Dont know what to do....

scared-stiff

Hello, Ive been attempting to learn to drive on and off for over 2yrs now. I was doing quite well with lessons and my driving instructor even suggested I applied for the test. In the meantime I had a 2nd baby and didnt drive for ages. Now I'm scared to start again. Anyway, my provisional was going to expire and I was advised to apply for the test and ask to have it set for as late as possible. Anyway, I have now recieved a date for the 28th May. I don't drive at all...... due to an awful lack of confidence and a fear that I will have an accident with my kids in the car.
What should I do ?? I'm not fit to take the test in 3 weeks. Should I give up and leave it a few years ?? To this, I have to add that I bought a car when pregnant with the 2nd. Which was a stupid mistake too.....
My husband will no longer discuss the issue with me and at this stage I can't say I blame him.
Any advice is welcome:(

ironclaw

scared-stiff wrote: »

Hello, Ive been attempting to learn to drive on and off for over 2yrs now. I was doing quite well with lessons and my driving instructor even suggested I applied for the test. In the meantime I had a 2nd baby and didnt drive for ages. Now I'm scared to start again. Anyway, my provisional was going to expire and I was advised to apply for the test and ask to have it set for as late as possible. Anyway, I have now recieved a date for the 28th May. I don't drive at all...... due to an awful lack of confidence and a fear that I will have an accident with my kids in the car.
What should I do ?? I'm not fit to take the test in 3 weeks. Should I give up and leave it a few years ?? To this, I have to add that I bought a car when pregnant with the 2nd. Which was a stupid mistake too.....
My husband will no longer discuss the issue with me and at this stage I can't say I blame him.
Any advice is welcome:(

You'd be amazed how quickly you can get "back on the horse" I'd go for it. Drive your heart out for the next three weeks. At least you can say you tried plus if you get it, which you should, you'll save yourself €75 with the new fee introduced. They pass women much easier than guys so you have a better chance than most guys in the same situation.

Go for it and don't look back.

Audie

If it helps, i'm kind of in the same situation (except i dont have the good excuse of having had babies - i'm just lazy!) I feel really underconfident while driving with anyone.. and i'm not sure my passangers enjoy it either!

I haven't driven in a few months now (my L plates mysteriously disappeared...), but planning to go out this afternoon. It's a busy bank holiday weekend but sure i'll give it a go!

Scared-stiff, even if you dont pass the test, at least that will be good practise if you need a second go! So go for it and good luck!

ilovemarmite

Hi

Have you postponed your test before. If you booked it you can postpone it twice as long as you do it ten working days before test. So if you postpone in about a week it'll give you a bit of extra time.

Have a couple of practice drives to get used to feel of it again then book a lesson so your instructor can tell you what things you need to work on. Driving experience is what most people need once they have all the technical stuff under control.

Don't worry too much about test, go into it positive, do your best, and if you do not pass don't get discouraged. Just learn from the faults you get marked for.

Don't put it off for a few years. It'll be no easier then and you'll just build up in your head that you are nervous about it.

Do some lessons, drive for a while every day if you can, tell yourself to be calm and confident, ignore anyone who beeps at you if you go a bit slow ir dont move off superfast, just stay calm and relaxed.

Remember not to drive by yourself either as its a big fine, court summons and five penalty points!!!!

Good Luck

Adam Selene

Remember not to drive by yourself either as its a big fine, court summons and five penalty points!!!!

I dont think you get 5 penalty points.

ilovemarmite

Yes you do. As of 1st of may there are some new penalty point offences and this is one of them unfortunately. Bit severe considering you only get 1 if you drive down the motor way the wrong way!!


http://www.penaltypoints.ie/assets/pdf/microsoft%20word%20-%20document1.pdf

timmywex

ilovemarmite wrote: »

Yes you do. As of 1st of may there are some new penalty point offences and this is one of them unfortunately. Bit severe considering you only get 1 if you drive down the motor way the wrong way!!


http://www.penaltypoints.ie/assets/pdf/microsoft%20word%20-%20document1.pdf

Currently you are summounsed to court is all that happens.There you could get a fine or prison, if its a miltiple offence.

There is a povision under the road traffic act 2004 for penalty points for driving unaccompanied, howver, this section has yet to be enacted.

scared-stiff

Thanks everyone for your advice.
I haven't postponed the test before, if I do, how much time does that buy me ? As someone above said, it is getting used to driving regularly I really need. I have never driven anywhere on my own and the problem I have is that it's very hard to find someone to come out driving with me. I'd love to head out on a morning like today when the roads are really quiet, unfortunately that isnt happening with 2 small kids.
D'ont get me wrong, I really want to be driving. It would make life with two kids under 3yrs sooooo much easier.
Just hard to know, should I just take this test, even though I'm REALLY not ready. Or cancel it and try to buy some time ?
It's such a relief to be able to ask someone's opinion:)

ilovemarmite

Hi

If you postpone it in couple of weeks it'll buy you an extra 8 weeks probably, I know that's what it did for me anyway.

It can be tricky to get people to come out with you and organise the time. If you go anywhere with someone with there license offer to drive. See if you can do a lesson every couple of weeks to practice test route and manouvers.

Hope it goes well for you

PS.
timmywex it has been enacted as of may 1st. I suppose you could risk it but if you are alone in car and get caught when you go to court there is not much to dispute!

I definitely don't want 5 points before I even have my full license!

fiona-f

Why are you so scared now? You told us that your previous driving instructor told us that you were almost ready for your test and that you were doing well in your lessons. Did something happen to dent your confidence? May I suggest that as a learner you should never drive with your children in the car, you will be hugely distracted and concerned about them and this will have an effect on your driving if you are not confident.

I would definitely not suggest leaving it for a few years; get right back in the saddle and focus on the benefits of having your full licence. It sounds like you haven't driven in a while, so I'd advise booking three or four lessons with your old instructor (if you liked him/her) scheduled quite close together to get you back used to it, say four in the next fortnight. Then agree with someone - your husband, a neighbour, a sister, whoever, to set aside one hour, say two or three times a week, to take you out to practice. Get someone to look after the kids and go for it. Seriously, your post reads a bit like you're looking for excuses not to do it but I am pretty sure that with a bit of will, it can be done. After your first or second lesson, ask your driving instructor for advice on whether to accept your current test date or to postpone, but make sure you keep the test as an objective in the next few months.

Best of luck, let us know how you get on!

timmywex

ilovemarmite wrote: »

Hi



PS.
timmywex it has been enacted as of may 1st. I suppose you could risk it but if you are alone in car and get caught when you go to court there is not much to dispute!

I definitely don't want 5 points before I even have my full license!

It has not yet been enacted to the best of my knowledge!

Do you have any proof that it has been?!

Adam Selene

http://www.penaltypoints.ie/licence_offences.php

One point, with no information as to wheter it has been implemented.

Blatent fearmongering

ilovemarmite

Calm down, it is not fearmongering

I heard about the new offences from a friend whose daughter is a garda I was unsure about it looked up the new offences and it said if you drive without test certificate you get 5points.

I did not know about the separate license offences, I had looked through penalty point website but did not come across them.

Anyway 1point or 3 with court conviction is bad enough.

I'd love to be able to drive without someone else in the car. My point to the op was just not to risk it not to start a debate on how badly you get punished if you do. I think they need to review learner permits. Like say after 6-8months you can at least drive during day alone.

scared-stiff

When my instructor told me to apply, twas about 2yrs ago and I was only having lessons in their car. I hadn't been driving other than the lessons and I'm not sure why she suggested it. I'm just thinking with no driving experience am I wasting my time. Will admit this is the kick in the ass I needed to actually do something.

greyc

ilovemarmite wrote: »

Calm down, it is not fearmongering

I heard about the new offences from a friend whose daughter is a garda I was unsure about it looked up the new offences and it said if you drive without test certificate you get 5points.

I did not know about the separate license offences, I had looked through penalty point website but did not come across them.

Anyway 1point or 3 with court conviction is bad enough.

There are no pnalty points for driving un-accompanied, the test certificate relates to the NCT not a Driving Test Cert.

ilovemarmite

Thanks greyc that makes more sense. I was thinking that last night thats what it might mean.

But the link Adam Selene gave says you get 1point or 3 on court conviction. Its not one of the 36 or 5 new ones though.

List of Offences: Licence Offences

M = Mandatory Court Appearance
List of the 69 Driving Offences covered
*Source: Department of Transport

Title of Offence

Penalty Points on Payment of Fixed Charge

Penalty Points on Court Conviction

Driving without a driving licence

2

5

Failure to produce licence

1

3

Applying for a licence while disqualified for so applying

1

3

Giving false or misleading details when applying for licence

1

3

Provisional licence holder driving without being accompanied by and under the supervision of qualified person

1

3

They also give following info on website:

As of April 3rd 2006 there are currently 36 road traffic offences that attract penalty points. Link to list of 36 existing penalty point offences

The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides for a total of 69 road safety offences that can attract penalty points.
These offences fall into several categories:

• Driving
• Licence
• Vehicle penalties
• Mandatory Court Appearance

Its a bit confusing its saying there is 36 (plus 5new ones since may1st) and also saying there is 69 that can attract penalty points.

I think 41 are active of the 69 now and the rest have the amount of penalty points you will get once they are 'active' penalty points.

Anyway looks like for moment you don't get penalty points since they are not in the 41 active offences.

I am quite happy to admit I was mistaken on this one as I thought it was absolutely crazy and severe!

ilovemarmite

How is the driving going scaredstiff?

Why don't you book a lesson if you are a bit nervous. That'll ease you back into it a bit. Then see if you can get someone to go with you every day or two even for 20 or 30mins. Just to build up road experience, reacting to different situations and driving conditions etc.

You can plan to postpone your test twice. So you could plan to do it at end of summer by postponing it 10 working days before each test.

I know its a bit daunting and due to the rules hard to practice as much as you'd like but you are probably more capable than you think and you are maybe making yourself more worried the more you think about it.

Good Luck with getting back in the driving seat!!

scared-stiff

Well I drove to the local shop and home today, which is only 5 mins each way. Had both kids in the back and did ok, I think. Have a lesson booked for next Wednesday with the lady I had before. I find her great for my confidence so this time in between lessons I will try and get out myself. She said that she would definately cancel the test the first time as I wouldnt be ready and it wouldnt do my confidence any good if it was a disaster. Although she did say do nothing until we've been out on Wednesday. It's a right pain trying to get someone with a full license to come out in the evenings. Husband has to stay with the kids and that mainly leaves my 2 brothers, who say yes and then have training etc..... I'll get there though and I'm feeling more positive

XoXMascaraXoX

This is actual giberish to me. So.... you don't gt 5points for driving unacc? lol My neighbour'a a garda, im always terrifed cuz i practice along our estate everyday.

ilovemarmite wrote: »

Thanks greyc that makes more sense. I was thinking that last night thats what it might mean.

But the link Adam Selene gave says you get 1point or 3 on court conviction. Its not one of the 36 or 5 new ones though.

List of Offences: Licence Offences

M = Mandatory Court Appearance
List of the 69 Driving Offences covered
*Source: Department of Transport

Title of Offence

Penalty Points on Payment of Fixed Charge

Penalty Points on Court Conviction

Driving without a driving licence

2

5

Failure to produce licence

1

3

Applying for a licence while disqualified for so applying

1

3

Giving false or misleading details when applying for licence

1

3

Provisional licence holder driving without being accompanied by and under the supervision of qualified person

1

3

They also give following info on website:

As of April 3rd 2006 there are currently 36 road traffic offences that attract penalty points. Link to list of 36 existing penalty point offences

The Road Traffic Act 2002 provides for a total of 69 road safety offences that can attract penalty points.
These offences fall into several categories:

• Driving
• Licence
• Vehicle penalties
• Mandatory Court Appearance

Its a bit confusing its saying there is 36 (plus 5new ones since may1st) and also saying there is 69 that can attract penalty points.

I think 41 are active of the 69 now and the rest have the amount of penalty points you will get once they are 'active' penalty points.

Anyway looks like for moment you don't get penalty points since they are not in the 41 active offences.

I am quite happy to admit I was mistaken on this one as I thought it was absolutely crazy and severe!

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Sunjammer

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

May-be off topic but IMO some of the very worst drivers are full license holders. I see some of these idiots almost daily where they see an L plate like a red rag to a bull, I have seen some of these morons take roundabouts in the wrong lane next to you and cut right across in front of you and the same I've seen at traffic lights and junctions. Also on straights why do these clowns pass you then slow back down so you then you have to slow down. Another pet hate is them driving practically in your back seat. They do this not because the L driver is going too slow or doing anything wrong it is just because they see an L plate. Some also have forgotton what an indicator is!

Rant over lol :-D

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Sunjammer

donegalfella wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I agree, I think theses morons do this either for kicks or because they have been stuck behind a complete beginner at some stage therefore threat every L plated car with contempt. May-be a system of different plates would help say for example a "P" for first LP drivers, the conventional "L" for 2nd and subsequent LP.. and here is something that would really hammer home a lesson make a driver on penalty points display a plate to let people see he / she has points may be a couple of different plates for the amount or seriousness of the offence(s) committed to receive the PPs,