P plates or not?

Beki88

Evening all.
I passed my test yesterday, and I am trying to get to grips with the family car.
I went out last night when it was dead but only down the industrial estate, and tried today only went to tesco (1 mile away) and I stalled it 4 times, 2 at roundabout, 2 at traffic lights, and obviously I could see people getting rather annoyed, and I don't blame them.

I said to my partner I think I should get some P plates just so people can be a little more understanding and not just think I'm an idiot but he disagrees and reckons people would actually be less understanding.

Just wondering what peoples views are on it?

maninthestreet

How did you manage to pass your drivig test if can't drive a car a mile without stalling it four times!!??

Beki88

Because of the clutch this car is very much different to the ones I have learnt in ( 6 cars in total)
I learnt in a 1.2 fiat, this is a 1.6 16v Astra SXI!

mikey72

I wouldn't get P plates.

Post #2 being a case in point.

Just carry on, you've got as much right as everyone else to be there now.

Rolandtheroadie

I'd say no as well. P plates will highlight your inexperience and a lot of drivers will react differently around you.

pitkin2020

scotsman4th wrote: »

I'd say no as well. P plates will highlight your inexperience and a lot of drivers will react differently around you.

Plus a lot of people don't even know what they mean lol.

Waste of time, head out to somewhere quiet and practice your clutch control, you'll get used that car in no time.

Now you have passed your test the real learning starts and you just have to clock up the miles, drive as much and as often as you can. It will build up your confidence and you'll get used to the car even more.

Beki88

Thanks, most of these points were what my partner said.
Plus he said if he saw someone with P plates he personally would expect them to be doing everything right given that they had the experience of just passing!

I just thought that people might have understood why I was taking a bit more time and thought they might have been able to recall when they just passed and had to get used to a new clutch etc but I forgot most (though not all) drivers have always been perfect and were never once learners or newly passed

Think I will just have to find a quiet roundabout and imagine I need to stop and then set off, as last night there was no-one there so I didn't have to wait.

Hammyman

I must be strange seeing as I regard P platers as inexperienced so allow for them to make mistakes and expect them to make MORE than a learner as they've not someone telling them how to drive.

barbiedoll

I passed my test a couple of months ago and I used to stall all the time, it's just nerves and getting used to a different car, you will get better, I promise!

Make sure that you try to drive every day, all of those little journeys to the shops, or round the block will really help your confidence and get your clutch control up to a better standard. Everyone stalls now and again, no matter what they say so don't feel stupid, all drivers were newbies once!

I agree with your OH about the P plates, I didn't want to use them because I've seen how drivers treat learners, I'm sure they will be the same to a new/inexperienced driver. Plus, if you're ever involved in a prang, everyone will automatically assume that it's your fault simply because you are the more inexperienced driver, despite the fact that you are probably more cautious and considerate than most of the other road users.

Congratulations on passing your test, as someone said, the real learning starts here so drive carefully, be safe and good luck!

Beki88

Hammyman wrote: »

I must be strange seeing as I regard P platers as inexperienced so allow for them to make mistakes and expect them to make MORE than a learner as they've not someone telling them how to drive.

It does seem like you are amongst the minority Hammyman, although its a shame as more people like yo would make things a little bit easier!

pitkin2020

I think the main problem with them is when do you take them off, when do you deem yourself not to be inexperienced, you are either a provisional driver with a provisional license with L plates or you are a driver with a full driving license.