Passed test, got my car but so flippin nervous

Kantankrus_Mare

southernscouser wrote: »

Or with the handbrake on, lift the clutch and accelorate (how the f*** do yu spell that word :rotfl: ) until you feel the car pulling.

A c c e l e r a t e

specialK

tomstickland wrote: »

What are two lids?

Sorry..........late night rambles (enhanced with alcohol), it should say KIDS!

Tete_en_l'Air

Hello,

I don't know whether I really qualify to advise on this, not having passed my test myself yet, but...

I've been learning for a few months now and went through a phase of stalling ALL THE TIME (especially in my ancient but lovely Micra!) - especially at roundabouts when I wanted to get away quite quickly into a gap.

I found it really helped me to put my handbrake on whenever I had to stop, then I could have my foot on the accelerator and get my bite before the gap appeared or the lights changed or whatever. Being ready to move like that took the pressure off as I wasn't trying to do loads at once; all I had to think about was taking the handbrake off.

Also, make sure you're revving the engine enough. I hate doing it as I must sound like an awful boy racer, but it works!

And remember that although YOU (and we) know you stall a lot, as far as the person behind knows it's the first time it's happened in years, and as everyone's been saying, it happens to everyone occasionally.

I still stall now and then and my instructor says that you don't fail your test for stalling as long as you handle it OK and don't let it affect you driving or concentration afterwards. I try to treat it with a "whoops-a-daisy, try again" rather than an "Aaarghhhh, why do I keep doing that?!" and that attitude helps me to keep calm.

And maybe get yourself a cheapy pair of thin plimsolls for driving in so you can feel the pedals better?

Good luck with it and don't stress over it, one day I'm sure it'll come together!

(I hope so anyway, cus that's what I keep telling myself!!)

shogs

I know someone who drives all the time in bear feet cos they says they drive better. I do this occasionaly when wearing flip flops - much safer to wear nothting that them. Not is the slightest illegal so if it works for you then do it! All a matter of confidence and you will soon be driving like a pro!

BusinessStudent

Hi all, i just got back from driving back from college.

I stalled just ONCE on the way to college, as appose to 10 or more times. On the way back i usually stall 10 or more times again but because i was wearing no trainers i DID NOT stall once.

I'll have to look into geting some new trainers like you say but for the mean time this is working.

KittyKate

BusinessStudent wrote: »

Hi all, i just got back from driving back from college.

I stalled just ONCE on the way to college, as appose to 10 or more times. On the way back i usually stall 10 or more times again but because i was wearing no trainers i DID NOT stall once.

I'll have to look into geting some new trainers like you say but for the mean time this is working.

Hi Business Student - I am learning atm, pretty much at test standard, and I too find it near impossible to drive with big heavy Sketchers trainers on. I have a really thin pair of flat pumps that are the ONLY shoes I feel happy driving in as you can feel the bite as soon as you hit it. I don't stall at all any more

Also, when I'm approaching roundabouts at high speed (4th gear) I find it easier to progressively slow down, slip it into 2nd at about 15mph and only stop if absolutely, absolutely neccesary. If I do stop I take my time, stick the handbrake on and find my bite. I think stalling is mainly panic at trying not to p*ss off other road users. But better to take one minute longer than stall, I say

VincentVega

Practice, practice, practice. Go out one weekend, find an industrial estate and drive around it for a while. One with lots of roundabouts and stuff, so you can practice slowing down, changing gear and what not. It may also be worth taking your car in and getting them to check the clutch.

I've been driving an automatic for just over a year and I can't say I miss changing gear at all.

Incidentally, on the day after passing my test, I ended up taking a wrong turn and ended up on a motorway! I was somewhat scared, I have to confess.

Don't worry about other road users and try not to let the impatient ones stress you out. If it takes you four attempts to move off, then tough on them, they'll have to wait for you. Is waiting another 30 seconds or so going to kill them?

Happychappy

Phew, not worth the aggro, get the bus and use your student discount ? god knows what you would be like going backwards ? Ladies any advice :rolleyes:

peter999

BusinessStudent wrote: »

I've been out at night when the roads are quite and i find that im mostly ok but its during the day when the roads are busy:-(

Keep L plates on so people keep wide berth & know you're a learner if you're having a problem.

peter999