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"Driving"

Simple stupid question, those of you who drive, was it like a learning curve or was it just like "click" one lesson and you could do it?

I officially quit driving today until further notice, mostly because I fear for my own life whilst driving, also partly due to lack of money.

Is it just "one of those things" that some people do naturally and others struggle to adapt to, or am I just completely carp (yes, carp) at it for no understandable reason?

Same with me. Although now I'm learning how to navigate my way around South London. Suffice to say that I get lost quite a lot.

First couple of lessons were daunting, soon after it just became second nature.

Now I don't even think about driving, while driving.

Car control issues come to you naturally.

I was rubbish with the whole clutch control thing for a while, but it just suddenly came to me one lesson and its been natural ever since.

I'd say stick with it too. There's no way it would ever just "click", it's not that sort of thing. It's like learning to walk - it takes time and a lot of practise. Nothing makes you a good driver except driving. It takes most people on average about 40-60 hours worth of driving (in large cities anyway) before they are competent enugh to pass their test (you can do it before that, but it will be based more on chance than actual ability).

If you're finding it hard, I'd imagine you're struggling with actually controlling the car (stalling, not knowing what you're supposed to be doing with the pedals, not knowing how fast you're going, not knowing where your car is in the road), and that's what you get better at with practise. Once you've got it, you've then got to learn to deal with other drivers, traffic, road markings and the stuff that isn't in your control, which, in a way, is much harder.

Yeah, I agree with Chipseh. Stick with it. Practise will help you improve and feel more confident in your ability.

I know friends who passed first time in about 15-20 lessons but are the worst drivers known to man.

I passed second time after probably double that but I'm a much better driver.

So, taking your time will probably mean you're a better driver, maybe.

Edit: To those who laugh at my lessons, about a half to three quarters was taken up going to and from my test centre area.

Yeah I ususally take that attitude.

Go into the lesson with a positive approach and don't take crap 'faults' to heart.

You get better.

I'd stick with it, personally. I started to learn last Augsust, and passed this January. Drivers will generally tell you that it becomes second nature, and it really really does. If you're able to get insured on your parents cars then I'd suggest doing it, as it helped me substantially. Practice between lessons isn't always needed, but it does help.

The only difference between one person clicking with driving, and the other struggling is your mental attitude. If you 'attack' the lesson, declaring that it's going to be good and it isn't... well, tough break, just make it better next time. And conversely, if you think you're going to do crap and you don't, well, keep it up. Now I feel like I'm explaining a lesson in life to a 2 year old, and I apologise for that, but I really go mean it- keep with it.

I hate expressing myself in words. :D

Ms NY wrote:
> Kinda know the feeling. First lesson was perficked, with no problems
> at all. 2nd good.

This is because your instructor will be 'gently' helping you with the clutch and brakes using the twin controls on his side.

Thats why car control seems so easy for your first lesson or two. Then you get left on your own to get used to it.

Anyway, I've had about 35 lessons so far and I'm pretty good at driving now, just need to iron out the little mistakes I make.

Trust me, you get better. You have a few crap lessons, then everything seems to get better and better then crap then better. It's a steep learning curve, but very rewarding.

I found it really, really tough at first, especially my third lesson. I nearly killed myself that day, I swear.

On me 12th now and going into Brentwood more often now, which by comparison to Billericay is utter madness. People seem to step into the road from no where, and that bloody double roundabout on Wilson's Corner is always a lot of 'fun.'

I still make obvious mistakes now, and I can't steer at all. But thanks to my instructor and the fact that I can now just drive around relatively quiet areas without any real problems, I'm finding it easier.

It's definitely one of the steepest learning curves I've ever come across, though.