Changing driving instructors

[OctoblocksAssemble]

I've just decided to change mine. I've done about 80 hours, and still nowhere near able to take a test. Maybe it's me, maybe it just wasn't a good match.
Before anyone suggests it, this was in an auto.

So, any positive just needed the right instructor stories to make me feel less crap about myself?

Thank you @hexsnidgett and thank you again @bozzabollix for you insight. I'll hopefully have a positive update on Friday, trying not to freak out over it all in the meantime...

Update: new instructor so much more professional, and didn't make me feel like shit and there was not a housing estate in sight.
I'm a slow learner for sure, but I do feel annoyed that I wasted so much time, money and stress on the previous instructor. He had me totally convinced it was just me at fault.

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and for sharing your experiences. It helped me so much

I'm worried my daughter's theory is going to run out. First test was 8 months , if she doesn't pass , who knows

That's great news Octoblocks
The other thing that helped me was not telling people I was having lessons or going for my test, it really took the pressure off. You might not be able to practically, but you could avoid chatting about it.

I like the idea of not telling, hex, but I'm hopless at keeping quiet 😅
2nd lesson with the new instructor today, going around many single lane and mini roundabouts, and a new personal speed record on a 50mph stretch. The difference in experience is unreal, having someone actually happy to provide real-time instructions. So much easier to learn from experience. The last guy flatly refused to guide in real time, aside from telling me I was getting it wrong. I was so miserable all those lessons, feeling on egg shells and thinking it was just me being shit. I really regret all that wasted time, money and stress now.

Updating mostly just to offload some anxiety. Things got off to a great start with new instructor, but I'm still struggling. Much less so than before, but my head is a seive and I still can't stay on top of everything, like I'll focus so much on when to move over for the 3rd exit that I'll forget to check the blind spot. My test is in February, and my only real hope is to fail without making too much of a fool out of myself. I hate how bad I am at this. I hate that after 18 months almost I still doubt if I can ever pass. So wanted it to be in 2024, but with the wait times if I fail twice that's it and I'll have to redo the theory. I would honestly just give it up if it weren't for the kids. They're missing out on so much because I can't transport them.

You need to find an instructor that is very proactive at finding tests / swapping with other instructors etc. My daughter failed at the start of August and had a test booked for Jan but her instructor managed to find her another test at the start of Oct , which she passed . The day before she had the worst lesson she had had in months and couldn’t do a hill start so there is always hope @OctoblocksAssemble .

Update: I passed on my second go, with 3 minors. Took me an embarrassing 20 months in total but I did get there in the end.

Do you know when I was going through similar learning to drive, I would have loved to have come across this thread!

Way to go op!

I was a later learner at 35 and it took me a similar length of time (partially due to failing one test) and I remember thinking I would never be able to pass.

Many congratulations and here's to many years of safe driving!

Ah that’s such good news. And not embarrassing, it’s all about getting there not how long you took! Really happy for you, it’s such a brilliant moment hearing the news.

I failed my test 5 times. Changed instructors and passed first time.