school (in Dublin) that advertises refresher lessons. I really think it would help, along with lots of practice, because the motorway driving, parking etc are things I really need proper help with. Best of luck to you, I hope we both follow through!!

@Wishimaywishimight good luck! Honestly driving freaks me out, but I'm hoping I'm just psyching myself out

I find motorway driving to be one of the easiest things - you don't have much more to think about than spacing, checking mirrors when changing lanes and which junction you're coming off at. Everyone is moving in the same direction and it's very simple.

Doing the awkward urban A road roundabouts is what does me over.