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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask for tolerance towards learner drivers?

141 replies

Ohtobeskiing · 22/02/2016 10:48

Dd is learning to drive and as well as her lessons she is now practising in my car. We were out this morning and experienced some awful behaviour from other drivers. For example - turning right out of a side road into a main road the driver behind her beeped their horn several times to get her to hurry up. This of course just made her anxious and she stalled. The car is clearly marked with 'L' plates. Is it so difficult to be considerate to an inexperienced driver?

OP posts:
HumptyDumptyBumpty · 22/02/2016 22:51

I didn't say all Audi and BMW drivers drive like inconsiderate arseholes. Just that proportionally more of them do than other makes of car.

And before you leap on me, I have conducted a vague study, based on my last five long trips which involved motorways. Of the forty three cars that roared up my bum, sat inches behind me and even flashed me to pull over - while I was overtaking in the overtaking lane (you know, the way you're meant to drive), 38 of those cars were Audis or BMWs. I was slightly over the speed limit while overtaking, not massively, but pulling past the car I was overtaking reasonably quickly. I wasn't sitting in that lane, or doing 55 on a motorway, I was just using the lane. So, yes, I have disdain for Audi and BMW drivers, based on personal experience.

I'm glad you're not a twattish driver. Perhaps you could spread the word among other owners? Love, the rest of us.

millymae · 22/02/2016 22:52

Sadly the roads are full of inconsiderate impatient drivers OP all of whom seem to have forgotten that they were learners once.

I can't believe that some posters have implied that you shouldn't be taking your daughter out at busy times. Of course you should - how on earth is she expected to gain experience and learn what the roads are really like to drive on if you only take her out at quiet times. The quicker she learns that on a daily basis she will have to contend with those that feel that the roads should be cleared for them so that they can get from A to B in double quick time and for whom the use of indicators is not important and red lights mean nothing the better driver she will be.

Unfortunately it's not only learner drivers who are shown little consideration by the more experienced I live close to a regional cancer centre which is not particularly well signposted so those that don't know the area frequently find themselves in the wrong lane on the roundabout for the hospital. You might think that drivers who know where they are going might be prepared to give way or slow down a bit to help the unsure and anxious, but far from it. The amount of horn beeping and gesticulating has to be heard and seen to be believed.

Pipbin · 22/02/2016 23:19

I didn't say all Audi and BMW drivers drive like inconsiderate arseholes. Just that proportionally more of them do than other makes of car.

Quite. Not all Audi and BMW drivers are inconsiderate arseholes but most inconsiderate arseholes drive Audis or BMWs.

LifeofI · 23/02/2016 02:00

I am considerate to learners but you are driving in the morning when people are rushing to work so what do you expect.
Drive afternoon around 2pm

LifeofI · 23/02/2016 02:04

I leave for work at 9.30 it is rush hour still.
I would say 10.30-11.30am and 2pm-3pm are the best times to drive.

MackerelOfFact · 23/02/2016 03:31

I'm really amazed how many people think people driving to work should have some kind of priority over learner drivers! Confused

I travel to work by tube, should beginner tube users who amble slowly down the platform, stand on the wrong side of the escalators and stop right in front of the ticket barriers to check their A to Z be banned from travelling in rush hour too?!

I'm fairly sure the transport infrastructure in this country exists for anyone who needs to use it at any time. If your job and time are SO important that you can't possibly afford be held up by lesser mortals, I suggest you use your helicopter.

HelpfulChap · 23/02/2016 05:24

9.30am is rush hour? Ive done half a days work by then! I'm in the wrong job.

P.S I broadly second the comments on Audi and BMW drivers.

HelpfulChap · 23/02/2016 06:13

Before I get accused of being Audiist, one of my best friends drives an Audi Wink

Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2016 06:39

9.30 is definitely still very busy here. Not everyone works the same hours. Confused

2.30pm onwards the school run madness starts.

Maryz · 23/02/2016 07:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2016 07:50

Seems there's some who think that 6am on industrial estates is where learners should be, or maybe half an hour on a quiet street at 11am so they don't bother any important road users.

Gileswithachainsaw · 23/02/2016 07:55

Maybe I'm. just lucky but I've been held up more by bin lorries tractors cyclists buses and breakdowns far more than by a learner driver.

perhaps we should ban buses and bin lorries .

Gileswithachainsaw · 23/02/2016 07:56

needless to say that it's life and we don't get to decide who has more right to the roads

Sparklingbrook · 23/02/2016 08:10

I have just been out to take DS to the bus stop. I got stuck behind a roadsweeper. Shock and then a lorry held up all the traffic reversing into a driveway. I had to actually stop and everything. Shock

GreatFuckability · 23/02/2016 08:20

People learning to drive often have jobs too...so by necessity have lessons in rush hour. My instructor often used to pick me up from work.

diddl · 23/02/2016 08:23

Over here only an instructor can take you out to learn to drive & I'm beginning to think that it's a good thing!

You have to do a 4 lessons in the dark 4 on the motorway & 4 on country roads at least before you can take your test.

You can't drive alone until 18 & until then anyone who sits with you has to have had a license for 5yrs.

icecreamcrackers · 23/02/2016 08:33

My husband was pulled by the police because he forgot to take my l plates off.

Homeriliad · 23/02/2016 09:00

Never really experienced stupid behaviour from BMW drivers, but lots from Audi drivers.

Maryz · 23/02/2016 09:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

diddl · 23/02/2016 09:14

I guess that you can go on private land.

It's what the kids here are used to & they all seem to pass in about 6months or so.

Well you have a numberof lessons just driving & then when ready you do the compulsary lessons & obvs more than the 12 if necessary. Each of the twelve is one & a half hrs.

So only 6hrs at each that you have to do-but more if felt necessary by the instructor.

How much motorway & driving in the dark do they have to do in UK?

tiggytape · 23/02/2016 09:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

tiggytape · 23/02/2016 09:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheXxed · 23/02/2016 09:40

My driving instructor said that people saw his AA car and assumed he was a learner driver and take the piss all the time and try to intimidate him. Not realising he has 30 years experience and reflexes of a cat.

Maryz · 23/02/2016 09:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

doughnutslikefannys · 23/02/2016 09:42

You can pass a driving test today having never gone above 50MPH and hit the motorway network tomorrow if you choose.

Yup, I passed my test having never done more than a short stretch on a dual carriageway (joined it and then took the next exit off it again) and then a month later I had to drive from Glasgow to Edinburgh and back by myself. My jaw was so tense I actually chipped a tooth and I had to change my top when I got home because I'd sweated through the first one Blush