[Daniel-X]

Basically, my confidence has been massively knocked with my driving lessons after last week. I changed the car into the wrong gear on a dual carriageway and panicked, I couldn't get back into the lesson and burst into tears while I was driving. Stuff like this has happened before (minor though compared to this) and it's always a problem to do with me putting the car in the wrong gear or stalling. Now I feel like I should stop learning to drive or drive automatic and was just seeing what anyone else would do?

It sounds pathetic that I'm throwing the towel in after that but I've genuinely had enough, mainly down to the fact that I don't know anyone who's had a blip like that before. Everyone else is better than me and it's horrible having to listen to how much progress everyone is doing when I'm going backwards. I don't want replies like 'grow up ' etc. so just leave if you have no advice to offer.

[Firewire]

Never give up

[Jamie89]

How long have you been learning for/how many lessons have you had so far?

Driving isn't for everyone and if it's not for you there's no shame in giving up. If you haven't been learning for that long though my advice would be to stick with it for a bit longer as if it's just a specific part of driving that you haven't quite got the hang of yet you might find that it's just something that comes with time and more practice, like do you enjoy driving generally and it's just that you occasionally make mistakes with the gears, or do you not like driving at all?

[Jamie89]

Also don't judge your own progress by how other people do, everyone has different paces and does well at different things (and a lot of people will just embellish how good they are to make themselves sound better )

[Daniel-X]

Originally Posted by Jamie89

How long have you been learning for/how many lessons have you had so far?

Driving isn't for everyone and if it's not for you there's no shame in giving up. If you haven't been learning for that long though my advice would be to stick with it for a bit longer as if it's just a specific part of driving that you haven't quite got the hang of yet you might find that it's just something that comes with time and more practice, like do you enjoy driving generally and it's just that you occasionally make mistakes with the gears, or do you not like driving at all?

I've had about twelve lessons so far but it took me ages to get around not crossing my bloody hands when driving the wheel, and once I've got my head round that suddenly I end up going really **** with my gears. I honestly don't know what to do, it's probably my competitive streak coming out because some people who started after me are a lot lot better and it's just frustrating that I can't get the hang of it.

[Drew.]

I had similar problems, i had trouble stalling the car a lot and struggled picking the right gears to be in. One lesson i got so angry and frustrated i was raging so hard my instructor took over the wheel, drove us to mcdonalds and bought me a meal and basically convinced me it was only a blip and all part of learning. I wouldn't give in, it happens to most people, your instructor should probably do more to reassure you.

[caprimint]

You just wrote that you're competitive, so you already answered your own question. Keep it up if it's something you really want to do, you'll get there in the end.

[Greg!]

Babes don't give up, I was in tears on my second lesson because I did something similar and ****ed up the guy's car (it wasn't on a dual carriageway mind) give it a few more weeks and if you're still not improving (but I bet you will) then maybe stop the lessons for a bit until you feel ready.

[Glenn.]

You will have bad lessons and great lessons. Keep at it.

[Jamie89]

Originally Posted by Daniel-X

I've had about twelve lessons so far but it took me ages to get around not crossing my bloody hands when driving the wheel, and once I've got my head round that suddenly I end up going really **** with my gears. I honestly don't know what to do, it's probably my competitive streak coming out because some people who started after me are a lot lot better and it's just frustrating that I can't get the hang of it.

Oh I had about 50 lessons before I was ready to take my test If it's just a competitive thing or you're frustrated about not being as good as you'd like to be yet then I'd keep going with it tbh and just try and put less pressure on yourself. There's so much to think about when your driving and it takes a while to be fully competent at all those things, it all just takes time and practice though, it doesn't mean you're not capable of doing it just because you haven't got the hang of it right away.

[Daniel-X]

Originally Posted by Drew.

I had similar problems, i had trouble stalling the car a lot and struggled picking the right gears to be in. One lesson i got so angry and frustrated i was raging so hard my instructor took over the wheel, drove us to mcdonalds and bought me a meal and basically convinced me it was only a blip and all part of learning. I wouldn't give in, it happens to most people, your instructor should probably do more to reassure you.

Originally Posted by Greg!

Babes don't give up, I was in tears on my second lesson because I did something similar and ****ed up the guy's car (it wasn't on a dual carriageway mind) give it a few more weeks and if you're still not improving (but I bet you will) then maybe stop the lessons for a bit until you feel ready.

Originally Posted by Glenn.

You will have bad lessons and great lessons. Keep at it.

These are really comforting to know thank you everyone. I've been massively depressed about it all since it happened on Saturday, I'll just see how this week's lesson goes but I just feel like it's always one step forward and two steps back.

[Samm]

[lewis111]

I took almost a year to pass my test and done very similar things
I'm pretty sure the avergae number of lessons is like 26/27 so you're bound to make mistakes on lesson 12ish
And remember you only need to be perfect for this test - stuff like crossing your arms when turning or whatever doesn't matter when you're driving yourself

[Amy Jade]

Definitely don't give up, passing my test was the best thing I ever did.

[Crimson Dynamo]

If you cry when selecting the wrong gear then you are not ready for driving full stop.

You need to pull yourself together, driving is a serious business

You may not like replies like grow up, the reason is that is exactly what you need to do and you know it.

get on with it and learn and enjoy the freedom it brings, feeling sorry for yourself wont pass the test or drive you to Tesco

[Amy Jade]

Ignore LeatherTrumpet.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Amy Jade

Ignore LeatherTrumpet.

yes ignore reality and let members stroke your ego

that wont get you driving

[Amy Jade]

Not stoking anyones ego but a little encouragement goes a long way.

[Greg!]

Almost everyone cries during or after a driving lesson at some point so I don't get what leather trumpet is on about

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Almost everyone cries during or after a driving lesson at some point so I don't get what leather trumpet is on about

er no they jolly well dont

[Amy Jade]

Originally Posted by Greg!

Almost everyone cries during or after a driving lesson at some point so I don't get what leather trumpet is on about

Did they even have driving lessons back when he was young?

[Crimson Dynamo]

ageism is as bad as racism, or homophobia


now where is that report button..

[Daniel-X]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

If you cry when selecting the wrong gear then you are not ready for driving full stop.

You need to pull yourself together, driving is a serious business

You may not like replies like grow up, the reason is that is exactly what you need to do and you know it.

get on with it and learn and enjoy the freedom it brings, feeling sorry for yourself wont pass the test or drive you to Tesco

If I could've done I would put, LT please refrain from posting in the OP but I'm not that rude

I was seriously ill last week (had the flu and had been depressed for the majority of the week) THAT is why I cried. Stop acting all high and mighty as if you're superior to everyone else, we're all human and all make mistakes. This thread was made for the sole purpose so that people could advise me as to what to do. Not so you could make a joke out of me and treat me like a child.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Daniel-X

If I could've done I would put, LT please refrain from posting in the OP but I'm not that rude

I was seriously ill last week (had the flu and had been depressed for the majority of the week) THAT is why I cried. Stop acting all high and mighty as if you're superior to everyone else, we're all human and all make mistakes. This thread was made for the sole purpose so that people could advise me as to what to do. Not so you could make a joke out of me and treat me like a child.

I know it's difficult but try not to rise to it

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Daniel-X

If I could've done I would put, LT please refrain from posting in the OP but I'm not that rude

I was seriously ill last week (had the flu and had been depressed for the majority of the week) THAT is why I cried. Stop acting all high and mighty as if you're superior to everyone else, we're all human and all make mistakes. This thread was made for the sole purpose so that people could advise me as to what to do. Not so you could make a joke out of me and treat me like a child.

if you just want sympathy state so in the OP otherwise do not moan about replies, this is a public forum and as such dont mini-moderate replies