Anyone else learning to drive as an adult?

[Frequency]

I had my first lesson today and it was awful. I had lessons as a teenager, 21 years ago, and got right up to being almost ready to take my test when I had to stop and didn't pick it back up until today.

I expected to just get in the car and drive but obviously, that didn't happen. I'm really annoyed with myself. I was mostly annoyed by how nervous I was but also at the stupid mistakes I kept making.

And the birds. The stupid fucking birds. There were two magpies and a crow. The crow was a cunt. The driving instructor kept telling me not to drive around it and that it would move out of my way but it wasn't moving. The car would get closer and closer and closer and bastarding thing would just sit glaring at me until I moved around it. The magpies weren't as bad but they still tried playing chicken with the car and refusing to move until the last second.

Anyone else trying and struggling and fancy a support thread?

Hi OP, not learning now but passed when I was 31 and pregnant with my 2nd!

I was a nervous wreck at first, but I consider myself an excellent, cautious but defensive driver now at 37. You will get there and you will nail it. Be patient and kind to yourself and remember with that bird situation you sometimes have no choice but to hit it as it could be a case of you or the bird next time.

Good luck!

Thank you. I need to learn quite quickly because I am unemployed at the moment and struggling to find any jobs I can get to without a car or paying £££ in taxis.

Today was disheartening but I am determined. I'm not used to being scared of things. I usually just throw myself into things headfirst and hope for the best and it normally works out for me, although, I suppose lying in job interviews and saying I can do things I've never tried will never end up killing anyone like driving could.

I did this. I passed age 18 but then didn't continue to drive. Picked it up again age 33 and took about 10 lessons to feel confident, then got my own car. Then I had to really learn to drive! It's a steep learning curve. Well done for getting back behind the wheel!

I did similar, had a lot of lessons age 18 but it got to the point I was more interested in being with my mates and I dropped them. Picked them back up age 31 and it did take me a while. I would say it was like starting again, with the added frustration of knowing I could do it before. There were times I'd dread going out.

I'd say just be patient with yourself and if you do have a bad lesson just try and focus on the next one. Good luck!

I learned from the ages of 17-22 failed 5 tests gave up then started again and passed at 35! It's the best thing I could ever have done for myself. Literally life changing!!

Keep going, will be so worth it!!

I will definitely keep going. I'm just annoyed at myself for being nervous.

My dad is the designated driver for pretty much everyone in our family e.g. taking elderly relatives to appointments and picking up shopping/bulky purchases for non-drivers and he is now too unwell to drive so I have that to motivate me as well as my employment (or lack thereof).

I have an abject fear of failing so that is also playing on my mind. I don't fail things. I'm the same at work. I get annoyed at myself for not picking things up straight off the bat and I will put off sitting exams for certifications until I know the subject inside out. It's something I need to work on.