To think after 3 years I should be able to drive?

[JimmyChooChoo]

Feel like a loser!Been learning to drive since DS1 was 6months old and now he's 3.I also have ds2 who is now over 1yr!
I have gone through 3 instructors and from manual to automatic.
Just failed my second test today
I'm ok going from a to b but in my test I was all over the place on the huge roundabouts,other drivers stopping infront didn't know what to do and how to position myself in horrible situations etc!
Will it ever come natural?Everyone says it does so why has it taken this long?
Are some people just not 'natural drivers' or does everyone have the potential and just take a little while longer?
Just booked my 3rd test for 2 weeks time!
Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated!Thanks
Jimmy

I think the thing though is that when you are nervous in a test it all goes out the window, whereas you might otherwise be a good competent driver.

8 tests over 7 years (I think I win so far). I took Aconite from the health food shop on the last one and sailed through. Worked for DD on her 3rd attempt too. Don't give up. I've been driving for 23 years now, it is SO handy.

In this country, valiumredhead, where most cars are still manual, yes, with a licence for automatics only you are only half a driver.

Practise make perfect, get your lessons to cover only what you fail on, i.e roundabouts rule of thumb is stay on the inside lane for turning left or going across the roundabout and inside lane for turning right.

Give way to traffic on the right. It's easy.

But why Andrew? My husband and my dad both have HGV licences( so very competent drivers) and both choose to drive automatic cars - in fact both have been driving automatic cars for the past 10 years. Why would they need to access to manual cars? I'm genuinely interested in your line of thinking btw, not having a go :)

How can you be half a driver? You are either a driver or not! So if you find an automatic easier or whatever and can get one once you pass go for it. Still got to have road sense etc etc

There is no such thing as "half a driver" what utter tosh!

Driving skills, ie being safe, merging blah blah work exactly the same way in an automatic!

I suspect as they are more unusual in the UK ( and automatic transmissions are normal in expensive/fancy cars) average Joe has told himself ..."well they are just half drivers" to make himself feel better

Keep at it, but I agree with others who have said perhaps you aren't test ready.
Maybe concentrate on actually learning to drive, rather than getting ready for a test- put the test out of your head for now (I don't know if that makes sense?)

You will get there, and it will click eventually.
The automatic will really help imo.

Andrew-My dad, like valiums' dad and DH, has an HGV licence, but only drives automatics.
He reckons driving a manual now would be like having an indicator but choosing to stick your arm out the window

I 'only' have an automatic licence, I can drive a manual, but haven't passed a test in one, so am a very half driver...

Half driver!

I drive an automatic by choice; have done for some years and when DW had her knees replaced it got back her on then road faster than if we wee still driving a manual.

But if the need arises - for example in car-hire - I can drive either, and when I passed my test on a manual a long, long time ago - I equipped myself to drive either. And for many years we drove a manual. So I don't take the line I do to make myself feel better, Feminine, although I can't speak for anybody else.

I think half a driver is not the best term, but it does limit you to your choice of cars. A family member is an instructor and unfortunately it is generally the bad drivers that learn in an automatic, as they choose it for the easy option. Obviously that doesn't apply in other countries where automatic cars are the norm, but they certainly are here.

OP I would put your test date back a bit, and find another instructor you're truly comfortable with until you improve.

Right it could limit the choice when choosing a car to buy...:)

but "half a driver?"

I think "half a driver" might be someone that could only go half the journey by car,hop out and ride the 74!

Would anyone settle for a driver of limited training?

Had to respond to this - my first post. You have my sympathy. I sat my test 6 or 7 times - I lost count! I had 3 different instructors and "help" from DH. In fairness he was very patient (for him) but still yelled and screamed at me. The first time I sat and failed my test I sweated so much the windows of the car steamed up and I was shaking so badly I couldn't keep my foot steady on the clutch. i found the whole experience very frustrating as I had done pretty well at school /uni and found dealing with the failure realy hard. In the end I asked my GP for some Valium and took a quarter tablet very early on the morning of the test. I had also been out the night before practising with DH which was dreadful - ended up in tears and had privately decided that if I failed again I would give up. However I DID pass and was so pleased. Do persevere as it makes you so much more independent and makes life so much easier. I do think that taking the pressure off by saying to myself if I failed again I'd give up made the difference - as others have said concentrate on learning to drive and try not to think too much about the test . GOOD LUCK !!

Thanks for the poster who suggested valium. I will definitely try that when I learn to drive. I have failed 4 times so far.

have faith in yourself... you can do it.

my expereince.... i took the written part of the test- did the whole thing, 10 mins, even rereading the questions to ensure i was right. passed 100%. but took 4 attempts to pass the actual driving part... i just couldnt do it! phmf!
but then i had a test booked on the tuesday and my written exam expired on the weds (they only lasted for 2 yrs when i did mine).
i dedided that i wasnt going to do the written test again and that if i didnt pass this time that was IT and i was going to give up! Passed... loved it.

PS this technique worked on our IVF attempts too.... but thats a different story!

I lost count how many tests I had, I think it was 5 or 6. I was on beta blockers for the last 3...lol.

Can I hijack a wee bit? Lesely33 - How do you find out what grade your driving instructor was given? Thanks.

valium?? blimey it might be me but i wouldn't like to drive on valium let alone use for a test!

i had quiet a few tests before i passed. in the end i sort of looked on the test as another lesson and gradually relaxed during them. being nervous makes you more likely to make stupid mistakes!

Ooh I wouldn't drive having taken valium.
It'd slow down your reactions I'd have thought?

I had rescue remedy chewing gum and gnashed away through the whole test!

I wouldnt recommend valium or beta blockers for your test, its not good to drive under the influence, so it steadies your nerves-what if it also slows your reaction rates .
Manual/Auto argument-I think everyone should just learn in a manual-if they want to drive an automatic after then fine.
Agree with the other poster who say if you panic at a roundabout then you arent ready to pass your test. Your intructor should be spending more time teaching you rather than pushing you through your test when you clearly aren't ready.

TBH all the valium did was chill me. I was so so soooo nervous and it just took that away.

I've never taken it since, and i've been driving nearly eight years now, with no accidents or incidents.

my way not away.
Daft brain.

I agree with Lesley. Some people are not natural instructors. Try to get a recommendation and switch to someone better; you will notice the difference.

If you don't know where to position yourself on roundabouts - you are not ready to take your test. It is one of the basic things you must be very clear on.

I would suggest you push back the test, find a better instructor and do some work on your weak areas.

When I was learning, I told my instructor that I found roundabouts daunting. He said oh? and looped me round and round and round and round them until I could do them with my eyes closed That's what you need. Intensive work on your weak areas before you put in for your test again.

I mean, do you want to pass your test or do you want to know how to drive?

Push it back, work on those bits that let you down. You'll get there.