First driver help..

[shabbadababa]

Hello everyone. Short backstory here. Basically I've done my lessons for a year and half passed in September. I've just got my first car today, I've made a couple of scary mistakes and I just hate driving now. I got my kids in the car and went to macdonalds to get over that anxiety of taking taking anywhere and I had cars flashing me as my lights wasn't on but I didn't didn't know as I literally just got the car! They didn't show me anything about the car or what to do with I I figured out myself. Now I'm petrified to do anything or go anywhere. I'm really feeling like taking the car back I'm just so scared. Any advice ?

and I had cars flashing me as my lights wasn't on but I didn't didn't know as I literally just got the car!

That doesn't make any sense. If you got in the car, and it was dark then you surely knew you would need to put the lights on - even if you had to fiddle around to find out how to do that, before you drove off ?

hey didn't show me anything about the car or what to do with I I figured out myself.

erm..... that is what people do when they get new things - either look in the manual or fiddle around to work things out. No-one has ever shown me how to work a washing machine when I've bought it, or a new phone, or a microwave, or a piano either. Not sure what you were expecting?

Now I'm petrified to do anything or go anywhere. I'm really feeling like taking the car back I'm just so scared.

Because you made a mistake ?
Why wouldn't you just go and sit in the car, with the manual and find out what all the buttons and switches do ??

Congratulations on passing your test. Before you drive any car you should always take a few minutes to work out where all the controls are. That's being a sensible and responsible driver. I've driven FIL car a few times and I always sit and look over everything before starting off.

Go and sit in your car and check where everything is - where are the lights? How do the fog lights work? What are the window wiper controls like? Demisters? How do you open the bonnet? Which side is the petrol cap? Check the door frame for the tyre pressure guide. What's in the boot re spare tyre? Look at my the manual.

If you haven't got one go and buy a car tool kit, a high vis vest, a first aid kit, a scraper and a paper map. I brought a very basic car maintenance book and it's been really helpful to know how to top up things, how to check my tyres etc.

@Kite22

and I had cars flashing me as my lights wasn't on but I didn't didn't know as I literally just got the car!

That doesn't make any sense. If you got in the car, and it was dark then you surely knew you would need to put the lights on - even if you had to fiddle around to find out how to do that, before you drove off ?

hey didn't show me anything about the car or what to do with I I figured out myself.

erm..... that is what people do when they get new things - either look in the manual or fiddle around to work things out. No-one has ever shown me how to work a washing machine when I've bought it, or a new phone, or a microwave, or a piano either. Not sure what you were expecting?

Now I'm petrified to do anything or go anywhere. I'm really feeling like taking the car back I'm just so scared.

Because you made a mistake ?
Why wouldn't you just go and sit in the car, with the manual and find out what all the buttons and switches do ??

First of all before you have a massive attitude. I was out at 3pm it was light. Then came out of having someone Hong to eat at 5. It was dark. I got a finance car and I got straight because the road was packed she said I needed to get off so i don't get blocked

Could somebody go out with you just to offer some support and advice?

I remember the very first time I went out after passing. I was with my younger brother and pulled out in front of another car on a roundabout

Go out every Sunday morning early, when no ones about and practice, drive for miles through traffic lights, and dual carriageways until you build your confidence, then go out a bit later and later doing the same routes until you are confident in busy traffic, then when it’s dark etc.

Do it slowly, whoever you can.

Don’t give it up.

You need to spend time getting to know the controls of the new car, I would hope your driving instructor taught you the importance of checking things like lights before setting off!

Pay for a lesson in your own car, it will help you become more confident

Have yourself half an hour getting to know your car.
We got a new one last month and it took me few days to remember where everything was as totally different to previous car.

Look In your manual and see if you have an auto setting for your lights.

It's just about gaining confidence, it is scary the first time as you do feel like crap what am I doing etc but over time you'll be fine.

Also even if it does have automatic lights make sure you still check yourself and over ride it if needed. Especially when I’m heavy rain they have a tendency not to kick in