Scared of driving

[jenjen]

I failed my driving test last April can't believe it was a year ago already. I haven't driven since. I now NEED to pass my driving test because I don't want to be stuck with 2 kids and not being able to drive, especially as DH is in the army and could quite possibly be sent to Iraq again or Afghanistan sometime within the next 3 years The thing is, I'm really nervous. I know I can drive, and I made 1 silly mistake on my test due to nerves. But I've never been a confident person at the best of times. Being pregnant has made me even more nervous because I read in somebody else's thread that you're more likely to make silly mistakes whilst driving when you're pregnant. I've saved up enough money for my lessons, but I just keep putting off booking them and it's gonna be too late if I put them off for much longer. Also, my old instructor was fab, but she's changed driving schools now and I lost her number so I'm gonna have to find a new instructor, which just makes it all even more scary. Where can I get some confidence from? And has anybody else had driving lessons/tests whilst pregnant?

 

[Jimmer]

Hiya Jen! How are you doing?

Looking forward to joining you in Tri 2 next week - my wife and I have our scan tomorrow - at last - so hopefully will be here officially next week.

As for driving - do you have someone that could take you out who was not an instructor? I think that one of the best things you can do is just to drive as much as you can. Doesnt need to be an instructor, just someone to be with you in the car so you can just get comfortable driving. Obviously cant say what it is like while preggo, but if someone can just take you out - it might help to make you confident in the fact you are ok!

Hope it goes ok - sure you will be absolutely fine

Jimmer

 

[Sherlock]

If you get going now you should be fine A few weeks of refresher lessons and put in for your test

As you get further along driving does become more awkward for many women and it is said that good old pregnany brain can take off the edge from our attention span in the later weeks (I personally found this after 20 years of driving my attention levels adn reactions times were not what they had been so I chose to stop driving these past few weeks). Also just because our bodies change so much our reaction times are not always as quick as they would be when less bump like.

I'd just get driving again now and not fret about it. See how you go

 

[MissyRee]

I have a driving lesson today actually, i'll be honest with you though ive been learning to drive since December last year and i was picking things up quite quickly i was doing 2 hour lessons, then at the end of January i found out i was pregnant and i got morning sickness pretty bad.. so i only had about a month of driving when not pregnant and i was very nervous but could cope with learning new things, now i find tht sometimes i cant do a lesson as im feeling too rough from morning sickness/ tiredness (my driving instructor is great though and understands) and when i do drive i only do 1 hour lessons as i find it harder to remember things and concentrate, i do have a 'foggy brain' from pregnancy so im now not feeling too hopeful tht il pass before baby is here which is annoying.

Although saying tht i did somehow pass my Theory test in March and i really didnt study much for it as my mind was obviously thinking more about being pregnant and so i just kept forgetting to study lol. So i think its whatever you feel you can do and get out of it x

 

[abcd1234]

I think the making silly mistakes is related to concentration, mine was always pretty bad, now im pregnant i hate driving places as if im tired i worry i'll loose concnetration.

TBH the worst thing you could have done is not get back in the car after you failed a year ago. I know why you did it, i tried after i hit something when learning, but i HAD to drive home as other person wasnt insured.

If you have anyone around who can drive with you i would suggest you go out with them first, maybe get them to take you somewhere quiet whilst you get used to the controls again, you should pick it up easily if you were at test level before. Good luck

 

[jenjen]

Thanks everyone. I think I'll get DH to take me for a drive just to get things started again.

I wish I hadn't stopped driving when I failed, but I had no choice because DH went to Iraq for 6 months just after the test so I went to stay with my parents who work all day, so there was nobody to look after DS while I had driving lessons. Also things were really tight while DH was away so we couldn't really afford for me to have anymore lessons/tests ect. I don't want to wait any longer, I just wish I could get it all over and done with. I just get so nervous when it comes to practical tests, theory is fine, but practical stuff scares the life outta me

Hey Jimmer - good luck for your scan tomorrow, don't forget to post pics!!!

 

[nickilubs]

Shhhhhhh but The first time I tried to drive I crashed a van into a warehouse!!!! It took me 2years before trying again but I did make sure it was with a proper instructor!

But really you have to remember that last year when you did fail who ever your instructor was they were confident enough about your ability they must of thought you could pass or you wouldn't of been told to book it. The sooner you do book yourself up and try again the sooner you will of pass! Also you could of just had a cranky tester!

 

[Mildly]

Good luck with your lessons, I agree with the others - practise is the key to helping you feel relaxed and comfortable driving. I feel I am a better driver whilst pregnant and certainly haven't noticed any lapses of concentration. I did get my first speeding ticket a month or so ago But that was more a case of getting caught as I was driving as normal and the speed camera was completely hidden.

Just think it would be so lovely to be able to take the kids out for a day without your OH in the car. Use that as your motivation