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.

JustaLittle, I remember my first mock test, I failed pretty much as soon as I pulled away from the test centre! I told my instructor to ignore my little mistake and then went on to clock up about 5 serious faults and 17 minors.

Bad news was I failed my first 2 tests, but im now a fully fledged driver. So there is hope.

Just remember, you are not a person, you are a robot that is designed to drive correctly. Dont think about what the examiner might be thinking, just breathe and do.

raincloud you'll be fine my two lessons before my test were real howlers, i literally only got it right on the test! It can be done! Hello to all the new learners here too! You can do it!!!!!!

Thank you guys.

I went driving with BIL again yesterday, and am feeling a little bit more confident. But we shall see.

Final lesson with instructor tonight (2hrs) so I'm hoping that will go well and give me a bit of a boost.

fingers crossed Justalittle :)

my test is next week, only DH and my instructor know when as I'm keeping it quiet. I'm so nervous already!

Mine is a secret too, I thought it was the best way. My sister did the same when she took hers in Jan. Just let us know she'd passed.

It's hard not being able to vent a little bit with friends though, I'm finding?

Glad I've kept it a secret still though.

well that was pants :( just back from second mock test and it was terrible! I stalled more times in the last hour than I have in the last 3 months. I managed to get 4 serious and 16 minors before he stopped counting. I gave up before we evenegot to the manoeuvre!

is it time for wine yet?

Sounds like my mock bumpy! I didn't actually even bother finding out what I'd clocked up as he'd told me I'd failed already!

I've been out since though, and learnt from my mistakes. Apart from my sudden incapability to press the sodding gas enough when pulling off! Not sure what the hell that is all about?!

Anyhoo. Test day tomorrow, so apart from swatting up on Show Me, Tell Me stuff, there is very little I can do apart from keep calm!

Trouble is I hate not being able to do stuff. So I'm sure I'll end up tying myself in knots

that was my problem exactly, not enough gas when pulling away. One time I managed to just put enough on not to stall, but thought I had stalled so turned the engine off so I could restart, so that was a minor for not stalling! [sigh]

we're out again on thursday, so hopefully will be able to put it behind me :)

as for tomorrow Just, make sure you get a good night's sleep and huge amounts of good luck from me :)

I'm sure Thursday will be much more successful. It just all goes to pot when you're under that pressure and in "test mode" doesn't it!

I know that's been the problem with me. I'm fine trundling round with BIL, but when I get in the car with my instructor and he's in serious mode (we do have a laugh normally!) it all falls apart.

Just need to try and relax tomorrow! Easier said than done though hey!

Good Luck for your test!! Try not to be nervous!! It will all come to you, i found the test much easier than lessons and just remember its only one manoeuvre and then driving!! Just mirror check a hell of a lot!!

Mocks are a nightmare, i passed one but she never done it again, however the 2 lessons i had before my test were a nightmare, in fact the night before, she literally said "we're not gona be able to do this tonight are we?" after i could NOT drive!!!!! Test day i drove like a dream!

I only went and bloody passed!

3 minors! 1 for leaving the handbrake on slightly [doh!], 1 for putting on a confusing signal (was trying to cancel and ended up putting it back on again!), and 1 for undue hesitation.

Did an emergency stop, which was fine. And was lucky and got Turn in the Road as my manoeuvre!

I'm so chuffed!

congratulations Just. great news

Excellent Just!!!! I'm soo pleased for you!!!! I got turn in the road too well done...now out to drive yourself!!!

Oooo well done Justalittle! I can't WAIT til I get closer to my test!

I had a great lesson today - I felt more confident than I have up until now, and drove round the local area almost without having to think about it!

I got to go a few miles further afield this time - I have now mastered TRAFFIC LIGHTS! (Amber = speed up to get through before it goes red, right...?! )

I overtook another learner in a road I've never been to before - and noticed that driving instructors wave at each other like bus drivers do! :o

I can't wait to get back in a car now, maybe it's time to get onto DP's insurance so I can practice between lessons (we've checked and it's only £30!).

Well done Ruby...I passed on 5th Jan and my life has changed so much. I went on a motorway for the firs time yesterday..the M25..and did it alone. I feel like a 'proper' adult now! Is it really only £30 to add you on your dh's insurance??? wow that is sooo cheap!

oops sorry - confused there...well done justalittle and good luck Ruby!

He phoned and it's a £30 one off payment that lasts til the end of the policy, it amazed me too, I thought it would be hundreds lol! (Especially as I can't drive! :o)

I'm not sure if it would help me or not though - he drives an Avensis and I'm learning in a Mini! (He won't let me park it, nothing to do with me not being able to park he says , more that I need to get used to one size before I do my test).

joins thread

Ladies,I am a total wuss.Please help me I so need to do this and feel like such an inadequate in my driving failure.

I am almost 39

39 FFS!

and still am unable to do this thing that is driving that I am sure 99% OF THE POPULATION CAN DO

i HAVE failed my test 4 times

i tried learning then fell pg with ds

ditto dd

I AM NEARLY 39 FFS

then when dp was ill,up til his death.My head was in bits i gave up

It is 9 months now since he died

I've gotta do this.Before 40.I NEED your support.It will do me and dcs so much good to have the freedom

I am booking lessons in the am(passed theory 18 mnths ago)

Keep kicking me up the arse to do this.I NEED to drive

Good luck to you all:)

Mavis, firstly Hello!!!!!

Don't put yourself down, it doesnt matter what age you are, only that you eventually pass!!!

I failed my test 10yrs ago, and gave up driving. Then started it all up again back in Sept 10, and passed in January! It CAN BE DONE!!!

First things first, you're booking which is fab and after everything you've been through this is maybe something that you can do now! Are you planning to do manual or auto? I did manual first time around, but when my health changed i did auto and passed auto, so it's just up to you!

Find a good instructor, someone who is patient and kind and will get you through it! You have 6 months then i take it until your theory runs out and you need to do it again?

I only started again as my Dad died, back in April and knew he would have liked me to drive and get myself some freedom and independence with DS.

Now i am more than happy to do arse kicking if you need it also {wink]

I am more than happy to

Mavis - I'm 40 and have failed my test 4 times too.
I have stopped and started lessons sooooo may times, often being pg was the reason for stopping.
But after a break of more han 5 years i sarted aain and this time I passed!!!!!!
Try try try again...you WILL pass!!

Well people I had my third test this morning at 8.20am and I passed with only 4 minors!!! I cant believe it!! I am totally gobsmacked!!!

Everyone who is still learning keep at it, I nearly gave up so many times, was totally fed up of it all but I stuck with it and there you go...I passed!

ooooh well done Just and Happy, brilliant news both of you :):) and welcome to the thread Mavis :)

my test is on thursday and I'm quietly terrified!

Congrats Happy!!

yayyyy for happy! Same here 4 minors when i passed mine! That is fab news!!!

Becky you'll be fine!!! xx

I passed!!!

I passed I passed I passed!

will come back later when have calmed down!