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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

First solo drive ...

64 replies

Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 07:59

Posting here for traffic .
At the grand old age of 34 I passed my driving test first time yesterday with 4minors and now today I get to do my first solo drive with absolutely no where to go , full of nerves that maybe I was passed by mistake , scared I will totally screw up, but knowing I have to get out there ...
Just looking for inspiration or stories of where you went on your own first solo drive ?

OP posts:
DowntownAbby · 13/12/2019 08:04

I went somewhere quiet, OP.

Might not be a choice if you're in a city, I know, but it helped me a lot to be somewhere I could just drive calmly and steadily until I got used to not having anyone else in the car.

I remember it seemed very odd being alone in the car!

GiveHerHellFromUs · 13/12/2019 08:06

Congratulations!

Two days after I passed my test I went and bought a car with DP. My first solo drive was home up multiple dual carriages and round 4 lane roundabouts with no tax or insurance so that was fun.

Do little trips. Pop to the supermarket or local shopping centre. Go and see a friend. You'll be fine!

Winterdaysarehere · 13/12/2019 08:06

I went to Tesco!! I was 32 !!

Ffsnosexallowed · 13/12/2019 08:08

@GiveHerHellFromUs fun???? Illegal and dangerous.

Pascha · 13/12/2019 08:08

Well done! I don't remember where I went, probably shopping (was 18). Just pick a destination and go. The more you drive, the easier it seems.

Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:09

Downtown I think that’s it, not having someone there beside you, no one to turn in your seat too and just check your doing it right. I am in the city , got to get past some pretty busy roundabouts and notorious traffic hot spots to get to some quieter country lanes , but the countryside does sound more appealing .

OP posts:
Witchofzog · 13/12/2019 08:10

I passed this year at 41 and remember how scary the first drive was. We collected the car and then I drove back from town as h3 needed to collect his car. I put music on that I liked to calm me and was really proud when I did it. From there I built it up. I am still rubbish at parking though!

ItsReallyOnlyMe · 13/12/2019 08:11

It felt like a big step, I got up really early so it would be quiet and drove around.

Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:12

Thanks everyone . Tbh I booked the day off work assuming I would wallow in self pity, I genuinely thought my nerves would destroy my chance .
However, I read in some old threads on here about bananas , and ate two an hour or so before and I’m sure that’s what did it , even parallel parking on a busy road at 3:25 with the school run traffic I held it together .

OP posts:
Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:13

I didn’t genuinely expect the first trip to feel this big, I was so eager for it, now I’m just scared . I love hearing other people’s experiences though, I don’t feel such a numpty.

OP posts:
FormerlyFrikadela01 · 13/12/2019 08:14

I passed this year at 33. My first drive out was over to my mums and back through the town centre, a good 45 minute drive, I was with my partner and it was a disaster, i stalled about a million times and cried when i got home.
The day after i went to tesco on my own, much better, very calm and listening to music helped. Took me a good month or so to feel properly comfortable. I passed in may, still havent been on the motorway though.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 13/12/2019 08:16

@Ffsnosexallowed I'm well aware that it was illegal and dangerous- dangerous not so much- and the fun was sarcasm.
It was terrifying and stupid but I was young and daft.

GertrudeCB · 13/12/2019 08:16

I was 33 and my first solo drive was a dash to my mum who had had a nasty fall on the stairs.
You'll be fine, just take it slow and steady Flowers

Awkward1 · 13/12/2019 08:16

Somewhere you know and have driven before.
I think it's worse than the test knowing there's noone to see dangers.

But you will have been driving that level a while before the test too. The test is about control when you are being tested really.

Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:21

@FormerlyFrikadela01 did your instructor give you many motorway lessons ?

Thanks All for the reassurance , my DP who has been driving since he was 17 cannot seem to grasp why I’m so nervous now when I’ve been badgering on about being fed up of having to have someone with me .

OP posts:
MIdgebabe · 13/12/2019 08:26

Oh wow!
See, your driving instructor and the tester both were right about you

Get as much practise in as you can now.. a little every day if possible

MereDintofPandiculation · 13/12/2019 08:27

Don't drive far the first time. Choose somewhere you can either park or turn round, so you can tell yourself that you can drive that far, park and then walk home. Even half a mile would be fine.

You can go out for a second, longer, drive later in the day.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 13/12/2019 08:27

I did my first solo drive before I passed my test Blush I loved it but it was scary too - all the responsibility is yours.

(I was living in a rural area so it was quiet country lanes and a quarter a mile of dual carriageway. I probably didn't see more than three other cars.)

Boxerbinky · 13/12/2019 08:33

My first drive was miles on motorways following my DH home after picking up my car. Confused

The car he bought me couldn't possibly have been from the garage round the corner! I wasn't half as nervous as when I first drove my ds around the block in his car seat

You'll be fine!! Good luck Xx

Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:35

@MereDintofPandiculation that actually is a great idea . Takes a bit of the pressure off then.
@MIdgebabe I was with a dinosaur of an examiner, we were getting close to a roundabout and the end of a dual carriageway With very specific lanes , he still had not given me a direction, so I nervously said “which way would you like me to go?” And he actually told me to “shut up and wait for his instruction,” my instructor was gobsmacked and I didn’t dare say a word after , so I was very shocked with the congratulations I’m pleased to to tell you at the end .

OP posts:
Original poster
Lostinthewood · 13/12/2019 08:36

@Boxerbinky lol I’m a little bit in awe of you right now Shock

OP posts:
Bellyfullofbiscuits · 13/12/2019 08:40

You have got this. Go somewhere where you know the roads , maybe go to a shop get treat for lunch . Let us know how you get on.

welshladywhois40 · 13/12/2019 08:41

Think about an easy place to park. I remember my first solo drive and then suddenly going - where are I going to park! To start parking is the hardest until you get to practice more of it.

Pick an easy car park - head to a supermarket - normally lots of nice easy spaces

SallyLovesCheese · 13/12/2019 08:46

My first drive was from home to school, then straightaway my second drive was with a car full of friends going to McDonald's!

thatwasMauijustmessingaround · 13/12/2019 08:47

My first solo drive was to work (a route I'd done with my instructor lots).

However I got stuck behind a bin lorry and kept stalling. After regaining my composure, I made it to work and drove that route every day for about a year and was so confident in the end. I loved driving and knowing each bit of the road like the back of my hand.

So my tip is to drive to a supermarket or other place you'll need to go regularly. Supermarket to buy some car accessories? Bottle of de-icer and an air freshener?