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Original poster

**** Learning To Drive ****

52 replies

LovesTents · 15/11/2008 15:11

There used to be a learner driver group on here I skulked on, can't seem to find it now so anyone want to join me on this?

I'm having lessons,have had nine this time around and three a couple of years ago and another tonight - yuck !

My instructor is bringing me out in my own car tonight, in the dark - Yikes- I'm used to driving her one ,a little micra and we have a landrover freelander, am dreading it , what will I do without dual-controls - arrggghh.

OP posts:
Cicatrice · 15/11/2008 15:24

Me too, I am on about my 7th lesson now,having had 13 7 years ago with no discernible improvement.

I am in no way ready to go without dual controls. The very thought gives me the heebie jeebies!

Original poster
LovesTents · 15/11/2008 15:38

How are you getting on this time around?

I went out last week with DH in our freelander , it's so bloomin big. And I stalled in the middle of a mini-roundabout - my mind seems to go blank when I get to a roundabout, I never know who has right of way!

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wonderstuff · 15/11/2008 15:41

Dh is taking me out in our Xsara Picasso, is like a tank, I've failed 3 tests over the last 12 years, not learning for all 12 years, will have a go, fail then not drive for a few years. I hate it but would be so useful
Good luck tonight LT

Original poster
LovesTents · 15/11/2008 16:19

Thanks wonderstuff, I hate it too.

I find it so sressful , I just cannot imagine myself as a competent driver, negative thinking I know but most people I know have had ten lessons and are fine.

I'm in Ireand by the way where up until a few months ago nearly every learner driver would drive unaccompanied after a few lessons.They've changed the law now so we're not supposed to but I think some still do.

Are you getting lessons with an instructor wonderstuff or just off your Dh ?

OP posts:
wonderstuff · 15/11/2008 16:44

Just dh, lessons are so expensive

IllegallyBrunette · 15/11/2008 16:48

Can i join ? I had my 19th lesson today.

So far so good, I seem to have a couple of really good lessons and then a not so good one. Todays was ok except that I had to do a turn in the road and it had been a while since i'd done that and so it was a bit crappy.

Tbh I am just pleased that I am enjoying it at the moment because for a while I thought I would always dread my lessons, but I am getting there slowly but surely.

My instructor told me a while back that she'd be happy for me to go out with someone without dual controls but I have no one to do that with so will have to stick to just the lessons.

wonderstuff · 15/11/2008 17:18

glad you are enjoying it lb, i loved driving when i was 17, but dread it now, i hope i'll enjoy it again sometime

tiredemma · 15/11/2008 19:29

I have my test booked. (EEEEEKK!!)

Not telling anyone the date though- not even DP.

puffling · 15/11/2008 19:46

I am starting lessons on Monday. I had about 60 lessons 10 years ago with no hope of a test. I've also passed my theory twice!
DD is nearly 3 and I just can't bare caging lifts, walking in the rain any longer. Have a female instructor this time, hope that will help!

LadyBabo · 15/11/2008 20:56

I changed to a female instructor, puffling, best thing I ever did!
male instructor - "Nooo! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! Aargh! etc"
female instructor - "It's OK" in super reassuring tone. Has helped my confidence no end.

I now feel like I know what's going on when driving. I can even spot mistakes that other people make on the road. Mental!

But yes I have 'brain death' when approaching a roundabout too.

puffling · 15/11/2008 23:15

I'm glad you told me that ladybabo. Not to excuse my lack of road sense, I did find my male instructor impatient and unkind.

Original poster
LovesTents · 16/11/2008 00:06

I have a female instructor too, she's great, way more patient than the instuctor I had before.

Had my lesson earlier on, went ok except for one bit where she told me go through pedestrian lights that were turning amber and I decided to stop instead, just about stopped before running over pedestrians - arrggh.

Think I'm geeting a bit better though

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SmallShips · 16/11/2008 21:14

Can i join, i have my intensive course booked, starting in December. Yesterday DH took me to drive around a field, then made me go on the road, scary!

Have my theory test on the 28th Nov.

puffling · 17/11/2008 11:03

Hi. Had my first lesson today. Just did pulling off and parking. So glad I'm doing it now. Just want to pass get a car and drive off!!

Original poster
LovesTents · 18/11/2008 11:40

Hi SmallShips,welcome! How long is the intensive course?

Hi puffling, how did you find the first lesson were you nervous?

I'm still nervous and I've done 10 already. Dh wanted me to drive down to our village yesterday but I wouldn't as it was school closing time and I was afraid it would be too busy.The road is quite narrow , I was terrified a bus would come from the opposite direction and I would be squished!

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SmallShips · 18/11/2008 20:40

Hi. The intensive course it 2 weeks long! Am nervous but cant wait to get started!

hazeyjane · 18/11/2008 20:49

I have been having lessons for about 3 years, we have moved 3 times, I have had 5 different instructors and have had 2 babies whilst learning, so although I don't want to work out exactly how many (I don't want to have to know how much money i have spent!) I have had lots of lessons.

I usually dread lessons, and do feel as though I am never going to make it to a test, but tonights was really good, despite being in the dark, after an afternoon at the hospital, having been up since 4 am and the lesson involved the infamous Swindon Magic Roundabout!

I really, really hope I take and pass my test soon, because I am so fed up of lessons.

puffling · 18/11/2008 22:36

I didn't feel too nervous. Instructor was lovely. I just pulled away drove in 1st gear and parked 4 times. Next lesson, I'm progressing to turning left!!

Original poster
LovesTents · 21/11/2008 12:51

Just back from lesson 11, in my own car again, went fine.
We did some parking at a shopping centre , I find the bonnet of our car so big ,it's hard to judge whether I'm going to hit something or not.
Instructor told me she thinks I don't need any more lessons .
That I just need to go out with dh to get practice!
But I've only used the handbreak twice and just did parking today

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Cicatrice · 22/11/2008 21:37

I had another lesson today,still really struggling with the clutch (and the brakes, and the steering). I just don't seem to be developing any "feel" for it at all.

It's hit or miss if I can find the biting point at all.

LadyBabo · 24/11/2008 20:09

Biting point is difficult to get, Cicatrice, also differs from car to car. Make sure you are wearing shoes with thin soles, it will help! You will get there.

Puffling Ooh get you with your left turn! (Took me ages to get left turn. The car wouldn't do it right! Stupid car!)

SmallShips · 25/11/2008 21:03

I have my theory test on Friday morning, 1st exam i've done in years.

glitterball · 25/11/2008 21:19

can i join you?..........

i did 3 tests MANY years ago when i was 17/18...then gave up

did my theory test a couple of years ago but failed the hazaard perception bit for clicking too many times (they looked like hazaards to me ) and then gave up. again.

do you see a pattern emerging?

have now decided as a single parent i really need to be able to drive, & so am trying to force myself to re-apply for the theory again. but am worried about failing again, i think i just dont get the hazaard bit...is it just me? i've tried the practice dvds & am rubbish at them as well!

i know when i get through the theory i should be ok at the practical - before ex & i split i used to drive our car all the time, which i did fine, albeit under his constant criticism supervision. however it is cheating as only an auto, but i have no co-ordination so cant cope with the trauma of changing gears as well!

SmallShips · 28/11/2008 14:04

phew passed theory test!

Iklboo · 28/11/2008 14:05

My DH is a driving instructor. Anyone in Manchester wants lessons let me know