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Original poster

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:
thebountymuncher · 07/01/2011 16:55

Oh nooo Killermouse! I'm thinking that all your bad luck is going to be evened out with a well deserved pass!

Good luck tomorrow littlereindeer!

Sorry about your test Scottishmissy, I failed mine for a similar type of 'panic blindness'
I overtook a cyclist but forgot to check my right mirror (where there was a car!) I'd totally forgotten (somehow) that I was on a dual carriageway not a single lane.

All the best for the next one, hope the nerves ease soon- I'm sure they will. Fingers crossed for you for the 11th Feb.

to everyone else!

Nyx · 08/01/2011 01:43

Aw Scottishmissy, I'm sorry - I feel your pain. Failing my test was one of the most horrible things I've done - I really surprised myself at just how devastated I was, before it I had convinced myself that I would be fine if I failed, I would just look on it as a mock, etc etc. I'm sure that your next lesson will be better. Good luck!

bumpybecky · 10/01/2011 23:34

hello all :) I saw this thread ages ago and found you today.

I'm 37 and first had lessons at 17, but stopped due to being very busy at a levels. I've had a couple of goes at learning since, mainly due to being nagged by DH but never taken a test.

But in November I started lessons again :) I've only had 4 so far due to Christmas and all the snow, but this time I really want to learn, so am confident that it might actually happen :)

I've got my theory test on wednesday and my first lesson since before Christmas tomorrow. I expect my brain and feet have forgotten everything though.

Killermouse · 12/01/2011 16:12

Had another test today and I PASSED with 2minors am so happy-this is going to make such a difference to life:)

bumpybecky · 12/01/2011 19:24

woo hoo! Well done Killermouse :):)

I passed my theory this morning, just need to get some more practise in and then book a real test Shock

how is everyone else doing?

toeragsnotriches · 12/01/2011 19:27

I had 5 different driving instructors and it took me 7 years and 4 attempts to pass. The final instructor I had told me I'd never pass until I believed I was 'a driver'. I thought this was totally wanky at first but now can see what he means.

Now I drive, a little, and an automatic. It made a lot of difference.

Nyx · 13/01/2011 09:13

Killermouse! That's fantastic - two minors - you're amazing!

Well done bumpybecky too for passing your theory Grin

Am at work so have to sign off here - but had to post with congratulations Smile

thebountymuncher · 13/01/2011 12:21

Woohoo! Well done Killermouse- fantastic!!!!

Well done bumpybecky on your theory!

Killermouse · 13/01/2011 17:21

Thanks all and well done bumpybecky!half way there:)
Still can't believe it,my dh took me on the motorway yesterday and my first solo drive was today,drove to hospital in the next town-via the motorway!Scares moment today was parking as had to reverse in,and I've never done that between cars before.Hope everyone else is doing ok with lessons/driving etc.

thebountymuncher · 13/01/2011 19:39

Wow well done you, Killermouse! (again!)
I've not dared face a motorway yet- v bad I know!
Or reverse anywhere where there are other cars- bad me again!

CloudsAway · 16/01/2011 18:18

well done Killermouse!

I've had my own car for a week now, even though I passed two months ago. It's really scary still, and I'm rubbish at reverse parking between cars too! It's often on the wrong side as well. And roundabouts, still. And just getting lost, all the time. No motorways or dual carriageways either.

But I will get used to it one day.

rubydoobydoo · 16/01/2011 23:13

Hi
Hope you don't mind if I join in. I've booked my first lesson for Tuesday evening - and I'm hoping the weather will be a bit better so I don't spend all of it learning how to use the windscreen wipers (or probably indicating instead knowing me!).

I had a couple of lessons when I was 17 but for one reason or another I didn't carry on. I'm now 32 and sick of having to rely on bus timetables or other people... so I figured it was about time I picked the lessons up again.

I'm a little bit excited - and already looking at fluffy car seat covers for when I get my own car (skipping ahead a bit there I know!)

Nyx · 17/01/2011 14:47

Hi there ruby - good luck for tomorrow and your first lesson :) I hope the weather is nice and dry for you.

Congrats on your car, CloudsAway! What kind of car do you have? You will get used to it, you really will - the more you drive, the quicker it will be.

rubydoobydoo · 18/01/2011 21:30

Hi
Well it stayed dry for me and I didn't crash or stall! :)
I was good at steering, OK at pulling off, but not so good at braking, I nearly sent me and my poor instructor through the windscreen a couple of times.... But on the bright side I'll be great at the emergency stop! :o

I drove home - well, only from the next street, and with a bit of help from the dual controls so I could concentrate on steering round the windy road and double-parked cars.

I get introduced to scary junctions in next weeks lesson - look out other road users!

Nyx · 18/01/2011 23:35

Well done ruby Grin Are you looking forward to next week's lesson? Sounds like you're doing well - I remember braking rather sharply as well, took me a while to stop doing that actually Blush

bumpybecky · 20/01/2011 14:57

oooh well done Ruby :) it gets easier honestly!

I've booked my practical test Shock not for a bout 7 weeks, so plenty of time to stall practise first :) I've started having two lessons a week as well, just back from second lesson. We spent the lesson doing fast roads, on and off (and then on, 0ff, on, off etc!) the dual carriageway and lots of roundabouts. The hour went really fast :)

Nyx · 20/01/2011 18:37

Ooh becky, very exciting - it sounds like you're really enjoying driving. You'll be great!

justalittleblackraincloud · 21/01/2011 19:04

Evening all, forgot all about this thread (I'm justalittlereindeer btw)!

Well, I've found a lovely instructor and have had 5hrs of lessons so far. Another 1hr lesson tmw, then a 2hr on Mon and another 2hr Thursday! So I'm rattling on with them.

I passed my theory this week too Grin

I live in Milton Keynes, so it's all bloomin roundabouts here! Done left, straight on and right turns now which is good. I'm doing ok as long as I can get straight on to the roundabout, but struggled yesterday with dropping down to a slower speed or a stop, and then setting off again.

Does anyone else struggle with letting the car do some of the work? I'm trying to get out of the mentality that I either need to be accelerating OR braking, and struggle to do neither and just let the car drive once I'm at the right speed...like at the approach to a roundabout.

I'm doing turn in the road tomorrow, so I'm hoping that will help with my clutch control.

bumpybecky · 21/01/2011 20:28

ooh you're near me then just :) the roundabouts I visited yesterday were in CMK and the dual carriageway was the A5!

I'm still having trouble with the same thing - I find it difficult to slow down early enough to just roll up to the roundabouts. I managed to do it right once yesterday though :)

bumpybecky · 21/01/2011 20:29

DH now telling me off as it's the A508! Confused

justalittleblackraincloud · 21/01/2011 21:00

Ooh, whereabouts are you? We're in Newport Pagnell :)

Yeah, rolling is a bit beyond me. Managed to stall on a roundabout yesterday as a car was coming round, so I went to stop, then it signalled left at the last min so I tried to go and it all went tits up Confused

I got the hang of the clutch a bit more towards the end. Realising that once I was coming up I was allowed to stop helped! I seem to be a bit of an all or nothing girl! Instructor kept having to say "Hold it!!!" if I was coming up too fast!

ensure · 21/01/2011 23:09

Hello, can I join?

My test is next Tuesday. I'm not confident AT ALL. In fact I feel quite depressed about failing, even though I haven't done it yet. :(

Maneuvers are no problem. I'm just a terrible driver! Argh.

justalittleblackraincloud · 22/01/2011 10:26

Hi Ensure,

Sorry you're feeling so down about your test. Have you spoken to your instructor about it? Could he do you a mock test or something to help your nerves?

I just had another lesson. Turn in the road is harder than it looks. Stupid clutch is going to be the death of me. I always though I was quite gentle, til I started driving. Now I feel like a big clumsy oaf Confused

He's said I cam go ahead and book my test for March though Shock so I guess I can't be that bad...?

bumpybecky · 22/01/2011 20:54

hello ensure, welcome to the thread :)

I've no idea how to get confidence about being a good driver. I'm pretty sure I'm going to fail at least once, but I'm sure I'll get there eventually. I'm looking at my first test as a practise run at doing tests. You never know, you might just pass your test. No point getting depressed about it before it's happened though.

just, if you're having 5 hours of lessons a week, I'm sure you'll be ready for your test in time :) I'm in Leighton Buzzard, so not far from you.

AmazingBouncingFerret · 22/01/2011 21:02

Hey, Thought I was going to stay away from this thread because ive nnow failed my 2nd test!
Bizarrely the things I failed on, on my 1st test I did prefectly on my second. Things I did perfectly on my 1st test I failed on my 2nd. LeSigh.

Have another booked for 16th February. It's getting expensive this trying to pass malarky!

It's annoying because I can drive. I drive all the time, to work, picking the children up from CM, big long drives out on big roads. It doesnt faze me at all. But as soon as Im in the instructors car with an examiner I go all wampy AHHHHHH