I need reassurance!!

Sugarbomb

Hi guys.
I'm on my fourth LP and I'm really losing heart at learning. I am finding it all so hard. Whenever i seem to be finally getting somewhere with it all, Something happens to me and then I can't drive for months
(broken ankle etc). :mad: So its kinda one step forward, two steps back.
I just started practicing again and now my mother is saying that i might just have to accept that I never will learn. But I want to learn so much. I need to be independant and hate always having to rely on people.
I own a 93 corolla and while i think it is too big and would love to buy something smaller, thats out of the question.
Sorry for the long post. I just really want to talk to someone about this.
Did any of you guys have a hard time learning?

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Sugarbomb

Thanks for that. I'm just stressing about things. You're totally right.

booksale

Hello, OP, I can understand your feelings and I believe there are a lot of learners who do feel frustrated in the process of learning.

I have made a lot of mistakes, getting a lot of beeps from others, pressing the accelerator instead of the brake (which was really dangerous), got beeped by other drivers behind me, got scratches on my car, broke the bumper of my friend's car (while he tried to give me a lesson on revsersing in a big safe park)... Luckily, I am still alive. THANKS GOD!

There are many many times I thought of giving up. But my friends always encourage me.

For myself, I once drove to other county with my friend. Those few days, I drove a lot and did a lot roundabouts. My friend was so scared sitting next to me the first day! :D But after that trip, I feel more confident to drive. Maybe if you think it's OK and you can get a person to spend a driving holiday with you, you can try.

You will get it sooner or later! I read a news about a woman in Taiwan in her forties tried 28 times for the driving test and finally she got it. Hopefully we would do a bit better than her. ;);) Or otherwise, it's not to big to break her record. See, she got a chance to be on the newspaper because this anyway, not a big deal at all, hahah!

Truley

Hi OP I know exactly how you feel. I got my first provisional licence at eighteen and made a half hearted attempt to learn to drive, (cruising around with my dad, no official lessons.) I then gave up for two years and didn't bother renewing my licence.

The thing is I am absolutely terrified of driving. I freak out at the thought of doing so many things at once, the thought of looking like an idiot when I make mistakes, of crashing and killing someone! I also beat myself over silly mistakes, like when I cause someone to beep at me. Which in turn makes me more nervous and frustrated.

I renewed my permit earlier this summer and booked ten lessons, of which I've done four. Still feeling really disheartned and nervous. And having seen friends who are far more confident and skilled fail, I don't think I could ever do a driving test and pass.

I know it's silly but at 22 I feel like most people my age will have learned to drive by now. My little brother had a full licence at eighteen and a half after six months of learning :mad:

MascotDec85

Truley wrote: »

Hi OP I know exactly how you feel. I got my first provisional licence at eighteen and made a half hearted attempt to learn to drive, (cruising around with my dad, no official lessons.) I then gave up for two years and didn't bother renewing my licence.

The thing is I am absolutely terrified of driving. I freak out at the thought of doing so many things at once, the thought of looking like an idiot when I make mistakes, of crashing and killing someone! I also beat myself over silly mistakes, like when I cause someone to beep at me. Which in turn makes me more nervous and frustrated.

I renewed my permit earlier this summer and booked ten lessons, of which I've done four. Still feeling really disheartned and nervous. And having seen friends who are far more confident and skilled fail, I don't think I could ever do a driving test and pass.

I know it's silly but at 22 I feel like most people my age will have learned to drive by now. My little brother had a full licence at eighteen and a half after six months of learning :mad:

What is the time frame between each lesson? The longer you leave between each lesson the longer it will take for you to pick things up and them become 2nd nature to you.

If say you take a 2 or 3 week break between lessons I can pretty much guarantee that you'll spend the first 25 - 30 mins of the subsequent lesson trying to get to grips with things you have already learned.

If my assumption is right I'd advise taking proper lessons more frequently or at very least ask your dad to take you out regularly between lessons and practice driving exactly how your ADI has shown you.

Don't lose heart, keep plugging away and it will come. Good luck


Oh and don't judge yourself against others. We are all different. People of all age ranges are learning to drive. At 22 you aren't over the hill just yet

LDC ADI 34490

MascotDec85 wrote: »

What is the time frame between each lesson? The longer you leave between each lesson the longer it will take for you to pick things up and them become 2nd nature to you.

If say you take a 2 or 3 week break between lessons I can pretty much guarantee that you'll spend the first 25 - 30 mins of the subsequent lesson trying to get to grips with things you have already learned.

If my assumption is right I'd advise taking proper lessons more frequently or at very least ask your dad to take you out regularly between lessons and practice driving exactly how your ADI has shown you.

Don't lose heart, keep plugging away and it will come. Good luck


Oh and don't judge yourself against others. We are all different. People of all age ranges are learning to drive. At 22 you aren't over the hill just yet

So true. We had an 82 year old lady get her first driving lesson only 2 days ago. It was in an automatic car and she was really excited about it. It was got for her as a birthday present by her son. She did incredibly well for a mature lady. Mind you the lesson was off road on our facility. You may have heard her interviewed on Ryan Tubridy on the radio. Point is you have plenty of time and I've no doubt in time you'll look back and think what was all the fuss about. As the guys have said practice is key.

Best of luck with it Sugarbomb, Booksale, Truley

Padraic
ADI 34490

jendafer1

Hi Sugarbomb,

Dont worry - you are certainly not alone in feeling like this!! I have had my provisional licence for...god I dont know. A long time! Thats for sure! I have tried to learn on 3 different occasions, the first time round I was really really nervous and didnt get much further than industrial estate, a year later I was doing a bit better but was still completely panicked anytime I got into a car. And then this year, it all of a sudden became a bit easier to learn. I think the main reason for this was that I stopped worrying what other people thought - ie what an instructor / friend driving with me would think if I made a mistake, and I stopped caring if other road users beeped me etc - they were learners once too. Once I got over this, I was able to focus on what I was doing, which makes driving a lot easier!

You do need to get out at least twice a week, otherwise the longer you leave it, the worse the nerves will get. Even if you can only go around the corner to the shops, its all building on your experience, and your confidence as a driver.
Also, I would recommend driving with someone who will not make you nervous, find a calming friend who is willing to go out with you. In my experience, boyfriends and Dads are not good teachers!

Anyway, good luck with the driving - and stick with it!

Truley

Thank you for the nice replys guys, I have been going for spins about 2-3 times a week with my dad, who I have to say is a very calm and patient teacher. I am trying to get as much practice as I can, as I have learned from experience that the longer I leave it the harder it can be!

Thanks again, you will be hearing alot more from me in this forum no doubt :pac: