Struggling to drive

Stop driving and use taxis once a fortnight? The cost of running a car must be more than the price of a taxi.

SueDonim

Stop driving and use taxis once a fortnight? The cost of running a car must be more than the price of a taxi.

I am taking driving lessons, I should've been clear. And I’m not paying for them

You are joking MyLo aren’t you?…….at least I really hope you are.

MyL0 do you normally drive a manual car? If you are used to an automatic it might take a bit of getting used to. With an automatic you simply don't use your left foot at all, so that will be strange to you.

I bet lots of drivers lack a bit of confidence in parking between cars unless you've got a rear-view camera (and those are all a bit different as well).

It doesn't necessarily mean you are in need of giving up yet.

My DH has always been a more "cautious" driver than me and wouldn't even consider that looking carefully behind is anything but being careful and definitely not an issue. Who has told you that it is? I bet it's an impatient grandchild!

Oh, missed the other two posts - why on earth are you putting yourself through this new "adventure" for once a fortnight? Get a taxi! Running a car is expensive.

If you’re learning to drive, lessons once a fortnight is not enough.

I suggest that if you’re not comfortable with a manual transmission car, then take lessons in an automatic.

I’d also suggest you take lessons with a qualified driving instructor, as I assume when you say you’re not paying for your lessons then it’s a family member or friend who is “teaching” you?

Granmarderby10

You are joking MyLo aren’t you?…….at least I really hope you are.

No why would I be joking. Someone else must have had this same issue and learned a way around it.

Where do you live and what days do you drive and where?

Asking for a friend.

I think you’re having a laugh. Well at least I hope you are 😱

Allira

Where do you live and what days do you drive and where?

Asking for a friend.

I’m in the Southend area. Could you PM when the next lesson comes round.

I’ve never been able to park between cars! If I could practice using a couple of eg cardboard cars so it wouldn’t do any damage if I hit one maybe I could get the knack of it. I’ll drive round for ages looking for a space that I can just drive into.

This is surely a JOKE
if it’s not I d advise you to get off the road quickly

Everybody goes through this phase when first learning to drive which is why it’s important to learn in a car with dual controls with a professional instructor. Controlling the clutch becomes second nature with practice as do hill starts and parallel parking.

You have written elsewhere about your complex disabilities. All the more reason to engage a professional instructor who can assess your needs and advise on whether you need an adapted vehicle.

I agree about an instructor. Expensive nowadays but essential. A friend/neighbour/relative might be a good enough driver themselves but won't necessarily impart good driving skills or get you through the test. They might even pass on some of their "bad habits" inadvertently.

Some people struggle to do everything at once.
Can you learn in an automatic instead?
My aunt many years ago just never "got" a manual car. She had lessons over at least three or four years too. Once she switched to an automatic she passed straight away.

Everything (or almost everything) will be automatic in due course.

🤞Good luck.

I just could not get the hang of a manual car.
So took a few (20+) in an automatic. Passed 4th time. 😂
I only drive locally.
I am toying with the idea of selling my car next year and with the proceeds pay for taxis for the next few years. I only do about 2000 miles a year.
Btw I am excellent at reverse parking, just saying……

Allira

Where do you live and what days do you drive and where?

Asking for a friend.

MyL0
Well done you for taking driving lessons. I don’t drive, never have, and think it must take some courage to give it a go.
Hope you don’t lose confidence reading some comments on here. Keep on with the driving lessons and I hope you come back on here in the future saying you have passed your test.
🌺🙏🏾

Presumably when you do drive it’s for your lessons, when you have a qualified instructor next to you? Take their advice.
Having infrequent lessons will not help you improve and I would imagine learning to drive as one gets older becomes more difficult.
Some people never get the hang of the foot, brain eye coordination that’s required. If I was you I’d stick to taxis.

We’re you*, sloppy grammar!

J52
The OP said she’s not paying for lessons.

I don’t know what to make of this. I got the impression (maybe wrongly?) that the OP drives but is having some refresher lessons rather than actually learning to drive. The cost of running a car didn’t feature in her outgoings when she posted recently about the possible cost of a local authority carer, and her complex disabilities meant that she couldn’t use public transport so I don’t understand how she is able to drive a normal car. I’m totally confused. Perhaps she could clarify. In the meantime, I have my doubts that she should be driving.

MyL0

Maybe I’ve made a mistake with a manual car. Not sure if I should be driving at all. Rarely do. Once every two weeks. I need to have my foot on the clutch at the biting point but it’s really hard to not press down on it or lift my foot when I’m checking behind me and checking all the mirrors, which causes the car to move. I’ve also been advised that I am staring and looking too long not just glancing back, This is really dangerous and I can’t risk parking on a hill or between cars incase I hit one. Has anyone got any advice on solving this particular issue

I think you are making a mistake in learning to drive at all. 'Riding' the clutch isn't wise as any qualified driving instructor will tell you. And if you are in awe of parking on a hill at any time then you should definitely NOT be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle at any time.

Please stop trying to learn and take a taxi or public transport whenever you need to go anywhere, I say this for your own safety and for that of other road users and pedestrians.

Should not be driving if unable to process all the information. How on earth would you do an emergency stop? Get off the road before you kill someone op