The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

The instructor I didn't use went on and ON abot dry steering in our first, and only, lesson.   

The next one never mentioned it. 

What the **** is dry steering?? 

What the **** is dry steering?? 

Never heard of it, and I've been driving in the UK for 10 years (I learned to drive here when I was 17)!

Just looked it up: apparently it's when you turn the steering wheel/turn the wheels when the car is stationary - it's discouraged by driving instructors and is not allowed to be done on the UK test (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_steering)!

Ah ha! Thanks for the info/link. Now I'm trying to think back to situations where I may have actually done that, but I can't think of any .... except maybe when preparing to pull away from the kerb I wonder if sometimes I turn the wheels out before I actually start my MSM? oh god, now something else to worry about! LOL

Funny that its not allowed on UK tests - because when I learned to drive originally in the US, my driving instructor taught me that way!

I Passed you guys! Wooooooo!

I did it yesterday, 2nd try (made even more mistakes but they were minor ones and no majors). I couldn't believe it, halfway through I was mentally preparing myself for a 3rd try. The examiner smelled like the curry he just had for lunch lol. It seem to go by very quickly.

Yeah, I was taught to dry-steer in the US too. From my research, you are adviced not to dry steer. I tried not to and didn't get any marks for it.

Congrats Salsboo!  I'm hoping to post the same in a month or so. It will be so nice to grab the car keys and go somewhere when I'm bored. 

Congrats Salsboo!! Whoot whoot!! 

So far, I'm not very happy with my driving instructor. Twenty-three years driving in the States. Two lessons here now and I've driven around the block twice. I feel like I'm paying him to talk and show me how to drive. Very frustrating. Plus, I feel overlying intimidated by driving here thanks to my husband who has told me repeatedly that Americans are unable to drive here.

I need more time behind the wheel than I'm getting. I think I need to get myself covered on our car insurance and force hubby into going out with me every day.

Dont be afraid to fire your instructor.  If you arent comfortable with them or they arent teaching as you like to be taught (or arent letting you drive!), it will be a waste of money and time for you.

So far, I'm not very happy with my driving instructor. Twenty-three years driving in the States. Two lessons here now and I've driven around the block twice. I feel like I'm paying him to talk and show me how to drive. Very frustrating. Plus, I feel overlying intimidated by driving here thanks to my husband who has told me repeatedly that Americans are unable to drive here.

I need more time behind the wheel than I'm getting. I think I need to get myself covered on our car insurance and force hubby into going out with me every day.

You should definitely get insurance coverage so you can drive as much as possible. I think the main difference in driving in the UK vs US is that you REALLY need to concentrate and give the UK roads your full attention. I mean, people park their cars on the actual road lol. Also find an instructor that suits your needs or else it's just time and money down the drain.

I ended up switching instructors.  The new one is much much better.  I have my driving test scheduled for August 30th.  I'm taking a lot more lessons than I expected, but I should be 110% ready.  Four months advance scheduling for a driving test is ridiculous.

How necessary are taking lessons? DH had me driving when we visited last year and he said I did okay but needed to learn some of the things that they will specifically look for on a test (ie: I tend to check mirrors w/ my eyes & will need to use my head so they'll see me doing it).
Can I pass w/out taking lessons? Are there books I can study? Should I start as soon as I get there or wait until I've been driving for a few months & feel more comfortable?
TIA,
Shelly

Momof2- I drove for 23 years in the States, 14 of that with a manual trans. There is no way I would have passed without lessons.

I feel overlying intimidated by driving here thanks to my husband who has told me repeatedly that Americans are unable to drive here.

A, you don't have to take that, cuff him behind the ear.