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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:
justalittleblackraincloud · 14/02/2011 16:21

Well done to those who have recently passed, and good luck Happy for next time.

I'm up to 11hrs (I think) now, and starting to feel a lot happier. I love my instructor! Just before last lesson I'd figured out what I needed to practice, and low and behold that's exactly what he got me to practice...without me even mentioning it!

I also got to go out in my own little car yesterday! BIL took me out and it was AWESOME! I can drive a car. I can actually do it. I got in, and reversed out of my drive, did a few laps around our little estate, and then I was off! I did the 3 manouevers I've been taught (just RRC still to do) and even managed to figure out what I needed to change to get it to work in my little car vs my instructors! I'm so proud of myself. I really thought I'd struggle and panic, and embarrass myself in front of my BIL but he said I did really well. Made one slightly dodgy decision at a roundabout, as a car was going faster than I thought and BIL said he probably would have given way. But it was by no means a near miss, and as soon as I went I knew I should have waited. But overall, I felt safe, and like I knew what I was doing. I kind of wish my instructor had been there to see it, in a weird way!

Got a lesson tonight, which I'm hoping will go as well. It actually felt easier to drive in my car strangely, so I'm hoping I'm not going to find his car odd after a week off! I'm full of cold today, which is a bugger. So I'm hoping I'm not too fuzzy headed later!

I'm desperate to pass now, but I've actually only got 3.5 weeks to my test Shock, so I think it'll probably rattle round fairly quickly.

I've only got RRC and Emergency Stop still to be taught, and then it's just practicing everything. So I think I'm on course. Fingers crossed!!

happyatlast · 14/02/2011 16:35

bloody hell, I've had over 50hours and only just feel like I'm ready!! Usually pick things up really quickly but this has really taken its toll on me! I'm going to blame the fact that I started learning just after having my third baby......thats my story and I'm sticking to it anyway!! Grin

Good luck with everything. Smile

bumpybecky · 15/02/2011 14:53

happy that sounds like a really good excuse, I'd stick with it if I were you!

I've just done my first mock test, I failed but not as badly as I expected! :)

2 major faults (didn't drive in the right lane on roundabout and didn't stop at zebra crossing) and 15 minors. I'm pretty happy with that, but didn't do bay parking, so could have been MUCH worse Grin

how is everyone else doing?

rubydoobydoo · 17/02/2011 23:15

Congrats Missy - I love it when people pass, gives me hope every time that it will be me one day! Smile

Lesson #5 for me today - I FINALLY GOT TO TURN RIGHT! So now I can drive round in circles in both directions! :o

My lesson started off quite badly - I stalled pulling out of my road then didn't take the handbrake off properly... and I was worried it would carry on being bad - but then I suddenly started feeling ever slightly like I could sort of drive! I mastered the clutch control stopping on uphill junctions, got the hang of the handbrake, my feet seemed to be doing what they were supposed to more than they were - and I changed into second gear (without being asked may I add!) so smoothly that my instructor didn't even realise I'd done it! :o

My first attempt at a right turn was terrible - I've been turning left for so long that I felt like I was going backwards. The next couple were better - and apparently my positioning was good before I turned (from a major to a minor road).

Next week I'll be practicing turning right a bit more - then I get to drive further away and on roads where I can go faster! Can't wait! Wink

LisamumtoJake · 21/02/2011 20:34

How's everyone getting on?

justalittleblackraincloud · 23/02/2011 19:43

I'm doing ok, had 18hrs now I think. Covered everything except RRC to the right, and Emergency Stop...and we're doing those Saturday.

My test is 2 weeks today Shock!!!! It's come round so quickly.

Should be going out with my BIL on Saturday morning, and then have a 2hr lesson Saturday lunchtime. There's also been talk of my other BIL taking me out on Sunday! So I should hopefully get a fair few hours under my belt this weekend.

My instructor thinks I'm on course. He's admitted that he doesn't have time to get me as prepared for the test as he'd like, because of the time limit I've set myself...but I understand that. We've covered so much, I think there'll just be a lot more down to me pulling it out of the bag on the day than he'd like! We'll see. I'm really really hoping I pass. I'm desperate to drive my car.

It's been so annoying these past few weeks, getting myself and DD all wrapped up for torrential bloody rain...leaving the house, and have to walk past a lovely dry car on the way to the bus stop Envy

I know I'm close. It's just silly little stuff now.

happyatlast · 24/02/2011 18:13

failed again today before I even left the test centre car park! a biker on their test also all of a sudden appeared out of nowhere, I looked left, then right, in the rear mirror then over right shoulder again, pulled off and there she was by my left mirror. Instant fail, other than that my sheet was clean which is the frustrating thing! I asked him to stop the test about 25mins in to the test as soon as I saw the serious fail mark! no point in continuing really is there. Gutted.

LisamumtoJake · 24/02/2011 19:47

Aww happy, that is frustrating, cause if it wasnt for that biker you probably would have passed!!! When are you booking again? the thing is that could have happened to any of us and we would have failed, so don't worry!!!!

happyatlast · 24/02/2011 20:14

Have already rebooked for 14th march.

Problem is I'm thinking what if things like the biker keep happening on my tests?

I honestly would never have started having lesson had I known had difficult it is to pass these days. Sad

rubydoobydoo · 24/02/2011 22:36

Aww happy that's a shame, it sounds like really bad luck, not your driving though - fingers crossed for 14th march!
A work colleague failed her test at the weekend - she forgot to take the handbrake off when pulling out at a junction - oops!

I had lesson #6 today - it didn't go too well, I need lots more practice at right turns! I think I've got so used to turning left that my steering goes all wrong and I end up pulling the wheel too quickly and jerkily.
Then again, I was pretty pants at turning left to start off with, so I'm sure I'll get better with practice. My "clutch leg" and "right-turning arm" were all tensed up when I got home. :o

And as for other cars on the road - I think they should all stay at home when I have my lessons, and park in places that aren't the side of the roads I'm trying to drive on!

Iggly · 25/02/2011 12:31

Sorry to hear that happy - it's a bit of a gamble as who knows what'll happen on the day.

Well I had my test and passed Grin only one fault Grin Grin Grin

LisamumtoJake · 25/02/2011 16:28

Wow Iggly that is fabulous!!!!! Have a glass on me!! Wine

Iggly · 25/02/2011 17:06

Thanks Lisa Grin

AmazingBouncingFerret · 25/02/2011 20:03

For some reason this thread has come up at the top of threads im on even though it's been ages since I posted!

Well I had my third test...

I passed.

Sounds silly but I pretended to be a robot. My problem was I drove everywhere so I had already picked up bad habits! Blush
I even had to do a fucking reverse round corner, which is my worst manuevre. But I was a robot. It worked. I got 5 minors which is a world record for me!

Iggly · 25/02/2011 20:22

Congratulations ferret!!! love the robot thing Grin

LisamumtoJake · 25/02/2011 21:26

Yay go ferret!!

Iggly · 26/02/2011 14:37

Just been on my first solo spin around the block. Was shaking! Was great Grin

bumpybecky · 26/02/2011 14:45

wooo hoo well done Iggy and Ferret :):)

and happy I'm sorry it didn't happen for you this time :( how unlucky you were :(

justalittleblackraincloud · 26/02/2011 17:48

Well done Ferret & Iggly!

Another 2nd lesson today. Emergency stop done! That was a bit nerve wracking! But ok, got the hang of it once he showed me what one was supposed to be like. I was being too dainty with it. Really have to stick your foot down.

Bay parking finished off. Just need more practice on RRC and parallel park on Monday.

Off out with my BIL tomorrow, lesson Monday & next Saturday, out with other BIL's sat and Sunday next weekend, final lesson Monday...and then test Wednesday Shock

But that's still probably 11hrs+ driving practice between now and then, so fingers x'd I'll be ready!

Iggly · 26/02/2011 18:01

Fingers crossed justalittle! I took rescue remedy before my test and made sure I ate just before too. Felt quite calm once I got going.

mariew1974 · 01/03/2011 11:33

Hi ladies, just an update from me. I passed my test this morning with 3 minors. Which considering I've only had 4 lessons, including the one before the test, since the end of november. So it can be done. Good luck to everyone still learning.
I've just got to buck up the courage to drive our car now, but its brand new and I don't want to risk bumping it.
Take care everyone and good luck

bumpybecky · 01/03/2011 12:05

oooh well done Marie :):):)

McGrumpyPantsofGrumpington · 01/03/2011 12:45

Can I join too? Will have to have a good read through the thread later when DC are in bed.

Just had my third lesson this morning - it went pretty well considering I have had four weeks off. Finally getting the hang of the steering but clutch control and gear changes seem to be coming easily to me. Thankfully I did not stall the car once this time when turning at junctions unlike last lesson Grin.

Well done to all those who have passed and good luck to those waiting for tests!

rubydoobydoo · 03/03/2011 19:32

Congratulations Marie and everyone else who's passed!
secretly jealous of Iggly's solo spin

Hi McGrumpyPants - glad it's going well.

I just had lesson #7 - for some reason I was irrationally nervous before it - maybe because my lesson last week didn't go so well, but I told my instructor and he reassured me (and most importantly, actually let me start the car and told me I'd be fine haha!).

I actually had a really good lesson - I've just about mastered the steering on right turns (and only crossed my arms over twice on the tight corner that I hate!), and I can now turn in eaither direction without feel like I'm going backwards, which is less disorientating.

I mastered the clutch control going uphill, and got up to 3rd gear for once! I just need to practice changing DOWN gears now, that needs a bit of work cos I've only done second into first before.

Next week I get to go further afield than I'm used to - hopefully onto some better roads than the narrow, steep double-parked ones round here! :o

Justalittleblackraincloud · 05/03/2011 17:36

Well I had a howler of a lesson today :(

Instructor did a mock test with me, and I made so many mistakes it was verging on ridiculous. I became incapable of doing a hill start, was rushing everything, got too close to parked cars, cocked up my Parallel Park and was just generally shit.

In good news, my RRC was ok Hmm

I know it was just nerves. But I'm worried that if my driving went to pot when just doing a pretend test with my instructor...that the same (or worse) will happen on Weds in my test.

I'm out with BIL tomorrow, and then have a final 2hr lesson on Mon night with my instructor. Then test on Weds.

Can I pull this together in time?!?!? Help!