Bloody hell I'll never make it

[babiki]

Sorry not strictly SN, but I don't go anywhere else. Had 40 lesson via Family Fund, more lessons that I pay for privately now, today I have driven after 3 weeks (house and schools move) and it's like I've never driven!

Just because I live in different part of town and see everything from different angle I was totally useless. Used wrong lanes on roundabout, almost turned left wrongly onto oncoming traffic etc etc.

I'm so angry with myself - so many people drive, why the heck do I find it so difficult....

Aaah rant over. Sorry it had to come out.

Go for an Automatic car if you don't already.... It is so much easier than manual..

Stick with it, you will get used to your route. So it was brand new today and you've had a gap of 3 weeks? That is hard for new driver. You're doing well.
As a new driver, a similar thought cam to me once at traffic lights. I saw a guy a vaguely knew in his van. He was a complete tosser and I didn't think much of him it's not my proudest moment but it occured to me if that * could drive, then I, a capable, intelligent person could learn to do it too!

You can do it! It comes naturally to some, and others have to learn it, but it is possible!

I took a lot of irregular lessens with an instructor (about
2h/week) and got nowhere

my driving only really took of after we got a car and I was driving with my DH on the passenger seat. that way I was getting practice every day. I still kept the instructor on once a week for the fine tuning/driving test preparation.

do you have the opportunity to practice driving with your DH or a friend on a regular basis?

When you pass your test, you will be more confident as you have to just get on with it. My driving improved 100 x over after being out on my own after a week ( I guess because I just had too and getting it wrong alone wasn't a option as no one to save me)

I totally get the frustration - had a full package of Family Fund lessons and then still had to pay for my own as I wasn't anywhere near ready for the test. I gave up in the end as it was just costing too much, I'd rather spend money on other stuff and it wasn't an essential for me, as DS can cope with public transport and it's pretty good in our area.

Personally I think I have more than a touch of DS's dyspraxia (have been diagnosed dyslexic officially too). If I was going back to lessons again, I'd go for automatic lessons and also try to get lessons from that woman who specialises in SN drivers (there was a TV documentary about her, she lives miles from me but I think it would be worth travelling for in my case).

babiki - if it's the place where I think it is, then I'm not surprised you have problems coming in from a different direction. The whole area is a total nightmare with too many roundabouts and lane changes. It's far to easy to turn on oncoming traffic. Watch the fly-over as well cos it changes direction during the day.

Keep going - you'll get there! Automatic cars are great. I passed on a manual but haven't driven one since my driving test 20 years ago. I also use automatic - a lot less things to worry about.

Thank you everybody for your encouragement!

I do actually have automatic already and still find it so hard. Anniemouse - yes exactly some people just find driving easy...

Chocnomore, I have actually bought little old car and we went with DH few times but he is not exactly calm person and when I counted cost of babysitting and insurance it's the same as paying for lessons... Also weirdly (we are alone in UK with no family) I had an awful feeling thinking if something happens, both of us can be gone - I know, not very helpful attitude!

Ifyoudo, yes my instructor said people with dyspraxia have it difficult but most do pass, just take much longer. I am just extremely nervous in a car with no sense of direction - but he did say most people do need much more than 40 lessons...

Towie - thanks so much, yes, it is awful around here... I was used to 'my' directions and now just coming to roundabout from different way totally threw me... And the changing lanes - glad somebody else finds it difficult, I have only great drivers around me who are not very understanding...

I have to keep trying, with 3 kids it is really awful not to drive.

I hate to say it but one family member rear-ended another car on the roundabout that rhymes with gravy, and nearly wrote-off both cars. And another family member got points because of the lights at the other end of town - they got confused, like you, panicked and didn't realise the lights had changed . Both very confident drivers! But nothing for me - yet!

babiki, we have no family/babysitters either. we put the DC into the car as well (carseat)

Aaah I know which feared roundabout, that's where I messed up today...

May it continue for you with no accidents and may I join you one bloody day :)

Haha chocnomore DH would never agree; he is such awful backseat driver I was more worried about him than traffic!

If it's Harlow, I get lost and almost killed just walking there!!!

i think we were desperate.... and with hindsight also crazy

Starlight I'll avoid Harlow then!

Chocnomore but YOU DRIVE - you made it; well done!!

I hope you never killed anyone with your sewing machine!

I don't drive. Too scared.

Seewing machine - remains mystery to me! I was thinking about what could I use as an example and realised I'm only good at reading books which is not very useful activity compared to driving and something else which could be compared but can't be open to discussion on this board :).

Starlight have you tried? Do you use public transport? I think if we stayed in London (yes, we actually moved to Essex...) I would have never even attempted it.