Struggling to drive

So do you put it in park at traffic lights or just keep your foot on the brake?

The hold button works when you brake firmly, not gently on eg a winding road. Then you just press the accelerator when you want to move off again.

No hold button on our automatic. I drive both all the time, automatic and manual,

rosie1959

No hold button on ours not quite sure what you mean if it's in park it's not going anywhere until you select drive or reverse

If you stop at traffic lights or in traffic, if the hold button is on, it won't roll forward or backwards even in drive. No need to keep putting it in park.

No hold button on ours not quite sure what you mean if it's in park it's not going anywhere until you select drive or reverse

MayBee70

I know someone a few years ago that drove into the entrance of our local garage ( or it might have been the post office) because she did something wrong with her automatic. That always put me off them!

The only thing that can go wrong with an automatic while your moving is your braking or your stearing I’d opt for the latter. By your I mean the person who is driving.
I alternate between manual and automatic all the time.

rosie1959

The only thing you can do wrong with an automatic is press the accelerator rather than the brake which could be very unfortunate.
Much easier on hill starts as they won't roll backwards.

Only if you remember to press the Hold button every time you switch on, otherwise it gently rolls forwards (or back)

The only thing you can do wrong with an automatic is press the accelerator rather than the brake which could be very unfortunate.
Much easier on hill starts as they won't roll backwards.

I know someone a few years ago that drove into the entrance of our local garage ( or it might have been the post office) because she did something wrong with her automatic. That always put me off them!

MayBee70

My daughter is a convert to automatic cars and says she can’t imagine driving a manual one now. I assume that when you drive one all you have to concentrate on is what’s happening around you?

Well, there is more to it. Make sure you're in the right gear, eg R = reverse. And make sure it's in P for park when you want to stop altogether otherwise it might roll forward.
I resisted having one for a long time but do like it now.

My daughter is a convert to automatic cars and says she can’t imagine driving a manual one now. I assume that when you drive one all you have to concentrate on is what’s happening around you?

I wonder why using taxis would cause problems?

It might be a better option, safer and definitely as cheap as, or cheaper, than running a car.

“The skills necessary in driving soon becomes part of muscle memory.”

Not if you are only driving once a fortnight.

Frankly, I think some of the replies here are overly-negative and extreme. All OP is asking for is some advice on clutch and eye coordination - and that comes with practice. So long as it isn’t a physical issue i.e. joint pain which is causing the inability to control the clutch then I would say persevere but have more frequent driving lessons. One every two weeks isn’t enough.

The skills necessary in driving soon becomes part of muscle memory. With more experience you won’t even think about the biting point of the clutch unless moving from stopped on a steep incline. Even experienced drivers will keep the handbrake on until they feel the bite and the car wanting to move forward (or back).

My single-width driveway is on an incline sloping upwards to the garage with trees and shrubs either side. I always reverse onto and up it it so I am reversing up a hill between obstacles. Both observation of the mirrors and clutch control are necessary. It really does become second nature. And don't forget you have brakes. Remember, gears are for moving the car forward or backward. Brakes are for stopping and holding. If you feel the car rolling, engage the brake and try again. Ask your instructor for more practice on this.

As for eBay, of course there are rules about how much someone can make before benefits are effected and tax becomes an issue. Plenty of information online about this. And you don’t have to take sold items to the Post Office. Royal Mail will come and collect on a daily basis and it charges marginally less for postage.

Don't do it

I’m sorry for you Mylo. I know it would mean a lot to you to be more independent and you see this being possible if you had a car you were able to drive yourself. As I understand it this is only a possibility at the moment and you may not, in fact, be able to afford a car. Some of the practical difficulties you describe sound worrying to me. Please try to think this through and ask your driving instructor and your GP for their advice. I wish you all the best and hope for a good outcome for you.

What does your instructor think Mylo? Is the instructor happy with your progress? Are they taking you to quiet places to practice. Do they think you might better manage an automatic? Driving on busy roads can be very exacting ( you need to predict what other road users will do) with the actual mechanics of driving being only the start. I would suggest choosing an instructor who understands your specific needs and worries and can be honest with you.

I am very surprised that you are receiving funding for driving lessons, which are very expensive.

Learning clutch control ( ie physical co-ordination) is a very basic requirement. If you don’t achieve it after about four lessons, maybe you never will.
As far as co-ordinating what you see happening on the roads outside the car with what you need to do inside the car, this is absolutely essential for everyone’s safety.
Take advice from your instructor as to whether you should continue.
Remember in his car, he has dual controls so can take over if you are about to do something dangerous.

I started this thread to ask for advice on focusing on my co-ordination

Your GP might be the best one to consult, not people you don't know on an internet forum.

"Curiouser and curiouser!" thought Allira.

It's great that you are being funded for driving lessons but from what you have posted in the OP it seems that you realise how difficult it will be for you to progress. Take the advice of your driving instructor and be honest with them about your worries. I may well be the case that driving is not for you.

MyL0

Why would I be joking. My needs were considered and I was told that I can drive. I deserve support to do things if I can do them myself. If you say that I can’t for no good reason then you are being ableist. I want to be safe driving which is why I am asking for advice on particular issues.
As I said before I am practicing with a qualified instructor. I started this thread to ask for advice on focusing on my co-ordination

Sorry, but no. The roads have to be safe for all. This is not being ableist or mean.

argymargy

Thanks for the clarification MyLo. However I'm not sure that your needs trump the evident risks to others (& you) of you driving a car on public roads. Cars kill and maim every day - driving is a huge responsibility that should not be taken lightly.

Agree with argymargy and other posters.

Please reconsider.

I don’t understand why you are asking on here when you have as you say a very good driving instructor ask him or her they know you and you abilities …we don’t
How old are you ? You seem very naive if you think selling on eBay is a bed of roses you have to take good photographs have an accurate description and be prepared to go to the PO the day or two days after the items sell and you make small amounts of money but your earnings will need to be taken into consideration against your government money so for all that trouble you may have to hand it all over
You only have energy for a lesson once a fortnight ( so an hour a fortnight) how will you have energy to drive ? Please for your safety and everyone’s else on the road stop I really don’t think you should be considering driving

I don’t think anyone has said you shouldn’t drive for no good reason. Unfortunately what you have said gives rise to serious concerns about your ability to drive safely. You yourself said you are not sure you should be driving and described your difficulties as ‘really dangerous’. Yes, you deserve support to do things if you can, but many of us have formed the view, based on what you have said, that driving isn’t one of them.

Learning to drive is very demanding and new learners have to drive strictly by the book, lessons repeated and repeated until problems are safely overcome, in most cases under the supervision of a professional instructor. So be prepared to have multiple lessons if you decide to continue. There are no shortcuts. Eventually, as someone said upthread, things do become second nature and co-ordination falls into place, but certainly not at this stage or at the rate of a lesson every couple of weeks. I would think twice about going any further with lessons if you feel very anxious about driving. Better safe than sorry.