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Passes test now feeling scared to drive on own!

I passed my test on wednesday and had a little drive on my own in the night time-
I was fine but on the way home i was sitting at traffic lights and didnt notice they were green (wtf!!!) and then i went towards a roundabout and missed about 3 opportunities before i actually went- this would not have bothered me except that i had the same driver behing me for both incidents and he was bibbing and shouting at me and i feel totally wreched now and i havent driven since- i have to pick my boyfriend up from the train station tonight and i really dont want to- i dont want to piss off an agressive driver again- it made me feel like passing my test was just luuck and that im now worthy to be on the road :frown:

Do you think that P plates would make people understand a bit more- just tempted to put my L plates back on but think this is illigal! Good i feel like such a failiture!
I got 3 minors in my test on hesitation aswell so i know this is my weak point- any tips please anyone?

Reply 1

Pookie

1

Yup put P plates on, might make people a bit more understanding.

Tips:- Practice makes perfect.

It is normal to be scared and make mistakes, however as you drive more the easier it will all become and you will start to build up confidence.

Reply 2

Kingspharm

10

Yeah, get some P plates and go out and just drive around when it's quiet to get used to being on your own. But watch the petrol gauge...!

Reply 3

_Jax_

1

What those don't work at all, I never ever treat p plate drivers better than normal drivers, it just makes me think they have no confidence in their own ability and to get as far away from them as possible before they hit me. L plate drivers i give all the time in the world though because i remember what that was like.

Also I am a sexist pig so i am always lenient if a girl is messing about at a junction. I'm much more likely to just go "pssh woman driver" than I am to get irritated if it is a man.

Reply 4

silence

16

i was a tiny bit like this, but you've got the ability - you just need to comprehend your own time and space on the road, if that makes sense. i.e. if some driver does get angry, it's his problem! you've just passed a test, which means you're definitely one of the better drivers in the country; so many of them do far more silly things than not realising a lights green or don't go at rounabouts.. as in drift across lanes at 70mph in a 40, in fact, some don't even stop at roundabouts and just go straight on as if they've got right of way.

if it's any consolation, i don't get pissed off with other drivers unless what they're doing is dangerous. when i'm behind someone who's taking their time or has even not realised the light's green, i just wait and give them the time they need.

Reply 5

davedave

I wouldn't bother with the P-plates. I worried about driving when I first passed my test. I think my main worry was getting in other people's way by doing things wrong aswell. I think the best way to get over it is just get out there and drive. You'll soon find you had nothing to worry about because you'll see other people make just as many mistakes and you'll start to make less mistakes.

If someone is getting so worked up because you cost them 30 seconds of their time then they're the ones with the problem in my opinion.

Good luck and get out there! I'm sure you wouldn't anyway but make sure you don't try to get into too small a gap when someone's pressuring you while waiting at a roundabout!

Reply 6

Juno

20

Quite often, aggressive drivers will treat you worse if you have "P" plates on, as they will know you're new and not confident.

Make sure you leave loads of time for your journey, and if possible choose a less busy route or go at a less busy time.

Reply 7

michellehall

2

the day i passed my test i didnt indicate on my estate because i didnt see there was somebody behind me. they shouted out of their window 'when did you learn to drive get a f*****g clue' that knocked me a bit but now im the aggressive one lol. but i never actually beep or show my aggression i just get frustrated

Reply 8

chupacabras

1

I find the best way to deal with people that drive 6" from your bumper trying to hurry you up and beep at lights and roundabouts are to simply ignore them. If you don't feel confident pulling out at a roundabout even if the person behind thinks theres room, you shouldn't go. At the end of the day your the one driving your car, and it will be your fault if you pull out in front of someone. Ignore them and they will realise theyre having no effect and give up (usually).

Reply 9

_Jax_

1

chupacabras

I find the best way to deal with people that drive 6" from your bumper trying to hurry you up and beep at lights.....

This is time to shout "BRAKE CHECK!" They normaly keep well back after one of those.

Reply 10

thomasp

7

I wish cars had a switch on the dash that would light up the brake lights, without having the dangers of applying the brakes :biggrin:

Anyway, back to the original topic: I'd recommend finding a few quiet roads/roundabouts to practice on. I've been driving for over a year (haven't driven in the last 7 weeks though, because I'm at uni now), and still don't like roundabouts! I still hesitate a bit at roundabouts and junctions, and often miss gaps.

Just ignore the drivers behind you. It's better to be cautious than to pull out and find you've got a 40-tonne articulated lorry burried in the side of your car. :smile:

Reply 11

aleosa

Amyamyxxx it is fantastic that you are thinking about driving the way you are. So many drivers never think about the way they drive and never learn. They are content to casually drive, often dangerously, in autopilot blaming everyone else for their mistakes. Your ability to think about driving and being self- critical, questioning your own and other peoples' driving will make you a brilliant driver. As Pookie said practice and experience really does help. The road is your space and you are in charge. If other people don't like it they can overtake you are be patient. No driver ever has ultimate knowledge and skill, by being aware one can learn and become a better driver.

Reply 12

Zurich

9

You may have passed your test but you don't start learning to drive until the day after you pass.

It takes time to gain the confidence, and it's like any fear, there's absolutely nothing you can do about it except to keep doing it and doing it and doing it until you get used to it and become comfortable with it.

Reply 13

chupacabras

1

thomasp

I wish cars had a switch on the dash that would light up the brake lights, without having the dangers of applying the brakes :biggrin:

I found that I can light up my reverse lights while travelling forwards. Theyre set to come on when I push the gear stick down and move it over to the right, so they come on without reverse actually being engaged.

Reply 14

Amyamyxxx

OP

Thank you so much for your comments- it made me feel so much better and i dont feel so alone now! My boyfriends up this weekend and his been driving almost 4 years so i can go out with him this weekend- I have driven a little bit on my own but only to near places like the shops!
Im going to just have to make sure i try and drive everyday otherwise ill never get my road confidence!
Thanks again and I hope that all of your who are learning or have just passed are doing a little bit better then i am! :biggrin:

Reply 15

auzzie@heart

if they do it again just go even slower.