Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Learning to drive pregnant?

23 replies

LuckyOwl28 · 05/02/2013 19:46

I'm currently 31 weeks and have had just under 30 hours. Have booked my test for a couple of weeks time and can realllllly feel the pressure to pass before baby's arrival.

It doesn't help that my instructor is an absolute tool who fancies himself as a part time stand up comedian, but I am getting more and more stressed out and impatient with him now it's getting close.

I will just be so gutted if I don't pass as probably won't have another chance to take a test until after baby's here.

Ahhhhhhhh!

Has/Is anyone in the same boat as me?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Quilty · 05/02/2013 20:18

Not in same boat but I wish you luck for your test!
I have to have some driving lessons after my baby arrives. I
have a licence but I barely ever drove and haven't driven at all for years so I wouldn't be safe on the roads! I'm dreading having to do it but I know I have to

Reiltin · 05/02/2013 20:26

I'm 24 weeks and passed mine a few weeks ago. Lot of pressure to pass so I know how you feel. Was convinced I was going to fail which took the pressure off! Have you thought about getting a few lessons off someone who doesn't annoy you?! Even just for a pre- test? (Btw, good luck!)

Bejeena · 05/02/2013 20:29

It was a long time ago for me but switching to a female instructor was best thing I ever did! Can you change instructors just for 1 lesson to see?

Good luck x

katiecubs · 05/02/2013 23:06

Me too although 38 weeks and deffo not passing before baby arrives! I have a female instructor and I agree with the above poster! Good luck!

Gurraun · 06/02/2013 07:11

No but my good friend took her HGV licence at 38 weeks. We joke (slightly serious) that half the reason she passed is that the instructor was terrified she'd get upset and go into labour if he failed her. Good luck :-)

BeauticianNotMagician · 06/02/2013 07:29

I'm in pretty much the same position although my instructor is great.The male instructors I had were all a bit slimy so I swapped to a female instructor and have progressed much better.

I am 26 weeks pregnant.I passed my theory yesterday and hope to take my test before baby arrives.I do feel under pressure.But if I fail ill just take another test.I live in a village and public transport is pretty much non existent.So I have to get driving.

Good luck

shebangsthedrum · 06/02/2013 07:39

I passed my test at 36 weeks with dd. My examiner was an old bloke who looked terrifed so I said "I wouldn't bother with emergency stops if I were you" he didn't. Talking to others my test was very easy, and I passed with only 2 minors.

HJBeans · 06/02/2013 08:11

15 weeks here and took my first driving lesson yesterday, so in the same boat. Promised DH I'd get the license 'before we had kids' years ago but never got round to it and now feel the clock ticking. Already can drive with foreign license but have 20 years of bad habits to purge to pass the test! With nearly 14 weeks to wait to get a test date have only one shot at it, I think. Fingers crossed.

Agreed with what's said above about female instructors. Had a bunch of lessons with a guy years ago but he was absolutely lousy - focused on strong-arming me into being more aggressive on the road and telling me his views on teenage mothers rather than teaching to the test. First lesson with a woman instructor was a world apart.

Sunnysummer · 06/02/2013 10:23

Me too! 27 weeks and won't be taking my test for at least 8 or so weeks, so glad to see I'm not the only one :-)

KnittedC · 07/02/2013 19:35

I started learning at 6 months pregnant and had my first go at the test the Monday before last, unfortunately I failed. I'm now 38 weeks and have rebooked the test for this coming Monday - so long as the baby doesn't make a surprise appearance! I've been trying to reason with the bump and convince baby to hold off until after my test but feeling like it might be a bit of a one-sided conversation...

Thingiebob · 07/02/2013 19:58

Yes. I am in the same boat. Although I have been learning on and off for nearly two years!

The problem I have is the huge gaps between my lessons. At the mo I am averaging one every two weeks for various reasons and it's not enough nor frequent enough in order for me to take my test before I am due, which was the aim. My test is in March. What with snow/christmas/instructors holidays and so on and don't think I am going to manage it and I am due in April :(

Original poster

LuckyOwl28 · 08/02/2013 09:30

Wow what a response! Nice to hear other people are in the same boat!

On hindsight I should have changed instructor ages ago, but as I've been booking in blocks of ten he has my money in advance and I would find it too awkward asking for it back! I've said to myself that if I fail this time I won't book anymore lessons with him.

He has wound me up countless times but unfortunately I can't seem to channel my pregnancy anger at him and instead end up having outbursts as soon as I get in (my poor husband) lol.

I know the ins and outs of his relationship with his ex wife, kids, pet rooster (yes really!), his stints on stage at comedy nights and previous jobs (and reasons for leaving) the Police force and fire service. He even tried selling me some of his comedy homemade soap!

I have a lesson today so will see how it goes but hoping we just get on with it!

Good luck to everyone else taking tests and lessons! xx

OP posts:

BubblesPebblesx2 · 08/02/2013 10:45

I took my test at 7 months pregnant. My instructor was very good but it is worth remembering that he won't be doing the test anyway!!

It can't hurt to wear a tight top accentuating(??) boobs and tummy for the actual test either :)

jumpinghoops · 08/02/2013 13:28

Yes, I'm in the same boat too- I have been learning since mid-October with a really fab female instructor, I'm now 31 weeks and have my test booked for 36 weeks. I really don't feel nearly ready but need to do my very best to crack on with it and maybe have some additional lessons in the week run up (leave work at 35 weeks). I already have one child and I think trying to learn with two will be a nightmare- but if I don't pass, I'll have to get on with it and keep having lessons over the summer until I pass. This will be my third attempt at learning to drive and I really don't want to give up now!!

KnittedC · 11/02/2013 12:34

I was supposed to have my second test today but there's enough snow here that it's been cancelled. What a pain! As the baby's due next Wednesday I won't be able to rebook it until after the birth. I'm really disappointed but hey ho. (A secret part of me is a bit pleased that i don't have to do the test really!)

claudiebelle · 11/02/2013 12:53

Good luck luckyowl! I was in the same boat as you, started at 20 weeks and took my test at 35 weeks. Rubbish instructor and found the whole thing incredibly stressful in my pregnant state - used to cry to my husband after lessons! My test examiner was a lovely guy, very respectful of me being pregnant (didn't have to look under car bonnet or do emergency stop) and politely enquired lots about the baby during my test, it really put me at ease! Good luck, being able to drive with the baby has been invaluable.

ReikiMummy · 11/02/2013 22:41

Hi LuckyOwl,

Just wanted to say as a former Driving Instructor, Good Luck.

Keep calm and focused - I know its easier said than done, but don't put too much pressure on yourself to pass. You will do far better if you just think of what you're doing, and if you can - enjoy the drive. (As much as you can).

Sad state of affairs, but most of the time people failed when they were "ready" was down to some other eeeeeejit on the road doing something daft.

Stay calm but alert, just think about what you need to do to keep you + car + other road users safe. Let the end of the test take care of itself.

Funny finding this post today, I was reminiscing at some point about my time being a driving instructor earlier today!

Have to say - best job I ever had!

BangersAndMashh · 12/02/2013 14:15

I started learning to drive then found out I was pregnant after about 6 or 7 lessons, I told my instructor (even though I was only 6ish weeks pregnant) because I had hypremesis and obviously he needed to know why I was so sick (his wife was having chemo so if he thought I was exposing him to an on going sickness bug it wouldnt of been great!) anywah my instructor was lovely and put up with my occasional hormonal outburst of crying! I passed my test first time at 18 weeks pregnant just before christmas!

Don't worry about taking your test pregnant, once you start your test it feels like a lesson!!

Good luck :)

BeauticianNotMagician · 12/02/2013 21:40

Wow Bangers you didn't have many lessons did you.

I'm having two lessons a week.Im not sure when to put in for my test as yet but want to have taken it before baby arrives.

BangersAndMashh · 12/02/2013 22:01

I had 20 lessons, and my dad took me out about 10 times in total. Had a very good instructor and my dad was really good too so I was lucky really. It wasn't easy with such bad sickness though! I was admitted to hospital the same week I passed my test! Passed my test on the Monday and was admitted to hospital for 3 days on the Saturday!

Its not as scary as you think taking your test, it only lasts about half an hour maybe 40 mins at worst :)

Princesspond · 12/02/2013 22:08

I took my test 38 weeks pregnant, I waddled into the test centre and was surrounded by slouching 17 year olds. (I am considerably older). Anyway my husband swears the examiner felt sorry for me and wouldn't have failed me. To be honest I drove fine and I was calm but he didn't ask me any of those show and tell questions that needed me to open the bonnet, no emergency stop and as for my manoeuvres well i'll just say he was very forgiving at me reversing round a corner - never a strong point!

But good luck OP, you will feel so proud of yourself when you pass. I'll second the people who say find an instructor you like I had several over a long period (kept stopping and starting) and wished I'd been assertive enough to change when I wasn't happy.

BeauticianNotMagician · 12/02/2013 22:13

Ahh this thread is great and making me even more determined.

Princess I too got some strange looks from the 17 yr olds when I waddled in to do my theory test

CryptoFascist · 12/02/2013 22:24

I did this! Started learning at 20 weeks with an AA instructor who was brilliant, really structured his lessons well so I always knew what I was aiming for and how I was progressing. Took a break from lessons at about 37 weeks as I was getting too big to fit behind the wheel! Big bump and short arms and legs .

Restarted lessons 6 weeks post partum and passed my test first time when baby was 5 months old. Took ages but I was just thrilled to have passed and now love the independence.

Flip