[charlottemay93]

Hi, I passed my driving test a week ago today and got my car on Tuesday yet whenever I go out I feel like a bad driver and have no confidence! I struggled learning to drive and I now find it very stressful; so far I've only done short local journeys. I feel like its taking me ages to adjust to my car (a ka) as its so different to the one I learnt in! Plus i can't park but could do during my lessons. Does anyone else feel the same? Or have any advice please !

[A Mysterious Lord]

Best thing to do is go out on a Sunday afternoon for a few practice runs.

Do you have P plates?

[charlottemay93]

I've been going out when its quiet and yeah I do, hoping people will allow me more time/space with them on!

[laura1234]

According to my driving instructor (and my mums past experiences also) they both said to me you never fully learn to drive until you have passed your test. You only take your test to show that you can control a car in different situations, your still going to make mistakes and be nervous! The more practice the better, it's probably worth getting 'P' plates if you haven't already, people won't follow you so closely behind, make getting away with the occasional stall a little easier.

[Gob Bluth]

You'll be fine, i think we all lack confidence after passing. I know i was.

And i started driving after 1 year out yesterday with very little experience anyway after my test. Initially i was not confident on my own, but i found going out with my mates got my confidence back to top. Your friends if they are good drivers, or been driving for a while will help. They're not going to mess around as lives are at stake and they will help you.

[charlottemay93]

I just feel like I'm the only one a who feels like this although I really know I'm not, thanks for the advice!

[emily27x]

(Original post by charlottemay93)
Hi, I passed my driving test a week ago today and got my car on Tuesday yet whenever I go out I feel like a bad driver and have no confidence! I struggled learning to drive and I now find it very stressful; so far I've only done short local journeys. I feel like its taking me ages to adjust to my car (a ka) as its so different to the one I learnt in! Plus i can't park but could do during my lessons. Does anyone else feel the same? Or have any advice please !

I felt exactly the same when I first went out on my own. As soon as I got P plates, I felt better though. Do you have a friend who has passed or even is learning to drive that would be willing to go out with you for a drive?

One of my friends came out with me a few times after I passed and we just drove around for hours. Really helped my confidence, and she gave me directions (we literally drove to random places), which helped me to get used to that as well!

The main thing is to remember that you're obviously a good enough driver to pass your test so you are fine on the roads, and as long as you have your p's people should cut you some slack.

Also, before I passed, I went out for 2 one hour lessons in my own car, but with my driving instructor. This really, really helped me as I could get used to my car without feeling any pressure about my surroundings or making a major mistake. Maybe you could try that with your instructor. Costs a bit of money but is 100% worth it if it helps you to feel more confident.

I've had my full license for 3 months now, and I sometimes still get quite nervy. The other day I had to get out of my car and get my mum to drive it through a tiny gap on my road because I was too scared! But it comes with time, and you will eventually get it!

Eventually, you will just suddenly think 'wow this is fine, why did I ever think it wasn't'! Just keep persevering, and don't let anything put you off! Good luck

[ROG.]

Remember this -

They do not want to have any incidents with you just as much as you do not want to have any incidents with them - no matter what their experience

[Greenzgal]

(Original post by charlottemay93)
Hi, I passed my driving test a week ago today and got my car on Tuesday yet whenever I go out I feel like a bad driver and have no confidence! I struggled learning to drive and I now find it very stressful; so far I've only done short local journeys. I feel like its taking me ages to adjust to my car (a ka) as its so different to the one I learnt in! Plus i can't park but could do during my lessons. Does anyone else feel the same? Or have any advice please !

I feel exactly the same passed on wednesday took me two days to go out on my own and I have my own car already! I've just started going to places and roads I know to build my confidence! But I'm not branching out to other areas anytime soon! Very nerve racking but I find music helps me


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[charlottemay93]

I've been considering asking my driving instructor to sit beside me for an hour in my own car so I can gain confidence that way but is this kind of a step backwards? I've learnt and passed yet I'm still relying on a driving instructor for confidence. Ive been going out in my car with my boyfriend and mum but I don't feel ready/confident to go out on my own so having a car right now is kind of pointless!

[Greenzgal]

(Original post by charlottemay93)
I've been considering asking my driving instructor to sit beside me for an hour in my own car so I can gain confidence that way but is this kind of a step backwards? I've learnt and passed yet I'm still relying on a driving instructor for confidence. Ive been going out in my car with my boyfriend and mum but I don't feel ready/confident to go out on my own so having a car right now is kind of pointless!

I find that sometimes when I over think I get nervous so I don't I just put on a brave face and go,when my friends offer to follow me home behind I say no..just so I can build on my confidence try night time local areas to begin with then before you know you will be fine.i think getting an instructor is a waste of money I'm sure u already gave him/her loads in the first place to teach you. practise makes perfect!


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[BTNH]

Believe me, seriously, believe me I know what you're talking about! I was pretty **** for a lot of driving lessons. In fact, one of my worst lessons ever was my penultimate lesson before my test! Fortunately I drove well on the test and passed last month.

I've now been driving for a week. During those 3 weeks without a car, I was thinking "I want to drive, but am I really that confident?" Because I cant emphasis this enough, seriously at times during lessons I was an awful driver. However when I first sat in my own car, everything became great. During this week of driving, I've made journeys and driven the way I would never have imagined during a lesson. Why? Well I'll explain.

Although Instructors are just doing a job, remember they are teaching you to a strict DVLA like syllabus. All of that adds a ton of unnecessary pressure, things like being told to do this and that, 6 point checks, strict techniques about doing this and that. It's just another example of over the top, rules and regulations etc. When I was in my own car, doing things my own way, I became a better driver over night. Trust me, you were good enough to pass, when you're in your own car, you have the freedom to drive the way YOU want. Of course, that doesn't mean driving like a ****ing idiot, the emphasis is always safety however, what I mean is, when you arn't in bondage by the strict way the DVLA expects, you generally drive much better with more confidence.