terrified to drive after being messed about

ive been on and off driving for 2 years, (im a 19 year old female), and ive had two main experiences

the first one was with Elite Driving and my teach basically was a perv and ripped me off hundreds - id had 16 hours with him and id never gone out of second gear let along reversing or manoeuvres so i stopped having lessons with him, passed my theory and decided to give up for a few months because i was in the middle of my a levels

so in the summer between college and moving to uni i completed a week long intensive course with an independent driving instructor. he led me to believe i was this amazing driver and i was perfect at every manoeuvre and it was impossible for me to fail because 'the test isn't even that bad or important'

i was stopped 4 minutes into doing the test after failing the two questions about the car before i got in (i wasnt told this was even part of the test and had no idea how to control the lights etc)

the test man told me i was far too nervous on the roads and i had told my instructor that i didnt feel ready but he and my dad made me do the test anyway.

long story short, im now in uni and literally everyone else can drive but me and its starting to get me down, i have no issue with the theory but im just too much of a nervous driver - can this be resolved??

I'm sorry you went through this ordeal in the first place, that sucks. My driving instructor always tells me (I'm very nervous on the roads too, sometimes I'll flat out refuse to do something because it terrifies me so much ) that the only way to get more confident on the road is to pick yourself up and get on with it. If you make a mistake, it's OK — you're learning! You're bound to make mistakes. The only way to quell your nerves is to find an instructor and get back into it ASAP. Maybe look for another intensive course? Be sure to do your research, there's a lot of cowboys around when it comes to driving instructors. What I find the most helpful is to have a really down to earth driving instructor. If you do something wrong, they need to tell you in no uncertain terms that you did it wrong. Try and look for someone like that, firm but fair. I hope this helps and best of luck!

I'm sorry you went through this ordeal in the first place, that sucks. My driving instructor always tells me (I'm very nervous on the roads too, sometimes I'll flat out refuse to do something because it terrifies me so much ) that the only way to get more confident on the road is to pick yourself up and get on with it. If you make a mistake, it's OK — you're learning! You're bound to make mistakes. The only way to quell your nerves is to find an instructor and get back into it ASAP. Maybe look for another intensive course? Be sure to do your research, there's a lot of cowboys around when it comes to driving instructors. What I find the most helpful is to have a really down to earth driving instructor. If you do something wrong, they need to tell you in no uncertain terms that you did it wrong. Try and look for someone like that, firm but fair. I hope this helps and best of luck!

i didnt even want to do the intensive course, i know that makes me sound spoilt but i didnt ask for it and was demanded to do it and pass..i learned all the manoeuvres in 4 hours and was expected to pass with just that much practise..i want a female driver because i can deal with bitches but not pervy old men!!

Well perhaps look for (female) instructors in your local area then?

Best thing I'd recommend is, if you can, drive with your mum or dad while you're taking lessons. Feeling like you're the only one in control of the car (no instructor controls to fall back on) really makes you concentrate on your driving.

You can definitely build your confidence up, it just takes practice! After you've passed (which you will), make a point of going on the routes that make you most nervous - massive roundabouts, motorways, whatever it is. When I used to drive to work, I'd park in a bay, so I became so out of practice with parallel parking that it'd give me a panic attack if I tried and failed. I made myself go to places where there were no bays to park, so I got the hang of it again. Didn't care how much traffic I held up as I got used to parking - as long as you're always aware of your surroundings, and not going to cause an accident. Don't let other road users make you nervous about being a learner!

Maybe if you wore less eyeliner the instructor could take you seriously.