Learning to drive driving you mad?

[ShowOfHands]

So here it is, a learning to drive thread.

I think there are a few of us. I predict much swearing. Is it only me that goes one step forwards, only to go 8 steps backwards?

I'm SOH, have been learning for the grand total of a fortnight. DH is teaching me. My aim is to be driving by the end of September when dd is supposed to start nursery and they change the driving test again.

I live rurally (very rurally) and rely on dh for lifts everywhere. Even a supermarket trip is reliant upon him being home from work. And as he's a police officer, he's never home on time, works long hours and as a consequence, we're fairly isolated.

I am trying to focus on the new lease of life for us.

I don't have a provisional licence yet (still waiting for it) but live on private land with tracks of about 3 miles so am driving round a farm atm.

I'll kick off the swearing so there's no illusion of standing on ceremony. How the buggery feck do you look in 3 mirrors, one windscreen, at the speedometer and not cry all at the same time? Answers on a postcard.

Thanksyou Gauchita

I do feel a bit more confident now Sugar, the examiner said it was a good drive, and the test wasn't as bad as I thought.
Tbh, I was as gutted telling my lovely instructor, as I was hearing that I'd failed! (if that makes sense?!)

Thanks both of you. And yes... bloody cyclists!

I agree - bloody cyclists! I'm so sorry about your result, but Gauchita's right - 4 minors is actually really not bad at all, is it? And the examiner saying you'd driven well - you will have no problem in December (if you don't get a cancellation earlier than that )

Hello!
I'd been wondering if this thread was still going on. My test is Tuesday. Im absolutely shitting myself.
Did the mock test thing and got 10 minors, failed on the corner reverse and also failed in the first 3 minutes because of a stupid arsing van driver pulling up behind a bus without indicating, he hadnt pulled all the way to the curb so I just thought he was queuing behind the bus so didnt want to indicate out and overtake them. Nobhead. If that had been my real test I think some serious road rage would of happened!

I have my last lesson Monday and am going to practise my left corner reverse, everything else will be ok aslong as I stay calm and relaxed.

Was talking to my dad about it and saying I was going to buy some Kalms and he told me about these amphetimine tablets he took to keep him calm (!!!) they had been prescribed to my grandma for weight loss and she told them they would chill him right out.

On a good note I drove the kids and my sister to the McDonalds at the out of town industrial estate today, first time Ive ever drove in a car where either DH or my instructor was in with me giving me hints and tips. So I actually drove because my sister just kept silent. It was good, felt like a real driver IYGWIM

Thanks Nyz, I'd struck really lucky on my test route too- examiner told me to pull up after the next corner and reverse around it, and it was the corner I'd practised most on, couldn't believe it!
I just hope I'm as lucky route wise next time

Good luck AmazingBouncingFerret. Will check back to see how it went
Other people driving badly on the roads are a ruddy nuisance aren't they?!
Well done on your McD's trip too.

Bounty , to only get 4 minors is very good driving.
Imo , you would have passed if that bloody bike rider wasnt there that day . You will get it next time !

ROLL ON 6TH DEC! .

I didnt pass untill my 3rd test btw

I have sat-nav ! its fab , its like having a robot instrucor in the car with you !

Have forms for pass plus ....just have to send them back and do the police station classroom lesson ! .

Crikey me in a room with all those men in uniforms !
How will i be able to concentrate ???

lol @ ABF `S dad ! didnt he know it was illegal ? .

Good luck for tuesday !

DD1 has said thats shes going to sit her theory test in december !
Dh is in a huff at the moment because she hasnt had one practicle lesson yet and thinks she should before she sits theory.

I think she should do theory first so she knows the rules of the road before she gets in a car.

It would be safer for her imo.

Shes not have practicle lessons at the moment because she doesnt feel up to it as she is 6 month pg.

Im so pleased she wants to learn to drive though...and didnt leave it until she was in her 30 `s like me !

Thanks Droves
Enjoy your pass plus, sounds great! Men in uniform- extra kick up the bum for me to pass!
Hope you have a good time learn Very Important Things

Good luck to your DD for her theory, fwiw I agree with you!

If you're reading ABF, hope you manage to get a good nights' sleep, and good luck!!!

Thank you TBM. I got okish sleep but DD and I are both full of cold, so im currently drugging myself up with lemsips and dosing her with Nurofen for children! Couldnt of come at a better time...
Lesson in an hour.
Test after that!

Will be here cheering you on!
Hope the lemsip kicks in soon, and you both feel better.
Typical, eh?!

Good luck ABF with the test!

I have my second lesson today and am scared again. Not sure why. Went out a few times with DH as the instructor said to practice pulling off and checking mirrors. Which I kept forgetting with DH. Also stalled again but managed to stay calm (easy on an empty road). My steering is a bit bad though - I haven't got the hang of how much I need to turn the wheel

Hi all!

AmazingBF, good luck!!! I'm thinking of you!

Back later for a catch-up

Waves!

ABF , Its probably all over by now , but good luck today ! hope it went good for you ....

FAILED!

My cold and nerves got the better of me.
Fucked up my left reverse badly.
and got quite a few minors for petty little things that I dont normally have any trouble with.

Ah well. Looks like I'll be having to do the new type test. You only have to do one manuevre on it so fingers crossed I dont get left fucking reverse!

DH is bringing me some krispy kremes in as a commiseration treat.

I'm so sorry ABF

There are no words that'll make you feel better I know, but hope the krispy kremes help.

Join me, we'll obsess and panic for the test resit.
We'll get it next time.

Sorry again.

ABF , Sorry your nerves got you this time ....you get it next time ! im sure of it .

book your resit now !

It was my first test SMP.
I wasnt too bothered until this morning, when I got the children out of the house and had to get the pushchair out of the boot of my car and walk them to the childminders instead of bundling them in the car and driving there!

At least I know what to expect now, might take my dad's advice and pop some amphetimines.
Can you "pop" amphetimines now? Ive never heard of them being in tablet form... ah well shall just have to make do with kalms!

ABF, sorry to hear that, gutted for you. Hope the Krispy Kremes helped a bit and I agree with the rest, book the resit soon

I keep trying to post properly and catch-up but I'm covered in work these days, so I keep reading but then I have to run and can't post Hi to all, hope things are well.

Oh, Nyx, well done you driving with heels! I still have to master that, every time I have a work assignment on site I have to take my shoes in a bag and change before leaving the car

Waves!

abf amphetimines are illegal ... its the drug speed dontcha know ? .

rescue remidy spray worked wonders for me !

LOL! Yes I know they are illegal. Nasty stuff, had it once when I was a teenager the comedown the next day was enough to put me off for life!

Ok so rescue remedy spray and kalms, I'll be so chileed out people wont recognise me!

I had rescue remedy chewing gum for mine, ok it didn't make me pass, but I wasn't over anxious either

I tried beta blockers for my nerves before one of my lessons, I know some people recommend these, but imo they're awful!
My reactions were quite slow, and my spacial awareness very bad (as some poor bugger trying to get into his parked car found out!)
Glad I tried them out on just a lesson!
Though my mum took some before her CBT with no probs at all, and says they helped.
(Sorry this post is quite rambly and unhelful!)

Urgh lesson today for me.
So wanted it to be all over by now!

Hope everyone is ok.