Do you remember your first driving lesson and your driving test(s)?
I do. Cue story time music...
September 6th, 2011, was my first lesson! I remember feeling so nervous when Ray, my instructor, pulled up outside my house. My sister reassured me, telling me I’d be fine and not to worry. Once I got in the car (passenger seat to start!), Ray drove us to a quiet area nearby. It wasn’t too busy and had all the basics I’d need: a hill for hill starts, a few turnings to get used to steering, and a crossroad to help me get accustomed to traffic. He went through the car basics, explaining what each pedal and gear did and reminding me to use my mirrors ‘all the time’. I think that was the bit I forgot the most during my lessons!
I managed to get the hang of speed control quite quickly, but the pedals and gears were a real struggle for weeks! During that first lesson, I was able to pull away, stop, and turn left and right all within two hours. I was nervous the entire time, but I was so happy I was finally doing it. I stalled about 20 times that first lesson, but I was honestly expecting way more!
After that, I had a lesson every Friday for an hour with Ray. At £20 per lesson, I was determined to do well and learn fast. After about four lessons in that quiet area, Ray let me loose on the main roads near my house. I was terrified! Red lights were a nightmare to get used to, and I always felt like I was driving so slowly.
By December, when the snow hit, I was doing alright. I was only stalling a few times each lesson but now had the added panic of driving on ice and snow. Eventually, my lessons had to be put on hold until mid-January because it was too unsafe to continue. But I was happy with the progress I’d made.
I was also working on my theory test at the time and, thankfully, managed to pass it on my first try on April 25th, 2012 - by the exact number of points needed to pass. Talk about lucky! With that out of the way, I was finally able to apply for my practical test.
My first test was at the start of June 2012. I tried to squeeze it in before a holiday, but the route was in an unfamiliar area of town, down a narrow country lane. Ray sat in the backseat while the female examiner was in the passenger seat. I ended up failing for “going too fast” in a 30mph zone - even though I was only doing 20mph because I was absolutely terrified of how narrow the road was. I was so frustrated and cried as soon as I got home.
My second test was in August, and I knew I’d failed within the first 10 minutes. I was having a bad day, and my nerves were all over the place. I hit a curb and accidentally cut up a car on a confusing one-way system. I actually saw the examiner mark me as failed while I was still driving. Since I knew I’d already failed, I pretty much ignored his directions and drove back to the test centre however I liked. Not my finest moment!
Finally, on September 4th, 2012, I passed my test on my third attempt! Coincidentally, it was the same route as my first test. The male examiner I had at that time was so kind and really helped calm my nerves. Even when he had to assist me on the country lane because a lorry was stuck, he still passed me with only one minor. It felt like a miracle!
I got my car, which I lovingly named Betty, on February 18th, 2013. My dad was incredibly generous and bought the car for me because he was tired of having to cart me to and from where I worked at midnight!
In total, I spent about £1,200 on lessons, theory tests, and practical tests. My parents chipped in around £200 when I was short on cash one week, but the rest came out of my own pocket. It took me just under a year to learn and pass my test.
If you’re looking to start lessons or want advice on the tests, check out BookLearnPass. They’ve got loads of helpful tips and a brilliant mock theory test that’s super useful!
Have you passed your test or are you currently taking lessons? I’d love to hear your stories and how you’re getting on, so let me know! Hope you have a great day and keep safe :)
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