to be so upset at not doing well at driving lessons although i have been driving for well over 10 years???

[disillusionedmum]

Yeah I feel rotten..I want a UK license and so I need to pass the practical test after passing the theory test. I am fed up of pushing a two seater buggy and panting all over town! I thought it would be easy..i thought the only problem would be switching from driving on the right to the left but here I am failing miserably in every aspect with years of bad habits driving in another country and I have lost every inch of my self confidence now

It's shit, isn't it.

I drove for 10 years in the U.S. then moved over here. I knew I could still drive on my U.S. licence for the first year, so I took a few lessons to teach me to drive manual (had never done it), then hired cars for about a week at a time a few times just to give myself practice time.

Then booked the practical test and THEN got the instructor to get me to brush up for the test.

Not sure how long you've been here or if hiring a car to practice on your own would be something you could do?

I found having the time to myself to get the feel of things was really good for my confidence. No intructor there scrutinising everything.

It may also be that you just don't get on with the instructor--you could switch if you feel like s/he is making it worse.

I had loads of bad habits too, but pulled it together and passed on my first try!

Mirror, signal, manouver..... (sigh)

disillusionedmum, I think many experienced drivers would get a shock if they had to pass a driving test today. Don't worry about it, just think what an excellent (and safe) driver you'll be when you're done!

YanknCock i think my problem is i never drove in this country before now( been here 4 years now) and so my first experience is actually this one with the instructor who although seems to be understanding makes me feel very doubtful I can't get a car cause I don't have a license yet and I ca't use my original license as it doesn't work here so all the practice I get is during those stressful and tenses two hours with the instructor[ grin]
OldLadyKnowsNothing thanks for your words but you know I find I am NOW doubting I will ever drive in a way that will get me past my test and I am a pretty confident lady in general

You are probably struggling because you have been driving for 10 years. I think I would die if I had to resit my test after driving my way for so long! I truly believe there's driving then there's instructor driving, 2 very different ways

Stick with it, you'll pass soon, good luck

Don't be afraid to sack your instructor! Some are definitely better than others. Did you talk to different instructors before choosing one?

Trying ringing around some other driving schools and explain that you can already drive but need coaching through the UK test. There may be people who specialise in that area.

Agree with Queen - don't be afraid to look around for a new instructor. I have been lucky & taken to mine really well & we have a good banter going which puts me at ease.

Yep, I agree, sack the instructor if s/he is making you uncomfortable.

Also how big a gap are you leaving in between lessons? Are you having 1 a week or more intensive?

Honestly, I think the more space you leave between lessons, the longer it takes---especially for drivers with experience. Any way you could have a week or two where you took lessons every day for 1-2 hours each day?

This worked for my DH, who had a licence, but hadn't driven in 12 years. We moved out of London and he was terrified of driving, so he had two weeks of intensive lessons to get him ready for driving up north.

Try not to worry too much if it doesn't feel like it's sinking in right away. Driving in the UK was a lot harder than I initially expected, but now it's nearly second nature (took my test five years ago). Switching sides of the road isn't simple, so don't worry if it feels weird. I STILL occasionally forget where I'm supposed to be! When I go back to the U.S. my dad sticks a post-it note in the front window saying 'KEEP RIGHT!'.

I am german, but have lived in the uk for 13 plus years and have learned to drive over here in the UK and the thought alone of driving on the other side of the road just would be freaking me out...my brain gets completely frazzled even as a pedestrian if I am in germany for a visit....

hope you can get used to the driving over here....

thanks girls! really thanks! Yes YAnknCock i do take 2 hours a week which means no practice for me except then because DH works and nobody to take care of my two kids I have my lessons every saturday and yes pinkstarfish i totally agree i would probably not mess up so much if i were on my own. I haven't tried any other instructor yet and this is just my second week so maybe give it a chance then if i am still struggling i will try someone else?? I don't want to use my instructor as my excuse if I am actually mucking up but then maybe there is someone out ther with an attitude that would tune n with my state?? Oh I dunno! I feel like a teenager all over again ( something we all pine over sometimes yeah but when we want to[ grin ]

Goodness, you're worried and it's only the second week?! You've got to give it more time! I thought you'd been taking loads of lessons already!

Definitely give it a few more times before you worry at all. Thinking back, I'm sure my first couple lessons were disasterous and knocked my confidence a bit. It's hard to go from being an 'experienced' driver to being a 'learner' again.

Wish you the best of luck with it, I think you can do it!

thanks YanknCock..you've been a loy of help! I really do hope I get there..I am soooooo fed up of walking and riding the bus with two young kids..I miss the ease of using a car..sigh! Enjoy your car