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?

I passed in my mid thirties. Had tried in my early twenties and found it stressful and difficult so had failed a few times.
After I divorced I decided to go for it and do it properly by paying for a quality instructor who also had qualifications in various mental health practices - it made the difference. I felt much more relaxed and like I knew what I was doing. My first instructor had always made me feel like I had no clue what I was doing yet did nothing to help other than taking money from me for doing very little.

I failed the first time I tried as apparently doing 30 on a 60mph road is still too fast in dry conditions 🙄. But I passed the second time. I admit though, I still hate driving and do it as little as possible.

Once you pass, you really need to keep up your confidence levels by driving regularly. Due to 2 maternity leaves and Covid WFH, I'm completely out of practice.

I learned in my 40s, my mum learned in her 60s. We were both very nervous but picked it up no problem and both of us passed our tests first time. Driving isn't my favourite thing but I wouldn't be without my car and the independence it gives me.

Really struggling with this. Currently doing lessons for the second time in 10 years, but it's the theory test is the sticking point at the moment. I've studied and done practice tests for hours and hours and have failed twice in the last month. Just can't figure out what I can or should do from here.

I reluctantly got my licence at 17 and then avoiding driving again until I was 29. I did refresher lessons and switched to an automatic. So much easier if you're a nervous driver. I went for a tiny 1l engine car which in hindsight I wouldn't recommend if you can afford a bigger engine.

My DH got a Tesla through his company car scheme and I've gained a new confidence on fast junctions and slip roads. My little car takes forever to accelerate on the A road I pull onto for work so I have to make sure there's a massive gap which gets cars behind me annoyed. I wouldn't dream of taking it on a busy motorway or bypass but in a more powerful car it's nowhere near as scary.

Me. I failed 4 times between 17 - 21 then gave up for 11 years as needing to drive wasn’t important where I lived and I truly thought I must be a bit shit at it.

Tried again at 32 and passed straight away. I think maturity helped rather than hindered.

My Dh did. He also failed as a teenager and then moved to London, but needed to learn when we moved out.
It took him quite a bit longer, but once he'd passed he wished he'd done it years before. Now he likes driving more than me. You won't regret it!