I am a learner driver (Learning to Drive)

Member Name: Stephtin

Product:	Learning to Drive
Date:	13/08/09 (309 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Be useful in the end

Disadvantages: Stressful and expensive

I am a learner driver.

There I've said it, I feel much better now.

Some lessons I enjoy driving, other's I truely hate it. I never really wanted to learn to drive, when I turned 17 I did a few lessons because I thought it would be "cool" to be able to go cruising etc with my friends. I didn't do very well due to this attitude and the fact I realised, due to a friends car accident just how dangerous driving can be. Mostly because of the other drivers on the road, more on that later.

I am now 22 and learning again. This time I have a fantastic instructor who never pushes me too far, whom I trust to keep me out of trouble and who can make me relax and laugh - always handy when learning something you hate.

So far in my life, I don't think I have done anything more stressful than learning to drive. Not my third year at university, not exams not even personal life experiences. Learning to drive is a stressful and horrible thing, but unfortunatly we live in a world where although it is possible to get by without driving, it is much easier to have your own transport.

My biggest problem with learning is...yes you guessed it...other drivers.

The things I have encountered on my lesson are disgusting. I've been undercut twice on roundabouts - one on a busy duel carriageway, I've had idiots going up my backside even when I'm doing the speed limit (which does exist for a reason), people pulling out of junctions when they shouldn't causing me to emergency brake. I understand that driving behind a learner must be frustrating to those drivers that don't believe 30mph is suitable but the speed limit is that for a reason. Besides which, if you go into the back of me, guess who'll be liable? There's a reason I've got giant L plates all over the car and I'm sure your insurance and the courts if it got that far (and trust me, if you hit me - it will go that far) will not understand the reason as to why you could not take the courteousy to drive a little more polietly around a learner driver, someone who is clearly advertising the fact they are not as capable as everyone else on the road.

Having said that I've also encountered some lovely people on driving lessons, those that are patient and give way and encourage me when I'm trying to do my reversing etc.

So to all the drivers out there on my local town roads - I'm sorry that I'm not a speed head like you, I'm sorry that sometimes I stall (I'm sure you never ever have done or will) and I'm sorry that I'm a tiny bit more hesitant than you.

I am a good learner driver, I go the speed limits, I am not to hesitant at junctions or rounabouts etc and I am poliet enough to give way when I can.

It'll never happen but the government should introduce mandatory re-tests every 5 years - free of charge. This would discourage bad driving habits and get bad drivers off the roads before they kill somebody.

In conclusion - learning to drive is stressful, emotionally draining, enjoyable and expensive - so please try to remember how you felt when you were sat in my seat however many years ago.

Before I accidentally do an emergency brake and cause some serious damage to the front of your car - not my fault, I'm just learning, you're the 'educated' and 'experienced' one tailing me and not leaving the highway code standard braking distance...! :)

Summary: If I were the only person on the road I'd love it!