Learning to drive #2

[daisy2809]

I passed my test aged 37. Passed my degree aged 35. Bought a house aged 36. Got married at 28. There’s no perfect time to do life stuff. Driving lessons are bloody expensive and then as a young driver, insurance is almost non affordable. If you’re funding it all yourself and others have had parental help then I’d tell them to pipe down a little!

needed this, thank you lovely

 

[MrsBsDayOff]

I passed my test many years ago (failed on the 1st attempt, that was my 2nd). I slept for about an hour the night before as I was so consumed with anxiety. Heart pounding. Couldn't eat that morning. I irrationally thought I'd mess up and crash the car. I considered ringing up and cancelling it that morning.

I did it that morning and passed.

Moral is, don't disbelieve in yourself, you can get through it even if you're anxious.

 

[TheGlossy]

I stopped driving two years ago because my track record was as follows:

1. Accumulated 100 hours of driving manual with a snake of a driving company pushing for more lessons. Failed the test 1st attempt.

2. Moved to another driving school. Manual again and when I sat the test, the instructor’s car was apparently not road ready due to some engine noise. On top of it, the instructor tried to fleece me on tear day by asking for more money than agreed. Failed the test 2nd time.

Stopped driving for 2 years because of COVID.

3. Two years later, moved to automatic. The instructor was awful. Each session I was asked to take written notes and his English was so bad, I couldn’t understand a thing.

Stopped driving for 2 years again.

I’m now on my last learning permit, so if I fail, I’ll had to sit the theory again etc.

I found another instructor that does automatic but after Googling his name, I found out he was charged with battery two decades ago after punching a female family member. It kinda turned me off.

I’m honestly wondering if I should give up on driving altogether because this path has been fraught with so many obstacles. I gotta say, getting your license in Ireland is tough. When I see 16 year olds driving in the US and I’m a grown adult who still can’t, it saddens me

 

[Miss.Chanandler.Bong]

I stopped driving two years ago because my track record was as follows:

1. Accumulated 100 hours of driving manual with a snake of a driving company pushing for more lessons. Failed the test 1st attempt.

2. Moved to another driving school. Manual again and when I sat the test, the instructor’s car was apparently not road ready due to some engine noise. On top of it, the instructor tried to fleece me on tear day by asking for more money than agreed. Failed the test 2nd time.

Stopped driving for 2 years because of COVID.

3. Two years later, moved to automatic. The instructor was awful. Each session I was asked to take written notes and his English was so bad, I couldn’t understand a thing.

Stopped driving for 2 years again.

I’m now on my last learning permit, so if I fail, I’ll had to sit the theory again etc.

I found another instructor that does automatic but after Googling his name, I found out he was charged with battery two decades ago after punching a female family member. It kinda turned me off.

I’m honestly wondering if I should give up on driving altogether because this path has been fraught with so many obstacles. I gotta say, getting your license in Ireland is tough. When I see 16 year olds driving in the US and I’m a grown adult who still can’t, it saddens me

I have a lot of family in Canada so I know how you feel but the test isn’t the same. I’ve seen foreigners who come here say that ours is much harder so don’t feel disheartened

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

Have my first driving lesson tomorrow after five years (work and Covid got in the way) have totally lost any confidence I’d had when I was taking lessons before! different instructor as well (who is a not very close friend) not sure if I should have gone with someone I don’t know at all so then won’t judge me when I cry

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

I had no confidence either throughout the whole thing, you will have good lessons and bad lessons but you will get there in the end. It will all be worth it
It might not help but my instructor and I bonded over my apparent closeness to wildlife - I killed a pheasant and a pigeon on my lessons lol! You'll be amazed at the experience

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

I had no confidence either throughout the whole thing, you will have good lessons and bad lessons but you will get there in the end. It will all be worth it
It might not help but my instructor and I bonded over my apparent closeness to wildlife - I killed a pheasant and a pigeon on my lessons lol! You'll be amazed at the experience

There aren’t many pheasants round my way but maybe I could aim for a pigeon to break the tension

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

You will laugh now every time you see one close by

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

How did it go @Pinkfoxxie ?

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

How did it go @Pinkfoxxie ?

Well I cried on and off all day, threw up 10 mins before, got off to a very shaky start, but then it was actually ok. My instructor was very nice and encouraging! Thank you so much for asking

 

[Boredofgrey]

Well I cried on and off all day, threw up 10 mins before, got off to a very shaky start, but then it was actually ok. My instructor was very nice and encouraging! Thank you so much for asking

Hopefully this has settled the nerves. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll get. You can do this.

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

Hopefully this has settled the nerves. The more you do it, the more comfortable you’ll get. You can do this.

I think I’ll still be nervous, but after I’ve had a couple more lessons, my husband said he will take me out in his car so I get more practice and get more confident. I’m 51 this year so it I don’t do it now I don’t think I ever will. Thank god for automatics though I couldn’t be dealing with changing gear as well as everything else

 

[Boredofgrey]

I think I’ll still be nervous, but after I’ve had a couple more lessons, my husband said he will take me out in his car so I get more practice and get more confident. I’m 51 this year so it I don’t do it now I don’t think I ever will. Thank god for automatics though I couldn’t be dealing with changing gear as well as everything else

I’ve said so much on this thread that I am still a nervy driver. I’ll never enjoy it but you just keep on trying. I was late in the day too. 37. Good luck with it all. X

 

[Lalla]

I think I’ll still be nervous, but after I’ve had a couple more lessons, my husband said he will take me out in his car so I get more practice and get more confident. I’m 51 this year so it I don’t do it now I don’t think I ever will. Thank god for automatics though I couldn’t be dealing with changing gear as well as everything else

You will get there - I'm 51 and only passed 8 years ago, it's one of the best things I've ever done and has really changed my life. When you pass you'll be amazed how much difference it makes to you. Practice is really important, I had my own little car, my then partner used to take me out in that, lots of little drives to the supermarket and round our local area just to make driving less scary. I look forward to seeing your post on this thread in the future saying you've passed ❤

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

I'm glad it got better for you hun!
Arnold Clark also do duel control learner cars if there one near you and your UK - always handy and covered in insurance etc.
When's your next lesson? X

 

[Pinkfoxxie]

I'm glad it got better for you hun!
Arnold Clark also do duel control learner cars if there one near you and your UK - always handy and covered in insurance etc.
When's your next lesson? X

Next weds (I can only afford one a week at the moment) but I’m studying for my theory and will hopefully be out with my husband other times soon as well my instructors main points were I need to relax and try not to over thing thinks

 

[hogwartsgraduate]

There's no rush, now you can enjoy the weekend get that relaxing started

I dropped my son at scouts tonight and didn't change down enough gears for a hill - feeling a plonker! Someone was right up the back of me too. Trying not too overthink now is hard. We will get there.

 

[Woahhreality]

I’ve had a lot of stress recently and being able to drive would have made things easier I’m determined to pass this year

 

[RoryGilmore_]

Started driving lessons last year at 20, about to do my test in July at 21. Was told to them when I was 18 but didn’t bother and I regret that nowhowever I struggled with manual during my lessons, changed instructor for my last 5 lessons and done better. Started practicing when my 12 lessons were completed and now I’m almost 100% confident with the gears and clutch. So proud of myself and you all should be too.❤

 

[intheindustry]

You can legally insure your vehicle on a provisional licence, the insurance will be cheap due to the fact you can only drive with an insured driver with a licence of 3 years.

However, be prepared for a HUGE increase in premium and excess when you change from provisional to full.

Depending on age you will have the following:
Inexperienced drivers excess & new drivers excess usually £250 each plus below 25 you will have young drivers excesses.

It pays to read your policy documentation as it’s a daily argument for us insurance handlers especially compulsory and voluntary.

I just insured my car for £470 through Admiral fully comp I have a box for at least 6 month but if I insured on provisional it was like £200 for the year but excess is £1000 voluntary and 250 new drivers excess. I lose this next year.

If anyone needs help with car insurance feel free to @ me.

The best advice I can give anyone is be honest, if you make a claim and forget anything you will be refused indemnity and your policy may be void from inception.

Just found your post, my 18yr old has a car, on a provisionally licence. Insured on a learner policy but if/when she passes (likely to be July) but I’m getting the most horrendous quotes for a 5k car. Thoughts? I’ve tried Tesco, comparing websites etc.