Learning to drive • Non-Gaming • Eurogamer.net

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 13:18:09 159 posts
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Ok I should of done it years ago! Everyone told me it'll be hard when I'm older but no I had to leave it until I was 35 so yeah it's my fault. So nearly 11 months later and nearing 37 in may, I've got my practical test in a month and I'm starting to brick it a little. It's been hard going for me as for some reason ( I'm guessing being old) driving hasn't come easy for me. I've had some shocking lessons but luckly I've not smashed up my instructors car....yet lol . Last night I did a mock test and although I failed it with 15 minor and two serious faults, after I felt more confident and now I now where I went wrong then next week I'll hopefully will do better. I still have a bit of trouble going from moving to holding it on the bite but I'm getting better. Is anyone else here in the same boat?

elstoof 24 Jan 2017 13:20:30 28,126 posts
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Paging PhoenixFlames

jiveguy 24 Jan 2017 13:31:14 917 posts
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I learned to drive in my thirties too (city boy). Felt the same about the whole thing - thought I was too old to learn, nothing was clicking. Failed the test the first two times but I think some of that was due to learning in one car while taking the test in another (along with the inexperience). It wasn't until I started getting lessons in my own car several times a week and taking the test in my own car that I felt a lot more comfortable and confident which resulted in passing.

Good luck!

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 13:42:15 159 posts
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@jiveguy cheers to be honest last night was the first time i actually felt comfortable behind the wheel. I feel now like I can do this!

David_Richardson 24 Jan 2017 13:49:08 1,332 posts
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Not alone at all. I'm 38 in March and I still haven't passed. Went to test twice a couple of years ago and felt really hard done by on the second fail, so stupidly knocked it on the head. Now my theory has run out and I have to start again. Seriously considering going automatic instead. I have zero interest in cars, which doesn't help.

Like jiveguy, I have always worked in the City, so I never had any need for it. But now my little one is 7 I have to do it for his sake.

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 13:57:25 159 posts
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@David_Richardson I totally empathise with the idea of automatic, I nearly gave up and switched and maybe if I did I wouldn't of struggled so much. My little boy is the reason why I'm learning too, he's 15 months old and we want to take him to the seaside this yea. We normally go by train but this would be a massive ball ache with the little dude, it a massive ball ache without him to be fair lol

mrpon 24 Jan 2017 13:59:58 37,367 posts
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Donk8077 wrote:
I still have a bit of trouble going from moving to holding it on the bite but I'm getting better.

Just make sure you work the shaft and cup the balls.

KD 24 Jan 2017 14:29:21 3,575 posts
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I'm 35 this year and nearly got up to taking the test at 19 but had a new job and got licensed for a motorbike instead as I had the mortgage on the house to pay so made personal transport a lot cheaper.

Last year was end of my mortgage and started getting out a bit more and not having a car is seriously bothering me now, I'm a little worried that so many years riding bikes will have got me so many bad habits, or maybe it'll be easy to change over?

Skirlasvoud 24 Jan 2017 14:55:12 4,039 posts
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If anything, I've heard that motorbikes are harder KD. You're more vulnerable and exams at least in my country, are more rigorous on motorcyclists.

My parents paid for my driving lessons and I passed my exams and got my license at the age of 21...

...

... then I saw no more real use for it and I haven't driven a car since. I'll probably be naff at it and need more lessons.

Hell of a lot worse than picking it up at a later age.

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 15:00:47 159 posts
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@KD at least you know what your doing on the road as in road layouts and signs so you'll be able to transfer those skills at least ( which is half the battle ) the car part might be a little different but as long as you don't weave in and out of traffic you'll be fine lol, At first I was amazed at how sensitive the pedals were. I still struggle some days lol

captainrentboy 24 Jan 2017 15:08:50 1,682 posts
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34 and on my 20th lesson. Was absolutely shitting myself about learning, which is why I put it off for as long as I did.
Turns out my friends and family were right all along, it was nowhere near as terrifying as I'd built it up to be. My instructor is maybe a bit unorthodox (Told him how scared I was, still had me out on main roads tackling massive complicated roundabouts 30 minutes into my first lesson) and really pushes me to progress, but that's been a good thing, as he said he knew of some instructors that would still have their students faffing around on an industrial estate 10 hours in.
After all that unnecessary fear, it turns out I'm quite good at it, instructor thinks I'll be more than ready for my test within 25-30 lessons.

boo 24 Jan 2017 15:29:41 13,901 posts
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"Had an accident that wasn't your fault? Some lunatic careered into the back of your car because they were pressing the throttle instead of the brake?

Call 1-800-Donk-Smashed-Up-My-Car, and let our trained-to-the-minimum-requirements-we-could-get-away-with lawyers at him!"

Where there's a bash - there's cash!

boo 24 Jan 2017 15:32:12 13,901 posts
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Seriously mate - you'll be fine. Practice, practice, practice. Someone once said to me 'You don't start learning to drive until after you pass your test.' and they were right.

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 15:35:06 159 posts
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@boo pmsl that's made my day that has! Cheers

Dougs 24 Jan 2017 15:41:28 100,414 posts
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elstoof wrote:
Paging PhoenixFlames

As soon as i saw the thread title, I hoped someone had responded the only way possible. I'm glad EG did not disappoint....

Deleted user 24 January 2017 15:41:56

Took my test at around age 32 and passed. I thought I'd done something to fail in the first 2 mins of the test, literally just after leaving the test centre but then passed with 2 minors. I spent the whole of that 30 mins thinking of failed so must have relaxed. I then didn't drive until a could of years ago when we bought an automatic. I now need to drive a car for work so I bought a manual a few months back. The first couple of months were fun, a lot of stalling! Anyway, I'm note driving the manual around like I've done it for years, I'm 38. It can all be done.

Edited by AaronTurner at 15:43:18 24-01-2017

hedben2013 24 Jan 2017 15:47:49 2,266 posts
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Skirlasvoud wrote:
My parents paid for my driving lessons and I passed my exams and got my license at the age of 21...

...

... then I saw no more real use for it and I haven't driven a car since. I'll probably be naff at it and need more lessons.

Snap- I'm 37, passed when I was 18, and in the past 9 years I've driven on 2 occasions. Both times I was driving a pregnant wife to the hospital and then returning home with wife and baby.

Not sure how badly I drove on the second trip, but for our 3rd child we got the tram there and taxi back.

Ror 24 Jan 2017 15:50:13 20,336 posts
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I passed a couple of months ago at the age of 32, and going by other replies in the thread, you're certainly not alone. I know it's easy to say, but try not to stress too much - the test will fly by and be finished before you know it.

As above, practice as much as you can. It does become second nature eventually. I only drive once or twice a week at the moment, and every time I get in the car I have a brief moment of, "Shit, do I even remember how to do this?" And then you just drive and it's all fine.

Good luck OP, don't stress too much, and if you don't pass it first time, it's not the end of the world - you can always try again.

Rivuzu 24 Jan 2017 16:21:00 18,424 posts
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28, never had a driving lesson. I don't think I will for another few years. I live close to town, within walking distance. Order practically EVERYTHING online that I can. Commute via train to London every day.

There are times where I think it'd be more convenient, but weighing up the number of times I need a car vs just getting transport in a year, and transport is by far the cheaper option.

Sharz 24 Jan 2017 16:33:18 2,121 posts
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@Donk8077

When I was 17 I really struggled to pass the newly introduced computer theory test so I forgot about driving a car. As I needed transport I just got a little motorbike.

Anyway fast forward 12 years and I needed a car for work. Went and did the theory test and practical test, passed first time for both with no issues. I found it quite easy as I had gained various bits of knowledge over the years and was just that more relaxed on the roads in general. Even cycling helps to understand the way roads work.

Long story short, I'm not sure that it gets harder if you do it later. And just relax.

Edited by Sharz at 16:41:01 24-01-2017

Donk8077 24 Jan 2017 16:59:04 159 posts
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@Sharz I started learning when I was 18 but I didn't like the instructor and I didn't at the time live far from work so I stopped after a couple of lessons, then I started again when I was 21 but again I didn't get on with the instructor and again I stopped the lessons. Since then I'd always put it off saying I couldn't afford to do it ( probably still can't lol) but since my little son came along I decided for his sake it's about time I pulled my finger out. I didn't struggle half as bad all those years ago that I can remember lol

Deleted user 24 January 2017 17:29:56

Donk8077 wrote:

At first I was amazed at how sensitive the pedals were.

Depends on the car though. Usually older cars have softer Drove the Ford S-Max of my father's wife once and tipping the brake pedal in the slightest possible way felt like slamming into a wall. My Astra is about the same age and much easier on the brakes. (I say "same age" because usually older cars have softer brakes)

Edited by DrStrangelove at 17:32:31 24-01-2017

Ror 24 Jan 2017 17:46:37 20,336 posts
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Donk8077 wrote:
@Sharz I started learning when I was 18 but I didn't like the instructor and I didn't at the time live far from work so I stopped after a couple of lessons, then I started again when I was 21 but again I didn't get on with the instructor and again I stopped the lessons. Since then I'd always put it off saying I couldn't afford to do it ( probably still can't lol) but since my little son came along I decided for his sake it's about time I pulled my finger out. I didn't struggle half as bad all those years ago that I can remember lol

I did a similar thing. Started learning in my mid-twenties, my instructor was telling me to start looking at booking a test date (had already done the theory), but then I ended up quite seriously ill (no, I didn't crash the instructor's car

). I had to stop, and only just picked it up again last year, though in my case it all came back rather quickly. I think this time I had around a dozen lessons, then passed the practical first time with three minor faults.

I was glad to get it out of the way, but I had already told myself that if I failed it, I failed it, and I could try again. I was still really nervous beforehand of course, but I do think it helps to remind yourself that it's not the end of the world if you don't pass it first time.

mothercruncher 24 Jan 2017 18:04:18 19,475 posts
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mrpon wrote:

Donk8077 wrote:
I still have a bit of trouble going from moving to holding it on the bite but I'm getting better.
Just make sure you work the shaft and cup the balls.

Sound advice for sucking a cock too.

WAIT A MINUTE

Tryhard 24 Jan 2017 18:10:29 12,014 posts
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Joined Post Office, did one or two week solid driving course with them while getting paid, then passsed my test with them. Left a month later.

They were pissed, and I crashed my car into a tree on the last night of working there. So, karma.

Ddanno 24 Jan 2017 19:42:46 1,889 posts
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Another mid thirties city boy. Passed a fortnight ago and the new(old) motor is arriving tomorrow. Looking forward to (am faintly terrified of) driving on my own.

First order of business will be to pick the Mrs up from the train station a few hours later, in the dark and solo. I forsee a 12mph crawl with the music loud to drown out the horns of others.

Also motorways. Why the actual fuck don't you get a lesson on them and are instead left to for fend for yourself on the most daunting of roads.

Deleted user 24 January 2017 19:46:38

MMMarmite 24 Jan 2017 20:19:40 1,659 posts
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Ddanno wrote:Also motorways. Why the actual fuck don't you get a lesson on them and are instead left to for fend for yourself on the most daunting of roads.

Learners aren't allowed on motorways, but you can take the pass plus course once you've passed your main test to cover motorways.

It probably should be mandatory since there are so many bad drivers on motorways.

Edit - I passed at 18 and didn't drive much for at least 10 years after, maybe 1-2 times a year. I'm 31 now and still get in the car thinking I've forgotten how to drive.

Edited by MMMarmite at 20:24:14 24-01-2017

Not-a-reviewer 24 Jan 2017 20:21:48 7,686 posts
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Anyone a bit older I would recommend the more intense courses and then get as much practice as you can on your own time, even if most of that is in car parks.

Deleted user 24 January 2017 20:41:24

reviewer wrote:
Anyone a bit older I would recommend the more intense courses and then get as much practice as you can on your own time, even if most of that is in car parks.

Doesn't sink in as well intense courses though apparently, but fuck it you just want to pass, as you learn most about driving after the test.

I didn't do it, but I bet visualizing it over and over - changing gears, roundabouts etc - before lessons would save people loads of time and money.

Like gymnasts are told to do when they can't put it all together in practise.