learning to drive any advice please ? (automatic or manual same routine ?

BrandNewDay

Diamond78 wrote: »

well done oldernotwiser.Thats what I am going to do.Once i pass my automatic and have got a car and driven a while,I will do a few lessons in manual and then hopefully will do a test and get a licence in manual.

My downfall is I have no one to help me out as in private practise,I have 8 lessons left from my block of 10 that i paid for.It cost me £230-dont think i can afford many more lessons after that.Over the years I have started and stopped and dont want to do that again.Even my driving instructor said with the amount of lessons i have had he thought Id be a bit better-that upset me and knocked my confidence a bit-but not a lot I can do as dont know anyone with an autmatic.I struggle with the manouvers,reverse into a corner and the one when you have to reverse behind a car and the 3 point turn.

Wait. You're saying you intend to do the test TWICE?! Don't do it. The test is hard. And, that has nothing to do with shifting gears. The test is hard because they'll fail you for not looking in your review mirror at some random moment. Let me put it this way: the guy who conducted my test told me that HE failed the test when he started to train to be an examiner. Your average Brit would likely fail the test if they had to take it right now.

Just learn to drive a manual. Once you get it down - the clutch and shifting - it will become second nature. People don't fail the test over gear shifting, but because they didn't signal a turn or some little thing.

You'll pass the test because your instructor will show you how to do it. It has nothing to do with changing gears.

BrandNewDay

anewman wrote: »

Entire USA has 50" waists too :rotfl:

No, we don't.

(30" waist and fantastically straight teeth. Thankyouverymuch.)

flutsy

yup definately go for manual. automatic cars are harder to find and you may end up paying more.

i found it easier to learn as an adult (i learnt when i was 17 too but never took test). Because you've been a passenger for a while you should have much more of an understanding of the road. ie you know which way you have to look on a roundabout?!

Pay loads of attention when you are a passage. think about what you would be thinking as a driver. start studying for your theory test now - but also start practical. Take it slow and they will build your confidense no end. I also found it was better to take 2 hour lessons rather than one because it give your head more chance to get over the shock of driving a car (when you start learning) and then you take more in time (when youve got more confidense).

Driving is all about confidense and road awareness. The learning bit is easy. Jump straight into a manual and do it!

We all know you can pass

flutsy

oh and a little secret - using the gear stick is one of the first things you do when learning to drive and suprisingly easy - it is not as easy when going from automatic.

Oldernotwiser

BrandNewDay wrote: »

Wait. You're saying you intend to do the test TWICE?! Don't do it. The test is hard. And, that has nothing to do with shifting gears. The test is hard because they'll fail you for not looking in your review mirror at some random moment. Let me put it this way: the guy who conducted my test told me that HE failed the test when he started to train to be an examiner. Your average Brit would likely fail the test if they had to take it right now.

Just learn to drive a manual. Once you get it down - the clutch and shifting - it will become second nature. People don't fail the test over gear shifting, but because they didn't signal a turn or some little thing.

You'll pass the test because your instructor will show you how to do it. It has nothing to do with changing gears.

Well, as one of the few people here who's actually done it, I have to say it wasn't particularly hard at all! I suppose if you're one of those people who ignores everything you've learnt as soon as you pass your test, then it would be more difficult but I respected my first instructor and assumed that the things I'd learnt to do (like looking in my mirror regularly) had been to make me a better driver, rather than just to help me pass my test. Personally I think that everybody should have to take a test every 5/10 years, but that's another thread entirely!

Oldernotwiser

Diamond78 wrote: »

well done oldernotwiser.Thats what I am going to do.Once i pass my automatic and have got a car and driven a while,I will do a few lessons in manual and then hopefully will do a test and get a licence in manual.

My downfall is I have no one to help me out as in private practise,I have 8 lessons left from my block of 10 that i paid for.It cost me £230-dont think i can afford many more lessons after that.Over the years I have started and stopped and dont want to do that again.Even my driving instructor said with the amount of lessons i have had he thought Id be a bit better-that upset me and knocked my confidence a bit-but not a lot I can do as dont know anyone with an autmatic.I struggle with the manouvers,reverse into a corner and the one when you have to reverse behind a car and the 3 point turn.

Are you in a position to buy a car before you pass your test? I knew that I had to be able to drive so I bought an elderly automatic as soon as I started my lessons. People are much more likely to be prepared to sit with you if it's not in their car! I found that it was not only a great motivator but also made my first solo drives after passing my test much easier as I was already familiar with driving that car.

caliston

A friend got back into learning to drive after years of cycling everywhere, despite failing her test 6 times when she was 18. By this I mean cycling in the road, with the cars, not on cyclepaths or in the park. She says that cycling was a big help because it was like practicing your theory test (you watch how the cars behave), and because you're in the road you're a lot more aware of what's going on. It also helped her become more assertive (she was failed several times for undue hesitancy) - when you're cycling on busy roads you can't dither about when you're going to turn right and if there's no space for a car to pass you you have to assertively occupy that road space.

So maybe try cycling in town as free experience of being in traffic?

Diamond78

I cannot afford a car yet, i wish i could as i would of got one and then that way could of had more practise.I will do lotto who knows might get a few bob lol where would be the best place to buy a cheap automatic?Ive been told they are not cheap but im sure you can get a 2nd handone at a reasonable price.I doubt id be able to get one for under£500

BrandNewDay

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Well, as one of the few people here who's actually done it, I have to say it wasn't particularly hard at all! I suppose if you're one of those people who ignores everything you've learnt as soon as you pass your test, then it would be more difficult but I respected my first instructor and assumed that the things I'd learnt to do (like looking in my mirror regularly) had been to make me a better driver, rather than just to help me pass my test. Personally I think that everybody should have to take a test every 5/10 years, but that's another thread entirely!

Wow. I just read your post and was enlightened. I realized that you were right and I have humbly decided to be a better driver. The world needs more people like you in it.

mrmitchell78

I'm 29 and I am learning how to drive - I would definitely recommend learning in a manual. Before my lessons I was sure I would never be able to master gear changes, but it is really quite simple. As many people have said, it is better to learn in a manual so you can drive manual or automatic because if you simply learn in an automatic that's all you can drive in.

When I pass my test I may get an automatic but I will have the choice.

Don't fear the gears!

I took my theory test on Saturday and passed!:j Not really relevant I know but I just wanted to say it!