Passed driving test in October but only just bought insurance on Dad's car...

ironlady2022

Hi Everyone,

I passed my driving test in October last year on my fourth go. I have done my pass plus which were completed on 3 occasions which finished just over a fortnight ago.

Just bought insurance with Direct Line under Dad's name for £200 for 5 months and am really pleased it's not overly expensive. My concern is I feel really nervous as I have never driven Dad's Toyota Corolla 1.6 petrol. the car I learned in was a 1.4 Vauxhall Corsa Diesel. I have purchase 'P' plates but not sure what my next step should be. Should I pay for lessons with my instructor in my Dad's car? Or ask my Brother? Except he won't know how to 'teach' people as that is not his day job.

Looking back, I should have done pass plus on Dad's car.

I just am quite scared as I crashed a car when i was 17 which was 9 years ago now...

chunkychocky

It is natural to feel nervous. Don't put off going out in the car though as the longer you put it off the more nervous you will feel. I usually drive a diesel, and a petrol needs a lot more throttle to not stall it when in first gear so don't worry if you do stall it lots. Anyone who is used to driving a diesel is quite likely to stall a petrol unless they are aware of the extra pressure needed on the accelerator when in first gear. You don't really need to be taught how to drive a different car as they are all much of a muchness to drive, but if you'd feel more confident having an instructor than I'm sure your instructor would be happy to sit in with you for an hour while you drive around getting used to it. Good luck!

Sgt_Pepper_2

You shouldn't need teaching.

shaun_from_Africa

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

You shouldn't need teaching.

Why not?
The "new" car may well handle totally differently to the one that they took their lessons in, and whilst it's normally easy for an experienced driver to switch between different cars, this may not be true for a newbie.
Apart from this, now that the OP has passed their test and can go on motorways, a couple of lessons there isn't a bad idea at all.

In reality, passing a driving test doesn't automatically mean that you are safe to take a vehicle out on your own (I know that it should, but thisn't always the case), so asking someone for a few more lessons seems like a sensible thing to do. After all, what harm can a bit more tuition do?

Sgt_Pepper_2

shaun_from_Africa wrote: »

In reality, passing a driving test doesn't automatically mean that you are safe to take a vehicle out on your own

That's exactly what it means and the object of the test.

Obukit

Why not go to a quiet car park somewhere and spend 15 minutes trying out the car? It may seem daunting to a new driver but modern petrol and diesel cars are very similar to drive, and it is easier to switch from diesel to petrol than petrol to diesel. The main difference is that the petrol will have less torque so you will need to change down a gear when accelerating hard or going uphill.

ironlady2022

Thank you all apart from one who has given me great advice. It's very appreciative. I just need to build my confidence up. Bro has suggested I go out at 6am on Saturday by myself in the local area which I think is a good idea and will do that.

If all young drivers/newies were as cautious as me, then insurance would not be so expensive!

mikey72

It was a serious question, as you appear to be a new driver, and it's an odd expression you used, but it's up to you how you take it.

I wouldn't use P plates either.

mayling03 wrote: »

.................If all young drivers/newies were as cautious as me, then insurance would not be so expensive!

mayling03 wrote: »

.........I crashed a car when i was 17 which was 9 years ago now...

shaun_from_Africa

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

That's exactly what it means and the object of the test.

Why did you leave out the next line of my post?

In reality, passing a driving test doesn't automatically mean that you are safe to take a vehicle out on your own (I know that it should, but thisn't always the case),

So do you think that someone who has just passed their test will perfectly able to drive safely on all types of roads, in all types of weather and in all road conditions even though they may never have encountered them before?

If you were to look on many roads in the UK you will no doubt see many people who may well have passed their driving test but still shouldn't be allowed to drive on their own.

A driving test is not really any different to an MOT.
All it shows is that the item being tested met a minimum standard at the time of the test.

ironlady2022

mikey72, firstly I wasn't referring to you.

Everyone: Thank you ever so much for the useful advice that people give in a sympathetic manner but these forums are getting less and less useful and friendly. It's become more of a 'You should do this' or 'I'm telling you this' and going off topic too. For all the people out there, I was young at 17 and have learnt my lesson, it has taken me 8 years to brave driving lessons again and 4 attempts to pass. I'm taking all precautions as to not repeat what happened all them years ago. You don't have to right to judge me in any way. And I'm signing off now.

paddedjohn

OP, either do as your brother suggests or get the car to a large car-park and just drive up and down, round and round untill you get used to the controls, every car is different even 2 cars of the same model will feel different when you first drive them.