Please tell me driving gets easier

[whatstheworstthatcanhappen1]

I am nearly at the point of giving up, I passed my test about 10 months ago and get so anxious when driving or if a journey is coming up.

I particularly hate stopping on a hill, with traffic lights etc as I feel like the handbrake won't hold the car, I get so worked up before and after a journey. I have never made any big mistakes and don't stall it or even roll back when I am doing a hill start but I still get so anxious.

I am at the point where I am avoiding driving unless I have to or I go at times that will be quiet on the roads and this isn't why I wanted to pass my test!

Does it get easier and when did you find it did?

[albapunk]

Just food for through but...

in an automatic (I drive manual and prefer to do so) its MUCH easier to shoot off backwards or forwards compared to a manual car, which can be pretty terrifying. It is very a much a put your foot down and go ime of trying them.

Stick with your own car for now and try facing and conquering your fears! You'll be a better all round driver for it! When I first passed I hated the first wee while, it was truly awful but now I'm whizzing about everywhere! You've said you barely stall so I think you can manage a manual no bother OP!

[NicknameUsed]

"I'm not sure most people drive manual any more tbh"

I think most people do. I don't know anyone who drives an automatic, and I know a lot of drivers.

It is very hilly where I live and I wouldn't thank you for an automatic. I drove one last week in the US, and albapunk is correct that it would be too easy to shoot forwards or backwards when you don't want to. I found it a bit like driving a dodgem car.

[FastWindow]

pictish i drive an auto now. Second one ever, after about twenty five years of manuals.

I must be getting old, but it's a delight not having to bother with gears. Especially in a traffic jam. This, from a confirmed petrolhead. Not changing gears gives me that tiny bit of extra attention i need to spare inside the car, dealing with the kids. (And saves my left knee)

Disclaimer: i keep my hand in, driving a manual Transit van like a rally driver on the odd occasion. I luffs it.

[nanetterose]

Also, although easier to drive on long journeys etc...you still have to learn to drive an auto. There are only two pedals ,but (ime) they work a bit differently.
Once you have the hang of it,you won't roll anymore than using a clutch to control.
You are still driving & you still need to concentrate.

[PageStillNotFound404]

If you're shooting forwards or backwards in an automatic, you mustn't be a particularly good or sensitive (to the car's weight/engine noise/pedal pressure) driver. I'd suggest it's your ability that's the problem rather than the car. They still need driving safely and sensibly, just as much as a manual does. I've been driving automatics for 15 years and have never shot forward/back (unless I've intended to!) or not been "in control".

Some weird mindsets towards automatics on this thread. They're not untamed horses or the prototype for a driverless car, you know. It's still up to you to drive them properly.

[NicknameUsed]

"If you're shooting forwards or backwards in an automatic, you mustn't be a particularly good or sensitive"

Nah, It only happened a couple of times, simply because I'm not used to driving automatics.

I think that there is probably a bit of snobbery from manual drivers because, physical difficulties aside, perhaps driving an automatic is regarded as a bit lazy? This isn't my view BTW, just a suggestion. I think the other reason is that perhaps the driver feels less in control of the car. In my very limited experience of driving automatics my concern would be not being able to accelerate quickly out of trouble. And I'm not confident how well I could get up the hills in my area.

I agree that they are brilliant when driving somewhere unfamiliar, and on the wrong side of the road. I would have found driving round Orlando a bit of an ordeal in a manual car.

Do automatics cost more to buy and insure than cars with manual gears?

[PageStillNotFound404]

I haven't noticed a particular difference in cost, NicknameUsed, although there do tend to be fewer autos than manuals in some models but then demand is still lower. I wouldn't know how they compare insurance-wise as I only have automatics, but I don't recall ever being asked about the transmission so I don't think it's a factor. I think insurance is still weighted to postcode, occupation, engine size and mileage far more than manual v auto. The difference I have noted is that you tend to get slightly worse fuel consumption with an auto - but to be fair I drive bigger rather than smaller engined models, 1.6 - 2.0l.

As for control, acceleration, hills etc - there really isn't any difference to driving the equivalent manual if you know how to get the best out of your car. Most of my autos have had a sports button or "kickdown" for needing to accelerate quickly out of trouble. I could, if so inclined, beat most cars away from traffic lights etc. I used to live halfway up a steep hill - my auto at the time never struggled. I've driven up and down Fish Hill outside Broadway in the Cotswolds and Sutton Bank in Yorkshire many times on holiday in my current car without any problems.

[pictish]

You don't lose your ability to drive a manual if you drive an auto!

I know that - but if you've just passed your test and driving is all new to you and you haven't yet achieved that second nature fluidity with gears, you might struggle to pick it back up again...particularly if confidence with gears is low.

[Butteredparsnips]

re Automatics. Never had an issue getting up hill and we tow a caravan. As a pp said, they are a god send in heavy traffic. I am happy to drive either, I just don't get the attitude to automatics. I can wash up by hand. I still prefer to use a dishwasher.

[Butteredparsnips]

IME Automatics only "jump" forwards if you leave them in park. Which is the same as leaving a manual car in gear and taking your foot of the clutch.

[nanetterose]

I think more people would drive automatics if they weren't so concerned with other peoples reactions.
This thread has given us a sample!
Brits are very weird round the whole driving thing - l don't think many people find it relaxing/enjoyable.
I much preferred driving in the US - a much calmer and relaxed attitude.
op as many experienced drivers have mentioned (on this thread) just keep going. Eventually,even though you might not think so, your muscles will have been learning too -and you will relax.
Oh,and if you don't have to drive very far -then don't. The car was invented to make lives easier, however you choose to interpret that is your business.

[EveOnline2016]

12 years passed my test and still get nervous at times.

[EveOnline2016]

I have never had an automatic but I'm not picky and will drive anything as long as it's safe and legal.

[Offler]

I passed my test over 20 years ago, but due to various circumstances haven't driven much until recently. Now I have a 45min each way commute on the A12/14 route and despite bricking it to start (and having the all consuming anxiety before driving, and after, and lying awake at night overthinking it all) I am now much more confident and less anxious (was never anxious whilst actually driving, it was just the before and after). I have my own car (not auto, I quite like changing gear) and whilst my parking needs some more practice, the actual driving is becoming second nature. I even managed to cope in an absolute torrential downpour on the A12, which was horrible, but I didn't panic, just slowed down (everyone did!) and took my time!

I did have a couple of refresher lessons before I started, just to get me practiced on joining the dual carriageways and overtaking, which was much easier than I thought (it's all about joining at the right speed and checking those blind spots!). I've probably driven more in the last month than I have in the last 21 years!!!

I've stalled at big roundabouts, traffic lights, accidentally gone into the wrong gear on occasion etc and nothing bad has happened, it's rectified in seconds as long as you don't get in a panic, and it's happening less and less. (But even DP, with his 25+ years of constant driving, still stalls occasionally, it happens to everyone! You are just more self conscious of everything as a newer driver 😊)