Learning to drive - does it get better?

[LearningToDrive123]

Hi everyone. I have been learning to drive since September, but have done 40 hours as I've been having 2x 2 hour lessons a week. I've passed the theory and have my test booked for February (earliest I could get due to the backlog). I'm doing automatic lessons. I've covered everything and my instructor says I'm basically test ready. Some lessons go great, but others, like today, go completely to pot. I pulled out too soon at a roundabout and my instructor had to use the break, I nearly ran through a red light and was just making silly little mistake, after silly little mistake. I've spent loads of money and it means a lot to me, as I'm a single parent to an autistic child and me being able to drive will transform our life. Is it normal to be making daft mistakes like this in some lessons, after 40hrs? Some words of encouragement, or hearing other people's experiences would really help. Thank you x

I've been driving over 30 years. On my mock test I stalled on a hill within 5 minutes and everything went downhill after that and I finished the mock test in tears. On my actual test I made a pretty big mistake but realised immediately and rectified it and I passed first time. Have faith and if you fail, book another test straight away and try again

Here's the other end to it. I've been driving for 30 years, have driven everything my license allows me to in multiple countries, all conditions at all times day and night. Not been in an accident so far touch wood.

I have a 1930's semi-detached house, original single driveway with stone walls either side, on a street with no parking, terraced on the other side. Cars are often parked right to the edge or slightly over the gateway, with cars parked on the opposite side of the street. My neighbour has a people carrier parked up to the gateway.

Most days I drive out 90 degrees in one. Some days I reverse a 90 degree turn in one. Most days it takes me 2 turns.

Other days it takes me 10 point turns either way in or out 🤷🏼‍♀️

The point being, brains are variable, but if they're safe it's ok. You got this! Embrace the human!

I started with 2hr lessons and after 90mins my concentration went. I went down to 1.5hr lessons & it really helped - less silly mistakes and it upped my confidence.

I wanted to quit sooo many times, but I made myself think I had no choice, I had to learn.

Stick at it

Yep - dyspraxic with ADHD here and passed on my 8th go. Some lessons brilliant, others terrible and could not focus during the tests at all. It gets SO much better, OP!

It gets easier; just practise, practise, practise!

I hated learning to drive (automatic too) as an adult and wasn't a natural. To my amazement and my driving instructors I passed first time. I was very nervous and made mistakes on the test but the examiner obviously realised I was cautious and wasn't about to kill anyone! Perhaps as I thought I'd messed it up from the first manoeuvre it took the pressure off me as I thought oh well I've probably failed so will try and get some dignity from the situation.

Sometimes we misjudge or make mistakes as drivers, as a lot is anticipating what others are doing. However, so do all the other drivers, I beeped someone who pulled out in front of me the other day. It happens. 15 years of driving and I have never had any points on my licence or been in an accident. It really is worth it. You won't be perfect, no-one is, but you will be good enough and you can do it! Don't expect to love it straight away when you pass either, it's a gradual process and one day you realise you've made a journey without having to think about it.

You can do it. I passed aged 44. The two weeks before my test I was convinced i would fail. If I'd been able to swap my test I probably would have. I considered pretending I was ill on the day so I didn't have to do it but the thought of all the money it cost me for the test and the instructors car made me think just try.

Anyway it went absolutely fine. Lol.

Yes! I found it really hard (nowadays I think I'd be called dyspraxic) and had to learn for ages and take my test 4 times, but I've been driving perfectly competently and safely for over 30 years now.

Practice makes perfect!

Yup.

Qualified drivers make silly mistakes too, especially those who do the test as soon as they are ‚test ready‘.

At least you have a few extra weeks practice with an instructor/ that helped me too. I learned age 18 and did about a year of 2 hrs a week because I lacked confidence.

I passed 2nd attempt in Aug, I had been learning since last October. I'm 44. Spent a fortune bought a car so had to keep on. I was even in a car crash during lessons not my fault got rear ended.
1st test in may I had 4 majors and 14 minors and felt understandably pretty shitty. Tried again Aug and passed with 4 minors. Keep at it. Even now I have good days and bad

Been driving 20yrs and never been at fault for an accident but I still sometimes make poor judgements. I also see some terrible driving everyday so don’t be hard on yourself for making mistakes. We all make mistakes. What I would say is the first year after passing is when you really properly learn how to drive and you improve so much in that time.

Yes.

It took me a whole year's worth of lessons before I took my test (and passed first time).

My parents didn't have a car, I wasn't used to travelling as a car passenger and my instructor said that I had absolutely no road sense. (Well, I'd spent my life using public transport.)

BTW, there's autism in my family and apparently I'm neurodivergent. (OCD confirmed - autism and ADHD suspected.)

I was 26 when I took my test, I think. I'm now 65.

It took me 22 months and 5 attempts to pass my test. I’ve been driving over 30 years and I still hate driving, I do it because I have to and that’s it!

I also just wanted to say do not give up!!
I wanted to drive for about 15 years but never had the confidence. I had my test booked and still kept making ‘silly’ mistakes. The week before my test I thought I just can’t do this!

Anyway, I had my test and passed first time with one minor! It has been absolutely life changing. I too have an autistic child and my life is so much better.

You can do this!

It took a long time to pass for me.I gave up for a while .However learning on an automatic was a game changer for me.I found it difficult to change gears and concentrate at the same time! Been driving now 30 years plus .never looked back

I have ADHD and find driving very difficult. I'm sure it's not the same for everyone, but essentially my brain gets overwhelmed by information and I find it very difficult picking up on the important things, like a red light or someone about to step in front of my car. So I'm constantly in a state of panic and hypervigilance when driving.