feel frustrated about driving here

I want to say thank so much for the advice.  To answer someones question that if i had passed the theory test, i did. I worked hard for it and passed on April 1st, 2009.  I have had a US license for 20 years but had only driven automatics until taking lessons over here.  I do want to say that i did get rid of my instructor and i am interviewing 2 teachers right now.  I did do well with one man yesterday.  RAtes my overall driving 3 out of 5.  My manouvers is what is holding me back along with getting my confidence level up.  Bad news is that i cant drive my husband's company car after June 19th.  No L plates are allowed.  I can drive a car here functionally but i am not up to the UK standards and that can make ones ego a bit deflated.  Going to need more time and i am excited about finding a new teacher that may polish up my driving and get me to a test level.  Wait and see.  I guess now that i dont feel so alone and that i can do this!

I have no idea what your financial circumstances are but if you are finding it hard learning to drive a manual why not do the automatic test?  You could purchase a used automatic car and drive it on your learner licence with your husband in the car with you.  Just a thought if you are really bothered about not being able to drive for the time being. 

HI,
Loads and loads of drivers switch instructors all the time. In fact it is encouraged.  A few of the folks at work tell me they have had about 3 different driving instructors before they took the exam.  I would honestly say it is no big deal and the chances are most instructors get tired of their students after the fourth class anyhow so I say go ahead and find another.   Especially in your case, if you feel your learning curve has maxxed out with one instructor, definitely move on if you are not learning anymore.

My own personal experience, I had one bad instructor and I cut my lesson short to just 1 hour (it was supposed to be a 2 hour) and never went back. He was far too eager to point out all the ways American's don't overtake the roundabout and how American's aren't used to narrow lanes because US higways are all wide lanes and American's don't understand how to look out for blah blah blah.  It was pissing me off and so I found another instructor.   

PS - My new instructor is a hoot and we get on like peas and carrots.  Most of them on the phone when you first call (at least in Newcastle) say "feel free to try us out and see if its a fit".  They know you will be switching around.  So you never know. Don't feel compelled to stay with one person.  I hope this info helps.

The first instructor I had told me I needed 20-30 hours of lessons to be ready for the test, which rather surprised (and upset) me. I'd learned on a manual when I was 17, had been driving automatics since then (I'm in my early 30s), and had been driving a manual daily in the UK for about 4 months before I started my lessons.

I switched after only a lesson or two with the first guy, and had two lessons with a new instructor before he told me I was ready, to go ahead and book the test. I passed without any difficulty.

I always recommend now that people switch (and keep switching) 'till you find someone who helps boost your confidence, not tear it down. It's no good going into the test petrified!

More like he was trying to get the fees for 20 lessons!

Vicky

I have decided on a new driving teacher.  I want to thank everyone that has read my post and wrote back to me and giving me very good advice!  I am overwhelmed just how amazing this site really is.  A lot of us do read about many subjects and it is great to know that many of you will help out a complete stranger.  I will post more things about how my outcome is with driving!