Published on 12, July, 2020
I've been taking driving lessons for nearly 2 years now. From an outside point of view I'm a good driver with a few clearance issues, my instructor even says I'm test ready. What people don't see is the near paralysing fear I feel every time I get in the car. I'm so safe because I'm terrified. I've gotten pretty good at hiding how I feel, unless it gets too stressful and then I cry, but my instructor only really sees that fear and frustration maybe once a month. I'm also good because my instructor takes me on the same route every time, if it isn't that route then its another I've done before, but the test examiner could take me on a different route so any skill I have will go out the window if I get taken on a different route.
I'm considering stopping my lessons. I've spent way way too much money on it for the past 2 years and the fear hasn't gone away. It's unpredictable, scary, hard to read because there's some sort of unspoken road language, there's so much stuff to manage all at once, I honestly hate it. I got pushed into doing it and feel like I'll let people down and be a burden on my parents if I can't drive myself places. I dont wanna do that but it seems more and more likely after every lesson that that will happen. I'm wondering if continuing is even worth the time, money and effort anymore.
Anyone have any opinions or advice? How do yall find driving?
I drive and drove over four hundred miles to Suffolk and back which really took it out of me. I took breaks and it gave me confidence. I would not drive on a motorway as my reactions would not be fast enough and I find it overwhelming. If you hate driving then do not be pressured in to a situation that is overwhelming as you may be placed in a dangerous situation for you and other road users. You are not a burden for being honest, please do not think that, there are other transport options. Can you cycle? Public transport may be an option as well.
LucyLandRover said: I would not drive on a motorway as my reactions would not be fast enough and I find it overwhelming
Unless you have enough speed to keep up the motorway is horrible. I did 20 miles on the M40 riding a Ural 650 combo which did a maximum of 50 mph and never did it again.. (Was the only time that riding that machine wasn't a riot of fun)
However, if you do have sufficient power to keep your place the abscence of blind corners, road furniture, pedestrans and all the other hazards that motorways carefully remove, actually makes the motorway experience TOO relaxing...
People get lulled in to a false sense of security and then drive too close, camp in the middle lane of the M40 going up the hill after stratford oblivious of all the lane changing activity taking place behind them as every third driver considers the "undertake", or, (my favourite), their exit comes up a bit faster than they expected so they do something stupid instead of accepting the extra time taken to miss it and get the next one. (I did that twice in my 30's whilst driving for a living and nearly died in the ensuing incidents before I learned that one by heart.
Hello, I did drive once on a motorway just to see if I could but never again. I do know drivers who would think nothing of driving on the M25 but fear the local, narrow country roads so we all have strengths and weakness when it comes to driving.
My landy does have an overdrive and will do 55 mph. I would not wish to go faster given there is no brake servo on a drum brake system fitted to early LR's.