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Driving Lessons/Test

BassFace

Hello,

I have a bad relationship with learning to drive.

I started to learn when I was 17, now I'm 21 and I still don't have a license.

I have tried 3 different instructors. Twice I have been nearly test-ready and then the instructor organised a 'practice test' and both times I just got so anxious that I couldn't think clearly and did a load of dangerous stuff that I'd never ever do normally and had an anxiety attack even though it was only a practice.

I'm not that anxious about driving usually, but (even in a practice) the test anxiety plus having a weird stranger so close to me in the passenger seat makes it way too overwhelming.

Every time it goes wrong I feel extremely humiliated and lose all my confidence and then it takes months to build up to trying again.

I've decided to try again this summer, before my theory test expires for the second time.

Does anyone have any tips for how to approach it and not get overwhelmed so I can finally get a license and have some independence?

  • You're still very young so don't beat yourself up about this. I wasted many years & lots of money having lessons until I finally stopped attempting to learn to drive a manual car & switched to an automatic. It still took me 3 attempts to pass (I was late 20's) but its the best thing I ever did. Had my license 20 years now & never felt the need to upgrade it to a manual, even though I know I probably could with little trouble.

    Having said this, my daughter passed her test first time, 2 years ago, at 20 in a manual car (not driven since, but that's another story) which tells me it is entirely possible with ASD, but makes a huge difference who your instructor is. There are some who specialise in teaching anxious drivers or those with ASD/ADHD. 

  • I tried learning to drive at 17 but didn't get on with it at all. At 24 I switched to an automatic and found it much much easier. 

  • Good luck~
    im 19 also trying to get my license, its took me this long because of the cost, but the cost lowers as you get older so im hoping to get behind the wheel soon, not just the written test and practice.

    my advise for most test anxiety is to just say “screw it”

    but i think behind the wheel of a 2 ton metal box, that attitude may not be the right approach

    the only other thing i could think to do in this kind of situation is just day dream about the test as much as you can, day dream every successful scenario, day dream every failing scenario, day dream the reaction of your instructor, until its all so familiar that you cant really feel caught off guard or embarrassed by any of it. Like mental preparation. Not sure if it will work in this kind of situation but it has helped me before.

  • I'd add you as a friend but I don't know how. Also I'm intrigued to know about your bass playing, you got any favourite musicians? Have you heard of Geddy Lee?

  • Oh my god, not tips but I completely understand what you mean. When I'm in the car driving with my mum or dad I'm quite calm and confident and I have fully control of my car, and I was always fine with my instructor Mike, but then when it came to tests I'd be nervous as hell and I'd barely say a word for the whole test. When I've done a test I've usually done well up to a point and then I panic with something and make a silly mistake and end up failing the test. Would you believe I've taken 7 driving tests and I still haven't passed, yet I know people who have passed first time. I'm 22 btw so nearly your age