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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to be bloody proud that I passed my driving test 1st time in my mid 30s.

26 replies

Getsorted21 · 12/11/2017 18:54

So as a Londoner I never bothered learning to drive in my youth, after all I lived near the tube & where would I drive too.

However after having DC1 I thought right I need to get on this plus friends had started to move out of London. I had about 25 hours & booked my test but didn't feel particularly confident. Unfortunately the night before the test DC1 had to go into hospital (all was ok) & due to the doctors strike we were not discharged until 3am. I cancelled my test & fully believed I would re book it asap. Life got in the way & before I knew it I was pregnant with DC2. It was a very hard pregnancy so lessons were not possible.

Roll on Oct 17 & I realised my theory was expiring in Nov 17. Mad panic but I managed to book myself on a 30 hour intensive course with the test scheduled for the last day. Now it was automatic (lose points for this) & very intense but I managed to pass this weekend with 1 minor in busy busy Lewisham.

I've seen some threads recently about lessons & just wanted to say as someone in their mid 30s you can do it too! Plus I've just driven the family car to my mums & the supermarket. 😄

OP posts:
OhGrowUpWillYou · 12/11/2017 18:57

You rock! Grin

I passed third time and automatic only Grin at 34. I was still well chuffed.

Also a Londoner who had never needed to drive pre-DC. Had an attempt after DC1 was born and failed...and then lost heart.

After DC2, I realised I needed to be able to do the school run, ferry to parties, do a food shop etc in a car, so attempted again, failed, but put in for my next test within a couple of weeks and passed.

If you did it first time, hats off to you lady. Congratulate yourself for sure Grin

OhGrowUpWillYou · 12/11/2017 19:00

Oh and I'm 40 now and after a nervous start as a driver (took me a good 18 mtgs to feel really rely OK)..., I'm now a very cool, calm and collected driver, fine on motorways, a confident driver.

Mishappening · 12/11/2017 19:01

I did the same - had my lessons with child in the baby seat in the back!

Passed first time!!

RoseRuby26 · 12/11/2017 19:04

Congratulations! My advice is to get out and drive as much as poss to get rid of nerves. Enjoy your freedom!

deepestdarkestperu · 12/11/2017 19:05

Well done!

I passed first time last month at the age of 28 - best thing I've ever done!

glow1984 · 12/11/2017 19:10

Well done!

I am inspired :D

Also lived in London previously, so never bothered to learn. I’m now living in Kent and about to start lessons!

WonderTweek · 12/11/2017 19:20

You're ace! Well done! Smile I've had a provisional licence for about four years but I haven't even had any lessons. I'm also in my thirties. Blush Now that I have a kid I am determined to get a licence but I have to wait until I go back to work so I can actually afford it. It WILL happen this time (ahem)! Your post totally inspired me.

EleanorXx · 12/11/2017 19:21

Yadnbu, very well done!

OhGrowUpWillYou · 12/11/2017 19:22

For those still contemplating:

I always say (corny but so very true) that if I can learn to drive (nervous, dyspraxic, a tube-dependent Londoner)...anyone can!

It was the scariest and hardest (and possibly one of the priciest) things Ive ever done. But By GOD, it was worth it.

Redken24 · 12/11/2017 19:25

Well done!

Original poster
Getsorted21 · 12/11/2017 19:51

Thank you all! And for those who have also passed well done!!! Please tell me that now I will turn into a super efficient, organised person who will also lose weight as I can get to the gym?!

For anyone contemplating it DO IT, its great to feel a sense of achievement later on in life.

OP posts:
thelastredwinegum · 12/11/2017 19:51

Congratulations sorted
Have a Wine but not before driving Grin

Trills · 12/11/2017 19:52

Well done

Driving tests are HARD

deepestdarkestperu · 12/11/2017 20:08

@WonderTweek - I had two provisional licenses as my first one expired before I'd even done my theory! Blush

stardust18 · 12/11/2017 20:10

Well done you!!
I passed13 years ago now aged 22 but I'm a northerner so needed a car. 2 time for me tho the nerves got the better of me the first time. I hate to do it now I'm sure it's much harder than it used to be.

Antisocialarsebadger · 12/11/2017 20:14

Ah this gives me inspiration. I'm 38 and I've just started. I'm shockingly shite but I'm determined to do it. Someone tell me ill stop hating the lessons soon.

ZepellinBend · 12/11/2017 20:16

Well done!! This gives me hope. I've only decided this weekend I need to start driving as it's really holding me back job hunting. I did lots of lessons as a teen but stopped before my test as I had an anxiety disorder at the time.

BeALert · 12/11/2017 20:17

Well done!

A friend of mine who is dyspraxic recently passed her driving test at 45.

Tringley · 12/11/2017 20:22

I passed a few months ago aged 38. I never needed to drive, again due to living in London in my 20s and early 30s. Even now I could get by without driving if routine religious discrimination in Ireland didn't make the local school a non option for DS. So I bought a car last year, paid a fortune in insurance and twice weekly lessons and basically kept my dad hostage as a qualified driver in the passenger seat while I drove everywhere.

I went from total novice to someone who, this summer, drove all over the country with ds on adventure after adventure. I never missed being able to drive before I could but it really has opened up a world of possibilities.

hungryradish · 12/11/2017 20:27

Well done!

There's hope for everyone. I had extreme anxiety about driving - passed first time a couple of years ago aged 26 (also automatic.) I was determined to get it sorted before having children so I could get around independently. Honestly it's the best thing ever :) couldn't go back to being a non -driver now!

Singleandproud · 12/11/2017 20:41

Congratulations.

I also passed ths year (it was my goal before I turned 30). I have loved being able to travel and do days out with DD. She can have swimming lessons now as it was too far to walk and no bus service. Going to the supermarket and doing a proper shop (or just nipping there to pick up things you forgot) is a life changer.

I have my insurance with Aviva (20% off as house ins is already with them) they also ask how long you have had a licence (including provisional) which meant that my insurance was only £450 instead of over £1000 on comparison sites s Ive had my provisional since I was 17, the insurance stayed the same when I updated it to a full licence as well.

Mittens1969 · 12/11/2017 21:05

Well done, OP, you’ve done so well!! FlowersIt really does change your life and opens up new opportunities for you. I passed in my early 20s but failed first time. So well done you for passing first time as well.

Not meaning to be discouraging about losing weight. Yes you may be able to lose weight if you actually do go to the gym. But it needs extra motivation once you can drive as you stop walking as much, the car being available.

But it’s certainly a goal to aim for. Smile

Original poster
Getsorted21 · 12/11/2017 21:08

Not meaning to be discouraging about losing weight. Yes you may be able to lose weight if you actually do go to the gym. But it needs extra motivation once you can drive as you stop walking as much, the car being available

tbh all the gym classes in the world won't cancel out the effects of copious biscuit munching. 😆

OP posts:
Weather1235 · 13/11/2017 15:17

Well done !😀

Marnie182 · 13/11/2017 15:28

Well done OP
This thread has given me hope! I am in my early 30's and have done 34 lessons so far, but I am still finding it scary I need to get past my nerves.
Lovely to hear you've done it Smile