Learning to Drive, is it too late for me?

hazyjo

Just as something to consider, you can drive a semi-automatic on an automatic licence.

You might want to learn in an auto so it's easier, but you could always consider buying a semi-auto. I love mine Don't like the thought of a fully automatic, and when I drive mine in 'manual' mode, I always forget to change up now so end up flicking back to auto.

To clarify, I have two pedals (no clutch). I click a button on the gearstick to put it into Auto, and that's that. If I did want to drive it in manual mode, I just press the button again, then I can nudge the gearstick backwards and forwards for the (6) gears (although it does automatically go down itself when you slow down).

It's so easy to drive.

Jx

Threebabes

Go for it.

Good for you :-)

Ms_Chocaholic

There are also several grades of driving instructor, ie ones with more experience/qualifications than others I assume. Whether you want to consider this or not is up to you, more information here (scroll down).

http://www.driving-test-success.com/hire-fire-driving-instructor.htm

My daughter learnt with BSM who were excellent, the advantages of going with these over a one man band type of instructor is, if you block buy lessons (because they're cheaper that way) and don't gel with the instructor, you can transfer to another very easily. Also she had a mock test a week or so before the actual driving test and it was easy to sort as her instructor just got another instructor from BSM to take her out.

barbiedoll

Good on you for going for it!

I (finally!) passed my test two years ago when I was 46, I only regret that I waited so long. All those years of standing around at wet bus stops and struggling with a buggy, toddler and shopping bags, aarrrggghhhhh!!!

The final straw was a trip to a theme park with my husband and family. My husband had very bad eyesight at the time and when he went on a rollercoaster, instead of giving his glasses to the staff to look after, he tucked them into his t-shirt. Of course, they fell out at the top of the ride and one of the lenses broke. He had to drive us home whilst virtually blind in one eye! :eek:
I decided it was time to stop relying on him, if his glasses had shattered, we'd have had a very hard time getting home.

When you're out and about, look out for learner drivers (they're everywhere!) If you see a car with an older learner, make a note of the school and the phone number, as they're usually driving at 20 mph, it's not too hard to get the details!
I got my instructor from the recommendation of my neighbour who is roughly the same age as me. Her son and daughter had passed with the same guy and she said he was really patient.
It took me two tests but I got there in the end. When I first got a car and drove to work, I was driving through Greenwich during the Olympics, I never got out of 2nd gear for most of the journey and I certainly perfected my clutch control!

I didn't find a manual particularly difficult and I have terrible co-ordination. Getting the "road sense" is the hardest part and that only comes with practice. Try to get out with someone to have a drive around the car parks or industrial estates on a Sunday morning, it really helps with learning how to control a car.

Do let us know how you get on! :T

southoftheriver

We all know stupid people who can drive. And age isn't a barrier to stupidity! Go for it! I would try manual first, it took me ages to get clutch control but once you do it saves time with doing a manual test.

Toto

I learned when I was 17 and drove a manual car for 18 years or so. Then, one day, I drove my then husband's car for the first time, it was an automatic and I'd never driven one before. It took a bit of getting used to but it was like heaven on 4 wheels. Sitting in traffic jams was almost a pleasure because I got to listen to some music without getting that achey clutch foot I'd suffered from for years. I haven't driven a manual since, can't imagine ever going back now. An automatic is just completely civilised as far as I'm concerned, I have a lovely 2l VW golf which has a gearbox with some fancy name that a man would probably understand or care about My point being that I can't see a downside to learning in an automatic, there are loads of auto cars out there these days.

Tropez

Toto wrote: »

I have a lovely 2l VW golf which has a gearbox with some fancy name that a man would probably understand or care about

Would that be the DSG dual clutch gearbox?

My old VW Touareg had it and I think my fiancee's Eos has it too.

Mojisola

hazyjo wrote: »

When I first got in a car at 17 (as a learner), I was TOTALLY oblivious to just about everything - even how roundabouts worked. Parents had driven me everywhere and I'd never taken any notice of the bog standard road stuff.

I always said if I had kids, I'd be giving a running commentary as I drove so they would get to learn the 'rules of the road' before they ever ventured into a car themselves/with an instructor.

I did this with mine - not a total running commentary which could be overwhelming for them and actually very hard to keep up - but I started pointing things out to them. It did give them good road awareness before they got behind a wheel themselves.

hazyjo

Agree - don't need to point everything out, just the essentials before they get into a car!

Also, try it the other way round. Get the learner/passenger to say what they see - eg a zebra crossing, a car with reverse lights on, traffic lights (and their colour and if they're changing from red to green or green to red - easy when you know how 'amber' works!), a roundabout sign, a box junction - and constantly ask them what car's behind! They should be aware. My BF at the time was always getting told off for not using his mirrors, and it was one of the things he failed on. My instructor would put his hand over the mirror and ask me what was behind. It's good to be aware and know the basics before getting into a car and driving IMO!

As an oblivious 17 year old, I was bordering 'ashamed' by how much I didn't know! It made me far more nervous as a driver!

Jx

marmitepotato

hazyjo wrote: »

Agree - don't need to point everything out, just the essentials before they get into a car!

Also, try it the other way round. Get the learner/passenger to say what they see - eg a zebra crossing, a car with reverse lights on, traffic lights (and their colour and if they're changing from red to green or green to red - easy when you know how 'amber' works!), a roundabout sign, a box junction - and constantly ask them what car's behind! They should be aware. My BF at the time was always getting told off for not using his mirrors, and it was one of the things he failed on. My instructor would put his hand over the mirror and ask me what was behind. It's good to be aware and know the basics before getting into a car and driving IMO!

As an oblivious 17 year old, I was bordering 'ashamed' by how much I didn't know! It made me far more nervous as a driver!

Jx

Really good advice from everyone, thank you. :T