Going to take me 2 years to pass driving test?!

[charlottexox]

Sorry if I've put this into the wrong category, but I had no idea where to write this!
Basically, last year I was doing some driving lessons with a lovely lady in an automatic car and I have mild cerybal palsy.
It is so mild by looking at me you wouldn't know I have it. The things it effects most is my co-ordination, balance and my ability to retain a lot of important information.

I tried driving in a manual car, but with my CP I really struggled, so switched to an automatic was a lot better.
After my 10th lesson with her she said she always reviews her learners after their 10th lesson. When she reviewed me she stated that it would take me 2 years or more to pass / learn I'm so embarrassed. She did take my CP into consideration as she works with mostly people that have learning disabilities.
She did also state I'm not a natural which was upsetting, because during those 10 lessons I tried my hardest.
I had to stop learning just before Christmas because I couldn't afford it while I was moving house and bringing up a 1 year old. But now it's putting me off ever learning again.
Has anyone got any advice? Or if it took you that longer or longer to learn.

I will have a look around for a different instructor while you are studying for the theory test and saving for the lessons.

I don't have any extra needs or disabilities. I learned to drive when I was 32. It took me 6 months but I had 2x 2hour lessons a week. It took me over 50 hours of lessons and another 20 hours at least of private practice. I failed my first test and passed second time.

At no point did my instructor say anything negative to me. He actually told me that he finds the more intelligent the person the longer it takes to learn. It took me hours upon hours to learn to parallel park.

10 hours is nothing. It didn't even begin to click until 20hours for me. I recommend lessons at least 90 minutes long and ideally 2 a week.

I've been driving 2 years. I happily drive on all types of road and I park better than my DH who has driven a transit for 20 years. Don't give up!

I think she meant 'apply' and it was just a typo!

I had one lesson a week and it took me 18m to pass my test. I have dyspraxia and couldn't practice in between lessons in my Dad's car as no way was he risking his precious new car! Passed first time though and never had an accident in 24 years of driving (touch wood).

But then my ex has no medical issues etc and basically did 90% of our daily driving with me supervising him between lessons. He had 2 lessons a week and it still took him 3 years to pass his test - he was a good driver but panicked in test situations and did daft minor stuff that added to to failing - 3 times. He had to do the theory test twice as his first pass expired before he could pass the practical. So it's not just a disability issue ime, it's a confidence thing too.

Yes apply 😂😂😂. It was one of those predictive texts, but spying us very interesting🕵

It took me 4 years and 4 tests (two different centres and instructors) of on and off learning and practicing. Your instructor doesn’t sound great. It might take you 2 years but I think it was unfair of her to say that just 10 lessons in.

Took me a year and 70 hours of lessons to be ready to sit my test. I was not a natural driver at all, just didn't understand what they wanted me to do ! That was 25 years ago and I'm a reasonable driver I think. For what it's worth, I managed to pass first time (much to my amazement!) Good luck !

I was 19 when I passed my test and it took me probably around 40 hours of lessons, so quite a lot x if you can up your lessons to 2 a week then that would be an idea and half the time til passing x

Your instructor sounds more awful, the more you tell us about her. Taking you on the same stretch of road, is not going to help at all, my instructor is taking me on different routes, different roads, as roundabouts are difficult for me, he is taking me on loads of different ones, and the more he is doing that, the more confident I am getting. Try different instructors for 1 lesson and see how you gel together. I think I would have ended up slapping your one, really, she is dreadful bashing your confidence.

I’m returning to learning to drive after a long (10+ year!) break as my first instructor destroyed my confidence so much that I ended up hating driving and stopped having lessons. With a nearly 11 month old, I’d really like to be able to so am finally getting on with it.

I think finding a teacher that you trust and who works well for you is vital. It not just about liking them! My first instructor was lovely but very negative - I’m hyper critical of myself so actually need somebody to point out when I do things right as well as obviously offering constructive criticism.

Finding a laid back instructor who makes me feel confident has been a game changer. I figured out what my issues were, what I wanted from somebody and pretty much said at the start of my trial lesson, ‘I hate driving but need to do this. Please tell me when I’ve done something right as well as just offering constructive criticism as I have no confidence in my abilities.’ She did all of that and I felt happy, so went ahead with her. I’d recommend doing the same. You could always have a trial with somebody else and carry on with her if you prefer her!

Also strongly agree that it’s more about hours than weeks. I have a 90 minute sessions. I’m sure it’d take longer if I was just doing an hour.

Lastly, commenting that anybody is ‘not a natural’ is frankly ridiculous and unnecessary! Nobody is born with wheels so nobody is really a natural at driving!! It’s a learned skill. Different people learn different things at different rates.

Oh god op , it took me about two years to learn, I’m just a bit scatty!
Find another teacher and start again.

For those suggesting you go ahead and book your theory test and take it, it's worth keeping in mind that if you don't pass your practical test within 2 years of passing your theory test, your theory test pass certificate will expire and you will have to take the theory test again before you can book the practical test. For that reason it's a good idea to wait until you feel a bit more confident about wanting to take the practical, otheriwse you'll end up taking the theory test more than once. It took me five years to learn to drive, and I took and passed three theory tests in that time, because I took them way too early.

I was just telling op that she did not need an instructor to book.a theory test, she can book herself.

18 months and counting here. I’m in my 30’s and lack confidence, I’m not a natural driver at all. I’ve come under a lot of pressure from family to hurry up and pass but I’ve always said I wouldn’t take my test unless I felt confident. My advice would be don’t rush and take your time, it really doesn’t matter how long it takes to pass.

You don’t have to be ‘put forward’ for the theory test, you just do it yourself. Book it and study, it will give you confidence you need.
Then, get a new driving instructor. If you want to do it quicker, you can.

@Ansumpasty amazing username, I'm Cornish too🤣Also just worried in case if I pass my theory it'll expire by the time I do my test.

Find a new teacher OP
Honestly it took me 7 years and I had the strangest set of teachers . My lord ! Such a bunch I had
The oversharer
The let me down 1
The let me down 2
The weird shouter

Eventually a pleasant woman got me through !!

Natural driver my arse . It’s the 18 year olds who passes easily who have the most crashes . Go figure

I tried when I was 17 and I was useless I hated it and did about 13 lessons and quit. Ten yrs ltr on a whim l did about 40 lessons, marvellous instructor and passed first time. Now l love driving , best thing l ever did. I am wondering if you need a specially adapted car OP. Just A THOUGHT, GOOD LUCK !

I'm well into my second year of learning. I'll be into my 3rd year after august. I've had 9 tests but keep failing due to nerves mostly. I have no additional needs, I'm just not a natural. I took to gears like a duck to water but the actual reading of the road and working out which lane I should be in gives me a breakdown. I'm alright in lessons or just driving somewhere for the heck of it but under test conditions, I'm dismal. Don't be discouraged. If it takes you years to learn, whatever! Who cares? You'll have that licence till you're 70, it's still worth it, no matter the financial cost.

Well Charlotte she was talking bollox, you can apply for the theory test when every you want, mabey after you have had a certain amount of lessons and feel confident.

It took me years. I just had no road confidence and my spacial awareness wasn't great.

In the end what helped was doing a CBT course and getting a little moped. This helped me develop my "road sense" and in the end was probably why I finally managed to pass my car test.

You can apply for the theory any tjme, but it's only valid for 2 years. If you don't pass the manual test in this time you have to resist, so it's probably not worth doing until you're almost test ready

Just fudging so automatic took me 10 weeks

OP. this might sound crazy but bear with me.

Do you have anyone who would take you out for practice if you had your own car?
Is it worth you and your DH buying a small automatic.
Then get it converted to dual control. (£200?)
Then get friend(s) to take you out for practice?

We 'accidentally' ended up with a dual control car for DD to learn/practice in. DH ended up teaching her. No way would he have managed without the extra brakes!

@Mrsmadevans my dad has suggested perhaps a special adapted car too. Can I just ask when you say adapted what would be included?