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.

Keep at it. Everytime you go out it will be easier. This time of year is perfect for night driving too with its light nights and dry weather. Get in the car every day even if you feel scared. That anxiety will pass.

My first park after passing was at a supermarket carpark and the spaces were extremely tight. I wasn't quite in right, but couldn't get it. After a few goes, a kindly man knocked on my window and asked if he wanted me to have him park for me. I was soooooo grateful.

That was a long time ago and I am great at parking now!

Oh and I’ve just remembered another time shortly after I passed that might help you realise your not alone. I parked in a big multi story car park. It was really quiet but when I got back it was pretty full and someone had parked next to me. I didn’t realise how close to a concrete pillar I was on the passenger side and when I tried to reverse out I was perilously close to it. No matter how I tried to manoeuvre I couldn’t steer the left of the car to come out clear of the sodding pillar. I walked to the exit (toddler In buggy in tow) and In desperation pressed the intercom button by the barrier and told the guy I couldn’t get my car out and could he help me reverse out safely. I was so embarrassed but just couldn’t do it. In the end I asked him if he could do it which he did because by this point both toddler and me had lost the plot. His advice was to go to the next floor up if possible in future because there weren’t any pillars

@Cutcrease very similar story to me!
Except I did scrape my car twice 🙈 and then my friends husband had to help me get it back out.

It absolutely gets better but the key is to keep going! Try to drive as much as you can, even if it’s v short journeys on routes you feel comfortable with.
And what’s really important is not to feel intimidated by other drivers. I remember as a new driver causing a massive angry queue behind me as I tried to park, nearly in tears and getting incredibly flustered until eventually something clicked and I just thought, bollocks to you all, you were all new drivers once, you will just have to wait until I’ve parked!! Took my time and got the car parked fine. I felt much more confident from that day on.

You can do it OP! The first time I drove I came to a double roundabout and got completely flustered and confused. One person even shouted out of their car at me that I should go back to driving lessons (I had P plates on) - I was so upset.

However I have now been driving a year and a half, no accidents, and I actually really enjoy it. I love the freedom is gives! Well done for passing your test and keep going xxx

'and I just thought, bollocks to you all, you were all new drivers once, you will just have to wait until I’ve parked!'

Quite right! Some people have no patience and seem to forget when they were clueless and nervous and still learning

The first time I drove after passing my test, a policeman stopped me because he thought I was a learner out without my L-plates. Another time I had to let a woman help me park in a supermarket car park because I couldn't do it. I've also had refresher lessons whenever returning to driving after a gap (uni, living in London).

I'm a reasonable driver now. I have a few blind spots; I don't like night-time motorway driving (oncoming headlights tend to wipe my night vision out, and I don't judge traffic as well when it's just a column of moving lights in the wing/rear view mirror) or very long drives of more than about an hour and a half, and I was never taught parallel parking so my attempts are a bit approximate. Also DH is a horrible back-seat driver so I ferry him as little as possible. (The only people you should trust to comment on your driving should be those qualified to do it. Never let a control freak partner, parent or in-law disrupt your concentration on the road ahead.) But limitations aside, my driving does the job of taking the kids to school, getting me to work and doing the shopping for the week.

Thanks so much everyone, you're making me feel so much better! I think I naively thought, "hey I've passed my test! I can drive! " and I can, but of course I still need so much practice. Slowly slowly!

I have been driving for ages and had a really old car. Just got a new one and wow, it's a different ball game. I feel like a beginner again. Will need to practice lots. Sure it will get better. Stick with it op.

The first time I drove after passing my test was to drive across the country on the motorway. DH deemed it worth a baptism by fire. Not my favourite journey.