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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Anyone else just can't get the hang of driving?

60 replies

MrsIsland · 16/09/2021 15:44

I've had 8 hours worth of lessons and still have no idea how to steer at junctions. I'm learning in an Automatic. I just feel so stupid and useless. I would quite happily give up but DH is encouraging me to keep going.

OP posts:

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 17/09/2021 16:15

@MojoMoon

Can you ride a bike? How is your steering when you do that?

I was going to ask the same thing.

Shopping trollies aren't a good analogy really because they are so difficult to manoeuvre compared with a car.

OP you only have to steer a tiny amount, especially with modern cars and power steering.

MrsPumpkinSeed · 17/09/2021 16:15

Keep going. I won't tell you how many tests I did yet never failed a single exam on my life until then.

It's so worth it, 💐

PattyPan · 17/09/2021 16:18

I had a year of lessons and still can’t stop myself from turning the wheel when I look over my shoulder I suspect I have dyspraxia though - I also spill a drink I’m holding if I bend over with it. Some people just aren’t made for driving, but 8 hours isn’t really enough to judge.

Lampzade · 17/09/2021 16:38

Don’t give up Op

ohfook · 17/09/2021 16:38

I failed many many times in my twenties and decided driving was just not for me. Had another go in my thirties with a different instructor and passed 'first' time.

MrsMoastyToasty · 17/09/2021 16:55

It's a bit like dancing. When you first learn a routine you make lots of mistakes. Then suddenly it all clicks and you're going to put the Strictly professionals to shame.
Don't be too hard on yourself. To be honest I learned more when driving in a car WITHOUT dual controls as the decisions were down to me.

Oreoreo · 17/09/2021 17:20

Driving is hard, I’ve been learning off and on for 11 years with 3 different instructors (the latest one being my father in law) and I still can’t get the hang of it my spatial awareness isn’t great either.
I’m hoping I’ll get there eventually, I’m sure most people do if they stick at it. Hopefully you get there a lot faster than me!

Garman · 17/09/2021 17:23

You steer enough to keep you on your side of the road and not into the other traffic, maybe practice at empty junctions at night, or in carparks etc? Once you start out slowly and carefully enough it doesn't matter how much you steer as you'll have time to correct it either way.

SissySpacekAteMyHamster · 17/09/2021 17:30

I find this guy really good, and I've watched a few of his videos.

Ozanj · 17/09/2021 17:38

I had huge issues turning left / right and clipping the kerb or overshooting. For left turns I found turning my steering wheel half a turn beforehand really helped

gamerchick · 17/09/2021 17:39

Took me 114 hrs. It takes as long as it takes OP.

Tangledtresses · 17/09/2021 17:41

8 hours is nothing!! I'm a very good driver now,but was dreadful in the beginning had over 40 hours of lessons when I was 17 and 27 years old passed when I was 30. I'm 50 now and drive a huge van
It takes time and practise... don't be so hard on yourself

LadyTiredWinterBottom2 · 17/09/2021 17:46

You will get there. Don't give up. I passed my test on my third attempt. I got my own car and practiced loads.

Tinkerbellfluffyboots79 · 17/09/2021 17:54

I feel your pain op. I’m dyslexic so also struggled with left and right - instructor and tester used hands as well as left and right for me. Then with steering it’s something you need to do in a low stress environment so Carpark or Similar. So train for the environment not in it so once you’re on the road with other cars you’re more confident as you sound like your so worried and stressed that you’re not really learning anything. An early morning weekend lesson might be helpful? I did auto lessons too and can only drive an automatic.

I think you’ll get there, quiet times or day or areas for now to build up your basics and your confidence then move on to more complicated routes until you’re driving in normal traffic. It does, depend where you live of course. But if you can go out with your husband in between that will help too. Just relax take the pressure off yourself and you will get there. I did eventually!

Original poster

MrsIsland · 18/09/2021 10:57

I think a lot of it is I can't see when I'm going badly wrong. My instructor says sometimes I do a junction perfectly and other times it is all over the place and I can't actually tell which is which. I just feel like I can't improve because I don't get it enough to know what's happening. Thanks for all the tips and videos. I will keep plugging away at it. I don't have anything to lose by trying

OP posts:

Okbye · 18/09/2021 11:01

I’m learning too and have had 14 lessons and I still oversteer and understeer aswell! Give yourself a break, keep going and don’t give up 💪👍

OwlinaTree · 18/09/2021 11:04

Keep going op! I have no idea how many hours i spent learning to drive. 6 instructors later I passed on the 7th test! As you can imagine, it took a while for it all to become natural for me.

I'm so glad I kept up with it though, it really has made my life so much easier and I can do so much with the children I wouldn't be able to without a car.

Wingedharpy · 18/09/2021 11:07

I've been driving 40 years OP and I still can't park straight.
Stick with it - practice make perfect (or not, in my case).

Whitefire · 18/09/2021 11:10

I took ages to learn, I only drive automatics because I just couldn't get the hang of doing everything together. Keep going, it's still early days.

BubblesThaDragoon · 21/09/2021 12:20

Also just thought OP - are you doing 2 hour slots? I started doing 2 hours but found it was too much for me as I found it so stressful I would be mentally drained by the end of the lesson - I now do 1 to 1.5 hour lessons twice a week if possible and find this easier and I get more from the lessons - maybe see if you can do 2 1 hour slots instead?

CherryRipe1 · 21/09/2021 12:38

Don't worry, you'll be fine. 8 hours is nothing! A mate failed 15 driving tests & had gazillions of lessons & is now driving. She swore me to secrecy over the failures due to another crowing freind.

Richtea2 · 15/03/2022 19:00

I am wondering how you got on with your driving lessons?
I am having problems steering and can't seem to get it.

Amykat211 · 31/03/2022 19:06

I’ve had 8 hours in london and after the last lesson, my instructor said ‘next time we’ll go back to quiet roads and practice turning left and right again’ and I felt crushed. I’m not getting it as quickly as I’d hoped. There’s so much to think about and everything goes by in a blur when dealing with junctions, roundabouts etc that I don’t learn anything because I’m too anxious to take it in. I’m determined to keep trying…hope it got easier for you and you’ve passed and are happy driving now ☺️

dottiedodah · 31/03/2022 19:20

Firstly there is no average for driving! Takes some of us longer than others. If you can go out with dh for practice this will help you .do you feel at home with driving instructor? If not try a different one .I found a female instructor helped me relax.keep going op 8 hours is nothing!

seriousandloyal · 31/03/2022 19:22

Keep going everyone who is struggling with this. I was a rubbish learner but got it in the end and I love driving now, the freedom x

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