'Old' Learner Drivers Support Thread anyone?

Tigletts

I'm 44 and sat behind the wheel of a car for the first time just over a year ago I lived in cities for most of my adult life and never felt the need or the urge to drive. Then circumstances changed and now we live in deepest west cork so driving is a must. I also have a 17 month old baby and would love to be able to take him to playgroups etc. So.. no pressure!!
I have about 30 lessons and 2 failed tests behind me. I'm pretty much okay with the controls, turnabouts, hill starts, reversing round corners. It's the narrow streets that really unnerve me. I find it very hard defining the space I have. I try to get as much practice as I can but it's not more than 3 hours a week really as I only have my husband to accompany me and going out in the evening is not an option with the baby. I find driving with my husband very stressful and so does he but don't have any choice there. My next test is due around April so am planning hopefully about 10 more lessons before that.
Am I just too old and too nervous? Will it ever 'click' for me?
I guess I'm just looking for morale support/advice here really.
Thanks.

tomcollins97

Why not put the baby in the car in the evening & go out with your husband?

Tigletts

Ahh... cause he's tucked up in bed by 7pm. And if we change that routine he's likely to wake up several times during the night. No thanks

brian076

Tigletts wrote: »

I'm 44 and sat behind the wheel of a car for the first time just over a year ago
Am I just too old and too nervous? Will it ever 'click' for me?
I guess I'm just looking for morale support/advice here really.
Thanks.

My mother was 70 when she took her 1st driving lesson. She passed the test when she was 77 and drove up until last year at the age of 85.
So you've a good 30 years left before you should start worrying

Orla K

Tigletts wrote: »

Am I just too old and too nervous? Will it ever 'click' for me?

Too old, never, too nervous you probably are. Just go slowly along the narrow streets and stop if you have to, also relax. My brother gets very nervous when it comes to the test and ends up doing stupid things that he never does normally.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Tigletts

Thanks for your replies. Especially Donegalfella for that lengthy one, very much appreciated.
First test had 7 grade 2s and 3 grade 3s.
For the grade 3s, I got stuck in a yellow box, I was taken on a road which is part of the test route but the instructor never took me there so got into a right tizz, grade 3 for observation turning right. A car hit my wing mirror on a narrow street but I didn't give him enough room, the other grade 3.
I knew I failed the test 5' in (wing mirror)

Second test got 6 grade 2s and one grade 3
Grade 3 was for the clutch. Coming off the main road onto a side road messed up completely and kept my foot on the clutch.
Also knew I failed 5' into the test.

My instructor didn't seem very interested in looking at my sheet tbh. I'm going to try a different one in a few weeks. I'm not saying the one I had isn't good but I want to try someone else and maybe get a different perspective. A female instructor was recommended to me and she's on the ADI list, the one I had doesn't appear to be.
There's nobody else I can use for practice. Family and friends live too far away. I think you're right though, I do aim to please him too much and end up making silly mistakes. But I've no choice there so will just have to relax. Yesterday had my longest drive yet, about 90KM there and back. I did very well getting there but was a mess on the way home. I really don't know why, we stopped off a few hours for lunch/walk so wasn't overtired I think. Maybe on the way there I had time to 'warm up' on my familiar road. As for my space problem, I'll give that suggestion a go, parking next to something and getting out to see how far away I end up. We don't have a big car but not small either, VW Bora TDI. My husband looked into getting me a Nissan Micra but the insurance would be huge. But to be honest, I'm not sure having a smaller car would solve my problem really, it's in my head. I also need to stop this habit of coasting, especially going round corners etc.
I'm going to try and book a lesson with this other instructor the weekend after next in Skibbereen and see how we get on.
Onwards and upwards I suppose.
The support and advice is really very much appreciated though believe me

sunnyside

I'm 30 and started learning in August and I hate it. I want to be able to drive but I hate the learning process. I posted another thread here earlier today about a test appointment I was sent at really short notice for next week. I might try it, I would be willing to but with the weather alert and bad roads this week I can't practice.

I know my confidence would improve if I passed the test but I'm afraid that if I mess it up really badly it'll destroy the small amount of confidence I do have.

tomcollins97

Tigletts wrote: »

Ahh... cause he's tucked up in bed by 7pm. And if we change that routine he's likely to wake up several times during the night. No thanks

To change the routine once in a while won't hurt! honestly, people get too hung up on a baby's 'routine'. How about get on with things as best you can and not stress over siad routine?

Tigletts

Sunnyside, I know how you feel. Will this be your first test? I did find the tests a learning process even if I did fail and found it very difficult. Good luck in any case.

sunnyside

Tigletts wrote: »

Sunnyside, I know how you feel. Will this be your first test? I did find the tests a learning process even if I did fail and found it very difficult. Good luck in any case.

Yes, first test, I've just updated the other thread, they let me cancel without loosing the fee because they had given me less than 10 days notice. Next time I'll do it anyway with zero expectations of passing and just see how I get on.

Alanstrainor

sunnyside wrote: »

Yes, first test, I've just updated the other thread, they let me cancel without loosing the fee because they had given me less than 10 days notice. Next time I'll do it anyway with zero expectations of passing and just see how I get on.

Confindence will work to your advantage in those situations. So i wouldn't be going in with the mentality that you're going to fail!
Just go into the test, knowing that you've done the work, and try your best to pass. That's all you can do, and if it happens that you fail, you can say, okay i need to work on X, Y & Z.
Best of luck and apply for your test again!