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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Did anyone feel like they would never learn to drive?

121 replies

Jobseeker19 · 26/05/2021 16:45

I've just had my 4th lesson and I hate it.

I don't know if I'm someone that just cannot learn to drive.

I cant stay in my lane and drive straight or gauge how much to steer around a corner.

Is this normal?

OP posts:
CounsellorTroi · 26/05/2021 16:51

Yes I did. 4 lessons is nothing. Give yourself a chance!

TheGoogleMum · 26/05/2021 17:00

I tried to learn quite intensively. I ended up in tears a few times and I'm not usually much of a crier. I did learn eventually though and now am fairly confident with what I'm doing!

Topseyt · 26/05/2021 17:01

I hated learning to drive. It took me several months with lots of practice (which I also hated).

Thankfully I did pass my test first time, or I might well have given up. I was just short of my 18th birthday then. I'm 54 now and have still never managed to like driving, though I am glad I can do it as I do need it where we live.

You do have to give it more time. Four lessons isn't really enough to assess your aptitude for it, though I certainly do understand how you feel.

You d

Damnpeskykids · 26/05/2021 17:07

I feel the same OP, I've tried a couple of times, have done intensive courses and weekly lessons and just hated it! I need to learn how to drive but I honestly don't see how I can get over my feeling like I'm just shit at it, I hate the knobhead drivers that are about and just the anxiety of being on the road!

MIC2689 · 26/05/2021 17:10

Haha yes. I hated learning now to drive and it took me forever to pass my test (I won't say how many times I failed Wink) but I love driving now! It honestly does become second nature.

Original poster
Jobseeker19 · 26/05/2021 17:14

Thank you!

Your comments are really helping me because I feel like giving up.

I'm used to getting the hang of things first time round

OP posts:
NameChange74567 · 26/05/2021 17:25

Yes I hated learning to drive until I'd had about 10 lessons and I got used to the car. I would have given up if public transport in my area wasn't so bad. You've only had 4 lessons, keep going and it will get better.

Phoenix99 · 26/05/2021 20:37

My older sister and mum hate driving, it took 6 and 7 tests respectively for them to pass their tests. I thought I'd be the same. I was so nervous on my lessons that I left sweat patches on the seat on more than one occasion (huge thanks to my instructor who always laughed it off). To be honest with you, I shouldn't have worried so much. I fluffed my first test but sailed through my 2nd, despite it being much harder due to roadworks and really bad rain. I think the difference was that I believed I could do it on my second go. If you tell yourself you hate it, or that you're a bad driver then that's what it is. I've been driving for 7 years now and love it, I drive all over the place. My mum and sister still hate it and won't drive out of our small town. Once you've got the mechanics of it, it's just a matter of confidence. You can do it!

1Morewineplease · 26/05/2021 20:39

Had lessons for two years. Passed eventually.

Pagwatch · 26/05/2021 20:43

Yes, me
I had lessons booked although I was nervous and then my sister in law was killed in a crash. Soon after I moved to central london and never learnt. I finally learnt and passed my test at 30 when pregnant. It made it do much harder than it needed to be.

It’s just a skill that can be learnt like every other. There’s nothing extraordinary about finding it difficult. My advice would be to learn as soon as possible. Don’t leave it until it suddenly becomes essential. My kids learnt at 17

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 26/05/2021 20:49

Took me two years on and off to learn... Three sets of lessons. I don't know how I passed on my second attempt...

It suddenly all clicked into place though. Had my license for 8years 11 months and only a couple of minor scrapes with my own gate post. Even mastered driving in Europe with both left hand drive and right hand drive cars.

Have faith.

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 26/05/2021 20:50

Oh god yes.

Right up until I passed my test at first attempt which was such a shock I exclaimed 'you must be joking?!' Blush

It is the hardest thing I've ever learned, but I absolutely love driving now, it's one of my favouritest things to do.

Flamingmango · 26/05/2021 20:50

Took me 18 months of lessons, with lots of barely sleeping before lessons because my anxiety was so bad. Also lots of embarrassing crying in front of my (very nice) instructor but I got there and felt so proud when I passed on my second go and now I'm very confident in my driving abilities. I wanted to quit a lot of times!

PivotPivotPivottt · 26/05/2021 20:53

Yes. Took me 18 months and 4 tests and probably cost me about £2000 but I got their eventually. It didn't click until after I passed and went out in my car on my own.

countrypunk · 26/05/2021 20:59

Yes! I got through 4 instructors till I found the right one and passed my test at the ripe old age of 34. Hated it to begin with and now I love it. The feeling of independence is amazing. Just keep going. You'll get there.

llamakoala · 26/05/2021 21:04

Oh yes, it was ten years from my first lesson with my first instructor to passing my test with my third instructor. There was a few years’ gap between each of the instructors.

Biggest barrier for me was not being able to afford to have more than one/two lessons per week, so every lesson was like starting all over again. Also wasn’t particularly comfortable with my first two instructors.

In the end I went for automatic, which was the right decision for me. Passed my second test in an automatic car. Failed three manuals a few years before.

Just keep at it. Good luck!

ToooOldForThis · 26/05/2021 21:06

Passed at 30, still hate it 15 years later! Not the story you want sorry but I did pass!

Cyanchicken · 26/05/2021 21:27

Started to learn at age 28 and hated it. I used to look at old grannies driving their cars and just be so amazed that they could master it and I couldn't. Kept the lessons up and started going out on my own - I must have done the block from my apartment 100 times (it was 4 simple left turns and back to a apartment) before I tried anything else!! Eventually passed my test first time and am an excellent cautious careful driver now

JackANackAnoreeee · 26/05/2021 21:46

Yes I hated all my lessons with a passion, I was nervous and generally have no sense of direction especially in reverse.. It took me a year of two 1.5 hour lessons a week but I passed my test first time. After passing it probably took me another year to really feel comfortable with it, now I'm fine though.

TartanPunk · 26/05/2021 22:06

OP, you will be fine after a while! I passed 2nd time, it took me AGES to coordinate clutch and gears, mirrors, etc. Been driving for decades and now second nature. Don't lose heart, you will get it. 🙂

PufferFishGoneWrong · 26/05/2021 22:13

I failed 2x when I was 18 and then passed when I was 25 and 7 months pregnant.

It is now at the top of proud stuff, licence, marriage, kids and house. I love driving.

MorriseysGladioli · 26/05/2021 22:17

I gave up.
I just decided it wasn't an absolute necessity, which for me is true, but it is a pain in the arse waiting around for buses.

BonnieDundee · 26/05/2021 22:18

I hated it all through learning. I thought I'd never manage. been driving for over 30 years and am so glad I learnt. The freedom it gives you is amazing

Keep at it

Leafblower14 · 26/05/2021 22:20

Terrified of driving, had 4 different instructors as i was a nervous driver and they made me feel on edge, gave up for 6 momths. Finally mustered up the courage to take my test 2 years later, crashed my car on a learner license the week before my 3rd test and finally passed! So glad i kept going! Confidentlyly driving for 3 years now!

Okbye · 26/05/2021 22:22

I'm 34 and still don't have a license 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I know I should learn but I REALLY hate driving!