Squash's Learner driver diary!
Hi guys! 
I've been keeping my progress (or lack thereof) in a diary on my notes in my phone. However - inspired by Coffeegirl's fantastic continuous progress thread - I thought I'd post it. I have no idea if I'm regular bad or extraordinarily bad, but you can be the judge of that if you want! This may also help other learners to feel better about themselves (or just have a good chuckle).
For the record, my dad (a perfectionist HGV driver) is teaching me to drive in a 2006 Kia Picanto with no dual controls.
Somehow posting it where other people can see it makes me feel a little better too!
31st March 2018 - Hours 1-2
Starting the car only using the clutch and steering around a sharp turning circle just on tickover (no power.) Then drove down the road in second gear and turned left and down the next road. Keep stopping too early or too late as am not confident and find it difficult to stay on the right side of the road after turning on the turning circle or moving into the road with no lines. Huge problems gauging the size and width of the vehicle. Saw a man on the pavement 50 feet away whilst I was driving at 3mph in first and panicked. Did lots of MSM at 2mph which felt really fast! Confidence is an optimistic 7/100. We can do it! But it's actually really hard to drive!!!
1st April 2018 - Hours 2-3:30
Aim was to expand on yesterday's okay lesson. I got mega pranked, happy april fools day me! Literally just did the same thing as the day before only I stalled the car a LOT and (deservedly) got shouted at a lot. Pretended I was a big macho man and remained calm until I was home, then promptly went to my room and cried like an 8 year old. I'm very disappointed in myself!!
Confidence is -1000000000000/100
2nd April 2018 - Hours 3:30-5:30
Went to the empty-ish industrial estate. Got up to fourth gear. Can reverse around a corner into a side road but reverse way too wide. Much better steering BUT met another car, panicked and kept stalling trying to turn into the side street. That said, continuously failed to turn into side street and stop at the right time. Also failed to slow down and park up and went too far down because I'm scared of the brakes and of stalling. Even so, the smooth driving and understanding the reversing a bit more did chill me out. Confidence 8/100
I've been keeping my progress (or lack thereof) in a diary on my notes in my phone. However - inspired by Coffeegirl's fantastic continuous progress thread - I thought I'd post it. I have no idea if I'm regular bad or extraordinarily bad, but you can be the judge of that if you want! This may also help other learners to feel better about themselves (or just have a good chuckle).
For the record, my dad (a perfectionist HGV driver) is teaching me to drive in a 2006 Kia Picanto with no dual controls.
Somehow posting it where other people can see it makes me feel a little better too!
31st March 2018 - Hours 1-2
Starting the car only using the clutch and steering around a sharp turning circle just on tickover (no power.) Then drove down the road in second gear and turned left and down the next road. Keep stopping too early or too late as am not confident and find it difficult to stay on the right side of the road after turning on the turning circle or moving into the road with no lines. Huge problems gauging the size and width of the vehicle. Saw a man on the pavement 50 feet away whilst I was driving at 3mph in first and panicked. Did lots of MSM at 2mph which felt really fast! Confidence is an optimistic 7/100. We can do it! But it's actually really hard to drive!!!
1st April 2018 - Hours 2-3:30
Aim was to expand on yesterday's okay lesson. I got mega pranked, happy april fools day me! Literally just did the same thing as the day before only I stalled the car a LOT and (deservedly) got shouted at a lot. Pretended I was a big macho man and remained calm until I was home, then promptly went to my room and cried like an 8 year old. I'm very disappointed in myself!!
Confidence is -1000000000000/1002nd April 2018 - Hours 3:30-5:30
Went to the empty-ish industrial estate. Got up to fourth gear. Can reverse around a corner into a side road but reverse way too wide. Much better steering BUT met another car, panicked and kept stalling trying to turn into the side street. That said, continuously failed to turn into side street and stop at the right time. Also failed to slow down and park up and went too far down because I'm scared of the brakes and of stalling. Even so, the smooth driving and understanding the reversing a bit more did chill me out. Confidence 8/100
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
12
3rd April 2018 - Hours 5:30-6:15
First time on a real road, my dad wanted me to go down an A road today with a national speed limit but also one where people jump out all the time which I didn't think I was capable of. Instead we went to some roads on a nearby village I've never really seen. Did a rather poor 3 point turn and failed to stop again at the give way. Kept driving really close to the kerb worried I'd meet oncoming traffic. Had no idea where I was going and had 3 near misses at the give ways, once I didn't even look, I was so desperate to move out of the way after stalling on the hill starts I nearly got in trouble! Kept stalling and had to do a hill start at all 3 give ways which I haven't learnt yet. With cars beeping at me. Was trying to remain calm but the beeping, cars at all angle and shouting paired with my incompetence made me freak out. Actually spun the wheels, panicked, forgot to put the car in gear and just hit the accelerator and then break pedal in a bid to get out of everyone's way. I got the car at such a mad angle that it held half the village up and my dad had to swap in!
I wonder if I'm a hopeless case, I just can't believe I'm this bad! I never thought I'd be good at all but I'm a pretty chilled out person and thought I at least wouldn't do anything very very dangerous. I'm vaguely happy that I was on the roads but my god am I embarassed and guilty for making other drivers panic! Confidence 2/100
First time on a real road, my dad wanted me to go down an A road today with a national speed limit but also one where people jump out all the time which I didn't think I was capable of. Instead we went to some roads on a nearby village I've never really seen. Did a rather poor 3 point turn and failed to stop again at the give way. Kept driving really close to the kerb worried I'd meet oncoming traffic. Had no idea where I was going and had 3 near misses at the give ways, once I didn't even look, I was so desperate to move out of the way after stalling on the hill starts I nearly got in trouble! Kept stalling and had to do a hill start at all 3 give ways which I haven't learnt yet. With cars beeping at me. Was trying to remain calm but the beeping, cars at all angle and shouting paired with my incompetence made me freak out. Actually spun the wheels, panicked, forgot to put the car in gear and just hit the accelerator and then break pedal in a bid to get out of everyone's way. I got the car at such a mad angle that it held half the village up and my dad had to swap in!
I wonder if I'm a hopeless case, I just can't believe I'm this bad! I never thought I'd be good at all but I'm a pretty chilled out person and thought I at least wouldn't do anything very very dangerous. I'm vaguely happy that I was on the roads but my god am I embarassed and guilty for making other drivers panic!
Confidence 2/100Reply 2
You’ll be fine! You are not expected to be perfect from day one! And it’ll just suddenly all click!
Reply 3
12
Original post by Nearly
You’ll be fine! You are not expected to be perfect from day one! And it’ll just suddenly all click!
I really hope so, thank you!
<3Reply 4
12
8th April 2018 - Hours 6:15-8:00
I haven't driven since Monday because I've been climbing a mountain n doing charity stuff! But anyway... Back to the industrial estate for me! Honestly, it's getting ridiculous, you have to laugh.Steering much better as is slowing down without stalling. Reversing round a corner is also better. I still feel like a fish out of water and when I get back into the passenger seat it's like I'm back on dry land. Even so, it is becoming better! Slowly slowly!
Things I'm more confident about today
I was told that I was ready to go on the road and do the super short (like a mile) drive home! Whilst I'm sitting at home now, it feels like it would have been easy, yet at the time I was proper sure I'd end up on the wrong side of the road or mess up majorly like last time. I'm just so nervous about it. I'm going out early one morning with my mum on the roads when there's few people about. I'm pretty damn lucky to have such a helpful family!!! But I suppose what I'm doing now can't really be classified as driving.
I'm now getting worried about wearing out the clutch and am considering spending my next month's pay on a few driving lessons just to get me onto the road and out of constant 1st-2nd-3rd gear.
it's gonna be a loooooooong week whoops!
Confidence 4/100
I haven't driven since Monday because I've been climbing a mountain n doing charity stuff! But anyway... Back to the industrial estate for me! Honestly, it's getting ridiculous, you have to laugh
.Steering much better as is slowing down without stalling. Reversing round a corner is also better. I still feel like a fish out of water and when I get back into the passenger seat it's like I'm back on dry land. Even so, it is becoming better! Slowly slowly!Things I'm more confident about today
•
Usage of my brakes and slowing to think
•
Pulling over using a target and then straightening up.
•
Reversing around a corner and straightening up.
•
Give way lines and edging up to them to see properly.
•
Smoother steering
•
Smooth stops by dropping from 3rd to 2nd to stop and then into 1st to turn right.
•
Following the line of the road
•
Not stalling and finding the bite
•
Pulling away with power quicker
I was told that I was ready to go on the road and do the super short (like a mile) drive home! Whilst I'm sitting at home now, it feels like it would have been easy, yet at the time I was proper sure I'd end up on the wrong side of the road or mess up majorly like last time. I'm just so nervous about it. I'm going out early one morning with my mum on the roads when there's few people about. I'm pretty damn lucky to have such a helpful family!!! But I suppose what I'm doing now can't really be classified as driving.
I'm now getting worried about wearing out the clutch and am considering spending my next month's pay on a few driving lessons just to get me onto the road and out of constant 1st-2nd-3rd gear.
it's gonna be a loooooooong week whoops!
Confidence 4/100
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 5
12
April 15th 2018 - Hours 8:00-10:30
Hallelujah! I might even be out of the estate now after spending all day on it today. Today:
And finally... after 10 hours (excluding the last train wreck of a time)... I'm on a road!
It was kind of a mixed experience. On one hand, I tackled the right turns I was so scared of (one coming off a hill around a bend so it was had to see the traffic coming and one at a 4 way junction into a high street) just fine. It was actually the fact that I was driving too far to the left that was the actual issue. I suddenly got worried now that I was confronted with other traffic and so did my dad (quite understandably) who started shouting and using all sorts of colourful language which kind of wiped blank my brain a bit. so I kind of messed up at the end and pulled up too close behind a parked vehicle to let another person past on a narrow residential street and couldn't get out without reversing, so I got myself in trouble...!
Maybe, I hope so! At least I got out there today, it went nowhere near as badly as I thought, nice smooth corner turning and stopping. Just a bit of other stuff to work on! I hope I look back at this in 8 weeks time and think 'hey I did pretty good from here on!'.
Confidence 8/100
Hallelujah! I might even be out of the estate now after spending all day on it today. Today:
•
I learned how to do a 3 point turn
•
learned how to start on a shallow hill
•
much better pulling out
•
Reversing back out around a corner is better
•
Right turn is better
•
I'm finally (!!!!) getting a feel for the car.
And finally... after 10 hours (excluding the last train wreck of a time)... I'm on a road!
It was kind of a mixed experience. On one hand, I tackled the right turns I was so scared of (one coming off a hill around a bend so it was had to see the traffic coming and one at a 4 way junction into a high street) just fine. It was actually the fact that I was driving too far to the left that was the actual issue. I suddenly got worried now that I was confronted with other traffic and so did my dad (quite understandably) who started shouting and using all sorts of colourful language which kind of wiped blank my brain a bit. so I kind of messed up at the end and pulled up too close behind a parked vehicle to let another person past on a narrow residential street and couldn't get out without reversing, so I got myself in trouble...
!Spoiler
Maybe, I hope so! At least I got out there today, it went nowhere near as badly as I thought, nice smooth corner turning and stopping. Just a bit of other stuff to work on! I hope I look back at this in 8 weeks time and think 'hey I did pretty good from here on!'.
Confidence 8/100
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 6
There were times during my lessons where I wondered if I was cut out for driving, and some lessons I came back and just felt so ****ing negative about the whole thing. I stuck with it, though, and the stupid mistakes became more and more rare. Been driving for 5 years now and I'm very comfortable and confident with driving and actually enjoy it a lot of the time, in fact when I first passed my test it used to really stress me out but now I sometimes go for a drive and put some tunes on when I need to get out and clear my head 
So don't worry, you'll have lessons where you just feel like you'll never be good enough to pass, but you will
So don't worry, you'll have lessons where you just feel like you'll never be good enough to pass, but you will Reply 7
When I first started driving I kept the car too far over to the left too. My mind would automatically want to position the car so that the driver’s seat was in the centre of the road and meanwhile my left tyres would be skimming the verge. After a practice drive I'd see mud splatters all up the passenger side and a much cleaner driver’s side... You will get the hang of your road positioning, honestly!
Reply 8
12
I didn't write anything for hours 10:30-12:00 but I did make it home!
April 28th 2018 - Hours 12:00-14:30
Started off with a warm up in the industrial estate, usual "up/pull to the left/reverse around a corner/turn right/go back/pull over to the right/3 point turn/ repeat." drill I've been doing every time for like 12 hours, but then it was time for the big stuff. Went to 50mph roads and then around in a town I've never been to before! I thought We were going to go down 2 roads and then stop, but we went down 3, then into a town (with like 10000 roundabouts!!) and then out and back to an A road. Boy was I confused. I drove way too slow, I feel really bad for the people behind me today (at least it was a Saturday so no one is going to work... sorry!
). I also found out that I do not - in fact - know how to position at a roundabout..... But hey, I guess I did the roundabout!
Whilst I did have to stop just before we joined the A road via the next roundabout, Hopefully tomorrow I can go back down the A road and home
Steering (push pull) and road positioning must still be corrected but I'm glad I tried today
Confidence 15/100 (hooray double digits for today!)
Also, just a huge massive thank you everyone for always being so fantastically positive also (even though this must look super messy) <3 It SERIOUSLY makes a difference everytime I read your comments!
April 28th 2018 - Hours 12:00-14:30
Started off with a warm up in the industrial estate, usual "up/pull to the left/reverse around a corner/turn right/go back/pull over to the right/3 point turn/ repeat." drill I've been doing every time for like 12 hours, but then it was time for the big stuff. Went to 50mph roads and then around in a town I've never been to before! I thought We were going to go down 2 roads and then stop, but we went down 3, then into a town (with like 10000 roundabouts!!) and then out and back to an A road. Boy was I confused. I drove way too slow, I feel really bad for the people behind me today (at least it was a Saturday so no one is going to work... sorry!
). I also found out that I do not - in fact - know how to position at a roundabout..... But hey, I guess I did the roundabout!Whilst I did have to stop just before we joined the A road via the next roundabout, Hopefully tomorrow I can go back down the A road and home
Steering (push pull) and road positioning must still be corrected but I'm glad I tried today
Confidence 15/100 (hooray double digits for today!)
Also, just a huge massive thank you everyone for always being so fantastically positive also (even though this must look super messy) <3 It SERIOUSLY makes a difference everytime I read your comments!
Reply 9
12
April 29th 2018 - Hours 14:30-16:00
"Why can't I steer the car in a straight line down the middle of the lane" and other relatable stories
Okay so we're up and running. Drove about 20 miles today doing national speed limit roads,village roads, sharp bends, hill starts, roundabouts, right hand turns, traffic lights etc. The car feels waaaaayyyyyy more comfortable than it did a month ago (as in, more like a vehicle, less like a death trap)! My progress may be slow (I mean, it's already hour 16!) but its definetely being made! Regardless, I'm actually pretty excited that I drove today!
However, was it in a straight line? Nope! I'm still too far left. Also I keep being slightly out of place in the roundabout.
But today was still really cool! I was okay with stalling until I was nearly home (then I stalled twice whoops!).
Confidence for today: 41/100 (big wins!)
"Why can't I steer the car in a straight line down the middle of the lane" and other relatable stories
Okay so we're up and running. Drove about 20 miles today doing national speed limit roads,village roads, sharp bends, hill starts, roundabouts, right hand turns, traffic lights etc. The car feels waaaaayyyyyy more comfortable than it did a month ago (as in, more like a vehicle, less like a death trap)! My progress may be slow (I mean, it's already hour 16!) but its definetely being made! Regardless, I'm actually pretty excited that I drove today!
However, was it in a straight line? Nope! I'm still too far left. Also I keep being slightly out of place in the roundabout.
But today was still really cool! I was okay with stalling until I was nearly home (then I stalled twice whoops!).
Confidence for today: 41/100 (big wins!)
Reply 10
Hey!
I’ve moved your post your thread to the brand new Learning to drive blogs
How are you finding driving, do you enjoy it? You look like you’re doing great so far!
I’ve moved your post your thread to the brand new Learning to drive blogs
How are you finding driving, do you enjoy it?
You look like you’re doing great so far!Reply 11
Nice to see you’re progressing! Notice some scratches on my car from someone’s who didn’t leave me a note! Argh. But it’s good you’re getting into double digits with your confidence now!
Reply 12
12
Original post by RoyalSheepy
Hey!
I’ve moved your post your thread to the brand new Learning to drive blogs
How are you finding driving, do you enjoy it? You look like you’re doing great so far!
I’ve moved your post your thread to the brand new Learning to drive blogs
How are you finding driving, do you enjoy it?
You look like you’re doing great so far!Thank you! I was hoping a mod would find this thread sooner or later and shuffle it along so that's something off my mind
I am seriously beginning to now that the risk of crashing is decreasing. When it all goes well, I feel like the king of the world! When it doesn't, I guess it doesn't. But I'm just tryna pay attention and catch myself from doing stupid stuff (with varying levels of success
)Reply 13
12
First off as always, thank you everyone for your support for the last month! Honestly, the fact that you're all taking time to comment motivatinal stuff is so uplifting! <3
May 5th 2018 - Hours 16:00-17:00
Today:
Took same route as last week, but did MUCH better with stalling (didn't stall as opposed to 3 times last week) and staying in the middle of the lane (only became a serious problem once as opposed to 7 or so times last week) However, I think its getting frustrating for my poor dad because after that one issue we swapped back over. I had just got a bit shaken by a man overtaking us over a double solid white line on a bend honking and swearing (although I was only doing 35 in a 40!) etc etc and lost my concentration and let him push me off the road.
Even so, I got my act together and drove back from our local tescos in the next town over without any real issues aside from being a little slower (45 compared to 50mph limit) than others.
Also I officially learned hill starts today even though I've had to do them before by accident! All 6 went well without roll back, shooting forward or stalling. Yay!
Things that were okay today:
Things to review still:
Confidence for today: 40/100
Also, little list for myself as I'm taking my car to the garage to get it checked out (please pray for me and my poor wallet!)
May 5th 2018 - Hours 16:00-17:00
Today:
Took same route as last week, but did MUCH better with stalling (didn't stall as opposed to 3 times last week) and staying in the middle of the lane (only became a serious problem once as opposed to 7 or so times last week) However, I think its getting frustrating for my poor dad because after that one issue we swapped back over. I had just got a bit shaken by a man overtaking us over a double solid white line on a bend honking and swearing (although I was only doing 35 in a 40!) etc etc and lost my concentration and let him push me off the road.
Even so, I got my act together and drove back from our local tescos in the next town over without any real issues aside from being a little slower (45 compared to 50mph limit) than others.
Also I officially learned hill starts today even though I've had to do them before by accident! All 6 went well without roll back, shooting forward or stalling. Yay!
Things that were okay today:
•
Driving position better
•
No stalling at roundabouts or traffic lights
•
Smooth roundabouts (in right lane, huzzah!)
•
Hill starts
•
Push pull steering vastly improved
Things to review still:
•
Driving position in the middle of the road without over correction
•
Be super aware of space to the left! Remember how wide the car is
•
Double check I'm always using all 3 mirrors not just the rear one.
•
When in doubt - slow down! Everyone else can go around if it is not dangerous or dangerously slow.
•
DONT hold steering wheel so tightly when changing gear as it creates a slight swerve which
•
Awareness of speedhumps - wheels must be level so the hump bit goes under the car equally to not jog the examiner
•
Stop crying every time a cyclist appears (It is the bank holiday weekend)
Confidence for today: 40/100
Also, little list for myself as I'm taking my car to the garage to get it checked out (please pray for me and my poor wallet!)
Spoiler
(edited 7 years ago)
Reply 14
12
May 7th 2018 Hours 17:00-18:30
A yikes start, my clutch control was all wrong today even though my steering and the dreaded lane positioning got much better. I drove through a local town today also but only drove around 20 miles today.
Bad times (Mostly first half)
Good times:
Confidence first half: 24/100
Confidence second half: 40/100
BONUS home straight: 60/100
<3
A yikes start, my clutch control was all wrong today even though my steering and the dreaded lane positioning got much better. I drove through a local town today also but only drove around 20 miles today.
Bad times (Mostly first half)
•
Stalled a couple times which was uncomfortable but thankfully nothing important happened!
•
Accidently kept the cultch down on a hill (!!!!!!) not my finest hour! Luckily I always aim to stay under the speed limit so I realised something was up there.
•
Let the clutch off too quickly and kept making the car jerk
•
I cant get the speedbumps in the middle of the car! (Any tips greatly appreciated!)
Good times:
•
Reversed out of a parking bay.
•
Lane positioning much better
•
Didnt do that stupid gear changing swervy thing
•
Drove through a town
•
Drove on new roads
•
Felt pretty comfy driving down our local A road and home!
Confidence first half: 24/100
Confidence second half: 40/100
BONUS home straight: 60/100
<3
Reply 15
Original post by slurredsquash
•
Didnt do that stupid gear changing swervy thing
Oh man I’ve been there, I used to make my mother nervous when I drove along our single track country road with ditches on either side and swerved each time I changed gear.
You sound like you’re progressing well! I did a lot of learning/practising with my dad as well, and only got an instructor once I was confident enough to drive on city roads.
Reply 16
Are you still learning
Reply 17
12
Original post by tom123h456
Are you still learning
I am indeedy! But unformunately my beloved Perry Picanto has gone to the garage and they can't get the part for the steeting wheel yet, which is a shame.
Reply 18
Original post by slurredsquash
I am indeedy! But unformunately my beloved Perry Picanto has gone to the garage and they can't get the part for the steeting wheel yet, which is a shame.
Do you not have lessons with an instructor
Reply 19
12
Original post by tom123h456
Do you not have lessons with an instructor
Nope, just because it will take a long time and to spend all that hard-earned money without a car to show for it at the end seems like a waste personally! But its not for everyone, it can get a bit messy with no dual controls. Thats why I spent so long in the estate to make sure I'm safe, because I'm the only person who can stop me, for better or worse
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