First time driving.

[StephenQueenBooks]

I passed my test yesterday, had already bought my car so was able to drive straight away. Except I've only driven with my mum in the car (23).

It's an older car so not as smooth with the gears as the brand new diesel I was learning in and I've stalled it a couple of times while getting used to the bite.

How did you get over the nerves of going out alone? I think in the back of my mind I'm thinking, well if my mum is there and I'm really bad we can always switch seats!

I passed my test years ago but I remember the feeling well! The day after I passed my test, my Mum drove her car behind me a couple of times around the block and then peeled off to let me do it by myself and that really helped. Start small and build up, one day you'll just get in the car without thinking

Just go for it. Start by driving on roads you are familiar with and go from there.

When I passed I had nowhere to go so I just drove round the block giggling like a naughty child 😂

Also, congratulations. It's an amazing feeling

Congratulations! You'll get the hang of it, maybe drive round some quiet streets first and then head off. Don't be put off by other drivers and try to relax.

I passed not long ago too, just go out and drive don’t over think it too much, xx

You can do it XX

I got my DH to drive in front of me just in case something went wrong, it didn't, of course. It's amazing how quick you get used to driving alone. I love driving

Congratulations!

Thanks guys. Feel like a right idiot. I know I can do it but the thought of stalling is terrible!

I'm going to try and build it up like you said. Plus I have to drive into the town centre next week to get dash cams fitted so I need to get the nerve haha!

I was really nervous of driving on my own for the first time and my dad essentially had to force me. He said it would help if I talked to myself whilst doing it so the silence wouldn't fuel my anxiety and it absolutely worked. The only downside is I still do it so must look utterly insane to other drivers!

Ideas:

Go out very early in the day when roads are quiet. It's light from around 5-5.30am now. Ditto late night for dark experience.

Get a P plate so people know you are a new driver

Always do the driving when going in groups, so you have the responsibility but also the control.

Find yourself a circular route that encompasses different types of road, but ends you up at your front door, so you know you won't have to worry about getting back again!

Practice setting off/finding the bit point over and over - find a supermarket after hours on a Sunday and do it there. Also do a few emergency stops/stalls and start again.

Don't worry! Everyone makes mistakes, even drivers with decades of experience. You only really learn to drive when you are doing it. Passing the test is just the start!

Go for it. If you piss about holding back you’ll forever be nervous and anxious about it. Sometimes you need to bite the bullet and get on with it. I drove down the motorway a day after I passed and that really helped my confidence.

Congratulations!

As soon as I came home from passing my test my DH had me take him out for a drive to get used to someone other than my instructor in the car. He could already drive. Then about a week later we had to bring my FIL's car to our house having driven to their house. So I had to drive out car by myself while DH drove the other one. I think I was shaking by the time I got home (40 minutes of dual carriageway and residential with some national single carriageway) but it proved I could do it. Now I drive either of our cars plus have gotten my sister and SIL's cars home too.

I found that some quiet radio on helped to make me feel less alone for a while.

I did lots and lots of small journeys. I would also drive to big supermarkets that had lots of parking so I could park away from people.

Congratulations! You've passed at the best time of year - you can go out really late, so it'll be dead quiet, but still light. Just pootle around, practise roundabouts and junctions lots. Take your phone, then you know you can always ring your mum if you get stuck (after parking of course!)

Not sure where you are based but in Ireland after you pass yuor test you can do Motorway Lessons as the motorways here (like the M50) are fecking lethal and having your test passed it not enough experience for them. Maybe see is there anything similar in your area and go in your own car.

You will be flying it in no time!! I can now hop into any car with out cutting it out/any problems, but my first time doing the test I cut out coming on to a roundabout, on the roundabout, and trying to exit the roundabout!! My parents had an automatic (which I drove for 9 months waiting on my test) and when I finally got my test date I only had a day to practice in a manual!!

I had another few lessons with my old instructor in the new car. He also did motorways with me. I also forced myself to go out on a short drive every day. I found it less stressful when I didn't actually need to go anywhere. I then slowly built up to more difficult situations. If I was doing a long unfamiliar drive I looked up the route on google maps first - so I'd know what lane I needed to be in etc.

Thanks for the advice. After work tonight I'm going to go to an old car park my instructor used to take me to to get use to starting from stopped and parking a different sized car.

Yeah, it is great it's so light so late!

I just have this horrible thought of stalling and never getting it going again. I'd have to abandon my car and walk home in disgrace 😂

I've been driving 8 months and only recently is it not bothering me driving solo.

Congrats!

It's normal to be nervous. X

If you start by doing short journeys, you can always abandon the car and walk back home. Knowing you have that option will almost certainly ensure you don't need it.

If you have to drive on an unfamiliar road, use Google Street View to "drive" the road in advance. Just be aware that a certain distance on Street View feels only about half as long when you do it real life.

Congratulations!

Just go out there and do it - you get used to it remarkably quickly. I passed my test about eighteen months ago and it's like second nature to me now. I had to pass my test to get my job so I had no choice but to get out there and drive on my own.

I love it now.

I was a very nervous driver and I didn’t drive for 10 years after I passed my test.

I HAD to drive when my DH worked away and I had 2 children under 2. I drove carefully and every route was planned and in my head.

I think the best thing is don’t put off driving, do it every day and remember you are as entitled to be on the road as everyone else.

Driving gives you so much freedom.

Best way is to just get in and practice like most of the posters above have said.

I would advise against getting a P plate though, if anything it will make you more of a target for other drivers IMO.

Another vote for just getting in the car and driving. Practise and it will get easier, especially if youre used to a diesel which is much harder to stall! Good luck!!

I remember that feeling well! Just drive, drive, drive. Start out small with just a drive to your local shop, but do it every day. It'll become second nature before you know it :) Congrats!

I just have this horrible thought of stalling and never getting it going again. I

I sympathise OP, but that's highly unlikely.

If it helps, I stalled on my test 39 years ago. Passed the test due to reacting appropriately. I stalled a car a couple of weeks ago - it's not a big deal.

Practice will give confidence and please don't feel bullied by the few aggressive tossers there can be - most people are reasonable and sympathetic.

Just go on short drives round the block until you feel confident.

Also, get some P plates if you'd rather, so other drivers can be more understanding if you're a bit slow or stall.