Need to regain my confidence

Download the handbook. Sit in the car and go through the handbook, familiarising yourself with all the bells and whistles of a new car. If you don't understand something, go back to the garage and ask them. I wish I had done that with my car when I bought it four years ago. Happy motoring!

I bought an automatic last time and it does take a little while to adjust to but it is somuch easier to drive.. I had to drive it 40 miles back from the dealers having only had a test drive.. I would do a little trip locally first..
I think you'll really like it..

I’ve been there and felt exactly the same as you; do not beat yourself up for feeling nervous. The advice I was given was to treat it as part of my recovery and take baby steps. I started by just driving round the block. I made my first trip to the supermarket at a time when it would be quiet and only bought one or two items. I felt impatient with myself but I was glad I did it that way. I had no setbacks to dent my confidence again. Wishing you well.

When I changed to an automatic I was very anxious, and even considered having a lesson in one. However, I bit the bullet and found that by the time I had left the forecourt I had adapted. As long as you keep your left foot on the floor (or some people sit on it!) you can't go wrong. You will never stall or find yourself in the wrong gear, and hill starts are a doddle.
As for the shopping, going out etc., if you try a small outing at a time to start with I am sure you will be fine.
I wish you well with your continued recovery, you must have been very frustrated!

oh I would love an automatic.. had one many years back, so not unfamiliar... oh I do hope you enjoy it... getting back to driving etc.

just take it slowly!

I love my little automatic fiesta. It didn’t take too long to get used to it and woukdnt go back to manual now.
No more hill starts, what joy. .

I can empathise with you had two years off the road. It does come back do you know someone who could take your car somewhere quiet at quiet time of day
Just sitting in car and pressing pedals and playing with the controls helps.
From personal perspective I found it easier on own than with someone
What I found hard at first was judging my speed
If I can do it I am sure you can
I had heart op. High dose steroids and two new hips

What encouraging responses.
I think my next car ought to be an automatic and also a hybrid. Big step to take.

Definitely cabbie. I had a new left hip but because I had an automatic car I was able to drive quite quickly after the procedure instead of waiting weeks.

I took a while to get used to it and I must admit there are still too many clever things on it that I’m sure I will never use. This car can park itself but neither of us have tried it although the car itself points out parking spaces. As I have a sloping drive anthem a sloping road which turns into a slope up or down its hill starting stopping is very pleasing. It also puts on the brake for me when I get home which is kind. For the first year I wanted to change gear a lot . I wish I’d booked a few lessons with a driving school now but I’m comfortable at the moment.

Anthem = and then

I adapted to an automatic in half an hour, DHD1 took ten minutes - having resisted one for years I loved mine from the test drive on, and would never want to drive a manual now.

KiwiQueen, glad you are feeling better and able to get out now. As for the new car, take several small trips to get used to all the controls. Figure out the wipers, lights, signals, defrosters, etc.

I got a new car in August, and still refer to the manual once in a while. By making small trips you will become more familiar with it, and gain confidence. Go for a drive just for the sake of it, don't wait until you need to get into an appointment in town.

I had to adapt to driving again last year when DH couldn’t. I’d never driven our automatic. It took me three turns round the estate and I wondered why I had ever worried about it. The only thing that phased me was the absence of a handbrake! I changed it for a smaller car, but still automatic. I wouldn’t go back to manual now. I still have confidence issues but they are improving. Take everything in bite sized pieces and you'll be fine.

When I broke a bone in my hand recently I could have got back to driving sooner with an automatic so I think it is a good idea.

I can only drive an automatic - failed 4 times on a manual😂

Little steps at a time. Don’t try to do too much at once. Get used to the controls before you try to drive the new car. Then perhaps a short trip.
Try not to get too worried about driving the new car- you’ll probably find the automatic gears will be surprisingly easy ( a bit like driving a dodgem car as a child - select drive ( or reverse) and use to accelerator pedal to go- )the car does the rest.

I've always driven a manual but want an automatic now as I find constantly changing gear makes my sore hip worse.
Good luck with your automatic. All those I know who drive them tell me how easy they are to drive.

In the 1960s, my dad was an early adopter of automatic cars. When I had a badly sprained left ankle, he let me drive his car and I had no trouble at all adapting to it. Loved it. Another time he left his car with me while he went on holiday. And I still don't have an automatic car of my own - probably never will now.

When we first bought an automatic DH told me to tuck my left foot behind my right foot to start with, so I wasn't tempted to use it. I did once put my left foot on what it thought was the clutch. Of course it was the brake and I nearly went through the windscreen. Your left foot is a lot heavier than the right.

I would never go back to a geared car. I ‘m not sure why one would need to tuck your left foot behind your right. There is a foot rest for your left which won’t go anywhere or do anything if you should accidentally press in it. Much more comfortable too.

When I got my first automatic I was very nervous, I thought I'd be out of control, not only by using an automatic but because I'd spent so many years on the continent driving on the other side of the road. However, by the time I'd driven the 20 miles home I realised how simple they are to drive and I can't imagine ever going back to a car with a gearstick. I'm sure you'll be fine.

My ex racing driver husband used to take me to a empty supermarket car park whenever we had a new car and have me drive round at different speeds to build up my confidence. Then he’d ask me to manipulate all the controls for lights etc until I could use them automatically. Parking and reversing was another part of my training and yes he’d even had me on a skid pan, but it was all so helpful .
I’m now in my late 70s but he won’t let me drive his current motor …. Too fast for a grey haired lady !!

I started to drive again three years ago after a gap of ten years. Not bc only that but my car was an automatic which I’d never driven before. I booked three lessons to boost my confidence before I took possession of the car and never looked back. I certainly would never go back to a manual.