Learning to drive

[velvetroses]

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?

I'm 24 and not even close to learning how to drive at all - I'm absolutely petrified of driving though i'm not sure why, never been in a car accident or even witnessed one and anyone I've ever been in a car with have been good drivers but I just cannot bring myself to book any lessons.
I keep using excuses like I don't need a car right now as I can walk everywhere, or we haven't got enough money left over this month, don't have enough time between looking after DS/dog/the house, couldn't afford another car anyway or the insurance and I'd never get to drive ours as DH needs it for work.
My DDad and FIL keep mithering me about when I'm going to start learning and it makes the fear even worse, like i think they are going to be watching over me constantly. I would love to learn and be able to drive but I cannot shake this feeling. I actually saw a counselor when I was in college about it and she did not help one bit! Telling me she crashed on her first test!
I don't understand why I'm so scared/worried, luckily DH isn't (massively) bothered - He'd just like to not have to drive home sometimes so he can have a drink! He's offered to take me out himself but we've just got a new car and I don't want to crash it!

@velvetroses

Been taking lessons since September 2017 so about 7 months and I’ll have had 40 lessons in total.

Mock tests are this week on Thursday/Friday then the big day on Saturday...I’m getting my hair done in the morning to relax me

I know I haven't been active on this thread in a while but I come here to tell you all I finally passed today!
4 attempts later 🚗😁😁😁

I failed twice but due to nerves. Third time the examiner got lost I think and took me through a huge roundabout 4 times. That gave me confidence that he was lost and I passed

Very well done, KizzyBear. So pleased for you.

My instructor is annoying me and I think I'll have to change him. Booked a lesson 5 days in advance, text him morning before to confirm. He didn't reply back so I called and still no reply. He finaly Texts at 9pm saying he can't do the lesson!!! So I asked let me know when you can and guess what... Still no reply.

On top of that, I've just started a new job which is full time so I'm going to have to cancel my test which is booked in June as there's no way i learn the new style test before then. I'm going to have to book a weekend test date now. Wish I just got it all over and done with.

I would definitely be changing instructors velvet that's really not on.

I've been learning since January. I don't feel really confident but my instructor has told me to book my test. Probably luckily for me, the tests are booked up until end of June so it will be start of July before I can do mine. Have done about 35 one hour lessons now so I really should be confident but I need so much more actual driving practice as it's my general driving that is worrying me. The instructor said not to practice in my partners car as the different gears/clutch etc would only hold me back on lessons. Hopefully over the next few weeks I'll gain some confidence but on a lesson recently he said it was similar to the actual test and I would have passed so he has every confidence in me but I don't!

BarbraDear it's annoying because I really liked him and I seemed to learn quickly with him...this would be my fourth instructor. Need to remember to cancel my test before its too late.

Why are you worried about your general driving? I think most learners don't feel ready when preparing for their test, I know I definitely didn't. Would this be your first test? How have you got on with the new style... I've heard it's easier.

The new style test isn't a million miles away from the old test so I wouldn't let that be a reason for delaying your test. I have taken the new test 3 times (passed last Wednesday) I'd spent 18 months learning.
I found the Sat Nav better than just listening to the examiners instructions as my nerves made me forget what was said but I could just check the screen. I also went the wrong way but still passed.
Bay parking and pull up on the right much easier than turn in the road and reverse around a corner.
I was an absolute wreck on all 3 tests so if I can pass it anyone can!

Congratulations secretred that's really good to hear. I haven't taken a lesson since I failed my test is December which is why I'm going to cancel my test booked for June. I'm going to get with another instructor and take lessons on the weekend... Hopefully I can get a weekend test or I'll have to book a morning off work for it.

Velvet I'm in Northern Ireland so I don't think it's been introduced here (instructor has never mentioned it anyway). I'm just worried about my general driving because I find it hard to judge if my car can fit between two cars if we're in heavy traffic and sometimes forget things like making sure I'm in first gear before moving off and I've had terrible trouble finding the biting point and stalling the car. Just wee things that need more practice and need to work on my common sense (it's not that common with me lol) as I do silly things and should know better by now.

So far I have been pretty good at the manouveres(?) it's just get the rest to fall into place now. It will be my first test but like others I am just calling it my practice test.

noticed this linked on another thread and thought I'd add something for the older amongst us ;)

I just passed 4 weeks ago at the grand old age of 44

It was my second test, first I failed because I stalled too many times for them to ignore. This time I got 3 minors one of which I still argue!!

I'd started lessons at the beginning of November and honestly thought it would take me months and months. I was very nervous, it's a whole different ball game when you've lived a bit and aren't a cocky over confident 17yo.

Can't comment on the new test v old test as no idea but I would say even though reverse around a corner not in test, or the turn in road, do ask to be taught it as it's cropped up quite a lot that I could have done with doing these maneouvres. I haven't needed to parallel park at all.

My maneouvre was parallel park, my smtm q were how do you know the brakes are working and operate the window.

Driving when you've passed can be a little daunting it took me a week to brave it!! especially if you are being thrown in with driving your children around, something most 17yo don't have to do.

I also was taken off guard by how different the car is to my instructors and it's taken ages to get used to it. All my markers I used for parking etc are not relevant and I've yet to crack perfect reverse bay parking in it

good luck everyone!

Thought I'd join! Test booked for the 26th July in the afternoon. By that time I will have had 28 hours of tution with a driving instructor (17 100 minute lessons) and about 20 hours of private instruction.

I'm mid 20's with two disabled children, so desperately need to be passed by the summer holidays. I passed my theory first time and only got 1 question wrong!

Things I'm finding difficult at the moment are:
Nerves - I don't even know why I'm nervous, everyone keeps telling me my driving is quite good. Just need more experience
Reversing - Still can't get to grips with how the car moves in reverse
Observations - I am doing them, but I think it need to make it a little more obvious. Both instructor and my dad keep saying they can't see me doing it, but I am seeing issues arise (like being undertaken) and handling it safely, so I might just need to turn my head more to appease them!

I passed in Feb after a few goes! I was saying on the other thread that the rest goes by sooo quickly.

I found the new style test easier than the old one, although it could be because I was rubbish at reversing around a corner and had that manoeuvre every time!

WWYDNameChange - I was the same with reversing, really couldn’t get my head around it at all. Luckily I have a really long driveway so my instructor got me to reverse up the full length of it a few timed and practice turning the wheel different ways to see what the car did. It helped me massively and I always think back to it. Someone on the other thread mentioned doing the same in a car park!

I also had the same issues with people seeing I was doing my observations. I wear glasses as well so it’s hard to see eyes move? I just did as you said and had to make my movements more exaggerated. I also did the ponytail trick!

Good luck everyone