Oh man, I am just a horrible driver...

Please tell me it gets better.

I got my license in the States when I was 17, but I've lived in cities, there and abroad, ever since.  Never had any need to drive.  Until now. 

I have a handle on the roundabouts and the left-hand side of the road thing, which is good, but...I'm scared of the little streets!  The cars that park, seemingly willy-nilly, on both sides of the road, blocking lanes!  And the little bridges, oh dear god, the little bridges!  Ack,ack!  I keep holding my breath and telling the car to "suck it in" just until we get past that narrow bend, and over that little bridge, and, and...

And I don't want to go into the almost-accidents I caused on the high street this morning.  Needless to say, I might have to paint my car a different color, dye my hair, and move away to a town where the shame won't follow.  (Wasn't so bad but it felt like it.)

I know this all takes practice, like riding a bike.  Only, on a bike, you're not likely to cause the inadvertent death of your neighbors.  I can't believe I'm in charge of such a lumbering chunk of metal.

So.. this gets better.  Right? 

It's get much easier! It'll just take some practice. Keep at it!

I feel the same way.  Driven for 12 years in the US, but it feels like I'm a beginner here.  I find the shifting with the left hand (I'm a rightie) the most disconcerting.  I feel off balance.

It gets better.

You are not alone, though I agree it does get better! Those cars on the sides still make me nervous and the bridges as well! I know what you mean about willing the car to "suck it in." In time though, you will get a better feel of the distance between the sideview mirrors on your car and those parked! Good luck!

It gets easier!  I've been driving for ten years and I used to drive an ambulance in Naples, Italy and I was still scared of small roads!  It did get easier, until I failed my UK practical test!

June

Just take your time on those roads, practice when you can, and it will get easier. 

I know exactly what you mean. The whole weaving in and out between parked cars on BOTH sides of the road always gets me. I think it took me about a year to finally get totally used to judging the distance. Don't worry, just keep at it and one day it'll just finally 'click' in your head and you'll be zipping around like everyone else.

Yup.  I'll keep practicing.  Problem is, huz uses our one and only car for work, so I only get to practice on weekends.  Grrr. 

I long for the time I zip around like a local.  As is, I see all our B roads as one long obstacle course.  The huz thinks I look like Mr. Magoo when I drive.  Hysterical.   

I hate the B roads that are a single lane and you just hope no local is hauling down the road towards you.

I say 'suck it in' when passing tight spots too.

I am getting the speed back though.  Which isn't a good thing if I can only have 6 points in 2 years!!

I agree with everyone else- it gets easier! When I first moved here I was in tears when I was driving. I couldn't believe that something I did without thought in the states could be so difficult. It was definately the narrow roads with cars parked on the side that drove me nuts! 3 years later and I don't give it much thought, although if I am on a road that I am completely unfamiliar with I do tend to slow down a bit more than the Brits :-).

There's a bridge in Marlow built by some Hungary guy in the 19th century and for some reason right before you go on the bridge there are bollards and curbs that are quite close to each other that you have to drive through before entering the bridge.  I almost always seem to wing the curb slightly with my tire it is so narrow!  Some of the roads with cars parked on both sides that you have to sneak through seem narrow but this one is really narrow.  I guess it's to prevent trucks going over.  The bridge entrances have those give way to traffic on the bridge so fairly narrow entering either side.  Dang Hungarians!