[SuperStarr1]

Hi all,

So my background: I passed my test a while ago (1 year and 8 months ago to be exact), I had driving lessons just over a month ago, but today I bought a car (I'm excited about it etc) but my confidence on the road is at an all time low. I came back from a drive about 20 minutes ago and just cried. I really don't know why, but I just feel like I can't drive like I used to anymore.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get confidence in driving back? Or just tips about driving in general? (I'm struggling with parking at the moment so will take more lessons). Although it's extreme, I've even thought about not driving at all .

Thanks

[TheCurlyHairedDude]

You cried? Wtf?

If you need to get your confidence back then you need to get in your car and drive more. This whole crying thing has really opened up my eyes, there a more over-sensitive people in this world than I thought.

[drummer]

Drive more, don't worry about cars creeping up behind you. If you're excited about being able to drive now that should make you more confident not lower your confidence.

[Emma:-)]

Drive more, the more you drive, the better your confidence will get. And keep on with the lessons you are having, they will help, especially in areas you feel you are weakest (e.g. parking)

[Megaross]

Drive with someone in to start off if you're very nervous. Build it up.

Some people are naturally confident, some people aren't. The key thing is to just relax, one thing my instructor taught me, driving isn't hard if you just don't think about it to much.

[SuperStarr1]

(Original post by drummer)
Drive more, don't worry about cars creeping up behind you. If you're excited about being able to drive now that should make you more confident not lower your confidence.

(Original post by Emma:-))
Drive more, the more you drive, the better your confidence will get. And keep on with the lessons you are having, they will help, especially in areas you feel you are weakest (e.g. parking)

Definitely will try and drive more. I'm going to go out hopefully twice tomorrow and see how I feel, and Emma I will keep on with the lessons . Thanks.

[InnerTemple]

Drive more.

Consider taking the pass plus course if you haven't already.

If you find it really difficult, consider asking your old ADI to give you an hour or two refresher lesson.

When you become more confident, consider doing the IAM course to further your driving skills.

Have fun. Be careful.

[DeeWave]

Don't be too self critical. Yes there will be things you need to work on - but that's only natural. If more drivers realised their weaknesses and were keen to improve like you, rather than going about the place thinking they possess some God-given talent, we wouldn't have half the problems on the roads. It might seem tough now, but you will be able to get to the right standard.

Bulid up slowly. Try shorter drives, and carrying passengers you know will be supportive and won't unnerve you. Parents or an older sibling might be helpful. Drive at quieter times of day and on quieter routes to start with. Practice manoeuvres slowly until you build up confidence. Keep the speeds steady until your confidence is greater. Focus on keeping your observation and awareness up - if that's good enough then you'll be safe enough for normal driving, and everything else can follow along over time.

Maybe try a few driving lessons, or alternatively look towards an advanced driving organisation such as the IAM or RoADAR. Their coaching works out much cheaper than using driving instructors, but they look to develop different things - so it may not be quite right for you. If you pay for an ADI, make sure they're focussing on exactly what you want.

Good luck

[drummer]

And well the way I do it, I tried to find every excuse to take the car out: band practice, mates house, night out, whatever. If you get excited to go somewhere without the fact you are going to be late from an uncomfortable public transport ride that will definitely help a lot

[Juno]

I can relate to this. The first time I drive my car (about half a mile to work on a very quiet Sunday morning) I needed a sit down and a cup of tea to recover - and spent the 2 hours before hometime panicking as I'd have to drive again soon!

The only advice I can give you is to practise. It's up to you whether you drive alone or with someone there - some people like having someone to give advice, but I prefer being on my own.

One thing I did was drive several hundred miles, inluding motorways, about a week after getting my car. I'm not sure I'd recommend this, but I really feel it taught me to drive.

[SuperStarr1]

(Original post by InnerTemple)
Drive more.

Consider taking the pass plus course if you haven't already.

...

I don't think I can as its been over a year since I passed my test.

(Original post by DeeWave)
Don't be too self critical. Yes there will be things you need to work on - but that's only natural. If more drivers realised their weaknesses and were keen to improve like you, rather than going about the place thinking they possess some God-given talent, we wouldn't have half the problems on the roads. It might seem tough now, but you will be able to get to the right standard.

Bulid up slowly. Try shorter drives, and carrying passengers you know will be supportive and won't unnerve you. Parents or an older sibling might be helpful. Drive at quieter times of day and on quieter routes to start with. Practice manoeuvres slowly until you build up confidence. Keep the speeds steady until your confidence is greater. Focus on keeping your observation and awareness up - if that's good enough then you'll be safe enough for normal driving, and everything else can follow along over time.

Maybe try a few driving lessons, or alternatively look towards an advanced driving organisation such as the IAM or RoADAR. Their coaching works out much cheaper than using driving instructors, but they look to develop different things - so it may not be quite right for you. If you pay for an ADI, make sure they're focussing on exactly what you want.

Good luck

Thanks for your advice, I've just come back from a drive with these thoughts in my head. I'm trying not to let the pressure of other drivers get to me and I'm sticking to quieter roads for the time being. I think I'll have a few more lessons and see how it goes first.

(Original post by Juno)
I can relate to this. The first time I drive my car (about half a mile to work on a very quiet Sunday morning) I needed a sit down and a cup of tea to recover - and spent the 2 hours before hometime panicking as I'd have to drive again soon!

The only advice I can give you is to practise. It's up to you whether you drive alone or with someone there - some people like having someone to give advice, but I prefer being on my own.

One thing I did was drive several hundred miles, inluding motorways, about a week after getting my car. I'm not sure I'd recommend this, but I really feel it taught me to drive.

It's nice to know that other people have been in a similar situation and can get passed the initial nervousness etc. Think I'll leave the motorways for a few weeks lol, well until I start being confident on busier roads. I'm going to try and drive for an hour a day everyday, until I have places to drive to. Thanks

Thanks to everyone else to, I'm just going to try and drive more.

[Juno]

(Original post by SuperStarr1)
It's nice to know that other people have been in a similar situation and can get passed the initial nervousness etc. Think I'll leave the motorways for a few weeks lol, well until I start being confident on busier roads. I'm going to try and drive for an hour a day everyday, until I have places to drive to. Thanks

Thanks to everyone else to, I'm just going to try and drive more.

I actually think it can be a good thing to realise you're not an amazing driver - you're not going to go off speeding, or do reckless things, and you're probably not going to drink and drive either. So in that respect you might be safer than someone who thinks they're invincible.

An hour might be a bit too much, especially if you're not actually going anywhere, as you might get tired and bored. So you might want to try to stretch journeys out instead - like go to buy milk, but don't go to the nearest shop but go to the one a bit further away.

[SuperStarr1]

(Original post by Juno)
I actually think it can be a good thing to realise you're not an amazing driver - you're not going to go off speeding, or do reckless things, and you're probably not going to drink and drive either. So in that respect you might be safer than someone who thinks they're invincible.

An hour might be a bit too much, especially if you're not actually going anywhere, as you might get tired and bored. So you might want to try to stretch journeys out instead - like go to buy milk, but don't go to the nearest shop but go to the one a bit further away.

I guess, I agree when you put it that way. I just want to be safe and confident on the road, but I guess it takes time.

Maybe I'll try and do little things at a time then, I thought an hour just driving about would be good but yeah you're right I will get bored soon. Thanks for your help

[InnerTemple]

(Original post by SuperStarr1)
I don't think I can as its been over a year since I passed my test.

You can take pass plus at any time. It is just that the longer you leave it, the less discount your insurer will offer you.

I would recommend it and I would recommend doing it in larger chunks - I did six hours in one go (with rest breaks) driving around London and then into the countryside. Two lots of 3 hours would also be useful.

I found it good for building up confidence - you will be put into situations that you will not have covered during your lessons, will be driving for longer and learning at a more advanced level.

[gbduo]

Drive in a private carpark, like the local tesco car park on a Sunday afternoon after 4pm or a business estate on a weekend. It will be dead, you can practice parking in the bays, pulling out of junctions, clutch control and learn your car without the pressures of traffic around you.

Pass Plus is apparently not recognised by most insurers nowadays I was told. The IAM do a course called Surety I think, which is.

HTH

Graham

[Beatlemania]

(Original post by SuperStarr1)
Hi all,

So my background: I passed my test a while ago (1 year and 8 months ago to be exact), I had driving lessons just over a month ago, but today I bought a car (I'm excited about it etc) but my confidence on the road is at an all time low. I came back from a drive about 20 minutes ago and just cried. I really don't know why, but I just feel like I can't drive like I used to anymore.

I was wondering if anyone has any tips on how to get confidence in driving back? Or just tips about driving in general? (I'm struggling with parking at the moment so will take more lessons). Although it's extreme, I've even thought about not driving at all .

Thanks

I passed my driving test two years ago, but only just brought my first car about 3 weeks ago.

I was in the same situation as you. When I drove my new car from the garage to my house, it was my first bit of real driving on the road since I passed my driving test!

Anyway, I went to the petrol station the next day, ]my dad was in the passanger seat]. I put petrol in and drove home, it was fine! I then started driving to work in my car, obviously on my own, and drive to work in my car every day now! I go to the shops when I need too, take my family somewhere if they want to go out etc.

My confidence grew very quickly because of all the driving! Yours will too, belive me! Just relax and take it steady. Don't be bothered about anyone else and what they think. Once you drive everywhere, like I do, your confidence will grow and you will do new things. For example, I sometimes go to work down the bypass and I am getting better at parking.

Doesn't matter if you stall once or twice, I did when I first started driving again! Just remember, you have passed your test so you have just as much right as the other drivers!

Good luck and drive safely!

[abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz]

you're a woman, it's only natural. Nothing you can do about it though apart from drive more

[SuperStarr1]

(Original post by InnerTemple)
You can take pass plus at any time. It is just that the longer you leave it, the less discount your insurer will offer you.

I would recommend it and I would recommend doing it in larger chunks - I did six hours in one go (with rest breaks) driving around London and then into the countryside. Two lots of 3 hours would also be useful.

I found it good for building up confidence - you will be put into situations that you will not have covered during your lessons, will be driving for longer and learning at a more advanced level.

I think i'll look into doing it then, I think it would be good to experience different situations I haven't before. Like, I've never driven in the dark before and still haven't. I'm feeling excited and nervous about finally doing it tbh.

(Original post by Beatlemania)
I passed my driving test two years ago, but only just brought my first car about 3 weeks ago.

I was in the same situation as you. When I drove my new car from the garage to my house, it was my first bit of real driving on the road since I passed my driving test!

Anyway, I went to the petrol station the next day, ]my dad was in the passanger seat]. I put petrol in and drove home, it was fine! I then started driving to work in my car, obviously on my own, and drive to work in my car every day now! I go to the shops when I need too, take my family somewhere if they want to go out etc.

My confidence grew very quickly because of all the driving! Yours will too, belive me! Just relax and take it steady. Don't be bothered about anyone else and what they think. Once you drive everywhere, like I do, your confidence will grow and you will do new things. For example, I sometimes go to work down the bypass and I am getting better at parking.

Doesn't matter if you stall once or twice, I did when I first started driving again! Just remember, you have passed your test so you have just as much right as the other drivers!

Good luck and drive safely!

Thanks for your advice.. I will try and drive as much as I can, I'm sticking to the quieter times for now though. I did go on a main road (30mph) earlier today when I went to Sainsburys, so I guess my confidence is (very slowly) coming back .

[InnerTemple]

(Original post by SuperStarr1)
I think i'll look into doing it then, I think it would be good to experience different situations I haven't before. Like, I've never driven in the dark before and still haven't. I'm feeling excited and nervous about finally doing it tbh.

Good stuff - You'll do motorways as well, which are often a hurdle for new drivers. Seeing you are in London, I imagine it will be something like the m25/m11 for you - always good fun!

I done mine on the M25 and then into central London and back out into Essex for the country road part. It was quite useful as a month later I started having to drive between Essex and West Yorkshire - putting into practice the motorway, city and country driving elements!

Best of luck.

[sclez1]

This is the exact reason I hate the attitude of most drivers. People that furiously beep at every single little mistake, can't they see how upset they make people? There's so many people now that dread going on the roads just because pathetic individuals desperately need to assert themselves over the less experienced.