Upset about driving
vintage_girl
Posts: 3,573 Forum Member
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Hi all:) I passed my driving test a few months ago, but have only driven a handful of times since- and it's always been with someone else in the passenger seat, usually a more experienced driver.
I may be starting a new job soon, which is in another town, and public transport isn't really an option. I've done a practice drive with someone directing me, but the thought of doing it on my own terrifies me.
I passed my test in Northern Ireland, and driving there is easier, plus I know the roads. I've also just found out that there's no 45 speed limit for new drivers here, like in NI. This stresses me out, as I'm expected to drive faster, but I don't feel confident going at 60.
I don't really know what advice I'm after, I guess I just want some reassurance. I drive fine when there's someone with me, but on my own I get really scared, as there's no one to bail me out if I take the wrong turn or am unsure about something. I also get really embarrassed when I'm trying to park and make a meal of it. I feel like everyone's laughing at me.
How long after passing your test did it take you to become a confident driver?
I may be starting a new job soon, which is in another town, and public transport isn't really an option. I've done a practice drive with someone directing me, but the thought of doing it on my own terrifies me.
I passed my test in Northern Ireland, and driving there is easier, plus I know the roads. I've also just found out that there's no 45 speed limit for new drivers here, like in NI. This stresses me out, as I'm expected to drive faster, but I don't feel confident going at 60.
I don't really know what advice I'm after, I guess I just want some reassurance. I drive fine when there's someone with me, but on my own I get really scared, as there's no one to bail me out if I take the wrong turn or am unsure about something. I also get really embarrassed when I'm trying to park and make a meal of it. I feel like everyone's laughing at me.
How long after passing your test did it take you to become a confident driver?
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Comments
The more you think about it and put off doing it the more scared you will be. My advice would be when you have some free time, fill your car up and take yourself off somewhere you haven't been before, and just drive around and come home again.
I've driven long distance and actually prefer motorway driving,I hate driving short distances and avoid it at all costs.
I hate the clutch on the car, and hate the stupid gearbox (its a sports gear box). I feel like the car is too powerful and I'm scared driving with my son in the back.
I completely understand how you feel
I was only saying to my husband this evening that next weekend I need to take the car out for a spin as I really need to nail the clutch, I can't keep avoiding uphill starts forever
about 2 seconds but i love driving.
It does take a couple of weeks before you get used to not having anyone sitting next to you!
Go out by yourself at a quiet time for a long spin, long straight roads, leave it in 3rd gear for longer than normal and try and have a bit of "fun" when driving.
Driving is actually great fun, when you realise how much independence you now have at your fingertips.
My first solo 'journey'? I started the car, tried to manoeuvre out of our narrow cul-de-sac (it involved a lot of going backward and forwards and strangely mutated three-point turns), failing miserably and going back inside the house. Never mind that I'd done the same set of moves on pretty much every driving lesson.
Take it slowly. No matter if you take a wrong turn. I stalled my car on every journey taken over many more weeks then I dare to admit
I passed my test in the June and in the September I drove from West Yorkshire to Skye with only my teenage brother in the car with me (he had a provisional licence at the time so not an experienced driver) and I'm really glad I pushed myself to make that journey. It helped immensely. Absolutely petrifying at first but it allowed me to realise what I (and the car) was capable of.
Now I find I like driving much more than I ever thought that I would.
no offense but u sound like the sort of person who goes 30 in a 50... going slow is just as bad as going fast. I cant stand ppl who drive slow.
Oh I can assure you that I am not. The little car and I like a good blast. Can't stand people who go below the speed limit for no reason. Especially in rush hour.
However, I wonder whether you could be the person constantly up my exhaust pipe when I'm doing 40 in a 40 area with speed cameras. That is also annoying. I'm not getting a speeding ticket for anyone.
I think what you're really saying is that you hate driving your husband's 2 litre BMW and that's understandable as it's very different to your instructor's. It's really not a town car, which is why you find motorway driving easier, as you're not having to deal with the stop-start of town driving.
Would it be possible to get yourself a car more like the one you learned in until you get more experience and thus more confidence? You could keep the cost down by getting 3rd party insurance; a smaller engine would also cost less to tax and would be cheaper to run. I have been driving for more than 40 years and I would hate to drive someone else's BMW -especially my husband's (if I had one!).
lol the cameras are turned off over here so yeah it is possible if u drive in essex
Urgh, this is exactly what I'm worried about. There's a really bendy road that I have to drive on, where the speed limit is 60. Even going at 45 is a struggle for me, as I feel like I'm going to plough into the sharp bends. I usually go between 37 and 40, and people just have to deal with that. It's better than crashing.
40 mph is a reasonable speed to be doing in a 60 mph zone, drive to the conditions of the road/weather conditions and remain inside your comfort zone until you gain more experience. The posted speed limits are the max allowed but you do not have to drive at them no matter what anyone says.
Exactly! Bloody people who think they're so important that they have to get everywhere quickly. Just ignore the ones who drive up your bum, as long as you're not going super slow it doesn't matter.
You will get used to it, I think if you're not at least a wee bit nervous then there is something wrong. Let us know how it goes.:)
Yeah you're right...I've done the drive at night, in the rain, and then I even slow down to 35...I'm always really paranoid that the other drivers are cursing me, and I'm always getting overtaken (although that doesn't bother me too much).
I will do! I have to drive tomorrow morning, although bf will be coming with me as I'm still not 100% confident about directions. I might buy a sat nav actually!
no a sharp bend is fine it is when u have a minute near 50 straight and ppl drive 35 that makes me mad if i have to get back.
Buy an automatic.
I seem to be progressing slowly unlike everyone else I know, who just took to it no problems at all. But the main thing I was told is not to give up. So maybe my this time next year I'll be a pro!
To get confidence you have to drive without people.