shall I put my p plates back on

[Cheeseandlobster]

I passed my test just under 2 years ago but have lost lot of confidence during lockdown. I wasnt confident anyway.

Today I need to drive 50 mins away on roads I dont know. Lots of big roundabouts and city centre driving. I am very nervous and was wondering if I should put my p plates back on just for this journey so other drivers are more sympathetic if I accidentally get in the wrong lane etc.

Good or bad idea?

I don't think many people pay much attention to P cards but do it if you feel it would make you feel more confident

To be honest, I think lots of people don't know what they mean and will just ignore them.

I think I've seen them maybe twice since I passed my test.

If your that nervy is there any alternative way you can get there?

I didn’t drive for several years and wound up getting lessons in order to rebuild confidence. Where I live, it’s compulsory for newly qualified drivers to use something similar to P plates so my instructor advised I put those up when driving by myself.
I also used to go out very early before traffic could build up - is it possible to choose a really quiet time to make your journey? Good luck!

I don't really ever notice P plates and - although this is stereotyping, so I don't know why I assume it - if I saw them on a far that didn't have a teenager in I'd assume they'd been left on by mistake! Which is ridiculous because I didn't drive myself until well into my 20s?! 😂

Can you do a train or something instead? I think if you're that worried it might affect your driving - better to build confidence back up by doing a bit at a time! If not, leave yourself TONS of time, have a quick look at the route on Google maps first so you're roughly aware of the way you go, and don't dither or make sudden adjustments if you go wrong. If you find yourself in the wrong lane at a junction, just go the way the lane says you need to, even if it's wrong, don't hang about trying to get in the right one or make a last minute attempt - just go with it, then turn round somewhere, go back the right way (this is what the extra time is for). Best advice I can give - stops you making silly moves trying to correct an error out of panic, and stops other drivers getting angry or not being able to predict what you'll do. Good luck!

Can you devise another route which avoids some of the city centre driving and all the roundabouts?

As a pp said, the best thing when you are driving is not to worry if you go wrong. The worst that can happen is that you have to find somewhere to turn round. Sometimes people will let you change lanes if you are in the wrong one, but if not, just go the wrong way.

As for P plates, I know what they mean and think they are a good idea, but people do drive like idiots around learners, so there's no guarantee that they won't do it with P plates too. Better to prepare your route carefully and see if there are alternatives to the trickiest sections.

Not sure of the point of P plates? You can either drive or you can’t. There is no in between. If you’re not confident you shouldn’t be driving. P plates won’t make any difference.

Don't put them back on. Bad drivers just see you as a target IMO.

I would totally give someone with P plates extra consideration on the roads.
I rarely see one but I think they do serve a purpose. You can have passed your test but not had that much actual driving experience and other road users don't know that.

I don't know what P plates mean?
I know I can google but if I saw you on the road I wouldn't know.
Practice plates?

You can either drive or you can’t

There's a difference between someone with 30 year's driving experience day in day out and someone who passed their test recently and has hardly been out driving yet.

@mumsiedarlingrevolta

I don't know what P plates mean? I know I can google but if I saw you on the road I wouldn't know. Practice plates?

No, not practice but probationary meaning you've not long past your test.

I’d give you consideration too. But I think I’m a patient driver anyway.

Surely most drivers know what they mean!?

I don't agree with people saying to get a train or alternative, the only way to build your confidence is to do more driving, not less. I passed my test at 39, just before the first lockdown and was nervous when I started driving again (especially as I always have DS in the back) but I just made myself do it and am now starting to actually enjoy driving. Try pretending you're on a lesson, if your teacher was anything like mine they repeated the same things so many times you can still hear them in your ear!

@PerfectionistProcrastinator

I’d give you consideration too. But I think I’m a patient driver anyway.

Surely most drivers know what they mean!?

I think most people know too.

I had my P plates on for a while after passing. So many people did stupid things around me, overtaking around corners, swerving behind me. Don’t bother OP. I didn’t even realise that it was the P plates doing it and not me until I took them off! It was really noticeable the change in how people treated me on the road when they didn’t see P plates.

I always consider them - so if waiting on a hill I don't pull up right behind in case they roll back a bit, for example.

@Pinkywoo

I don't agree with people saying to get a train or alternative, the only way to build your confidence is to do more driving, not less. I passed my test at 39, just before the first lockdown and was nervous when I started driving again (especially as I always have DS in the back) but I just made myself do it and am now starting to actually enjoy driving. Try pretending you're on a lesson, if your teacher was anything like mine they repeated the same things so many times you can still hear them in your ear!

There are ways to build confidence which doesn’t mean jumping straight into a 50 mile trip though. Obviously if there is no alternative then there is no alternative and the hints up thread about time and carrying on if in the wrong lane are important

But your not a newly qualified driver?

I think tbh drivers either give you consideration or they don't, you can't really put P plates on your car in the hope other cars will be nicer to you. Most aggressive drivers don't give a shit if your a learner or newly qualified or passed for 30 years

It would have been a good idea to practice driving over the last week or so to build your confidence if you've had to take a break. Best thing you can do now is leave plenty of time and get Google maps up so if you go wrong it's not a big deal

But @Ellpellwood anyone can roll back? Why would you not give that consideration to all drivers, you have no idea how competent the car in front is

Surely everyone knows what P plates are! I would definitely be on the lookout if there was a P plate driver in front of me.

I think it's a good idea op to put the P plate on, this way other drivers will be more considerate towards you. Plan your journey ahead and go for it. Keep calm and good l.I have a friend who didn't drive for a long time and then had to do a good 45mins journey and she did have a her new drivers plate on for assurance.

I am making myself do it now as the roads will still not be up to normal capacity. I could get a train and a bus but I am going to make myself do it.

This is the easiest route and I have already done a google map journey. Unfortunately there are lots of dual carriageways and tram tracks so you often have to travel 3 miles just to turn round in some stretches.

Coming back will be harder than going there so I will see how I get on going and may put my p plates on for the return journey

I wouldn’t assume roads will be quieter. My partner is a hgv driver and from what he has said there isn’t a great deal of difference in traffic levels

When I just passed (also 3 years ago and I'm 34) I found people were more dickish when I had the p plates on. Similar to how I see some drivers treat learners. Leave with plenty time and don't panic if you're in the wrong lane etc. Most people will let you change lanes and if not continue until your sat nav redirects you (I do this all the time haha). Good luck! You've got this.