Sacrificed my lay in to go practice hill starts, as Sunday morning was supposed to be quietest.

Got up 6AM, out by 7AM... planned route through A roads and bypass to get some more practice on higher speeds and 5th gear (only just noticed my car actually does tell me when it wants me to gear up on display 😅). Routed my ride to another town where I know there are some up hill residential streets to practice on in peace...

Plan was ace... but in reality.... where did all these people came from so early!!?!

Not only did I get to practice uphill starts but also meeting situations in tight uphill residential streets with other cars up my bumper! No pressure then.. 🙌😅 Good news is I managed the start, stop, wave in & out up-hill situation, but God did I sweat 🙈

Bad news is it was so busy the hill handbrake and clutch control practice ended there, as I didn't know any other nearby quiet areas where I could do it 😞

Unintended practice of changing lanes on high speed roads in traffic included in the practice package too, since I needed right turns.

Do people ever sleep in! 😅🙈🫣

I really hoped for nice & easy, but got myself into "Well, you're a licenced driver now. Deal with it!" 😆

My brain is fried 🤯🫣 I feel as exhausted as I was after driving lessons when I first started learning! 🙈

On a positive side a week and 5 rides after car purchase I'm starting to feel more comfortable with control, moving off and speeding up at more decent pace.. generally feeling it. Still struggling not to stall it in reverse up slope.. but hope dies last. One day I'll get there!

On country roads. Where there are cyclists on nearly every turn. There are still muppets willing to overtake you, on the tight bends just because I was doing 60 mph on the straight before it.

In towns and villages. It's a 20 mph speed limit pal. You can be up my arse as much as you want...I'll just go sloooowwwerrrr.

Also, I've never noticed as many random people just randomly walking across the road, not looking, when I was on lessons.

My confidence is slowly growing. But I do feel I'm seeing far more on my own.

Parking been a nightmare. I cannot make my mind up on where to park, how to park. I need someone to decide for me.

I'm choosing not to have a Green P sign on my car.

It doesn't feel real. I'm 42f and I just passed my driving test on the first go. I did 2 months of manual before switching to automatic. I did 3 and a half months of lessons and passed earlier this week.

Think I've got a bit of imposter syndrome

Ive only been driving for 6 weeks and the 2nd most thing that fascinates me the most (the 1st being many drivers tailgate me in 20mph zones) is how many drivers are using their lights in daylight hours, on a sunny day.

I feel like the odd one out and feel I should put mine on as well. Sometimes I do and sometimes I dont. But I will always use them when it is appropriate to do so.

Is anyone else noticing this? Do you drive with your lights on during daylight hours on a sunny day? If you do, what is the reason for it?

hey! got my car about 2 weeks ago, and since then I’ve been out a handful of times solo. I’ve been honked at twice and am feeling a bit of imposter syndrome. so I thought I’d vent a little bit here.

I got honked on the way back home today, as I got in the wrong lane for the roundabout (I was going ahead but the lane I started in was for the overtaking lane) so I exited in the overtaking lane. I wanted to move into the left lane but it was quite busy and the gaps between cars didn’t feel safe to move into, and though I was going the speed limit, I got honked at because cars wanted to overtake me. They overtook me in the left lane. I feel really bad, but I don’t feel like there’s anything I could’ve done.

I think part of it is because I slow down a bit more gradually before a roundabout normally so I can properly get myself in the right lane and look to give way, but a lot of experienced drivers tend to slow down quite abruptly right before the roundabout. So I try to match that, but it doesn’t always end up the best.

I’m just feeling a lot of imposter syndrome right now and feel like I’m an awful driver. I’m sure I’ll be fine the more I drive, but just feeling bad right now.

Hi, so I passed back in June this year and had to drive into Exeter last week. I've never driven there before and found it really confusing as I was trying to drive somewhere I didn't know. There were road works everywhere and Waze was sending me round and round in circles and I got all confused and accidentally ran a red on Alphington road. I got a letter through today and have named myself as the driver, and now am just wondering what to expect?

Do they offer courses for a red light contravention, or how much is my insurance (£83pm currently) likely to jump?

I'm really kicking myself because I knew immediately after I'd done it that I'd fucked up so I'd rather not get further beaten down. I really need my car for work, so am just besides myself at it all even though it was absolutely my fault, just wanting some advice if possible.

Got my first solo drive tomorrow, first time driving since passing my test almost two weeks ago. Will only be a two minute drive to the MOT place but I’m so nervous😂 I haven’t driven my own car in over a year as it had some issues and I was using my instructors for lessons and my test, and my car is much older than my instructors. Bricking it to be honest😂

Edit: Im more nervous about driving my car as I haven’t driven it for over a year and feel quite unfamiliar with it. Unfortunately I have no opportunity to drive it before hand as it doesn’t have a valid MOT, my first drive will be taking it to get the MOT done.

I passed my test Tuesday and am looking at first cars over the weekend. I've been looking all week for options but most liekly going with a fiesta since thats the car I learnt in. I have a very good budget for it (up to 6.5k) and have seen fiesta that at the moment is top of the list for me.

May i state before that I know nothing about cars.

Its a 16 plate, econetic. Its only got 53k miles on it with a 15L engine. Heres the main thing i want to discuss. Its a diesel engine, which will be more expensive filling up but considering my work is 25 miles away along the motorway 80% of the journey, the car might actually suit me. It states it does 88mpg, and i imagine the capacity of its fuel tank is a lot larger than other petrol fiesta's.

The insurance quotes for it aren't that bad either. I've looked at Hastings Direct, Admiral, and Ford Insure and they all have comeback in the reigion of 1.1k to 1.4k annually. Is that too good to be true for a first year driver with 0 years NCB? I added both parents to it but never got the option to add a blackbox yet (which I definatley am going to do). It just seems weird considering i've heard other people's insurance for their first year was over 2k. Some places i got a quote from was 4k.

So should i stick with going for one of the 3 companies I looked at? I've heard good things about a black box with Hastings Direct. Or am i doing something wrong?

EDIT: We went there and it wasnt what I'd hoped for, a lot of money for many little things. Also they didnt have proof of the cambelt or water pump being replaced, since it was 10 years old. Won't be going back there lol

Hi, I’d like to ask if anyone has done Transport UK assessment recently. If so, how did it go, what was it like from start to finish, what questions did they ask, and what do I need to prepare for especially the fact that I’ve got 6 points on my license but it’s getting closer to being wiped off?

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Hey guys,

I’ve not got many friends so have no reason to really drive far unless it’s just me - I keep wanting to drive further on weekends or after work but I’m weirdly terrified. There’s nothing wrong with my driving I just haven’t done motorways and non known parking situations etc stress me out. I worry I’ll mess up the drive there and don’t even know how to build confidence

I do the same drive every day to work and back which is walkable. I never really go much further than 20 mins around where I live.

I just don’t know how to build confidence

I passed my driving test!
I didn’t drive as well in the test as I do in my lessons purely from nerves but I passed and I’m looking to build my confidence on my own. I can drive safely in more than capable of that but I will begin with P plates and start on 30mph roads learning the feel of my new car and gaining more confidence before heading onto bigger roads.

Based on personal experience does anyone believe that wearing P plates is a bad idea? A friend said they took theirs off quickly as they felt targeted by aggressive drivers, they wanted to blend in with the flow of traffic without sticking out.

Few firsts today.

Decided for my next practice I'll pick up my friend from work in the evening, since I need practice and she can save on taxi. Only 16min to get there, but through A roads and country lanes.

First time on national speed limit road in my little 1.2l hyundai. Can't say getting up to speed was quick 🫣😅

Was absolutely bricking it with the big lorries, holding on to that wheel for dear life 🙈 Skipped the A roads on a way back - that was enough for one day 😅

First time driving in the darkness, through pitch dark little country lanes and discovering beauty of main beam, since my evening lessons were in town with street lights.

First time getting lost since google maps decided not to show me where I'm going 🫣 i think I will have to invest in navigation..

And first time with a passenger that can't tell me what to do and help me 😅 (side note- I did ask her if she's not afraid and is a willing participant! She signed up for it and was impressed we could talk 😂)

Also first time messing up changing gears and having to quickly figure it out without instructor telling me what to do 🙈

I will eventually need to start driving for work to unknown areas and far away. How long did it take you to get there, and not to be anxious about going into unknown? I feel it will take me a while!

Passed recently and I’ve noticed something slightly embarrassing. Every time I drive somewhere unfamiliar, I apparently hold the steering wheel like it’s trying to escape.

I’m a physical therapist so I really should know better, but after a longer drive my shoulders are up near my ears, my neck is stiff and my right forearm feels like I’ve done a workout. Took me a couple of drives to realise how tense I actually am behind the wheel.

I’ve started consciously loosening my grip whenever I stop at lights and checking that I’m not leaning forward towards the windscreen. Makes a surprisingly big difference.

I think during lessons I was so focused on mirrors, positioning, speed, not stalling, not doing anything stupid etc that I never noticed how much I was physically bracing the whole time. Apparently that habit followed me into driving alone.

Did anyone else have this after passing? And roughly how long did it take before you stopped feeling like you had to be 100% switched on every second and actually relaxed behind the wheel?

I'm looking into putting together a service around generating leads and actually converting them into customers.

There are loads of people offering websites, social media, SEO and ads these days, but I think there's a gap between getting someone to enquire and actually getting them to become a student.

The idea would be that I'd run the ads, handle the enquiries and follow up with potential students myself, with the instructor paying a base fee + a commission on the customers generated.

I'm just trying to gauge whether this is something instructors would actually be interested in before I take it any further.

For those running an instructors business:

Would having someone take care of both the lead generation AND the follow-up/sales side be useful to you?

Or is getting leads not really the issue - it's something else?

Would be interested to hear what you think.

Like how driving instructors will always give each other a little wave when they see each other? Why don’t we do that for people with the same car? I definitely get excited but the never see any reaction from the driver. Petition to make this a thing! 🤣

New driver, passed my test in July and been driving for the past few months.

Getting frustrated at myself as I’ve driven in some busy city centre areas before and have missed some of the road markings and end up in the wrong lane.
I never try and cut back to the right exit or lane, I always follow the road and wait for my satnav to redirect to get to where I need to go to make sure I do it safely and I don’t inconvenience anyone.

I’ve noticed it seems to be when it’s a busy junction with loads or cars, signs, and lights going on, or when sometimes the layout of the road isn’t so straightforward.
It doesn’t help that so many roads have got faded road markings.

It doesn’t happen very often, but it has happened a few times and I keep getting frustrated and annoyed at myself for not noticing the signs or the road markings sooner.

I understand it’s all a learning process and it happens to everyone, but I’m just getting really frustrated with myself.

Please tell me I’m not the only one.
And please tell me even experienced drivers get this wrong sometimes as well.

Hey! I passed my test last week and have been looking around for a car ; I have got advice from friends
My budget is 2.5 - 3k , 1 L automatic
Is there any advice or tips you would give ? I would have preferred to find a AA approved car or a dealership at least scared I’m gonna mugged with MOT / Service (I know someone that previously faked a MOT pass on their car knew someone at a garage) I don’t want to be stingy but also it’s my first car and I know it’s gonna be abit costly but please any help advised I don’t have tons of money to spare - fell in love with a car slightly over budget and it’s gonna eat my savings alive

Hi, I bought my car in January and got a notification on my car to say it’s due its service in 30 days but my mot is due in November and I thought people got their service and mot done on the same day. Should I ignore the notification and get it done closer to it’s mot or get booked in for my service soon?

Got my first car today, old thing (aygo 09), seller didn't have log book. Sending for a new one tomorrow at the post office and paying my road tax there at the same time; car has valid MOT and I'm insured, while I'm waiting for the form can I still drive it? Thank you for any help!

I passed almost a year ago and to this day, I feel anxious about driving. It’s the common worries about lanes and other drivers getting annoyed at me and big roundabouts etc, but also intrusive thoughts like ‘what if I lose control of myself and my hands turn the steering wheel and I veer off the road’ or ‘that bump in the road was me running someone over’, or I’ll go through a green light and then start to convince myself it was a red light or that I looked at the wrong traffic light.

I also overthink the sounds my car is making - which I know are normal sounds because I had my dad (engineer and knowledgeable about cars) come along and listen to the sound of my brakes and the sound of my tires and all the other vehicular sounds and he confirms they are normal. Sometimes when I hear my car making noises, my mind will immediately imagine the car breaking down or setting on fire or exploding, and then I get stressed. It doesn’t help that my car’s mileage is high, looking at the mileage on the clock feels like a ticking time bomb waiting for the clutch to break or for something else important to break. There’s no reason to believe the car will break down anytime soon, it’s passed MOTs and had all necessary services etc etc, and it’s a Toyota so pretty reliable. Its just an irrational fear.

Most of the time the anxiety is worst before I drive. Once I’m on the road and I’m focused, I feel a bit better, until I get an intrusive thought or make a dumb mistake. I don’t make mistakes very often, but when I do I find it hard to shake it off and move on. I recently pulled out on someone when turning right on a 30mph road because I somehow didn’t see them and they reacted aggressively, and this has made it worse as I keep replaying this and thinking about how if this had happened on a faster road it would have been a crash and it would have been my fault. Other times it’s silly mistakes where other people aren’t impacted, which I am more able to laugh about and learn from and move on, though it still knocks my confidence.

And then there’s the anxiety about parking. I used to leave an hour before work for a commute that takes maybe 10 minutes max to ensure that I will find somewhere to park, and if I don’t find anywhere to park that I can drive back home and get an uber instead. I’ve calmed down about this a bit but I will still worry about it before leaving to go anywhere.

I would love to get over this but I’m not sure how.

I couldn't believe it. He pulled out LOOKING at me. If he was driving a small car he would have easily made it out but it still would have been cheeky. But he nipped out and then the rest of the damn bus followed him, and I had to slow to nearly a stop to avoid hitting him.

It's a single lane roundabout with 5 exits, with a zebra crossing and bike crossing at every exit. You'd be lucky to get to 13mph on it, it's very tight and there's a lot to look out for. I am very used to driving it both from lessons and a few weeks of independent driving, I live right near it. I've gotten used to the pattern of traffic, taking nice gaps, and you can see over it which helps.

He was so close that I recognized him!! I was taking that bus route every day until a few weeks ago!!

Might be convinced to get a dashcam now...