Afraid of driving. Help?

angelil

Hi Melonade

No, haven't yet booked another test. I was away this weekend and my driving school doesn't open on Mondays. Husband has to work tomorrow but will be working from home on Wednesday so has agreed to come with me to the driving school then to help figure out my next move.

Prothet_of_Doom

Not being harsh, but do you think Driving is a good idea. I know people who don't drive due to medical conditions, and to them it's no big deal.
Your post suggests that you are not a natural, and to be honest the roads are full of idiots, who make driving a challenge for even the most talented and experienced drivers.
My suggestion is, get a push bike, get used to the roads, give up the idea of driving forever. Or at least until you are happy on a push bike.

angelil

Hi there ProPHet of Doom

Nice try, but I am perfectly comfortable cycling on the roads (I lived in Oxford for a year). To me, it's incomparable to driving a car.

To me, not driving a car limits my future job prospects and where I may like to live, and could also make life with small children more difficult in future as well. As a teacher, I am always telling my students that we don't do things because they are easy, but that we do them because they are worthwhile, and it would be silly if I did not practise what I preach. I'm not learning to drive so I can be the next Ayrton Senna, but to be able to get from A to B, and if all these idiots that you see with licences can do it, I don't see why I shouldn't be as good as them (and hopefully better). It just might take me a little longer than I'd hoped, unfortunately

Prothet_of_Doom

angelil wrote: »

Hi there ProPHet of Doom

Nice try, but I am perfectly comfortable cycling on the roads (I lived in Oxford for a year). To me, it's incomparable to driving a car.

To me, not driving a car limits my future job prospects and where I may like to live, and could also make life with small children more difficult in future as well. As a teacher, I am always telling my students that we don't do things because they are easy, but that we do them because they are worthwhile, and it would be silly if I did not practise what I preach. I'm not learning to drive so I can be the next Ayrton Senna, but to be able to get from A to B, and if all these idiots that you see with licences can do it, I don't see why I shouldn't be as good as them (and hopefully better). It just might take me a little longer than I'd hoped, unfortunately

Good answer. Be determined and one day it will come good. As you say there are lots of idiots who can drive, so you should be able to. Perhaps you are not an idiot and you need to believe yourself to be immortal before you can stop being nervous?


Maybe what you actually need is to be out of control in a safe environment. Unfortunately drifting around Asda's car park is no longer acceptable, but what about some skid pan training, or even 'drifting' 'rally' or 'autotest' experience.

I sort of think that if you knew where the limits of adhesion, how hard you can brake, what it feels like to correct a slide, you'd realise how far from the cars limit you are in normal driving, which would give you more confidence.

As an aside, I think the real idiots are those who think that obeying the speed limits makes them safe. I know a driver who religiously drives at the speed limit, with no regard to the conditions at all. Scary.

Firetastic

Well I have achieved a major milestone albeit a small one. I drove on my own for the very first time around our quiet avenues. Actually felt ok didn't feel scared or nervous surprisingly. Tomorrow going slightly further afield and go out longer.:j

angelil

Great work Firetastic! Hopefully some day that same freedom will also be mine

Firetastic

Keep at it you will get there. If I can do it anyone can.

angelil

*bumpity*

Well, next test is this coming Wednesday morning (May 7th). Glad it is in the morning as I won't have all day to get worked up about it. Had really good lessons yesterday and today and got told that if I drive like that I will pass. All well and good, but I've heard that before... Going to make sure I brush up on the "contrôle technique" bit too (the bit where they make you point at stuff under the bonnet and say what it is) to make sure I don't lose points there either.

Got one more lesson on Tuesday before the test the following day. Thursday 8th is a bank holiday in France, but hopefully I'll have the result by post on Friday or Saturday. Hoping this will be the last of it!

How's everyone else getting on?

When_the_going_gets_tough

Good luck! I' m sure you will do fine!

Talukdar

I think you must continue. Don't give up. I think you are not comfortable with your trainer. So it would be best if you change trainer.