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Learning to drive driving you mad?

999 replies

ShowOfHands · 27/06/2010 07:33

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.

OP posts:
Igglybuff · 02/11/2010 13:39

Congratulations Bounty!!!!!

TheBountyMuncher · 02/11/2010 14:31

Thanks Iggly! Congratulations on passing your theory!
Hope you're getting on well, you'll be reversing soon I bet.

Congratulations Goth and Clouds!

And hello to everyone else!

Thread has gone quite quiet hasn't it- is everyone else keeping their moods to themselves too? Wink

SpookyMousePink · 02/11/2010 19:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

droves · 02/11/2010 20:01

WOW !

I disapear from the thread for a tiny bit , and when i come back ....More passes ! yay !

CONGRATULATIONS BOTH TO GOTH AND BOUNTY !!!!

Grin

well done girls .

TheBountyMuncher · 03/11/2010 07:53

Thankyou Spooky and droves Smile

Had a pep bollocking talk from my instructor just before the test, and think it really helped.
He pointed out quite strongly the fact that I was being so negative it was almost like I was asking them to see why I shouldn't pass. Blush

And the independant driving was not too bad at all, for anyone worried about it- that part is only 10 min, and you then only have one manoeuvre.
I went the wrong way, and had to do a U turn (I'd never done one before!) and apparently that is fine. The examiner can help you get back on to the route.

Woohoo I can do it back now!

droves · 03/11/2010 12:11

AM very very impressed with 3 MINIORS !!!

3 MINIORS !
Do you know how many people get that good a score on their test bounty ?

Not many .

Im Envy .

Igglybuff · 03/11/2010 13:15

Bounty how does the independent bit work? Is it a case of following signs to get to where the examiner wants you to go? I'm unclear about what they're looking for (I have a long way to go though before my test)

TheBountyMuncher · 03/11/2010 13:34

Grin Thanks droves!
Total luck I think, had great conditions, great time (11.11) and nice other drivers! But I'm still grinning like a crazy lady!

Iggly, for my test, examiner told me to pull over, then told me to turn left at the next junction, gave me a destination and told me to follow the signs to it.

My instructor sat in on another test ( not mine, didn't want him glaring at me from the back Wink) and apparently they pulled over, examiner gave a set of directions- eg. left at first roundabout, right at next then follow the road ahead until further notice... so I think it's a mix of signs and (very few) directions.

From my experience, and what my instructor saw, they don't give too many directions to remember, and can get you back on track if you do forget where you're going
It really isn't as bad as it sounds, and in some ways is a little bit easier as you know where you're going from the start and not worried about where they're going to make you go next (if that makes any sense!)

TheBountyMuncher · 03/11/2010 16:10

I've just made a cup of coffee, and realised I no longer have to do the whole " if I can get everything in my cup and the milk put away before the kettle boils, I'll pass my test" thing Grin

Does anyone else do that or am I a weirdo?

CloudsAway · 03/11/2010 18:44

Congrats!!

I wasn't very superstitious about passing, surpsisingly. I kind of hadn't expected to, really, thought it would take lots of goes, because I don't feel ready. I still don't!! I feel like a fraud. I've gone out a few times in the car club car, and it's been pretty hairy. Very scared.

I need to get a car really if I am going to get any better. But can't believe how much it costs. Almost £1000 for insurance for a new driver?! I thought because I'm old (ish!) that it would be way cheaper. I had a bit of driving experience in another country on my parents' insurance, but not sure if I can prove that somehow. None of the online quote things will account for it at any rate.

And just buying one is scary, as i've no-one to come with me or help judge, and I'm such a girl about cars. I want a pretty colour! :)

I don't know if 10 years old is too old. Or what is too much mileage. Or waht the engine sizes mean - I want to go on the motorway at times but not very often. Well actually right now I feel like I never ever ever want to do it, but someday I want to be at the point where I will want to! Right now I'm still too scared to go on the dual carriageway, but part of the plan of getting a car is that I'd get used to it...

I've never filled the car club car up with petrol. Every time I book it, I pray that it's already full enough, and so far it always has been. Can you believe that I have never actually done it before? Almost never been with anyone when they've had to do it either, as I hardly ever go in cars, and when I have I paid no attention, wish I had now. It's the really stupid things like that that terrify me, that I'll look like an idiot and not know how to do it or find my way in or out or whatever.

I kind of wish I was still back in the midst of the lessons, learning the basics again. It felt much more familiar and comfortable!! I miss it.

Igglybuff · 03/11/2010 19:18

ah clouds you'll be ok. Maybe ask on MN about cars Grin We've got a ford focus which is the one I'm learning in so that makes it easier for me. We went for a ford as very reliable!

TheBountyMuncher · 03/11/2010 19:39

Yes! I know what you mean, I totally feel like a fraud.
I went out today on my own (with DS) and felt like everyone knew I shouldn't really be there!
And I'm terrified of putting petrol in too- only done it once on a lesson, scary thought!

With car mileage, exH has always said nothing over 90k miles, unless it's had a new cambelt, or it's diesel, then it can be a bit more. Confused
Anything over 1.2 litre will cost a fortune to insure.

I have one for now, it's a bit old and uncool (and cost me £1031 to insure!!) but when I've had some experience want to get a nicer one Grin

SparklerMousePink · 03/11/2010 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheBountyMuncher · 03/11/2010 21:40

Thanks Sparkler (like your new name) I hope so! I've not put P plates on, because I don't want to be marking myself out as a target for tossers (IYKWIM) but then I'm not sure if I should- just to warn people...

My cars a grumpy 13 year old metro, like you said though, it gets from A to B Grin

I popped into the next village to go to the bank (normally have to wait ages for the bus, and then it goes past just about every house in the whole village!) and I picked up a big box of washing powder too (was grinning madly to myself when I put it in the car, little things please little minds eh?!)

CloudsAway · 03/11/2010 22:29

My instructor said that the P plates wouldn't be a good idea, as people would just pull out around me or whatever. But I kind of want them so that they're sympathetic when I stall or am in the wrong lane or something.

I've heard good things about Ford focus. It's useful to know that the mileage can be quite high and it's still ok though! And that bigger engines cost most to insure. I didn't even know that.. Is a 1.2 good enough for motorway driving, if I ever decide to do that? It's depressing that insurance is still close to £1000 though. I thought it'd be way less than that. My friend's is a couple of hundred, but she's been driving for ages.

I feel like I'm going to lose all my skills if I don't start driving soon. I'm glad I've had the few extra lessons and have got the car club car, but even then it's pretty sporadic.

I'm glad I@m not the only one who's never put petrol in. I feel like such an idiot for not being confident about things like that.

CloudsAway · 03/11/2010 23:04

And how do you ever go for a test drive, if you haven't got any insurance?! Or get the car home again. Because you can't get insurance til you know what car it is, surely? And do they have to come with you on a test drive? I woudln't want to drive in front of anyone else yet!!

working9while5 · 04/11/2010 11:24

Oh I am going mad here and I need some support/advice something.

Basically been learning in an automatic since last March when ds was 3 months. Learned with a woman I met a baby group who I became friendly with.

Took a test in August, failed (3 serious, 15 faults overall). Took a test three weeks later after an intensive in Blackpool while original driving instructor was on hols because we had been just talking too much and felt we needed a break from eachother - failed though, 3 serious (all different to last time!), 8 overall.

Have been doing a 2 hour lesson every Sat. I am so broke it is not funny. New driving instructor said to book a Saturday test. Anyway, you can only get Saturday classes on cancellation, so one came up and I booked it. He can't do it, so I was going to lose £75!

Decided to ask my friend would she do it after much discussion with another friend/my dh. She said she will but is clearly pissed off with me (and I understand why) and has said her rate is now £24.50 (was £20 before).

I just want to crawl into a hole somewhere and never get behind the wheel of a car again. It is all so stupidly stressful.

If I fail on Saturday, that's it. I have to walk away for a while. I just feel so awful about the whole situation and think it is highly unlikely that I will pass now anyway.

I hate it, hate it, hate it! Sad

TheBountyMuncher · 04/11/2010 12:14

Ohhh working Sad
I really do understand how you feel.
Like it'll never happen, but you're in limbo having spent so much money you can't quit, but can't ever see yourself passing.

But you can do this. You are capable, you just need to trust yourself.
I know it's no help, but I'll be here rooting for you.

2 bananas, 2 paracetamol, a squirt of rescue remedy before your test works wonders, I'm sure it does.

Crossing everything for you.

working9while5 · 04/11/2010 12:26

Thanks, Bounty. I see you passed, congrats!

Have been told by three different instructors I am test ready and I don't even feel nervous so much on the day, just overthink things a lot. Will try to dampen down the ol' brain on Sat! And eat those bananas, that's a new one on me!

TheBountyMuncher · 04/11/2010 12:39

Thanks Smile it was my last go too, had neither the money or strength left for another one.

Yep, no thinking, just doing on saturday!!

Igglybuff · 04/11/2010 13:42

cloud I spoke to DH about test drives. He says that you're covered by their insurers. Also some dealers will let you test drive solo, some won't.

Is there anyone you can take, even if they're not a car expert, just for moral support? You could do your research beforehand and decide on what you want ?

SparklerMousePink · 04/11/2010 19:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Igglybuff · 04/11/2010 19:35

Sparkled - you're right, I meant for car dealers. We've not bought a car privately before so I don't know how it works!

Igglybuff · 04/11/2010 19:35

Sorry Sparkler my phone defaulted to Sparkled!!!

CloudsAway · 04/11/2010 20:15

ah, that might be the difference then - the Auto Trader magazine that I looked in saying the 'buying guide' that you had to make sure to bring your insurance with you, and I thought 'how the hell do I do that?!' because I won't have any insurance until I get it. But if that is only for private sales that's probably OK, becase I'm much more likely to want to go to a garage anyway, that would have a warranty and stuff. But do I have to ask them about the insurance then? I hate talking in situations like this, never know what to say. Also why I don't want them to come with me when I drive, as I do such stupid things and I'm embarrassed. I have a couple of friends who I possibly could talk into it, but really they are too busy and I know it'd be a bit of a hassle for them - I might, though, if I found something that I was quite sure about. I think my driving instructor might come with me the first time, too, just so that I'd get over the initial nervousness, which would help a lot, like as part of a lesson or something.

I don't know what I want really; more just that it has to be quite cheap, given that the insurance is going to be bad. I'd no idea that the insurance was as high as that! My friend's is only £200 or something, but she's been driving a long time. I guess if I have special circumstances like driving abroad, I'd have to phone or something to arrange it, rather than doing it online, which I would prefer (less talking!). But if it would help save a lot of money, I guess I'd have to. I don't know how I'd prove it though, unless my parents can find some record from their company. And how do you get the car home from the dealer? Someone you know who has third party insurance would have to drive it? Or the garage's insurance would cover you until you got it home maybe?

This sort of thing is sooo scary. And so expensive. And so pointless, as I really don't need a car. But yet without one, I will never get the practice that I need to get confident enough that I could go back to it in the future. I need to drive a lot for a year or two really, learn it to the point that I wouldn't forget, and then I could leave it for a bit.

working, that sounds like a hard situation. Is it this Saturday? I was surprised at how close you could get to the test date and still cancel/rearrange - mine was on a Friday, and I could do it up til the Monday before. So if it's not this Saturday, you could perhaps change, and try for a cancellation when your instructor is available. I sort of saw mine as a practice test really, not exactly expecting to pass, but just to see how it went, and figuring that I'd paid the money, I should just try to learn as much as possible from it. So that helped. And mostly it helped that the first manoeuvre went really well, better than it ever had in the lessons, and that made me more confident for the rest of it. I did start to get nervous towards the end, and that's where I picked up some smaller faults, but the examiner realised I was nervous and was nice about it, still counted them as faults but said something nice like 'keep your nerves until control now, you're almost done'. So I know that they didn't just think I was a bad driver, but that they really recognised how much effect nerves can have.