Hopelessly slow at learning to drive - Anyone else been similar but succeeded eventually?

[DaisytheStrange]

Has anyone else been above averagely rubbish at learning to drive, but eventually succeeded?

I've been having an hour per week since February and can control the care and manage normal roads quite well, but fall to pieces at big multi lane junctions and roundabouts. I get confused and panic and have no idea which lane I'm supposed to be in.

My driving instructor says I keep moving over into the wrong lane and that I should stick to my original lane. Problem is, it's just not clear to me exactly where I'm supposed to be driving, cos the road markings/lines confuse me. My instructor is awesome and lovely, but I think even he is starting to lose patience with me. I'm worried he might sack me as a pupil for being so slow on the uptake and potentially dangerous.

I used to love my lessons but now I'm worried that these big junctions may turn out to be my nemesis

Would love to hear from people who have had similar problems with driving but have overcome them!

Typo: *Car not 'care'

I passed my test about 10 years ago but I still hate big junctions where there are lots of lanes. I know what you mean about drifting in to different lanes because it's not always very clear, especially if you're surrounded by other fast moving traffic. Have you tried the junctions at very quiet times, so you can take your time, and see the road markings properly without other cars getting in the way. Maybe drawing the troublesome junctions out on paper or something may help? Have you spoken to your instructor about it? Maybe he could take you to perfect your skills on a slightly smaller junction before re-tackling the bigger ones?

An hour per week isn't that much. Maybe you need to have slightly longer lessons, or 2 lessons per week so that you don't have so long to forget what you're doing? Also if you had a 2hr lesson sometimes, then you could practice the junctions a few more times at once to really get it in to your head.

Thanks littlehayleyc I will ask him to draw me a diagram of the junction, together with arrows to show the path I should be following. I have asked him this before, but he 'forgets' to do it for me. I'm building up a real mental block around one particular junction, so I'll tell him that I refuse to go this route again until he draws me my diagram!!

Your idea about going at a quiet time is a good one, if I can persuade him to do this. I've asked him for extra lessons before, but again he forgets. I hope I'm not being paranoid, but I'm starting to feel I must be a nightmare to teach and maybe one hour a week with me is all he can bear!

I've come so far now, I really don't want to give up and have wasted all my money - I'm not a stupid person - surely I should be able to get my head around some big junctions?

It took me about 40 lessons at the age of 46 and I passed second time. I hate big junctions and rarely drive anywhere I am not familiar with. I have accepted my limitations now, but I could never get my head around why I felt panicky about lots of lanes and complicated junctions when others can breeze through them without a care? I am glad I stuck with it though as it is nice to be independent. Good luck. :)

PS. I have in the past gone and studied a town center system on foot, just watched all the lanes.

Took me about 60 lessons.
changing instructors had a massive impact on my progress.

Also look at googleearth for tricky junctions and roundabouts.

I took ages to learn to drive. I had lessons from 18 and didn't pass till I was 20! I eventually passed 3rd time and am a very good driver. I get compliments on my reverse parking!

I think once you've got the general idea then it is all just practice and confidence. Push your instructor a bit more on what you need to do to improve and try 2 hr lessons, they do help. Good luck!

Five years. Eight tests. Three towns. What I really needed was more practice. Is there anyone you can go out with in the week between lessons?

DD is 17 and been having driving lessons since feb, she too had problems with roundabouts so instructor took her out to place with lots of roundabouts. I told DD at end of day instructor is being paid for a service regardless of how many times need to teach you so stop fretting about how long it takes and if they do get pissed off then its time to find another instructor.

So keep going