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.

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Bumpy!!! Knew you could do it!!!

Woohoo yay for Happy and Becky! :o
And welcome to Mavis!

I had another good lesson this week - I broke the speed limit, which I quite enjoyed so I've requested some faster roads next week!

My steering's getting better and so are my gear changes - and I didn't stall for once, even when I had to slow right down to let a slow-moving tabby cat with no sense of urgency cross the road.

Roundabouts next week - I have a vague memory of attempting a roundabout on about my 2nd lesson in 1995 and stalling lots and being terrified - I'm a bit more confident this time so it should go better!

well I still look like this ! I got 11 minors! and really didn't drive that well, but passed :)

it didn't start that well as there was a learner parallel parking badly right outside the test centre, in the middle of several moving cars so I had to wait ages to get out. We drove for a minute or to and he asked me to do a parallel park, but as I went to start the car, the car I was supposed to be parking behind moved off! so that started the examiner and me laughing :) I had a reverse round corner, which was OK (not brilliant though) and managed to bump the curb one of the times we stopped and then stalled it when we pulled away!

The worst bit was I managed by accident to turn on the headlights, then onto main beam, the front fog lights and the windscreen wipers I got the lights off again, but couldn't work out the wipers, so spent most of the test with them running! the examiner thought it was very funny and teased me lots!

I am so glad it's over :) now need to buy a car for me to drive as I can't get insured on DH's yet (imported so insurer wanted experienced drivers only) and it's automatic so don't want to drive it until I've got the hang of a manual car.

Sorry to have gone on so long, but just wanted to say that even if things go wrong on the test, you can still pass!

wow well done bumpybecky! Its brilliant isnt it!

I passed Monday and I still sit there watching the TV and randomly shout out "I've passed!!!".

Still cant believe it!!Hardly been in since Monday!!! Absolutely loving it, best feeling in the world, obviously second to having my children!!

Anybody thinking of giving up....please dont!!!

Congratulations happy and bumpy!!!

I've been driving for a month now and it still feels great

we bought me a car last sunday, a very old cheap golf :) I've done 100 miles in the last week, have been out every day :) I am so glad that I carried on when I was struggling all those weeks ago. It is so worth it! :)

I am reluctantly continuing to try and pass my test. I failed my first one through nerves. Second test I failed - apparently I was hesitant at junctions. Third test had different examiner and was too fast coming out of junctions(!). Fourth test I failed because he said I was not checking mirrors enough - FFS I was checking them all the time and only had one minor other than this! Fifth test I was so nervous I messed up paralell park.

I just don't understand how you pass. My SIL hit the kerb twice on her turn in road and passed (and is a truly dreadful driver - there are people who won't go in the car with her she's that bad). My friend drove onto pavement on reverse round a corner and passed. My instructor said he should sit in the back on my next test. No offence but I read some of the "I passed!" stories on here and I can't believe it.

Why can't you believe it Patrick? Do you get nervous? Can you try a different test centre?

I think you're overthinking it Patrick, i'd for one try a different test centre and also take instructor with you, mine came with me on my test and i passed tho i did drive well, i felt she was helpful being there, as at least if i had failed she would have been able to see if what i failed on was wrong and how we correct it.
Alot of people fail a good number of times before they pass, it's different every time you do it, keep going at it, you will pass!

HI Ladies

First post here. I am too learning to drive. I have had about 60 plus lessons. I am utter rubbish at them. My main problems are I am incredibly nervous. I cannot for the life of me get the hang of roundabouts, especially spiral ones.

I really need to learn to drive, as i am nearly 40,and i have 5 children, and it is so difficult getting everybody out and about, and, also when i use public transport, i get strange looks from people because of the amount of children i have.
Last week, my lesson was rubbish, burst into tears, could not the hang of the crappy roundabout, and i am seriously thinking of giving it up.

Keep thinking i am not cut out to be a driver!!

Dont give up!!! Ever ever ever! I'm 37, 3 kids and passed third time, never thought I'd ever pass, couldnt believe it when i heard him say the words.

I remember saying to my mum, how do you look at the kids fighting in the back whilst you are driving? I'd never be able to take my eyes off the road, and I also said I wouldnt dare listen to music whilst I'm driving, how do you concentrate? She just said "you will do all those things soon, trust me".

I passed just over a month ago, and I do those things now, piece of piss!!

DO NOT GIVE UP!!! It is absolutely worth it, worth all the stress, and worry and tears even.....

Pomegranate welcome to the thread :)

I passed 4 weeks ago today, I'm 38 and have 4 dc. I've spent years being nagged by DH and family about learning, and never really thought I'd pass. I had lessons that made me all shaky and teary too! but like happy says, it really does get easier :) it's so worth all the stress, please don't give up now :)

I passed 3rd time around in 1995! The amount of stress that cause driving is not worth it (not to mention it is not environmentally friendly). I never used my license (well only once to drive back a blind drunk mate and his car so he could work and not be in trouble with his girlfriend [stupid emoticon]).

I might drive in the future if I live in a place with NO public transport at all, and we can afford a 2nd car (both unlikely)

Of course I will have too pass my test again though

Really glad I stumbled upon this thread now.

THank you for all your support. It is incredibly hard learning to drive, i am sure many people take to it no problem. I keep thinking, i work full-time, have given birth to 5 children, etc., etc., but, i am unable to lean how to drive.

I will keep going, but it is so demoralising, not really progressing, doing the same things time and time again, and, never really getting it right!!!

I do really need to drive, so i can take the children on holidays etc., it really will open up a whole new world.

I don't mind if i take 60 more lessons, just want to learn to drive safely!!

to all who have passed, congratulations to you all!!! you deserve it!!!

have you thought about trying a different instructor?

if you feel like you're not really progressing, maybe it's worth trying someone else? it might be worth speaking to friends or mums at school for a recommendation

Pomegranate i agree with bumpy i'd always say try another instructor if you feel you are not progressing or what about automatic? Less to think about at roundabouts, just braking, and turning the wheel really! You'll do it, honest!!!!

Long time lurker...haven't posted before because I was worried about being outed.

After all how many other people have been learning to drive on and off for over 19years? And how many other people have been through five different instructors...one of whom emigrated but not before telling me that 'some people' are just not meant to drive and that I was only the second person in over thirty years that he thought was wasting their time and money?! Finally how many other people have passed their theory test so long ago it has now expired and will have to be resat...before they can even attempt the practical test for the 3rd time!!

So was avoiding posting on this thread because anybody that knows me will recognise that tale of woe!!

Have now been taking lesson solidly for three years with instructor number 5...friends will every now and then suggest a new instructor...once I remind them that four others have come and gone they tend to stop asking!!

I am now in the situation where I HAVE to be able to drive - I am the carer for my disabled dad whose illness causes his mobility to get progressively worse until he will be wheelchair bound and need fulltime nursing care. At the moment I look after him in his own home - so was awarded a grant towards driving lessons from the The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Earlier this year I decided I just couln't face anymore of the stress and expense each week and decided to cancel my lessons.

Two things happened that week after I made my decision to stop lessons - the first was my dad had a bad fall and was admitted to hospital which meant so much more running about than normal. Buses to and from the hospital on a sunday afternoon were like golddust...so I decided to hang on for another couple of lessons before making my mind up.

The second thing that happened - I didn't tell my instructor what I was planing - and at the first lesson after dad's fall my instructor mentioned the TEST word unprompted by me in any way!!

Sorry this post was so long

I now have a date of 10th May to resit my theory test (having passed it first time in 1996 I am hopeful of success this time...fingers crossed). Then can look at trying the practical test for the third time...I NEED to be able to drive. I have spent so long watching other people drive and thinking why can't I manage what so many other people can do so well so simply!

bentneckwine1: Welcome

Don't worry you are going to pass the theory :) and then its the much easier part (the practical test) it's only 30-40 minutes of your life and really not that bad.

What are you finding difficult with your learning?

Thanks LisamumtoJake I was pleased with your confidence that I will pass the theory test!

What am I finding difficult with my learning? The battle that goes on in my head...if I finish a manouvre and my instructor says that was perfect (as he occasionally does) my response is usually something along the lines of 'more by good luck than measure'. My instructor thinks that I am doing myself a dis-service and that I am better than I think I am.

He says the problem is mostly in my head...and that's something I really have to fix myself! [hmmm]

I've not seen this thread for ages!
(Was posting as blackfly when I started.)

Well done to everyone who has passed!

bentneckwine: You so deserve this, keep trying, because you will do it.

I had the exact low confidence thing that you seem to be having, thought everything was luck, flukey.
My instructor gave me a real stern talking to before my test. Was quite harsh and it stung, but it worked and I passed.

You want it, and you need it, so do yourself justice and accept that when you've done it right it's because you're capable and you can!

Good luck

I think bentneckwine1, it probably just is you giving yourself a hard time, even as i driver, you do things and you think that was pure luck, but hey so what if it was, you got it right and thats all you need to do, you don't even need it perfectly right on the test aslong as its safe and to a reasonable standard, so do not give yourself a hard time!!
You obviously know what you are doing with the manoeuvre or you wouldn't get it right, so keep the confidence, i'm very confident we'll see you passed asap!!!

Thanks for all the best wishes everybody...spending this weekend revising for next week's theory test!

Fingers Crossed...

PASSED!! One down one to go!!

Fabulous, i knew you would!!! (Lisa here namechanged BTW :)) Now the less difficult one to go...the practical