Pregnant and can't drive

[northernerJuly2022]

I'm just over 4 weeks pregnant, and I'm very excited. The only problem is that I live in a rural location and can't drive. My DH gives me lifts. I've been having loads of lessons for months. But I'm so anxious and find it really difficult. My test is this summer and I'm nowhere near being able to pass. Rebooking or retaking involves a 6 month wait list and cancellations are few and far between (I have an app but it's not very good). I'm feeling very low and haven't told anyone else about the pregnancy yet so have no one other than DH to talk to about these anxieties. My DH is lovely but basically thinks it will be the END OF THE WORLD if I haven’t learnt by the time the baby arrives (fingers crossed, I know it’s early days). I feel like an idiot for not learning earlier. Has anyone else been in my situation or is anyone else a new driver / recent passer with a baby? Not sure what I’m looking for other than some reassurance 😞

I think you really need to just knuckle down and get as much practice in as possible before your summer test, if you want to go ahead with that one.

If not, rebook for 6 months ahead, you'll still be pregnant but will have had a loooong time to improve, and it'll still be before the baby arrives.

I lived rurally once upon a time and can't imagine how isolated I would have felt with a little baby and (so it was where I lived) no public transport.

Make this your goal!! I doubt you'll have the time nor inclination to carry on with lessons etc with a newborn 😜

I'm 13 weeks and passed my test 4 weeks ago. Spent the entire time fighting nausea and was so close to failing! You can absolutely learn and pass whilst pregnant though, you can do it. Try to get some practise in every day and get comfortable in the car you're learning in. And don't worry if you fail. I used the driving test genie app for cancellations and it was pretty good (but I'm in North Wales so it might not be as bad for tests here as the rest of the UK) good luck x

Have you tried automatic? I really didn’t get on with learning in a manual but passed first time when I took my test because auto is much more manageable imo!

Also it's NOT the end of the world if you don't pass before baby's here. My toddler is 2.5 and has survived having a non driving mother so your baby will too ;) it has made going to interesting places much easier though!

I started learning to drive when I was 8 weeks pregnant with my second baby, and passed when I was 6 months gone first time.

Just get in as many lessons as you can to practice and give it your best shot on the day. Does your DH take you out in his car for additional lessons too? My DH did this, and it really helped.

You can do this!

Similar for me. Worth a try if you are struggling.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and good luck!

My baby is 10 weeks old and I can’t drive. I was having lessons then stopped during the pandemic, I’ve now started them again ready for my test in September. It would’ve been ideal to have passed before my son was born but it’s really not been the end of the world so far. I’d say try your best to pass before you have the baby but don’t stress if you can’t. Worse things happen xx

I passed my driving test when I was 34.

Best thing I ever did was quit the manual and learn in an automatic.

You have all made me feel much better already, thanks for the advice. I've just texted my instructor to book in more lessons and have made some enquiries about automatic tests too... still anxious but knowing that others have similar experiences is comforting!

I do go out in dh's car sometimes but it's really hard to drive / easy to stall and he gets very nervous which then makes me nervous! It's getting better but a few months ago we had to switch places on a roundabout because I stalled over and over again! Fortunately there was a really nice woman behind us being very patient... Funny thing is that I hardly ever stall when I'm with my instructor, and am a much better driver.

I had about 3 years of lessons in a manual and failed 3 times.

Then passed 1st time in an auto. It's great, definitely ditch the manual. It's a bit more expensive to hire an automatic on holiday in Europe if you need a holiday hire car, but that's the only downside I've come across.

I can't drive and have kids, it's not a problem. However we have quite a lot of options in terms of public transport, cycling etc. If you don't I imagine you could end up pretty isolated during the day

I have always said pregnant or not living somewhere in middle of no where. Hard to get transport would actually be a nightmare for me. I understand why you just want to pass.

For me I live in an area where easy to get buses. I even could walk to my local town centre.

Try and do as much lessons as you can. I am sure it be fine and you will pass. Good luck

I know a couple of women who passed towards the end of their pregnancy. Can you have more lessons or do an intensive course, good idea to switch to auto if you are finding manual difficult. Can you DH take you out for practice, it’s cheap to get insurance for a learner added to his policy. I think you will feel isolated if you are living in a rural location without driving OP, especially if you need something or run out of something. I hope you pass soon & good luck with your pregnancy.

I can drive but had no car when DS1 was born and it was fine. Running a car is horribly expensive so if you’re thinking 2nd car just remember this would cover a few Uber fares a month!
I did use public transport and tough you don’t have that.

@Cuphalffullor you can’t get Ubers in lots of places

There is no public transport either. It’s car or cycle.

In case anyone comes back to this, I passed my driving test first time in December with only a handful of minor faults! Can't quite believe it... I am still a very nervous driver so need to keep making myself get out and about before the baby arrives in Spring (I'd rather not drive at all but I live in the middle of nowhere so no choice). Thanks for all your advice and good luck to others reading this and in a similar predicament. Now, where did I put my car keys?

Whoop, well done, keep practicing before baby arrives