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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to wonder whether to cancel or not?

28 replies

kinkyfuckery · 05/12/2013 12:23

I'm an incredibly anxious person so could possibly be overthinking. Please be gentle with me.

I live in East coast Scotland. It's incredibly stormy here today, severe winds, fences blown down, trampolines taking off, snow blizzards etc (but no snow lying on the ground).

Tomorrow I have my first ever driving lesson booked. This is a BIG deal to me. I've never even sat behind the wheel of a car, completely new to me. I've been chatting with my instructor over text, and he's really nice and reassuring.

If this wind keeps up, it's not a good idea is it? Should I reschedule, just in case? Should I be trusting him that he'll cancel the lesson if he feels it's not safe? Surely he's sensible and wouldn't put me, him or the car at risk like that?

I'm just being stupid and anxious aren't I? He'll postpone if it's not a good idea won't he?

OP posts:

Feminine · 05/12/2013 12:24

he will cancel if it isn't safe.

I'm sure he would like to keep in one piece also :)

Good luck for when the weather calms down..

Pancakeflipper · 05/12/2013 12:25

I think the weather is supposed to be kinder tomorrow. Your instructor will cancel if it is too risky/too much damage etc.

The instructor won't put their car at risk as they need it to make a living.

GrendelsMum · 05/12/2013 12:26

Your first driving lesson is usually very low key - you'll do a lot of sitting and getting to know where things are on the dashboard - so it will probably be less of a problem to have a first lesson then any other lesson.

I'd just trust him that he'll cancel the lesson if he feels it's not safe. He might decide to do half a lesson, or similar, if he thinks that's the best way to do it.

wontletmesignin · 05/12/2013 12:26

Trust yournl instructor. He wouldnt put you in a dangerous situation.

I am also very anxious and i am in the north east. This storm has my anxiety up too.
I would be feeling the same if i had a lesson.

But do not let your anxiety get in the way.
It will all be fine. Try not to worry too much over it.

The weather may be calmer tomorrow anyway, so at least try and stop over thinking it. For right now, at least

samandi · 05/12/2013 12:29

I think you're being overly anxious and your instructor will cancel if need be.

Good luck!

woooooooobooo · 05/12/2013 12:29

Wind is forecast to die down for tomorrow. I'm west coast Scotland and wind has virtually gone now. Only 1 street back from beach and honestly thought we were going to lose our roof earlier. Your instructed will cancel if it isnt safe but you probably won't do much driving on a first lesson tbh unless you already have some experience.

mrssmith79 · 05/12/2013 12:38

I doubt you'd be doing a great deal of actual driving on your first lesson OP. Probably, if memory serves, getting familiar with the controls and mirrors etc. Maybe a short drive along a quiet road but nothing scary. I agree with the others, your instructor will know if conditions are safe. Enjoy, I came to driving in my mid twenties and can honestly say it's the best thing I ever did!

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 05/12/2013 12:41

Given you are nervous about it I think I would postpone it until a day you feel more comfortable with. You don't want to get off to a bad start and then not want to carry on.

mrstigs · 05/12/2013 12:51

He will probably drive you somewhere out of the way for you to sit and learn the controls etc. If you have an industrial estate or somesuch nearby then no doubt he'll go there. It will be sheltered and you wont do much driving at all. If you feel nervous at any time you can always tell him and you can stop. Obviously if its upsetting you you can just cancel but personally id stick with it.

canweseethebunnies · 05/12/2013 13:37

I think you're looking for an excuse to cancel because you're scared! Just go. You'll be fine. I was a very reluctant/anxious learner. If the weather is very bad, he'll cancel. Just do it. It'll be fine. Good luck x

NatashaBee · 05/12/2013 13:49

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tobiasfunke · 05/12/2013 13:53

The wind has died down now. Just go- it's fine- the instructor won't let you do anything dangerous anyway. He'll have dual controls so it's not like you'll be in complete control of the car. Just think of how fab it will be when you pass your test.

MrsTerrysChocolateOrange · 05/12/2013 15:37

If it's crappy there will be no one else on the roads. Brilliant time to learn. Good luck.

littlewhitechristmasbag · 05/12/2013 15:41

You will probably be inching round a deserted car park on your first lesson so don't worry about it.

LIZS · 05/12/2013 15:45

agree with pp , you won't go far on your first lesson . Controls, using clutch/gears, highway code etc. If you put it off you are feeding the anxiety for the next time.

Deadhamsterssmell · 05/12/2013 17:00

As winter goes on you will have lessons in worse weather than this. To be able to drive a car safely you need to be able to drive confidently in all weathers. This means learning in all weathers.

I know this is your first lesson but you will still be nervous on your second, third, fourth, etc as you are going to be learning knew things all the time. You can't cancel them all.

Trust your instructor he will have yours and his best interests at heart.

5Foot5 · 05/12/2013 17:08

I am intrigued at the idea of trampolines taking off - wow!

But as others said, trust your instructor to decide. My DD had her first driving lesson last week and, if her lesson is anything to go by, you will just be crawling around a quiet road with no traffic in second gear.

(She came home from her second lesson this week in high spirits saying she hadn't got out of second gear yet but she know how to stop properly now!)

Deadhamsterssmell · 05/12/2013 17:23

Ha ha 5Foot5 I'm pleased she can stop now, that must have been a hairy first lesson :D

I remember driving down the main road trying to change gear. I could only do it if I looked down at my gear stick! This meant lots of weaving around across the white line, I was so pleased when I learnt how to do it without looking (as was the driving instructor).

I couldn't teach people to drive...

MildDrPepperAddiction · 05/12/2013 17:29

I learned to drive in snow, winds, etc. it made me more confident as a driver in those conditions as I was taught how to handle the car. Your instructor won't put you in danger.

Original poster

kinkyfuckery · 05/12/2013 17:36

I know you are all right. We live in a town but typically first lessons are taken 15 minutes out to a very rural location where there's likely to be noone else
The wind has died down a lot, the snow is melting and although it's getting quite icy, I trust that my instructor will not do anything that puts anyone at risk.

Am going to do it. Wish me luck. Eeek.

OP posts:

SlimJiminy · 06/12/2013 15:47

Good luck! Others are right - unlikely that you'll do much actual driving on your first lesson. Plenty of sitting in the driver's seat, familiarising yourself with the steering wheel, gear stick, pedals, etc... I think I drove in one very short, straight line (a few yards) on my first lesson. That's it. You'll be fine! And I agree that it's good to have lessons in all kinds of weather so you can get used to it - much better than having a crash course over a few weeks in the summer and then having to brave snow and ice on your own in winter.

Original poster

kinkyfuckery · 06/12/2013 21:49

I did it!

Weather had improved and roads weren't icy in the slightest. There was a heap of driving though! No turning, but taking bends in the roads, stopping and starting, changing gears up to 4th. At one point I was driving at 50mph which was just really surreal considering how a couple of hours beforehand I'd not even sat behind a wheel!

Have another 2 hour lesson booked for Thursday

OP posts:

CooEeeEldridge · 06/12/2013 21:55

We'll done!!!

nitrox · 06/12/2013 22:00

Woop! Well done you!

Deadhamsterssmell · 06/12/2013 22:00

Fantastic! You'll be passing your test in no time

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