Learning to drive

[Terrie]

Im 24 and I don't have a driving licence.

I did attempt to learn how to drive 6 years ago before Rhys was born but didn't make it as far as my test.

I have arthritis in both my knees and my left ankle... Back when I was 18 I didn't have my pain meds like I do now and it really hurt me to drive much longer than 10 minutes and I've always blamed my arthritis on me not driving even though I knew if I took my meds each day I'd be fine...

Well my job has now put me in a position where really I need to be driving and I know I could do it if I tried... My work have offered to pay for lessons and tests so really I'd be stupid to say no right?

But even thinking about it I'm shitting myself... I have such low self confidence and I know each lesson (from experience) will leave me a total wreck!

I've filled in for a replacement provisional licence tonight so once that comes through I'll get started with it...

Any of you girls learn how to drive without being confident? How did you do it? How many hours a week did you have and how many hours overall did it take you to learn?

Sorry for the long post lol

 

[KellyHook]

i could of written this myself.. i cant drive either, also 24, started and never finished! i obviously cant give you any advice, but id defo grab this opportunity with both hands!

Hope you can get started asap, and not as nervous eventually

good luck x

 

[tweetyfoo]

I had to be force to learn to drive as I had no confidence at all ... Best thing I ever did though!

Most lessons ended in tears in the beginning but slowly my confidence grew an I passed my test eventually (3rd time) now im a very confident driver


Please excuse any typos from my fat fingers!
Tapatalk madness!

 

[Lolly85x]

Good Luck! It's defo not an oppertunity to pass up...!!
I HATED learning to drive, I would be in tears waiting for my instructor coming. I had 56 lessons and it took me a whole year. It was a confidence thing for me. I just felt I couldn't do it. It was awful... I even remember the hour before my test pulling out at a roundabout infront of an ambulance and shaking cause my instructor had to stop the car... But I passed my theory and test first time. An have to say its one of the best things iv ever done
My advice is to take your time... A lesson a week is enough.
Don't squeeze in lessons. Make sure you have enough time and are not worrying about being late or anything like that. You need to give it 100%
There's loads off app's you can download for your theory test too...
And don't give up! I would have in a heartbeat, and glad I couldn't.
What my mum did for me, was block book lessons, so I couldn't make excuses if I never had money.
Good Luck xx

 

[Lolly85x]

And also, it sounds silly but you REALLY don't learn to drive untill you've passed your test. That's when your confidence grows. Im such a confident driver now. Would drive anywhere... Nothing phases me...xxx

 

[Lou12]

Just to say, I'm 33 and still don't drive!!! Been meaning to do it for years. About 3 years ago I did 27 hours worth of lessons - but i quit purely because I needed to build up my confidence, but didn't want to spend £19 per hour doing so! I had every intention of going out with dad to build that up, but never go round to it. (I'd passed my theory and everything!)

I do plan on taking it up again, hopefully in the next year - I need to as we plan to move to Cornwall in the next couple of years, and I want to be able to drive back to visit

Good luck to you Terrie!!!

 

[Titch85]

The best thing I ever did was learn to drive and get my car. I started just after my 17th birthday, and passed just after my 18th birthday. I had an hour of driving and half an hour of theory every week for 8 months, but failed my first test. I passed my theory first time though. I had another 1 or 2 lessons before passing my second test 3 months later. I was very nervous when I first went out on my own after passing, but now I love driving and have done thousands and thousands of miles.

 

[PyscoFalcon]

Good luck hun.

If you do get a provisional let me know how. I've been refused twice over the years due to my athritus. I'm now 30 and still can't drive, even scared to.

Kudos to you wanting to give it another shot (ps you can always learn in an automatic then drive an automatic if it helps)

 

[jennilisanne]

Make sure you have a teacher you really get on with, and maybe just do an automatic license (if you have an automatic car), it'll be so much easier for you.

 

[Terrie]

Hi girls, thought I'd give you an update.

I've got myself an instructor *yay* he's lovely and I'm sure it'll be great!

I've worked out I can start my lessons with the paperwork and licence which I have from last time so no need to wait to get a new licence woop!

First lesson booked for wednesday, 2 hours! Scareeeeddd!!!

 

[Lolly85x]

That's fab! Good Luck for Wednesday x

 

[Em91]

If you find manual to painful & tiring with your arthritis you could always learn automatic. Its a bit less strain with no clutch etc.. Thats what my brother did as he was finding manual to difficult with his muscle wastage disability.

As for confidence, I was awful. I passed my theory first time with full marks but took me 5 attempts at the actual test because as soon as I got in the car with the examiner I'd lose all confidence and forget everything! x

Using tapatalk so excuse the typos!