Driving lessons.........im losing confidence - what can i do to increase it?

Question

I've had 15 lessons already and i've only learned driving and still in the process of learning a few manouvers

Im almost at breaking point because im struggling so much - the corner reverse she's shown me numerous times but i still get it wrong, ive done the turn in the road loads of times, but still cant do it alone - my positioning is still not up to scratch and my mirror work is also naff

Many people have said this is slow - i know people learn at different rates, but this is not normal for me as im usually such a fast leaner with everything else - what can i do to boost my confidence and my driving?

I've done and passed my theory already - as i have mentioned earlier, everything else im ok with - its just DRIVING :-(

Answer 1

The very same thing happened to a Friend of mine a few years ago.
Do you wear glasses?

Please do not take offence by this answer, but my Friend did wear glasses, and it was found out they were not suitable for driving. May be something to check out.

Also, ensure you are high enough in your seat. Try using a cushion to ensure better vision, as I feel this could be your problem, and the ability to drive well, example, manoeuvring.

Before your next lesson, ask if you can alter the position of all the mirrors on the car, so you can see clearly, and feel comfortable with the view you have. Any problems, say so, then it can be sorted before you set off.

Do not let what others say affect your confidence. Try hard and do your best, and check out my above comments.

I am confident that if you sort out the above, you will make a first class driver. Take care, be patient, and good luck.

May I wish you many happy years of motoring.

Answer 2

Don't worry - it is expected that most people will need at least 40 lessons before they attempt their test! You need to talk to your instructor and explain your concerns and it may be that they will agree to let you practice controlling the car in a fairly empty space before you continue with manoeuvres. Most people have good lessons and bad lessons which affect their confidence.

If YOU want to drive and YOU feel it is the right time to learn then keep it up and persevere. But if YOU don't really feel that your heart is in it, then stop your lessons until you feel the time is right - there is no reason why you should feel pressured to take lessons as soon as you hit 17! I started learning at 17, gave up, started again at 20, passed first time and now race (on tracks) as often as I'm able - I'm sure if I'd carried on at 17 I would have ended up hating driving. Incidentally, after many years of driving I still can't do a parallel park!

The important thing is for you to enjoy learning - don't compare your learning rate with anyone else. My husband has taught people who have passed their test after only a few lessons and he also has students (young and older) who have had nearly 200 and are still not ready to take their test.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Maybe you feel nervous with an instructor if that's the case.
Try to get additional lessons with a friend or family member you feel comfortable with, they are usually more supportive and make lessons less formal.
Adjusting the mirrors will help to you to align and view cars and blind-spots behind and beside you easily. Read the manual about how cars should appear in the mirror and simulate it while sitting in front of a vanity, practice rubbernecking: alternating mirror checks sides, rear, and in front of you. All of these will make the mirror adjusting and use easy.
Make sure your seats are adjusted to your comfort zone. Some like their seats high or low, and close or not so close to the steering wheel.
Hey my daughters have been practicing for a year, they live in two different states, ironically, they took their road test on the same day and both flunked but they have not given up hope. They are taking lessons with friends and a driving school and look on the Internet for their dream car.
Practice makes perfect...and here's another motivator public transportation.
You will do fine.:-)

Answer 4

Important thing is to not lose confidence.

You probably now are more worried about the next impending failure than driving itself - which is why you commit more mistakes. Try relax and enjoy your drive. The more tense you get, the more difficult you make it for yourself.

The very very important rule in driving - it not the past 1 second, minute, hour or day which matter while driving - its the next 1 second which matters while driving - so concentrate !

It will all come together. Its just a matter of time. so be at it.
The important thing is DONT GIVE UP!

Answer 5

Being able to drive is a wonderful, scary feeling. Put this thought at the front of your mind every time you get in a car. You WANT to learn to drive. Then clear your mind of everything else and CONCENTRATE HARD and think about what you're doing. There is no time in a car to be thinking of anything else except what you are doing. Practise whenever you can and it will happen all of a sudden. You will just suddenly be able to drive. There is no time limit on this. In the meantime relax and enjoy driving.

Answer 6

The best advice i can give you is to relax and don't listen to friends or family. Everyone learns at a different pace. The best thing you can do is gain some confidence by going for plenty of drives. like the saying goes "PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT". Try looking over your shoulder as you reverse. You cannot judge it by the mirrors.
Keep trying and the best of luck.

Answer 7

no, being a virgin is not a "confidence boosting" thing its a love thing, a way to express your love to one person finding some chick on the street and having sex with her will just make you feel cheep and horny find someone you care about, then you can loose your virginity, it will feel more special and wholesome that way. maybe those kids younger than you loosing your virginity are just TELLING you that, guys lie about these things to look cool maybe these kids are just like you and say "i wanna just go out and **** some chick because i want too." or maybe these kids have found love young, and were lucky enough to find it young to boost confidence try doing something you love, a sport, an instriment, maybe try acting. its boosted my confidence through the roof!

Answer 8

maybe it's the instructor and the way she teaching you to drive. if you have a friend or family person who could take you out and show you how they learned, it may help. you may feel more relaxed with someone you trust...and don't worry, it will all come together and some day you'll laugh about how I COUDN'T DRIVE.
good luck!

Answer 9

Aha! Could be you can't learn this from a female instructor?
The aspects you are struggling with are all to do with spatial awareness - an inherently male skill. A male teaches this better. Could also be she is not so hot on these bits.

Answer 10

Besides practicing with you instructor, you should try practicing with someone you feel comfortable with (parents, older friends, etc.). When I learned how to first drive I sucked at that too with my instructor but when I would practice with my mom at home I would feel more comfortable, but practice on near by streets so you won't feel too scared and also for safety reasons. After praciticing with her I felf much more comfortable and ended up impressing my instructor. Sometimes they could really make you nervous and insecure and you start to tense up so your best bet is to try it with someone you know and feel comfortable and relaxed with and showing off to your instructor later. Good luck.