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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:
Sossiges · 04/09/2012 10:13

Grin Grin Grin

MissMogwi · 04/09/2012 11:55

Well done!!!
You are our hero now Grin
Thanks

Was it terrifying?

Sossiges · 04/09/2012 14:19

Thanks! I was feeling really calm actually during the test, even though the lesson before (yesterday) I was in a total tizz and sweating buckets. The examiner was really nice and laid-back, which helped. So not very terrifying, no!

Thanks to all the well-wishers...who's up next? tiger?

Imflabulous · 04/09/2012 20:09

Well done, that's great. Have you been out by yourself yet? :)

Sossiges · 04/09/2012 20:17

Ha ha not yet, have to change the insurance from learner driver to qualified driver and since it's due for renewal at the end of September anyway, will do that all together. In between will have Pass Plus, so hopefully won't forget everything until then!

hopingtodrive · 04/09/2012 23:34

congratulations Sossiges :D

Sossiges · 05/09/2012 00:16

Thanks, hoping Grin
Have you had any luck finding an instructor yet?

tigercametotea · 07/09/2012 15:57

Congratulations sossiges! Sorry I took so long to check back. Have been very busy and I did try to check back using my phone when I am free but for some reason this page always hangs when I load it.

That's fab! You must be overjoyed. Did you celebrate?

RE: Chester Ice Cream Farm. No I got my DH to drive as he started putting the sat nav in the car and I then realised he actually didn't really know the way that well and I wasn't going to chance it with him stressing out whenever we get lost LOL But yes we had a lovely time there. Ate lots of ice cream. hehe :D

Sossiges · 07/09/2012 21:20

Hi tiger, thanks, I was thrilled on Tuesday, now I am more stressed about DD playing me up constantly [aaargh], also she'll be starting nursery soon and there's potty training to deal with, so no time to rest on the old laurels. But if when she is settled at nursery and the insurance is sorted out, I shall leap in the car and drive off somewhere and be free Grin (for a couple of hours, anyway).

Sossiges · 07/09/2012 21:24

Thinking back to Tuesday (seems so long ago) yes, I was over the moon Grin. Celebration consisted of said fizz! Back in the day I would have got completely bladdered and climbed back in the window about 7 a.m. but hey, times change...

Imflabulous · 08/09/2012 07:38

I so could not wait a month to be added to insurance!

Drove home from shopping on thur and stalled at a junction turning up a hill about million times in a row, was mortified, I'm sure our car hates me :( may go out again in Sunday to see if I can redeem myself.

Tiger, how long untill your test?

hopingtodrive · 08/09/2012 20:43

hi i lost this thread. i am a bit busy at the moment but will get time in 2 weeks to properly concentrate on driving.
are the instructors doing voluntary CPD better than the others?

tigercametotea · 09/09/2012 10:36

Test is just less than a month away Imflabulous.

Sossiges good luck on the potty training :) Get her something to do in the car. Toys, snacks, etc. My friend's car is always filled with snacks. That's why. Grin

tigercametotea · 09/09/2012 10:44

Imflabulous my instructor has been off for surgery since mid August and won't be back till October so I haven't been getting loads of practice at all. But with school and extracurricular activities starting now with the kids, I'll be able to get more practice in DH's car.. not feeling too good about the test. I have flunked twice after all and I know I am poor on anticipation and planning. And parking can be a bit hit and miss for me. Its a lot to do with nerves as well.

How are your lessons going and when is your test? Sorry just noticed you joined recently. I haven't been che king back on this thread often enough as the page just hangs or goes weird when I try to access it from my tablet or mobile phone. I don't get on a PC enough...

Sossiges · 11/09/2012 23:23

She has a DVD player in the car, it's worth it's weight in gold. Will need a cup-holder and snack bag though Smile
Pass Plus on Friday, doing M5, city centre driving and multi-storey carpark [eek]
All good fun, eh Hmm

hopingtodrive · 16/09/2012 12:25

am having my first driving lesson tmrw. :D very excited

Sossiges · 16/09/2012 23:26

Hope your 1st driving lesson goes well tomorrow hoping Smile
Pass Plus was great, 5 hours driving, mostly dual carriageway and motorway. On the motorway you really find out what the mirrors are for!

Also went in a multi-storey car park, utterly terrifying! I will never set tyre in one again. I don't know who designs those things but it's obviously someone who doesn't drive or own a car Confused

Sossiges · 07/10/2012 17:58

Hi tiger, have you had your test yet? How did it go?

hopingtodrive · 07/10/2012 18:06

hi sossiges. unfortunately i became quite ill and couldnot continue the lessons. am recovered now so will take them up again.

how r u finding driving? it must be so liberating. with the way the weather is, i am really motivated to pass the test as the bus that went right in front of my home has changed its route so i have to walk a long way :( (well 30 min but i am very lazy and dnt like the rain/cold)

bureni · 07/10/2012 18:12

If anyone is considering taking their test soon get it done before the new rule changes come into play in January especially if you live in N.I.

Sossiges · 07/10/2012 18:20

Well...er...[cough] I haven't actually been out on my own yet, I'm a bit chicken GrinBlush
I have been out a couple of times with my DH (though he's keen for me to go out by myself) but I am over thinking it at the moment...what if I have an accident? What if I come across a tractor in a narrow road and have to reverse back for miles? What if I stall the car and it doesn't want to start again? Aarghh!

I have been thinking about booking another lesson with my driving insttructor in our car, but it still won't solve the going out alone thing. I need to go cold turkey and just do it. I will...tomorrow Grin

Sossiges · 07/10/2012 18:21

It will be liberating...at some point in the future Blush

Sossiges · 07/10/2012 18:23

hopingtodrive glad you are feeling better, how did your driving lessons go?

hopingtodrive · 07/10/2012 21:34

i already have visions of myself flying down the motorway :). what actually happened was that i started my car successfully during the second lesson Blush

the first lesson was abysmal and i felt very dejected. after 4 lessons i can now go at a grand speed of 20 and the car doesn't die on me and feel too scared to accelerate beyond that.

altho i did stop lessons after that so am trying to psyche myself up again. the stop start stop start is just very embarassing

hopingtodrive · 07/10/2012 21:35

stop start driving i mean. the car keeps dying on me if i have to make a turn or change gear