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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

61 replies

brollyjoy · 21/04/2019 13:44

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.

OP posts:
ShaggyRug · 21/04/2019 14:56

Honest OP I hated driving after I passed. Nobody tells you this but for many that time after passing sucks and is when you learn much more than in your lessons.

It took me weeks to feel at ease with it. But then suddenly it clicks in and you realise you’re doing it without thinking.

You’ll get there. Well done for passing Star

Pigpogtastic · 21/04/2019 14:57

Agree with everyone else. And don’t worry about how long it takes you to straighten up. I was in my 30s when I passed and I was so nervous about parallel parking I basically didn’t do it. But I did always take extra care to park close and straight.

A month or so ago I got really pissed off that I couldn’t find a space to pull into and decided to try a parallel park. Turned out all my careful attention to parking neatly had actually given me the skills I needed. I was straight in.

Topseyt · 21/04/2019 15:11

I totally get where you are coming from. I hated learning to drive and for a long time after passing my test I hated going out driving, although my Dad made me whenever he could.

Practice is key. It does get better. Although in more than 30 years of driving I have never parallel parked. I would rather drive further and walk back a mile than do that. It wasn't part of the driving test when I took mine, thankfully. I know in theory how to do it, and my Dad did make me do some when I was a learner, but I have avoided it ever since.

Practice will be key with that too, I am sure. I just don't want to do it so I don't.

Onceuponacheesecake · 21/04/2019 15:11

Keep going! It does get easier. The first time I drove after passing my test I went to Sainsbury's on a Saturday morning. Definitely regretted that, the car park was horrendous. I love driving now 😁

Inthetropics · 21/04/2019 15:21

If you have trouble parking you can always park a little (or a lot) further away and just walk a bit. Nothing wrong with doing this!

Yogagirl123 · 21/04/2019 15:24

Make sure you drive every day, it will build your confidence, I have been driving for 20 yrs and I was nervous when I was parked in front of a Lambo at school pick up the other day!

Bitchinabonnet · 21/04/2019 15:28

Bless you ! I passed on my fourth attempt and found the whole process completely nerve shredding . I completely agree with posters who have said try to drive every day to get used to it (and your new car) .
I had several mortifying experiences : trying to get up a steepish ramp in a multi storey car park and repeatedly stalling (a very kind lady actually sat next to me and helped me out , I was actually trying to do this in 3rd gear hence the stalling !😁) . Also , thinking my car had been stolen from Lakeside's car park and crying all over a security guard (turns out I was looking in the wrong car park) .
Huge congratulations on passing your test 👏👏👏
It does get easier , honestly x

Wineloffa · 21/04/2019 15:30

Totally normal! I was a nervous wreck for about 6 months after passing my test - I couldn’t even turn on the radio in the car as I found it too distracting. I now drive hundreds of miles of motorway for my job and to visit family and friends. It honestly gets easier but you have to keep driving.

ThatssomebadhatHarry · 21/04/2019 15:31

I used to hate driving. It gets easier.

FriarTuck · 21/04/2019 15:43

Get some orange cones, go to a big car park out of hours and put the cones out at the edge to mark a big parallel parking spot and practice like mad. You can't do any damage because it's just cones and if you practice regularly you can reduce the size of the gap until you're confident about parking in spaces that are car-sized. Ditto with parking in car park spaces - put the cones on each side so you can tell if you're wandering over the edge.

funnelfanjo · 21/04/2019 15:43

The first time I drove my car on my own , I drove to my grandmas to show off. She lived a mile away, we had lived in our respect houses all my life and I used to go over all the time on my push bike. I got lost. Blush

Keep going and remember all other drivers were learners/new drivers at some point too. Your confidence will come with practice - one day you’ll realise it’s all second nature to you and you’re no longer thinking about it when you’re driving.

Louiselouie0890 · 21/04/2019 15:58

I was absolutely petrified when I first passed and parking was terrifying. I went to a car park and practised parking manoeuvres in the new car it helped a lot.

Governoress86 · 21/04/2019 16:38

I passed in September just gone, and the first time I drove I couldn't get the biting point to do a hill start, I was literally in years. I couldn't parallel park either and when I did park between 2 cars I was always cock eyed.

It does get easier, I'm now nearly 7 months in and I'm pretty confident in parking and have not stalled my car in months.

The only thing I haven't done yet is go on the motorway as I'm petrified and just don't feel like doing it yet

But the more you do the easier it will become.

Original poster
brollyjoy · 21/04/2019 16:39

Thanks all! Reassuring to know I'm not alone. I think I'll ease into it slowly and keep taking the car out for a spin on my own once the kids are in bed!

OP posts:
Lottapianos · 21/04/2019 16:48

Well done for passing OP! I passed in February and the whole process has been nerve shredding. I am getting more confident each week but still feel nervous when I have to drive. It really does get easier but you have to practice and stick with it. Virtually everyone struggles with parking in the beginning so don't worry.

VampirateQueen · 21/04/2019 17:26

I took me 5 attempts to pass my test, my first time out in my car after passing, I was taking my DH home (he was my DP back then as it was early days in out relationship) and I stalled the car 3 times on a junction at the top of a big hill, o just couldn't get out of the junction, I managed it eventually, that hill still makes me panic internally even now, but I have never stalled on it since. I love driving now and have driven 6 hours to Scotland and I drove to Kent, should have been 3 hours, took 6, with two young kids in the back.
It gets better OP, just keep going and you will get there.

BoneyBackJefferson · 21/04/2019 17:52

When I passed my driving test my instructors words were

"Now you need to learn how to drive properly"

A friend of mine paid for an extra 6 lessons after her test to build up her confidence on motorways etc.

BlueMoodComing · 21/04/2019 18:04

You have learnt to pass your test. Now you will learn to drive. Take your time. Let's the knob heads over take. You will become more confident as time goes on.

JellyNo15 · 21/04/2019 18:05

It took me three attempts to pass too. Experience is what you need now. A few months and you won't think twice when you get in the car.

Alfiesmom74 · 21/04/2019 18:09

I used to drive round for ages trying to find a easy parking space. Now I reverse park every time. Honestly it does get easier, try just doing manoeuvres for an hour or so in a local car park after closing time once or twice a week. I passed on my fourth attempt and it was possibly the most hard nerve wracking experience ever but definitely worth it. It does get better my lovely 😊

Badbilly · 21/04/2019 18:27

As many posters have said, it does get easier. However, I’ve been driving since 1974, and must have driven hundreds of thousands of miles over the years, but some days I can park like a world champion car- Parker, and sometimes it takes several attempts.

When I first passed my test I didn’t finish work until about midnight, and after I had finished I would just drive for an hour or so when the roads were empty. I made many mistakes, but I made them on empty roads, and with no witnesses!

30not13 · 21/04/2019 18:39

I learnt in a 106 then when passed was driving a Focus and it felt like a tank to me! I didn't drive for a week after passing my test as I was petrified but I started small and whilst I still do not drive long distances as I haven't had need to, I am very happy and confident driving. I can even parallel park without having to line myself up to certain markers etc Grin
Take it slowly and take your time.

Thanks for passing! How was your test?

Neilsfavouritechilli · 21/04/2019 18:56

I was once you. Terrified, unable to park and hated driving. I agree you need to keep at it and also dont get disheartened when you make an error. Every cock-up I made taught me something about how not to do something. I used to talk to my husband about my mistakes and discuss how to avoid them again. I've scraped my car, survived a breakdown and now love driving so much I took a job 30 miles away and drive to work. It took time but you will get there if you don't give up.

Cutcrease · 21/04/2019 19:00

It’s petrifying being on the road just after you’ve passed your test. I remember feeling so vulnerable and totally unsure what to do without my instructor sat at the side of me. It will get easier and it might help you give yourself some more credit to know I reversed into a lamppost on my first solo journey after I passed mine. Also remember my instructor telling me I’d soon not even think about getting in the car and driving on my own. I never believed him at the time but he was so right.

spanieleyes · 21/04/2019 19:02

I used to go out on my own at 3 or 4 in the morning and just drive around for a few hours! I would find empty spaces and practice parking, check I was OK with roundabouts, hill starts and judging the width of the car ( I learnt in a peugot 205 and we had a huge Rover Sd1 which was twice the length and width!) I drove all over! When I was more confident, I went out in traffic! It probably took about 3 months untl I felt Ok driving, even longer if I had someone with meGrin

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