not sure if anyone has said this but try more then one instructor. my first one was a tosser. i felt stupid and was always grabbing the wheel. so after 5 lessons i felt i was not getting better. a started with a new instructor and all of a suddern i was sooooo much better. go figure.
My 1st instructor openly admitted to being a "bit of a boy racer" in his "younger days" (he was late 20's, early 30's and IMO, still a "boy racer"!). He would often shout and scream (and swear) for the slightest of mistakes (isn't that what learner drivers do? make mistakes that can then be corrected?). The scariest thing he did happened en route to pick up his next pupil. Headed out towards Great Coates, doing about 55-60 and approaching a slight right hand bend. All of a sudden he starts f-ing and blinding about not "f**king turning" and "trying to get us both f**king killed". He then grabbed the wheel, yanked to the left and slammed the brakes on. I hadn't actually reached the bend, had I turned when he wanted me to, I would certainly have crossed to the wrong side fo the road. The next lesson with him was supposed to be covering a turn in the road. He starting cursing and swearing again because I refused to use the "City" function (it was a wee Punto that ate clutches like I eat biscuits!!). I struggled with it.
I then decided enough was enough and cancelled the remaining lesson (had booked 6 as part of the special offer the company was running). Complained to the boss who took me out for a free lesson to put his mind at rest (just incase I did anything to provoke his behaviour...). It was then I also found out my instructor wasn't only a PDI!!
I'd lost all confidence in driving, thought I was useless at it and only half-heartedly looked around other driving schools. Then, one day whilst riding home from college I spotted the guy I wanted to go with in the first place! Chased him all the way down Littlefield Lane in Grimsby to the lights, where I scribbled down the phone number (good job he had a pupil in the car, didn't fancy trying to cycle at 30 for any length of time
).
My mum rang him on my behalf (short turn around between lessons, nipped home for lunch lol) and he gave me a half price lesson after hearing the above. Within 5 minutes my confidence had been restored and discovered I wasn't that bad!! Had another half dozen lessons with him, did test 1 and failed (on a technicality, not bad driving...the technicality being another **** of a driver not knowing what he was doing...as a consequence, I had apparently "impeded the flow of traffic"). Another 2 refresher lessons and test 2 was ballsed up big style (had 2 hour lesson prior to test - too long, got tired and it showed!!). 1 more lesson and pre-test lesson for number 3, had same examiner as test 1 - doing fine until the home straight - wasn't paying attention to a truck, had to do an emergency stop (unplanned = instant serious fault). Then, just pre-test lesson for number four (only a few weeks later) and had same examiner again, this time, he was being watched as well
. Passed...1 minor
(The examiner I had 3 times was/is known as "Picky Paul Fail 'em All" to most ADI's in the area
)
Passed my test on 05/10/2008, theory certificate would have expired 07/10/2008 and went on holiday 08/10/2008 lol
Currently learning to drive also. My test is booked for November 25th and im bricking it. I make simple mistakes and kick myself for it but I know I CAN drive and im alright at it. It took me forever to feel right and comfortable. My first driving instrutor was a smelly old half qualified prevert who did nothing but told me off and told me I was terrible. I now have a really support and understanding instructor whos female. She has a high pass rate and shes more a friend than a teacher.
If you feel uncomfortable try another instructor. I found out that independent teachers seem more keen to keep your spirits up than put you down all the time.
Keep at it! I never thought I would get this far...If I can then anyone can lol.
The best advice I was given for my test(s) was to get all your silly mistakes out of the way in the hour before your test. Then when it comes to test time, smile and greet the examiner politely (they're less likely to be miserable if you appear cheerful). This won't affect their judgement, but it is easier to relax if they are being somewhat happy and cheerful with you.
On the test itself, if you think you've made a mistake, just keep going. On test 4 I clipped a kerb on the A180 as an ambulance on blue's-and-two's came hurtling by. The test centre was just off the A180, so was only a few minutes into the test. Just kept going and figured "Hey, if it is a failure, may as well just keep going - not like they'll end it for that!!"
Turns out, he didn't even mark it as a minor (presumably because he was focusing on the much heavier vehicle speeding up behind us making lots of noise and lots of blue flashing lights rather than how close the kerb was lol)
It's taken me a year, but I've finally got my own car (yay) and absolutely love it (even the little "Fiat-isms" it has
). I'm soo glad I didn't give up when that ****-of-boy-racer-driving instructor kept putting me down!