Driving

Former Member · July 2005

I've just been given my first shot at driving a car. I'm more nervous about driving after the experience than I was before it. It's hard trying to remember to do different things at once - maintain speed while changing gears etc.

I hope next time is easier than the last. I'd hate to think what it'll be like
driving with an instructor. At least I have about a month before that (just checked the date - exactly a month yesterday! (27th))

OK, to give this thread a meaning: Tell me what your driving lessons/first time driving was like.

Former Member · July 2005

It gets easier, I can remember thinking omg, how am i gonna remember all this, but you soon pick it up.

Skive · July 2005

My mates and I learnt how to drive a car at about the age of 12, driving old cars round some land owned by my mates dad on which he runs a paintball place.
I was about 15 when we started driving them on the proper and 17 when I got my license.

I had fuck all proper lessons.

Former Member · July 2005

To tell the truth I have never enjoyed my driving lessons. I am currently still learning, and I am improving. It takes time. I know from first hand experience that even when you think you are doing unbelievably crap you will eventually get better. Just be patient with it. Don't expect big things straight away as it takes gradual change, at least it is with me.

Good luck. I hope you enjoy it more than me.

Former Member · July 2005

First few lessons i thought i'd never get it, now i'm [-] that far from getting my licence ;(

Former Member · July 2005

When I was young I always said I'd never learn to drive cos I didnt know how to work the indicators, like I didnt know if it was up or down for left or right :crazyeyes

Once I figured that out, then the gears scared me and my first driving lesson when I was 17 was spent with me driving round and round an industrial estate in 1st gear. A couple of lessons later I'd got the hang of it, Im sure you'll be the same

Oh and Jamie, let me know when your next lesson is so I can stay in the house

Former Member · July 2005

My first lesson I was nervous, and it was a lot to take in. It depends a lot on your teacher, if they are calming and you trust them, it will be a lot easier. I am still learning but things do start to come naturally after a while..I don't think about the gears any more, just do it automatically.

The times I have been most nervous is driving in an ordinary (ie no dual control) car with a friend as opposed to a qualifed instructor...they tend to get panicky and don't have the authority to teach.

Tell your instructor you are nervous! They should talk you through things gradually and only take you on quiet roads for your first lesson or maybe two.

It can also help just to sit down at a table and imagine you are driving, talk yourself through all the steps you need to take in the correct order.

I think BSM have a driving simulator..I haven't used it but it's designed for nervous drivers to practice the motions.

Good luck, remember we have all been there!

Former Member · July 2005

It's a lot easier to drive with an instructor, because you know they will stop you form doing anything horrendous because of the dual-controls. Or they should at least, though one learner nearly ran me over at a junction because he decided he wouldn't wait for the green light.

I first started in a simulator at BSM. It was worth it- quite a bit cheaper than normal lessons, and was a good way to learn where everything in the car was and how to use the gears.

Teh_Gerbil · July 2005

It gets easier... its just often when doing it yourself you drift off into your mind and forget stuff. Like those bastard mini-roundabouts!!! Often just positioned so the road obscures them until your ontop of the things... gotta learn where they are, see?

Anyway, yeah, instructors make it easier, but, stuff soon becomes habit. Couldn't beleive how quickly gear-changing becomes a thing I do without thinking.

Once I figured that out, then the gears scared me and my first driving lesson when I was 17 was spent with me driving round and round an industrial estate in 1st gear. A couple of lessons later I'd got the hang of it, Im sure you'll be the same

Haha, first time I drove was like that. In a BMW 525i... lovley sexy car. My first LESSON, though, I was wanted to drive, to Whitham. Meheheh... scary.

Former Member · July 2005

Teh_Gerbil wrote:

Like those bastard mini-roundabouts!!! Often just positioned so the road obscures them until your ontop of the things... gotta learn where they are, see?

Or alternatively just pay attention to the warning roadsigns.

I don't know why people have such difficulty understanding mini roundabouts, they're njot hard to grasp. People who don't know what lane markers are for piss me off the most.

Former Member · July 2005

I had my first one in May or something, it was a two hour lesson and i stalled it seven times

But my instructor didn't get pissed off or anything where i was sitting there oh bloody helli-ing.

But it's all good now about ;D

Teh_Gerbil · July 2005

Im new to driving, the signs are often hidden in tree's. There is this one I NEVER see on one road, most I spot, but it gets me. The tree's have grown over every sign on the road anyway, so speed is kept at 30 just to be safe.

I'll take a stroll down it one day and find out what it is.

Former Member · July 2005

All I remember about the first time I drove a car was my Mum shouting 'press the brake!' and me panicking and just slamming my foot down on the accelerator...

Teh_Gerbil · July 2005

When I panicked, I pressed on the brake madly and stalled on a hill.

Former Member · July 2005

My mum wouldn't even get in the car with me until I had 5 lessons. Said I was a menace or something. Mothers and their sons eh

I loved driving lessons .... fucking tops! Got to drive a Peugeot 306 which at the time to me seemed like the height of cool :eek2: looking back i'm not quite sure why but it was many years ago now.

You'll get the hang of it mate, like anything just takes a bit of practice.

Former Member · July 2005

Im still learning after failing my 3rd test the other week, learnings the easy part. The test you feel like you've been dropped in the deep end. i burst into tears on my last one because i hit the kerb lol. and the fail you for such pathetic reasons.

ive got my own car now so im gettingmy confidence up and its cheaper that damn expensive lessons

Former Member · July 2005

i remember quite liking it but remember thinking it wasn't what i thought it'd be like. i think i was quite eager for my next lesson so i could get on with it. can't remember stalling, but i'm sure i did!

Former Member · July 2005

My first ever lesson was on a car park when i was 16. My bf at the time was a car trader so he had a little sprty jobbie rover metro. Pulled off 9 times before i stalled. Anyway we were bored of that so we went and traded it for an escort convertable and i spent that evening driving it round the car park with the roof down!!

He taught me how to drive basically and as he had a traders insurance i got to drive anything and everything. Gave me so much confidence driving, sports cars, 4x4's, automatics, diesels, people carriers etc.

Still had about 20 something lesson with my intructor but i passed 8 months after my 17th bday.

Former Member · July 2005

I'm having some driving lessons at the moment. I absolutely hate them, I can't seem to get anything right. The person teaching me has the patience of a saint, it seems.

Teh_Gerbil · July 2005

Don't worry, its practice. I was shite for the first few lessons and occasionally I still cock up. I find not trying to hard helps, just relax and think. Observe the road etc...

Yeah, but practice. :thumb: 206's have bad clutches as far as I feel. Ford Focus's have nice ones. Focuses? Foci?

Skive · July 2005

I think I had 6 lessons with a proper driving instructer.
If you are confident on the road and can remain confident through a test you're already half way there.

Practice will give you that confidence.

Former Member · July 2005

My first lesson should be on a bike

. But my friends have said about instructors: if they moan at you for stalling, or tell you off, just tell them to piss off. You're the customer, you're the one paying. Therefore it's in their own interests to keep encouraging you and let you go at your own pace.

Former Member · July 2005

my driving instructor had a diesel 206 and i didnt really like it.

Teh_Gerbil · July 2005

Mines a Petrol. CLutch isn't nice... steering ain't grand... meh. Just not my Kettle of Fish I guess.

Former Member · July 2005

my first driving lesson was going ok, until it started snowing half way thru!!!

Former Member · July 2005

when you drive with your parents you will suck horribly because theyre always telling you what to do and screaming if you go like 3 mph too fast.

Former Member · July 2005

I loved my first driving lesson. It was so, so scary but at the same time so, so exciting. It's tough the first few lessons to get your head around what to do and when, but it just clicks all of a sudden and you don't think about it. The shittest bit is when you know you can drive, but you can't pass your test because of stupid things like nerves.

I passed on Monday.

Former Member · July 2005

My brother passed his second test today.

Former Member · July 2005

I enjoyed my first lesson too.

Former Member · July 2005

Jazza wrote:

Tell me what your driving lessons/first time driving was like.

My 1st lesson was fantastic:yes: I can't remember what we did as it was quite a while ago now but I do remember that it was during winter so it was dark early & also it rained nicely for the entire lesson.

After my 1st lessons I ended up jotting down some simple notes like which way the indicators work, how to find the bitting point, changing gears etc:)

Driving

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