First time driving car after passing test- AIBU to feel like crying?

[brollyjoy]

The driving was ok but I came to park once we'd got back and I was completely wide, tried to adjust it but we live on a steep hill and I just got completely flustered and chucked the keys at dh and let him do it. There was a posh car parked in front of me and I kept threatening to roll into it as I couldn't seem to find the biting point.

Agh please tell me it gets easier! I learned in a corsa and I'm driving a Ford Focus. I hate parking, the idea of doing a parallel park in this car fills me with dread tbh.

You start learning after you pass and are on the road.
Stick on your green ps and practice, it will click.

It gets easier the more you do it. We'll done for passing! Have you considered an extra course, E. G pass plus? (don't know if it's even still a thing these days...)

Drive at night (especially now it is lighter for longer) to feel confident. Go to a carpark and practise maneuvers. I have done this every time I've got a new car to get used to it.You will get there! Congratulations on passing your test

Oh OP I feel for you yes it is awful when you first pass and especially when are you driving a different car. Definitely get some green P plates as people will be more patient. It will get better soon. Just don’t give up as it’ll get worse!

The first time I drove to work after passing my driving test I scraped someone's car in the car park. I haven't done it since (I passed 8 years ago). It does get so much better the more you drive.

You’ll get to there! I passed my test, hopped into my little classic car and drove to a busy multi storey with ramps. Had a mild freak out

Thank you, I passed 3rd time and did not find the process easy at all! I think you're right that I just need to go out on my own, practice pulling over etc. I think I expected to be perfect straight away and of course that's not realistic.

Totally normal. Don't worry, just keep trying and you'll get it. Parking gets easier with practise!

*car park

Also, as others have said. Don't give up, else you will lose your confidence and start not driving/doing certain things. You've got this!

No I won't give up, I've spent far too much money on learning and I also need to ferry my toddlers about!

It took me nearly a year after passing to be confident. Just keep going out on your own and practising. You’ll get the hang of it!

I've been driving since August, after nearly a year of lessons. I still have days where I get home and sit on the drive and wonder why I bothered, I find it so stressful!
but I am enjoying the freedom, and being able to take my DC to places we couldn't get to easily on the bus, etc.
It does get better, and the wobbly days get further apart!
I am more nervous when I have another adult in the car as I feel like I'm being judged, but that is getting better too.

That's a good idea about driving every day! Not being able to practice inbetween lessons definitely slowed down my learning.

I am more nervous when I have another adult in the car as I feel like I'm being judged, but that is getting better too

Yes I think this was quite a big part of the problem today

Don't worry, it will come. When I'd just passed I used to turn up at work and ask someone to park my car for me! It takes time, it will get easier.

You’ll be fine. Every time you drive will be easier. I’m stressing about driving again after a three month break for surgery and I’ve been driving for 30 years!

I don't drive when dh is in the car. I feel his judgemental gaze

The first time I took my car out on my own I scrapped the slide down my gate post trying to park in my driveway. Leaving a massive scratch and impressive dent in what was a spotless car.

It took me ages to get used to driving my own car instead of the one I learnt in and 2 years later and Ive never parallel parked it.

Drive when the roads are quite, do any iffy local roads whilst they are quiet. There are a set of roundabouts near our local retail park that I was terrified of going around, I did it lots of times from all different directions and now I don’t even think about it.

I found driving with a satnav massively helpful, even if I knew where I was going as it warns you of turnings before hand so you can position yourself better and you aren’t so alone.

I was completely cacking myself for at least the first 10-15 times I went out myself after passing my test 6 months ago. I can promise you it gets easier. TheQueef is absolutely right - you start learning once you pass your test. The more driving you do, the better and more confident you'll get. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes either, just learn from them. You've got this, honestly.

It took me 6 months to be able to turn the music on in the car.
I used to have to go to the bathroom 3 or 4 times before driving because I was so stressed.

Stick to familiar roads at the beginning if you can and plan your other journeys. I find Google Streetview very useful to visualize where I will have to turn for example.

Today's an ideal day to go to your nearest retail park or industrial estate and get some practice as there will be nobody around to fluster you.

Id been driving 2 years when my DH taught me how to pull into a parking space forward without hitting the other cars 😂😂😂

You learn more about driving when you're out on your own than any other time. The times I've learned the most is when I've been in situations where I had no option but to do it myself - there was no one else to do it for me.

As others have said, drive regularly - the more you do it, the more comfortable and confident you will become. With parking - I'm sure your instructor told you this - but use your wing mirrors - lower them so you can see pavement edges or lines marking parking bays - it will help to guide you. I'm an experienced driver and petrolhead, but I still do that now if I need to. I've just got a new car that's bigger and parking it is a whole new ball game.

You'll get there - you will - but the more time you spend on your own in the car the better.

Practise in a quiet spot in a big gap. I used to practise when going to the gym as the road was a dead end and usually enough cars to have to parallel park but plenty of nice big gaps or just the one car to park behind (so nothing to worry about driving into behind).

But definitely keep trying. It does get easier the more you do it. It doesn't help if DH takes over. I also used to do busy junctions at quieter times (helpful as I'm a SAHM so can drive out during the day). I also did our local ring road in the evenings after we'd been somewhere, a bit of a detour but again, good practise to get familiar