I passed my test years ago but for a long time after that I drove maybe 1-2 times a year and on roads in familiar with. I'm ok on familiar roads and for the past year have been driving the same 2/3 routes twice a day with no problems.
For a new contract I have to drive every day on different roads and I'm terrified. I had a few refresher lessons but the instructor was a nasty, racist, sexist idiot who knocking every ounce of confidence out of me. I can't really afford to shell out for more lessons until my contract starts paying.
I made two really stupid errors this evening and I feel close to giving up. At a junction coming from a small road onto a busy A road I sat in the middle of the small road rather than positioning myself for a right turn. Another was at a crossroads, where I placed myself too far into turn box (?) because the markings were so faded. I ended up slightly blocking the way for the people turning right from the other direction.
How on earth do you build up confidence?
I passed my test nearly a decade ago with very few minors but I felt like so much was missing - I didn't know how to overtake, I had only ever driven on a duel carriageway in the left lane (because that's all they do for the test where l lived at the time), I had done big roundabouts but never been near those areas where there are a series of roundabouts all feeding into each other. It took me ages to get over the fear off all that and to learn how to deal with it.
How do you build up your confidence when so much is at risk? I've come home shaking from those mistakes, scared that I could have hurt someone.
Any tips?