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Original poster

new drivers

148 replies

manky · 03/01/2002 22:08

Am nearly 37 and what with one thing and another have managed to put off learning to drive. I know life would be a lot easier if I learnt but still have a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about lessons or possibly going out on my own in the car with two children. Has anyone ever learnt to drive this late? Will this sick feeling go away? Five years ago I was in an accident while cycling where a lorry almost crushed me.Not surprisingly I'm very nervous when buses or trucks come near our car (that's just when I'm a passenger). Has anyone else been this nervous? Would hypnotherapy help?

OP posts:
SimonHoward · 26/09/2002 14:57

Rhubarb

You have just discovered my secret mission in life, to put smiles on the faces of as many women as possible (in a clean and mature way of course).

Rhubarb · 26/09/2002 15:56

I think I'm going to be sick!

SimonHoward · 27/09/2002 07:54

Somebody give Rhubarb a bucket please.

ariel · 07/10/2002 10:26

Well ive now had 8 hours of lessons, some lessons are better than others , yesterday was a bad lesson i couldnt do a thing right, i know what to do and i know when to do it but it seems as soon as i get in the car my brain turns to mush, my instructor says he is happy with my progress but i am not, my test is booked for the end of nov, why on earth does it seem that millions of people can do this with no problems, driving seems so alien to me. I know i need alot more practice and experiance and i am determined i will do it, so how are you other driving novices doing.

pena · 07/10/2002 10:38

What a coincidence. Same here I just quit my job last week to be a SAHM, and took my first driving lesson today - I HATE IT. Its one of these things that the longer u put it off, it becomes this huge bogey-man. I was telling my girlfriend, that in some ways its like having yer wisdom tooth pulled - everyone else has done it except you - u can't put it off any longer - but not exactly excited about the prospect.

ariel · 07/10/2002 13:30

I dont think i hate it yet just annoyed at myself for not being able to do it, ive got all the books available and have read them over and over again it seems so simple, yet when my instructor pulls up i freeze, mind you i feel really good when i have a good lesson, almost empowering to have all this freedom. Amen to driving(or being able to drive!!) cant wait to pass , hope that wont be to long.

SoupDragon · 07/10/2002 13:35

I've not read this entire thread but I just wanted to say that I despised every minute of learning to drive (Dad "made" us all learn at 17). However, driving by yourself is a completely different thing all together and makes it all worthwhile. The freedom ! The convenience! A car to carry home all your purchases after a mammoth shopping session!

Hang on in there!

PamT · 07/10/2002 14:48

My mum made me learn at 17 too even though I wasn't particularly keen but I'm glad that I did. I'm still not really a confident driver and hate going to busy towns or strange places. I can't imagine not being able to drive now though, I rely on the car so much. DD's playgroup is only about a mile away so I could walk but it is up a really steep hill so its not fair to make her walk there. We always walk to school though and walk to our local shops so I'm not too lazy!

SH I missed all the last bit, I've only just picked up on this thread again - good luck to DW with her dieting, at least she has something to aim for which might give her a bit more willpower. I hope something better comes up on the job front soon.

Emsiewill & Rhubarb - I don't do 'sweet', honestly and DH will confirm that for you. I can get away with a bit more on here than I can in real life though! (Or at least, on here I dare to do it, normally I would have to be quite drunk!)

SimonHoward · 07/10/2002 18:42

PamT

I have managed to get a security job that will just about pay the bills but it means shift work and an average 56 hour week to do so.

I am currently waiting for a phone call to say if I have an interview for another IT job though.

PamT · 07/10/2002 20:39

Fingers crossed for you SH. I hope you get some good news soon.

ks · 07/11/2002 12:12

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Alibubbles · 07/11/2002 12:21

Bad luck ks, I understand it's a lot tougher now. My nephew failed last week for driving too slowly, well who does get over 30mph in Cambridge!

better luck next time

badjelly · 07/11/2002 13:32

Bad luck - it's definately easier second time round. Look on the bright side, at least you didn't fail for running over a women with a pram when you were reversing round a corner (like I did)!

Wills · 07/11/2002 13:40

I managed to pass - second time around, but only after we'd spent 20 minutes hunting the car park because I'd lost the car!

ks · 07/11/2002 13:47

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aloha · 07/11/2002 14:07

Only 17year old males pass first time (at least that's what I told myself). You'll be fine next time. I had a lovely examiner on my second test who, after I'd accidentally speeded down a long road (hadn't seen the speed limit signs), said very meaninfully 'You were JUST KEEPING UP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC weren't you?' and I just nodded.

ks · 07/11/2002 14:22

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bells2 · 07/11/2002 14:44

What bad luck ks. I failed first time around (examiner had to seize control as I was about to career into an oncoming vehicle) and felt very upset and furious with myself. As I understand it though, it is very hard to pass first time around these days.

PamT · 07/11/2002 14:54

Poor you KS, try not to dwell on it. All the best drivers take more than one go at the test (that's what I used to tell myself when it took me 3 attempts). At least you now know what is expected of you and you can work on your week points with a new (hopefully better) instructor. I think half the trouble is confidence and 'the men in suits' don't always put you at ease. Don't give up now, you are nearly there.

Tinker · 07/11/2002 14:56

All the best drivers fail first time ks. I failed for speeding and failing to pull out safely behind a parked vehicle. I burst into tears when the instructor told me.

Pain in the arse though when you KNOW you can drive. Just think, when you pass, you can reverse round a corner however you want!

SofiaAmes · 07/11/2002 15:15

ks, i failed my test the first time (went through a blind intersection without even slowing down). I went back the next day (this was in the usa) and took it again and passed. And I have now been driving for 23 years without ever getting in an accident that was my fault and only one ticket (illegal u turn). My dh passed his test first time and is the worst driver i know...he has been in 3 accidents that were his fault in the last 3 years!

janh · 07/11/2002 16:04

ks, failing first time is a badge of honour, you get out there next time and show them how it's done!

SofiaAmes, you got your retest the next day? How civilised! I failed first time for a similar thing to you (not stopping at an unmarked crossroads) but with the added idiocy of not knowing the hand signal for a left turn (do you still have to know handsignals. ks?) - I stuck my right hand out and pointed across the roof. Examiner not amused.

Passed second time a month later, have never had an accident that was my fault in 30 years (though I have beaten up a few bollards in car parks) and got my first ever penalty points (doing 34/35 in a 30 limit) this year, oooh I was cross!

ks · 07/11/2002 16:28

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emsiewill · 07/11/2002 22:11

ks, I have a theory that the best drivers fail the first 5 tests. Of course, that may be because I passed on my 6th attempt!! I won't tell the whole sorry tale here, but the first 4 were all within 5 months when I was 17, and the last 2 were when I was 29, and 5 months pregnant with dd2.
Since passing (3.5 years ago) I've become soooo much more confident, it really is true that you start to learn after you've passed your test.

Eulalia · 07/11/2002 22:45

How true! I passed on my 6th attempt. The first 3 goes I was too young (17/18) although my instructor said that I was a good driver. It was the nerves/lack of confidence that got to me. And I always failed on the minimum of 2 points and on vague things like undue hesitancy. Left it for a few years till I was 21 and was mucked about by a well known driving school who just put me through when I wasn't ready (also hated the instructor). So another 2 goes was a waste of time. Then I moved to an independent female instructor and finally passed. boy was I relieved!! I also only got through because I knew someone who worked in the local pharmacy and they gave me something to calm me down (codine I think). Otherwise I don't think I'd ever have passed.

I don't think the no. of times you sit your test has anything to do with ability. Also passing exams in anything doesn't always show your ability/intelligence - some people are just better at doing exams than others.

Good luck ks - you can do it!