My first attempt at learning to drive was when I was 19 and it was a disaster. Then at the age of 23 I went to driving school and my driving Tutor said that I am the worst student that he had ever came across. I couldn't drive even after taking the driving classes twice the number of days as other students. This really affected my self confidence and I thought that I'd never ever learn to drive in my life. I felt like a loser. At the age of 25 I came across the term Dyspraxia on the internet and I immediately knew that this is what I have been suffering from all my life and this is the reason why my motor coordination has always been so poor no matter what I do to improve it. Eventually I learnt to ride a gearless two wheeler after a lot of hard work and self encouragement. But I wasn't yet able to drive a Car as shifting the gears was too much for me. Then finally at the age of 27, with the encouragement of my brother in law and a lot of bumps on the car, I eventually learnt to ride a car and a geared motorcycle. Learning these new skills were a big boost on my self confidence.
One more thing, forgot to say I agree with what Barbara was saying about getting a good/patient instructor. I had two who were results driven and snapped at me on several occasions. I didn't fit into the mould of the 'normal driver'. The third instructor was patient and calm, made all of the difference :O)
Hello two dyspraxics. Just to share my experiences as a new driver. I am just starting to enjoy driving and relax now behind the wheel after passing more than 6 months ago. Driving an automatic is definitely a lot easier. I would highly recommend. There is too much to concentrate on otherwise. In the test they show you a diagram on the independent drive of the route you will be taking. That helps visualise the instructions. And finally because I found driving so difficult I wasn't a very confident driver. Barbara's hypnotherapy definitely gave me the confidence to pass the test :O) I had one minor on the test I passed, when in the other 5 tests I failed I had a lot more.
Hi Claire - can completely empathise with your experiences! It's hard work, isn't it, but totally worth it when you finally get there. I will one day :-)
Hi, A couple of comments on points raised about the driving test in the UK: 1) You don't need to let the examiner know on the day that you have a condition that may need consideration during the test. You can add it to the on-line form when you book the test and that information will be with the details the examiner gets. 2) DO NOT worry about the independent drive, you do NOT get fault marks for going the wrong way (as long as you do it safely and legally!). At the start of your test the examiner will say 'if you have any questions ask me'. Practice with your instructor, get them to give you a series of insructions and they as soon as you set off say 'sorry, which way was it first?' and then 'and now which way is it?'. You should then feel confident enough to do this on test as well. Terry Lyne ADI
My first attempt at learning to drive was when I was 19 and it was a disaster. Then at the age of 23 I went to driving school and my driving Tutor said that I am the worst student that he had ever came across. I couldn't drive even after taking the driving classes twice the number of days as other students. This really affected my self confidence and I thought that I'd never ever learn to drive in my life. I felt like a loser. At the age of 25 I came across the term Dyspraxia on the internet and I immediately knew that this is what I have been suffering from all my life and this is the reason why my motor coordination has always been so poor no matter what I do to improve it. Eventually I learnt to ride a gearless two wheeler after a lot of hard work and self encouragement. But I wasn't yet able to drive a Car as shifting the gears was too much for me.
Then finally at the age of 27, with the encouragement of my brother in law and a lot of bumps on the car, I eventually learnt to ride a car and a geared motorcycle. Learning these new skills were a big boost on my self confidence.
One more thing, forgot to say I agree with what Barbara was saying about getting a good/patient instructor. I had two who were results driven and snapped at me on several occasions. I didn't fit into the mould of the 'normal driver'. The third instructor was patient and calm, made all of the difference :O)
Hello two dyspraxics. Just to share my experiences as a new driver. I am just starting to enjoy driving and relax now behind the wheel after passing more than 6 months ago. Driving an automatic is definitely a lot easier. I would highly recommend. There is too much to concentrate on otherwise. In the test they show you a diagram on the independent drive of the route you will be taking. That helps visualise the instructions. And finally because I found driving so difficult I wasn't a very confident driver. Barbara's hypnotherapy definitely gave me the confidence to pass the test :O) I had one minor on the test I passed, when in the other 5 tests I failed I had a lot more.
Hi Claire - can completely empathise with your experiences! It's hard work, isn't it, but totally worth it when you finally get there. I will one day :-)
Hi, A couple of comments on points raised about the driving test in the UK:
1) You don't need to let the examiner know on the day that you have a condition that may need consideration during the test. You can add it to the on-line form when you book the test and that information will be with the details the examiner gets.
2) DO NOT worry about the independent drive, you do NOT get fault marks for going the wrong way (as long as you do it safely and legally!). At the start of your test the examiner will say 'if you have any questions ask me'. Practice with your instructor, get them to give you a series of insructions and they as soon as you set off say 'sorry, which way was it first?' and then 'and now which way is it?'. You should then feel confident enough to do this on test as well.
Terry Lyne ADI
Thank you for your videos.
Albin Veselka
You're very welcome. We're glad you find them helpful.
Hello two dyspraxics. Have you got any advice to keep in the car in middle of road as i have dyspraxic and dyslexia