learning to drive at 36, really struggling, seem to make alot of mistakes:(

[florence35]

So i am learning to drive at 36 and i am finding it hard , i have had 7 lessons at 2 hours each. I suffer from nerves anyway and i panic, since a relationship breakdown a couple of years ago and i hit rock bottom, lost alot of my confidence and just felt really low. i'm quite a bright person and feel embarrased i am doing so badly which in turn then makes it worse. i never quite felt i hit it off with my instructor from the start, i dont feel he is as supportive as he could be, i expected, ah dont worry everyone makes mistakes, or thats fine,or just a bit jollier but instead it was a bit silent and sometimes he would sigh or say abrubt things... sometimes it makes me feel more anxious and stuppid,so every time after i have dreaded it. and the more i do wrong the worse i feel. i'm fine with gears, but now i'm going into town with so much happening i feel its a lot to think about, i have done roundabouts and traffic lights, quite fast busy roads and such, i keep stalling when setting off as i'm trying not to be slow, get too close to parked cars sometimes because i'm trying concentrating on other things, its more the awareness, like i stalled today uphill at a traffic calming island and didnt realise the car behind overtake me because im busy feeling stupid an trying to get going again. i try to forget it and look to next thing and deep breaths. but feel i am doing more wrong than others and i'm slow to learn. and i hate looking thick. any advice? thanks

I think you may do better with another instructor. If you feel at ease you’ll learn much quicker.

You definitely need a new instructor.

I found a really good instructor who managed to put me at ease, chatted about all kinds of things. Took me a year at an hour most weeks (term time)

I’m with wildboar-new instructor!

I learnt to drive and passed at 46, I did have quite a few lessons, in the end decided to go with automatic, which is far easier, I have just an automatic licence which is fine, there are plenty available.
Keep going, it is worth it.

Change instructor!!!

Find an instructor with a sense of humour, it makes all the difference.
I really looked forward to seeing my instructor. A good relationship is essential.

I took a long time to learn as I don't have a lot of self confidence, he kept telling me I was ready. I had probably had 12 months worth of lessons, a few more than I needed but I passed first time.

Good luck with the lessons.

You're only just beginning. You need a lot more time to pick it up. But you'll get there. And change instructor. It makes such a huge difference.

I only had a few lessons but a change of instructor was the reason - I'd never have passed with the first one.

Also do you know anyone who would just take you out to drive? time on the road makes a vast difference.

I’m learning at 26 and finding it a struggle too! I decided to do automatic in the end and am finding it easier, not having to think about gears leaves more room in my head for everything else!

hello thankyou for your advive everyone, i just wanted to put an update. i have had two lessons with a new instrutor and i have to say what a difference!! i am so lucky to have found this guy, chatty, funny, encouraging. I actually look forward to driving now and am doin far better and even if i make a mistake ( which your bound to do!) i don't feel like the only idiot in the world. I notice what is happening around me more and take in what he says because i'm not on edge and panicking the whole time. In fact i actually forget i'm nervous. I can actually see my new car in my sights now, yey :)

I was 36, took nearly two years and three instructors! I passed first time.