Give up or plough on?

[Tinfoilmushroom]

Sigh. Driving test coming up 10th August.

Help me decide what to do. Somehow get my mojo back, or just give up for now.

Started my lessons last year when pregnant. Took a break to have baby and recently started lessons again. I've gone from super confident to the exact opposite. I am just so tired and my mind is elsewhere since giving birth 6 months ago.

I have paid for next 9 hours of lessons but instructor reckons I will need a further 11 hours, at £50 per hour 😭...am I throwing good money after bad?

I am dreading my lesson today, I just cannot be arsed. I feel under so much pressure. We would like to move out of the city but we can't until I learn to drive. The pressure is giving me headaches.
All that extra money on more lessons is really getting me down. Ive already done 23 hkurs (spread out soncd November last year)

I feel like I'm going to fail.

But I've already spent so much money and time on this, if I give up now I will only have to spend more time and money in the future. Everything I've learned recently will be forgotten and I'll have to start from scratch.

My husband will support me in whatever decision I make but he thinks I can do it, that I'm just low in confidence. But how do I get the confidence back???

I don't know what to do.

Plough on. I was surprised I passed last year and went into my test considering it a practice run so I would know what to work on next time.
When the examiner asked if I wanted my instructor to hear the results, I said absolutely yes so that we both had the feedback and knew what needed improvement for the next time I sat it, biggest surprise came when he said I had passed!

Thank you

I need to hear stuff like this, I really do. Well done on passing! It would be a fucking dream if I passed.

Can your husband/a friend/family member take you out as a passed driver?

This is what I did with my partner, we drove round to get my hours behind the wheel up and it honestly helped so much.

Unfortunately my husband drives a manual and I'm learning in an automatic

I have a friend who has an automatic. But she has 2 babies and is working, one of her children just got chicken pox, she's mad busy and I don't feel like I can ask her 😭

OK yes, I see that's a bit of a trickier situation then. Have you looked at dual controlled hire? I've no idea on the costs etc, but it may be beneficial to do that for a few hours if you can, I assume they would have automatics as well but I've never looked into it seriously.

Or how about changing test centres to somewhere a bit more rural? It may be easier (but also appreciate that logistically it could be a total nightmare).

I assume you will be buying an automatic car when you pass your test? Is it possible to buy it now, instead of after your test? Then you'd be able to get the practice in now and start building your own no claims bonus.

Off the back of this post I've talked to husband and we have agreed to part exchange his automatic, for a manual. We don't have quite enough saved for a deposit on a new car just yet

Thank you x

Sorry should say we will part exchange manual for automatic!

Brilliant!

All the very best with your test, you can do it!

Your lessons are likely to be on/close to test routes, which will help on the day as you will have some familiarity with the roads you are driving on.

My biggest tip is don't get too close to the car in front if you are stopped at lights (I think I got 2 minors for this). There are also a lot of videos on YouTube of mock tests, which I found really helpful as you get to know common mistakes.

I also had some rescue remedy before my test...could have been a total placebo effect however.

Honestly, stick wth it. I hated, hated learning to drive. Horrible experience with a driving instructor who basically took the piss and cost me a fortune. Was definitely ready to give up when my job moved closure to home and I could get lessons during my lunch break, with a driving instructor who was brilliant. I was convinced that i would never actually pass my test.

Now I absolutely love driving and it changed my life. I've been able to take up work opportunities that i could never have done without being able to drive (I live very rurally, public transport non existent), I don't need to wait for anyone to pick things up for me or do small shops because i have to drag things home on a bus/walking.

You can do it and you will! Good luck.

Thanks Quango

Will check out online driving tests

Welsh...thank you for posting. I want to get where you are...loving driving and the life and freedom it will give me. I also want to change career but can't until I pass my test. I'm feeling more determined now.

Off to do my lesson now, feeling much more upbeat about it

Thank you 😊

I don't understand why your husband can't supervise you driving an automatic if he drives a manual. You have enough lessons and experience so far that he's just a warm body and there's nothing he needs to teach you about gears. I've been driving both for 35 years and learning automatic is far easier - it's in the name. Careful confidence and you'll be fine!

Sorry just got the problem- you only have access to a manual. Get that exchange ASAP! And good luck.

Well that was a fucking nightmare.

Less than a minute into the lesson and I reversed into the parked car behind me. My first time ever reversing and I fucked up.

I stepped on the gas instead of the break. I realised and slammed the break but there was a connection made. Very minimal damage and my instructor laughed and said the owner probably wouldn't even bother calling it in. But I was shaken and the rest of the lesson was wobbly.

Sigh

what a lovely husband. It took me two goes to pass. I struggled to learn in the first place and failed horribly the first time. Went up the second time because DH said it would be good practice at taking the exam anyway and I passed! All the way home I sat there holding the pass cert in both hands and grinning. My lovely teacher thought it was hilarious. Very best wishes to you and here's a bucket od confidence.

sorry but do I understand that you had never done reversing in a lesson before?

First time reversing, yes

Definitely plough on! As PP said, do your text with the mindset that it's a practice run. You'll be more relaxed and ready for the 'proper test'.

You can do this! The freedom you'll have when you can drive will change your life. Keep focusing on that, it will be amazing for you.

It's natural to have the wobbles, but keep going until you pass - and you will!

Thank you. I am certain I won't pass this time around but will treat it as a learning opportunity

Thank you, oldtinhat

And to pp who said I have a lovely husband...I really do. He said he is so proud of me for continuing on with the lesson after the shock of hitting a car. And that I will get better and better and I shouldnt give up (although he would support me if I needed to take a break...which I should consider really)

If today was your first time reversing today then you are a while away from worrying about your test and I would definitely say push on....but....well....the first few times I was doing reversing the teacher made sure there was MILES of empty space behind me...I mean are you happy with him as an instructor?

My test is 10th August!

I'm not that happy with the instructor tbh.

This really shouldn't have been your first time reversing if your test is so close, change instructor if you can. You will need to do some form of reversing as part of the test, your instructor sounds dodgy. I suggest you postpone the test, change instructor and practice reversing, you can do that with your DH as there is only one reverse gear, once it's in, it's in. Best of luck to you.

Keep trying.
I passed on my 8th attempt on my 3rd instructor in 2005. (I was young and nervous)
Driven hundreds of thousands of miles since without incident.
My friend "gave up for a while" after failing for the 4th time, she's still getting the bus.

Plough on