Driving in England - A moan!

I have to be honest and say that I am here for a moan.  I am desperate for it and my husband (he's English, I'm American) just doesn't understand my frustration.  Sorry f I go on…

So here it is:  I hate driving in this country (we live in England).  I hate it I hate it I hate it.  I don't know if it's because I have driven for 12 years and everything here is so different.  Or maybe it's because I have to take my driving test all over again and this time it's actually hard (I grew up in NJ where you drive around a track for 10 minutes)!

I am taking my practical test on Wednesday in Slough and I am almost 100% sure I am going to fail.  I've taken lessons with the worst instructor ever.  I should have changed instructors but I admit it, I was lazy and now I am regretting it.  I feel like they lock you in a little bit!  But I know, I should have tried a different instructor:-( 

I thought my driving was fine, and my instructor said he would be shocked if I didn’t pass on the general driving part.  It's my maneuvers I was worried about!  But now I think I've gotten the maneuvers down and my driving has gone to sh**!  I just can’t seem to remember to put the parking break on every time I stop at a light (I drive an automatic), check my mirrors BEFORE I signal, not accelerate until I pass the speed sign, go 20 mph in a roundabout and the other 30 things I am supposed to be aware of while I’m driving! 

I always thought of myself as a confident, comfortable driver but here in England I am the complete opposite.  And I panic.  In the silliest situations, I panic.  For instance, we were at Tesco the other day and I turned the wrong way down a one way car row and I lost it.  I didn’t know what to do next!  I pulled into a spot and started crying with Paul sitting next to me completely bewildered.  I just hate driving in this country.

If you read my moan, thanks for listening  and Sorry, I am not England bashing because I like living here.  I just don’t like the driving bit!  If I didn’t have to drive, I wouldn’t but my job requires me to drive occasionally.  So, I just have to get over it and try to pass my test.  Okay, moan over!

Alissa xx

I agree with you. A few years ago I used to drive coaches over to Southern France from West Yorkshire or Liverpool and back and you know which part I hated the most....you guessed it - the UK and I'm a Brit. On the continent the roads are so much better with less traffic - unless you hit 'Black Saturday' and all of France are on their hols.

I just can’t seem to remember to put the parking break on every time I stop at a light (I drive an automatic)

Not *every*examiner will fail you for not using your parking brake at a stop.
I took my test in Barking (East London/Essex), and I never used my parking brake ever during lessons OR during my exam, and I passed!   My instructor said it was because i was obviously in full control of the car, ie i didnt roll backward, not even an inch, when starting from a stop.

With an automatic, rolling backward shouldn't be a problem, so you might be OK with not using your parking brake.

Good luck!

I am taking my practical test on Wednesday in Slough and I am almost 100% sure I am going to fail.  I've taken lessons with the worst instructor ever.  I should have changed instructors but I admit it, I was lazy and now I am regretting it.  I feel like they lock you in a little bit!  But I know, I should have tried a different instructor:-(

Always be positive! If the worst does happen though look round for an alternate driving instructor. You could always look up one of the driving schools which put you on an intensive course. They'll iron-out any problems you think you may have. I'll have everything crossed for you Wednesday. Good luck!

Thanks.  My biggest regret is not changing instructors.  Next time (and I am planning for next time) I will take more care in picking an instructor and make sure we do mock tests beforehand.  :-)

hello, i understand your difficulties as my other half is American and is having to re-learn our system, i hope i can give you some pointers or rationales for why we do things certain ways over here.  

Yes it is true that an automatic car will rarely roll backwards as the engine will cut in, but the examiner is looking for the establishment of good habits.  For example if you are doing a steep hill start (something often in the test)  if you dont use your handbrake,  by the time your right foot jumps from the foot brake to the accelerator you may have rolled slightly back.  although you may well have not hit anything, in instructor parlance this is classed as "not having full control of the vehicle".

For you test please remember that the instructor DOES NOT expect perfect driving, mistakes are allowed.  When doing any maneuver the most important thing is good observation as this constitutes a safe approach.  For example on the three point turn you can do a ten point turn as long as you do it with good observation and in good control.

we check our mirrors before signalling to make sure it is safe to turn left or right, change lanes e.t.c, cyclists can often appear from nowhere on your left hand side (near side) or right hand side (off side).  also checking your mirrors before signalling  is deemed good general observation and therefore safe driving, yes i agree sometimes it seems pointless but as i drive for a living i would highly recommend making it a habit.

for roundabouts the speed limit is just there to prevent people from taking them too fast, if you enter a roundabout too fast and somebodys pulls out in front of you (which often happens) then you need to be able to change direction or slow down in time.

for your test the best piece of advice i could give that i used to pass my car and lorry tests first time is to not make too much of it.  Its only a test if you fail life goes on if you pass then great.

hope you find some of this helpful.  Good luck.

I just want to tell you that I completely sympahize. When I moved here 3 years ago driving was the hardest part for me. I was in tears about it. I was shocked that something that I had done for twenty plus years was suddenly difficult. I could handle the other side of the road, the clutch etc. What I couldn't handle at first was the narrow roads.

When I finally got the hang of it and felt comfortable then I had to face the idea of a test and having someone judge my driving skills. I knew I had bad habbits like every experienced driver and I hated having to learn to pass a test. I dreaded it so much that I waited past the one year so had to go without driving for a bit. In the end I took an intensive two day course that ended with the exam, and amazingly past the first time. Once the test was over I began to enjoy driving.

I know none of that really helps, but just wanted you to know you aren't alone- I've been there!
Helena

I'm learning at the moment as well and I feel your pain as I drove in the US for 6 years and now I'm scared to even go on the roads here.  I'm getting more confident as I go... but DH has to practically beg me to go out driving.  Don't know why its soooo difficult for me, but it just is.... 

If you want an easier testing area, try High Wycombe. I had to drive to Slough about once a week for a couple of months and didn't like the traffic. HW is still busy but not like Slough. As for the parking brake, I would put my hand on the brake every time I stopped at a light. (During the test) Because my problem was I would forget to unbrake before moving on.(Automatic car) Just practice like crazy for the next few days. Alot of us here have taken the test and know how you are feeling. Good Luck!!!!!!!

I thought the same as you, but once I got my license and I was out there driving...it was a doddle and I freaking love it. I love windy country roads, I love roundabouts (they keep traffic moving so well) and you know what...remember that right now you are learning to pass a test, not really to drive. Once you pass your test (and hey, I failed mine the first time around) you will be good to go and you won't remember that you felt this way!

I am Apparent North's "other half" and I can vouch for his good advice because he really understands the system here.  He has been very understanding and patient with me as I have been learning this system.  From my experience, I can say, what you really need to do is relax.  Try and enjoy driving again.  Yes, there are things that are very different, but, you can do this!  I've only been driving here for three days and already, I love the country roads and motorways.  Still adjusting to city traffic but, I am getting there.  It sounds like you have gotten yourself all worked up.  Just relax, believe in yourself, and you will pass that test and enjoy driving again.  Good luck!

I have every sympathy as an American friend of mine has found the test very, errr, challenging too. On the upside, when you have passed you will probably be a better driver and you will certainly be less likely to die on the roads than in the US, so there are benefits! 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/22/automobiles/22SAFETY.html [nofollow]

http://www.driveandstayalive.com/info%20section/statistics/stats-multicountry-percapita-2004.htm [nofollow]

I never once used my parking brake when stopping. It was never questioned when I took my practical a few years ago either. This is all news to me. Are we supposed to be using our parking brakes when we stop?   

I guess the important thing is to try not to stress. I've had a US driving licence for over 20 years when I took my UK exam. I was told by my examiner "If you weren't an experienced driver I would have failed you." I was driving with one hand, chatting to him the entire time while speeding along. I got very lucky and passed the first time.

I hope I get an examiner that is that understanding!

Me too!

I'm currently re-learning how to drive and I find it annoying. All my good habits in the US are bad habits in the UK.

Indicating before I look in the mirror, indicating everytime I'm turning or stopping at the edge of a road (apparently you're only suppose to indicate if it benefits someone).

My hardest thing to come to grips with (other than the maneuvers) is the whole using the clutch and the parking brake thing. Having only driven an automatic, I can easily get confused if I have to do something very quickly and then I panic. Plus the whole biting point of the clutch and the little pressure of gas is something that is going to take me a while to master. At the moment I am still letting go of the clutch just a bit too soon and making the car jerk forward a bit everytime I go up a gear. Nice.

I can understand your frustration. I keep wanting to cancel all my lessons but it's something I have to get done.

Good luck with the test. I'm sure you'll do fine. Just keep a cool head.