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

Would you drive this far if you had passed your driving test a month ago?

96 replies

lalallola · 07/06/2023 18:03

I passed my test two weeks ago and my friend wants to book a caravan holiday an hour and a half away in a few weeks time. Initially I was up for this before I passed but now I have and driving alone I’ve realised there’s so much more to driving then passing your test! I’ve been to the supermarket, to family’s, etc and to a park 20 minutes away but I feel like it would be reckless to go away so soon. Just wondering if other people thought this was the right decision too? Just to add I have 2 under 2 so obviously instant pressure as I will have the most precious little people in my car at all times. Thanks.

OP posts:
Hiddenvoice · 07/06/2023 22:07

It all depends on what you’re comfortable with! It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been driving, some people prefer to only drive to places they know.
You partially agreed before you passed, when you had someone in the car with you, like a safety net. Now you’re driving on your own you’ve realised that you need to be much more aware as your safety nets gone.
If you don’t feel ready then don’t commit to it. Build up your journeys when you’re comfortable to do so.

Riverlee · 07/06/2023 22:08

It really doesn’t matter what ever people have done, do what’s right for you. Some people take to driving like a duck to water, others need to build up experience first.

if you not ready, then decline. Not only is there the distance, length of time driving, new roads to navigate etc, you need to get used to having passengers in the car, other than family. Don’t feel press-ganged into driving.

Zarataralara · 07/06/2023 22:09

You drive what you’re feeling comfortable with driving.
Driving conditions vary, roads vary and as you say there’s more to driving than passing your test. Take your time, build up your experience in your own time.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
MarnieCres · 07/06/2023 22:15

Depends on your own confidence. You get better by use though, I had a friend who didn't ever drive on motorways, never had, never tried and was more scared as time went on, really restricting.

I on the other hand flew to Spain the day after passing my test and drove a car there ( ...did get stuck doing a hill start mind... With my 14 year old brother having to rescue me ☺️)

lucylucyapplejuicy · 07/06/2023 22:19

I wouldn't have I wasn't actually a good driver for a good few months after passing I stayed to local routes and went a little further each time . x

OnTheBoardwalk · 07/06/2023 22:26

I drove the snake pass as one of my first trips after passing my test. It was a bit scary but I felt good when I did it. Was on my terms though

as PP have said I’d be concerned she now thinks of you as her taxi service. Say you can both get the train there and see what she says

Lemonpepper · 07/06/2023 22:31

I passed my test to accept a job with a 4 hour round commute. I passed and got my car the week before I started the job. Jumping into long motorway driving made me the confident driver I am today.

This is irrelevant. Everyone on this thread is going to have different opinions and different personal experiences.

The only question you need to ask yourself is: do you want to?

TheApplianceofScience · 07/06/2023 22:36

A month after passing my test, I drove from North Yorkshire to Plymouth on business with a stop overnight at the IL’s in Essex.

After a week in Plymouth I was desperate to get home and did the entire journey with only one stop for a wee.

The distance is not the issue, your so called friend using you as a taxi is. 😡

DelilahBucket · 07/06/2023 22:39

My driving lessons were three hours each so you'll be fine. Plan your route in advance, look at street view if needs be so you know where you are going.

Nagado · 07/06/2023 22:43

Why don’t you see if your instructor will give you a couple of motorway lessons? You’ll know that you’re competent to be on the road, so it’ll just be paying for them to sit next to you while you build up your confidence levels. I know so many people who spent a fortune on lessons and a car but never drive outside of their town.

CrotchetyQuaver · 07/06/2023 22:44

I think you'll be fine. Just don't let her jabber away at you if you'd prefer quiet to concentrate better, tell her to shh

Pollypetide · 07/06/2023 22:54

I'm sure you could do it in the car on your own but it can be more trying when you've got two babies grizzling and an adult that you can't tell to shut the fuck up.
The old adage is you pass your test, then you learn to drive. But only do it as you feel comfortable and ready to proceed to the next step. Don't let people telling you that they drove 1,000 miles the day after their test with 3 fighting kids, an ex, their sick grandmother and a zebra in the back make you feel like you're lacking in some way because you don't want to yet. Just do it your own way.

Forshameandyegads · 07/06/2023 22:54

I passed my test on the Tuesday, and drove me and my friend to the nearest big city almost 2 hours away on the Saturday for some shopping. I did get my dad to take me on the motorway before hand, but that's about it.

Personally I'm one for getting on with it before the fear sets in, but I know many many people who won't drive in unfamiliar places, or on the motorway or at night etc.

starfishmummy · 07/06/2023 23:16

Tell her you want petrol money and she'll change her mind!

maidmarianne · 07/06/2023 23:49

Slightly scary that loads of people are encouraging someone to drive when they don't feel confident enough and are therefore not likely to be a particularly safe driver...
You need to do what you feel confident with. Driving with two young kids can be incredibly stressful, if you're having to concentrate a lot because you're so new to driving it could easily go badly wrong.
I would increase your driving gradually, have a motorway lesson if you can afford it and keep practising. You'll get there in the end but doing something you're not comfortable with because you're feeling pressured into it doesn't sound overly wise to me

MyMachineAndMe · 08/06/2023 01:58

I wouldn't be anyone's taxi but yes, I drove to Cleethorpes from Doncaster after about 6 weeks of passing my test and then after about 3 months I drove all the way down to Legoland, Windsor, and back again in one day.

Beachywave · 08/06/2023 03:31

I had a newborn when I passed my test at 18 and drove everywhere, it was fine.

user1471481356 · 08/06/2023 04:03

1.5 hours is hardly far. I drive that very regularly to get to appointments/shopping etc. I did a 20 hours road trip in 2 days a week after passing my test, it’s great practice.

rubydoobydoo · 08/06/2023 04:21

I did Pass Plus the week after passing my test- it was a long drive out on mainly A roads, then my instructor eased me gently onto motorways on the way back. I really recommend it to get used to things you don't get in normal lessons or just driving locally!

A couple of weeks after this I drove two and a half hours by myself to visit a friend - it was a bit daunting but I'm glad I did it as it really increased my confidence.

Maybe practice a bit more first on different types of roads if you still aren't sure, but I think you should go for it!

Ragwort · 08/06/2023 04:24

You clearly don't feel confident about it hence posting on here so no, don't do it if you are worried. Why is your friend so keen for you to be her 'taxi driver' to the holiday? Do you frequently go on holidays together? And with two very young babies in the car it does sound stressful (do you even want to go on a caravan holiday with two under two?). It does seem that your friend is rather pushing you into this.

OttoGraph · 08/06/2023 04:38

Just plan your journey so you know where you can stop etc and take it steady. There isn’t ever going to be a set time.

it’s ok anyone saying they did this ir that trip, when I passed my test 20 million cars were on the rds, whereas now it’s 33 million so it’s very different and much busier

Catsmere · 08/06/2023 04:40

I absolutely wouldn’t have driven that far so soon. I got my license in my late 50s and am still on P plates. I enjoy driving but haven’t done more than about an hour (full time carer, would have to organise respite carer if I wanted to do a lengthy trip). Also what PP said about not letting yourself be used as a taxi.

Catsmere · 08/06/2023 04:44

Don’t you need a full license to tow a caravan anyway?

HelterSkelter224 · 08/06/2023 04:46

Agree with don't bow to pressure if all she is looking for is a taxi, and absolutely don't go if you're not comfortable/ confident but actually 1.5h isn't that far and assuming you'll be on motorways or A roads for part or most of that then it's not that big a deal. You should be capable, it's whether or not you want to.

coffeecupsandwaxmelts · 08/06/2023 06:53

If you felt confident enough to do it, you wouldn't be asking on here in the first place.

But that said, I don't think 90 minutes qualifies as a long drive - I was doing two hour lessons twice a week before I passed my test and the day after passing I had a 50 minute drive to work on my own.

You need to just go for it imo. It's never as scary as you build it up to be.