Has anyone learned to drive in their 30s? Nervous about picking it up again!

[Reesewithafork]

I failed twice as a teenager, then moved to a London in my early twenties where nobody had a car so never bothered. Am now late thirties and have moved out of London in the last year or two and desperately need to be able to drive but feel so anxious about it now.

the idea of being on the road with DS in the car makes me feel a bit sick, but I know I need to get over this hump.

I just feel like it‘S so much harder to learn things as you get older and feel so worried I might do something stupid and cause an accident - and I haven’t even started my lessons up again yet!

anyone been anxious and done it successfully?

Yes! Got my license at 30. I had a few lessons at 18 and then none again until I was 29. I was very anxious of driving but found a really supportive instructor. Passed first time (luckily no hill starts in my exam otherwise I'm sure I would have failed). Just take it slow and good luck :)

Me! I tried for years on and off and eventually I just knew I had to stick with it to pass no matter how long it took! What helped me was learning to drive was my focus. I stopped applying for other jobs, stopped taking extra studies.

It took a whole year and the last six months I was having two lessons a week. I took four tests. I found it very hard and if I can do it you can!

I also did Pass Plus to do some motorway work.

I was so nervous to drive with my DS in the car but I soon got used to it.

You can do this!

Yes! I learned at 32 and I was very anxious but really needed to be able to drive for creche drop/collection. It was slow process and I spent a LOT of money on lessons (i took 40+ lessons). I loved driving in the instructors car as I thought that as long as there are dual controls, the instructor will "save" us and I don't have much to worry about. Doing this built up my confidence and I moved to taking more lessons in the family car. I passed and drive just fine now. One bit of advice I would have is that while the instructors want to just do the "test" routes, it good to do your normal daily routes too so you have full confidence going out there on your own. I wish I had done a couple of motorway lessons for example.

Same as you OP - failed twice as a teen, then never really needed to drive.

Finally got my licence in my 30s. (Failed once or twice, can't even remember, but one had one unlucky 'major' but was otherwise ok - just keep at it). After lots of anxiety I actually quite like it now. It gives you so much freedom after a lifetime of public transport.

Yes. I failed in my early 20s and didn't try again until 36.Like the OP I lived in London. I passed first time.

My lightbulb moment was seeing a woman struggling with a buggy, children and shopping on a bus. I thought: I never want to be in that situation. At the time I had no boyfriend or even any desire to have children.

You can do it.

Yes and I felt far more confident but, an auto saved me, you can concentrate on so much more, without fiddle around.

I passed 2 weeks ago I'm 38. I took Automatic lessons. I started in February. You can do it, only downside is the expense.
I bought my car last week and my target now is to drive on my own, my partner sits with me at the moment.

I didn't have lessons until I was in my 30s. Was v nervous, failed test twice (but no theory test at that time) but as soon as I'd passed the test I drove a lot, regularly, and became much more confident and relaxed.

Yes, I’m not a fan of driving and should probably work on by parking, but I passed in my 30s and has been invaluable. I mainly stick to my local area but without being able to drive I couldn’t get my kids to school, clubs, parties etc. I’m driving somewhere new on Friday and am already feeling nervous about it, but it least I know I’ll get there. I have a good friend who doesn’t drive and just getting about locally is such a palaver for her. It also means she misses out on things as she just can’t get there. Do it, you won’t regret it.

A lot of my friends passed in their 30s and 40s. My grandma also learnt in her 40s after my grandad died. I'm in the same boat. Tempted by automatic but it's hard to find lessons in an automatic near me.

I passed 6 months pregnant at 33!!. Wasn't first attempt though.
Might have been 4th time..
😳

Similar situation to you, started learning at 18, stopped and moved somewhere I didn’t need a car. Started learning again after having DS and passed first time when I was 30. I love driving now 😊

Not exactly the same as I somehow managed to pass in my late teens after 4 attempts. However, I hated driving and also moved to a city where I didn’t really need one so never got a car, lost all confidence and didn’t drive again for years. Decided to try again when started thinking about having a second child as things would be so much easier getting them both about if I had a car. Like others, automatic was a game changer for me, helped so much. I still don't like driving and mostly do local journeys but so glad to have it as an option. Good luck OP.

I learned to drive at 31. Had no need before and it was the need to simplify the school and nursery run once we'd moved out if London that made me do it. Being older helped me manage the nerves and knowing how much easier it would make life kept me going when I found it hard.

Yes me at 35, similar story to others, moved to London, didn't need car, then moved to country and had two kids. DH have me an ultimatum, no DC3 until I passed my test, it did take 4 attempts, partly because of long gaps between early attempts but when i found the right instructor and decided to keep going until i passed I made it! Good job too, public transport has been slashed where i live.

I’m 39 and currently doing my lessons. On hour 20 today. I wasn’t bothered about learning when I was younger. Done a few lessons here and there but I was so nervous. But recently Iv been fed up of walking to work at 4.30am or coming home at midnight. Fed up of buses they are always cancelled. So now is the time to learn

No, I got my full drivers licence at 15 (overseas) and loved it. Freeeeeeedom!!!!

I think it's easier when you're young & definitely before you have a child to think about.

but driving will give you so much more freedom (if you can afford the petrol!!)

my Great Aunt drive a bit when she was younger, but her & my Uncle only had one car, so he did most, then all, of the driving. He was happy & willing to drive her wherever she needed/wanted to go, so it just happened. Their 3 daughters learned to drive as teens. Then in their 70's my Uncle sadly got cancer & he wanted her to be able to be independent & able to get out & about, so he convinced her to get some lessons & start driving again.

she was mid 70's and managed- I'm sure you can do it!!!

Passed at 40. Had previously tried to learn and didn’t seem to get anywhere.
However I got a new instructor, who had a waiting list, said it was better for me if I passed quickly for his percentages. He got me through fast.

Like all things, you can do this at whatever age you want!! I had lessons on and off for about 10 years! Got given lessons as a gift a few times in my teens and early twenties, but I really wasn't ready for it. When I was 32, I decided, I'm doing this- and I did. I would say I'm still an anxious driver and don't particularly enjoy driving- but it's so nice to finally have the option of driving places, if I want to! Go for it. It'll be a great achievement!
My tip for the theory test- download the app onto your phone and do a mock test every night. Don't even bother with all the other quizzes, reading and games on there; the questions will become ingrained in your brain!!

I’ve got my first lesson in 8 years tonight. I tried when I was 30 and failed three times. I’m trying again now age 38

Forgot to say, I passed in an automatic. Not for everyone, but made it easier for me. Don't see the uk obsession with manual cars. You might pass quicker in an automatic. Obviously a bit more limited when it comes to buying a car, but honestly not that limited, I found a nice cheap secondhand one no problem!

YY to the theory test - I used to screenshot the ones I got wrong, and then flick through them on my phone like revision cards whilst I commuted.

I’m learning in my thirties at the moment (in London). It isn’t fun, and I can honestly say that the week when my instructor got a puncture and had to cancel last minute was a highlight, but I am getting more confident and I feel really proud of myself after each lesson.

I'm just about to lean again at 60 OP!!! Having not bothered since mid30s

Passed this year in an automatic, aged 47. It can be done.

Yes I was in your shoes. We decided to move out of London to a remote rural location. I was 33 at the time and had never managed to get my licence, and hadn't tried driving since I was a teen, and didn't want to drive. But with our house move looming I had to learn and pass the test quickly! So I booked a big chunk of lessons (automatic transmission, which is much easier for beginners than manual) and kept doing lessons until the instructor said I was really to pass the practical test. I did around 2 lessons per week for 3 months. Passed my test on the first try. And now I LOVE driving! I wish I had learned earlier. It provides so much freedom and takes the burden off my DH who used to have to drive us everywhere.

So... you can't definitely do it!