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Original poster

Learning to drive

114 replies

velvetroses · 15/01/2018 10:56

There was a thread which had tips and success stories for those learning to drive but it seems to have disappeared.

I was wondering where it went.. A few posters had their test booked and wanted to see how it went. I had mine booked for 26th Of January but rescheduled to end of February.

Anyone got a test coming up?

OP posts:
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 05/03/2018 11:13

I am currently waiting to find out if my test is being cancelled due to weather. They've cancelled the first 3 test times this morning. I was supposed to resit my test on 20th feb, but my instructor made a mistake with the time so he rebooked it for me for today. So nervous!! Feel like I've forgotten everything!! I just want to pass!! Argh!!

TheMadGardener · 07/03/2018 14:22

Let us know how you get on, slapmyarse . Wishing you all the best. My brand new licence arrived from the DVLA today - exciting!

NonePlusFive · 07/03/2018 14:43

Anyone still trying?
Failed nine times..

Original poster
velvetroses · 20/03/2018 13:05

Rebooked my test yet again for May. Need to start lessons again and if I feel confident I will look for cancellations. My test is in the morning again so I'd prefer to practice in the morning but my instructor isn't available for the morning lessons this week.

Hows everyone else?

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MissPiggysKarateChop · 20/03/2018 13:08

I've just started driving lessons (well have had about 5). I'm pretty old to be learning too, so it's interesting to read everyone's experiences. I'm nowhere near taking a test.

How many lessons did you older learners have before doing the test and how did you find the theory test?

fromsomewhereelse · 20/03/2018 13:09

I was actually going to create a thread like this, I'm doing lessons again after a long hiatus and am feeling a lot more confident after 2 lessons so far. But the thought of the test itself is still scary! How many lessons are you guys having before attempting the test?

MissPiggysKarateChop · 20/03/2018 13:10

Just want to add good luck to everyone taking tests and well done to those passing.

fromsomwhereelse I find the prospect of the test very nerve wracking - all those things you can fail for.

fromsomewhereelse · 20/03/2018 13:11

@MissPiggysKarateChop cross-posted there! I'm in my late 20s so also am a bit late but better late than never. Interestingly my instructor told me he has quite a few older clients in their 40s and 50s which made me feel somewhat better.

fromsomewhereelse · 20/03/2018 13:13

I've pretty much accepted I'll fail the first time, I've attempted the test once before (not in the UK though) and I find the experience of being alone in a car with a tester quite intense. But I'm determined not to give up and am inspired by people who keep going and eventually pass after several attempts!

MissPiggysKarateChop · 20/03/2018 13:14

@fromsomewhereelse you are considerably younger than me - I am that person in their forties Grin so likely it will take me longer than you to get there. I wish I had learned sooner but it was a combination of location (living in cities) and finance which prevented it.

Iusedtobecarmen · 20/03/2018 13:32

Hi and well done/good luck to everyone.
I'm a late learner
Never really interested or needed to drive until recently.
Don't really like learning though my instructor is great. It doesn't come easily. Sounds daft as well but I don't really get how a car works and find my coordination crap
I started last May and usually have one lesson a week. Sometimes 2. I've had huge gaps through so reality is, I've probably had equal to 7 months of weekly lessons.
I'm generally ok through my last lesson i was awful felt distracted. Had to go through a tight spot which my instructor had to talk me through. Couldn't get my steering right.
I'm doing manoeuvres at the minute which agian I find hard.
I also find judging how far I am from the kerb etc difficult.
Having said that my instructor thinks I should be looking at doing test may ish time. Though I haven't done theory yet.

TowerRose · 20/03/2018 13:47

I've been having lessons again after a 3 year gap, test booked in for next month, I'm so nervous! If I don't pass I'll have to do my retry at another test centre ages away because I'll be starting a new job that's Monday to Friday and my local test centre doesn't do weekends Sad

fromsomewhereelse · 20/03/2018 13:55

It's interesting, looking at the data from test centres women are generally less likely to pass, and I'd wager a guess women are also less likely to hold a license than men. I think men are often quite cocky and cavalier about driving - my dad likes to tell the story of how he drove himself unaccompanied to go take his test!

My local test centre is booked out til May so I'm aiming for around then. I've been considering doing an intensive course or even a residential one where you stay at accommodation and take the driving test at the end of the week away - anyone have experience with those types of courses? They're eye-wateringly expensive but if it gets the job done I won't complain. The problem with doing a lesson a week is that I find my progress is a bit slow but it's difficult to fit more in around full time work.

Buglife · 20/03/2018 14:08

I’ve just started lessons for the first time, I’m 35. I’ve had 3 and I am still pretty white at steering, I over steer on corners and grip the wheel. Also I’m breaking too hard. It’s very difficult to keep at something you feel so crap at! But I know I’ve got to get worse to get better... I don’t see myself doing a test anytime soon, I’m going to have a baby in July as well so will need to take a break then. I’m doing 1 hour a week but don’t have any ability to practise around that. So I assume I’ll have to take a lot of lessons.

Original poster
velvetroses · 22/03/2018 17:56

Does anyone have any tests coming up soon? Would love to hear experiences with the new test style! Apparently it's more easier.. Im just glad reverse around the corner has been scraped as that was my nemesis.

OP posts:
Original poster
velvetroses · 14/04/2018 20:04

Anyone taken any tests lately?

OP posts:
IMBU · 14/04/2018 20:40

Yep! I've got my test next week and I am super nervous! Confused

SlimGin · 14/04/2018 21:30

I have my test late May and already nervous! My first baby is due in September so really feel like I need to pass asap.
Any tips would be super helpful. I feel like I'm 80% 'there' but will probably only have 4/5 more 2 hour lessons.

Original poster
velvetroses · 15/04/2018 10:13

I'm going to book a test for end of May and take 2 lessons a week.

IMBU how are you feeling? How many lessons have you taken and is it your first test?

Slimgin I haven't taken a test under the New style yet so have no tips for that. How many lessons have you taken and is it your first test?

OP posts:
Original poster
velvetroses · 20/04/2018 11:54

Booked a test for early June, had no dates for May. My instructor has been ill this week so haven't had a lesson but have booked one for Monday (providing he's better).

IMBU have you had your test? How did it go?

OP posts:
Original poster
velvetroses · 30/04/2018 11:27

Just found out my instructor is going on holiday on the day of my driving test! However, he said he is travelling in the evening so I don't need to change my test thank goodness. I've booked in 2 lessons this week, one for 1.5 hours and one for 2 hours. It's going to be expensive but hopefully I can do this weekly until my test which is in about a month.

Hows everyone else doing? Any tests booked? Really want to pass this time, I've spent enough money on lessons, theory tests as my first one expired and practical tests. Really wish I just got it over and done with when I was 17.

OP posts:
NibbleOnThat · 30/04/2018 12:05

I’m also an older driver, turned 40 last year and started my lessons 2 days after that l.

My test is booked for this Saturday, first time sitting it...passed my theory on the 4th attempt Blush

I’m getting really nervous about Saturday, probably more to do with not knowing what route they’ll pick and whether I’ll make any daft mistakes like I’ve been doing in my lessons.

slbhill42 · 30/04/2018 12:53

Tips:

  1. Understand how traffic lights work. Especially ones with both round lights and arrows.
  1. If the satnav says "take the next exit", it means the next legal exit. It doesn't count the one with a no entry sign.
  1. If you suddenly realise you're in the wrong lane for the turn you need to make... do what is safe and legal. You cannot fail for taking a wrong turn, it's not a test of your navigation skills. But you can easily fail for changing lanes when it's not safe (or you haven't checked it is).
  1. Look up the list of show me/tell me questions and practice beforehand. Now some can be done on the move, you need to be able to do them without looking away from the road (eg. demisting the windows). www.gov.uk/government/publications/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions/car-show-me-tell-me-vehicle-safety-questions

Concentrate on being the best and safest driver you can, and good luck

NibbleOnThat · 30/04/2018 13:41

That Gov link is very helpful, thanks for that!

Original poster
velvetroses · 30/04/2018 13:59

Thanks for that link, I will be reading that.

Nibbleonthat how long have you been taking lessons and how many have you taken? Have you taken any mock tests with your instructor?

OP posts: