How’s the driving going I hear you ask? Good question. It’s been 3 weeks since we’ve had a car and I have done a lot of driving in that time. Some of it good, some of it not so good, particularly if you saw how the car is parked tonight! 🤦‍♀️ When I took the dog out I spent my time looking for other cars that might have been as badly parked as mine. I’m pleased to say I’m not the only one!

On the whole, it is going well though. I’ve been driving myself to work which is an hour away. It’s a pretty straightforward drive and as long as I give myself enough time I can usually find somewhere to park.

Driving home though. Straightforward journey, yes, the thought of having to park on my street, not so much. Living uphill in studentsville doesn’t bode well for an easy park, as tonight illustrates. Driving round my home town also not entirely stress free. 20mph, hills, narrow roads, give me a dual carriageway any day!

That doesn’t sound all bad? No it isn’t really. I have killed a pigeon, taken a couple of wrong turns, bringing myself face to face with disgruntled drivers shaking fists and beeping at me. I’ve even had one guy taking a photo of me, my driving clearly enough to warrant it. Where that photo is now, I couldn’t tell you. Don’t worry, I’ve thought about my responses should it appear on Ladbible under the heading “women drivers”.

I’ve been asked if I’m enjoying it. I wouldn’t use that word just yet. I’m taking it ever so seriously, not taking my hands off the wheel until I’ve arrived at my destination. I think about it all the time, like now, should I go and attempt to repark? Don’t be ridiculous.

It has also been quite stressful for us a family. I have this responsibility now which I do take seriously and that can lead to me wanting quiet in the car or not taking kindly to instructions being given by a non driver. On the other hand though, I love having someone in the car to support me. We just haven’t really enjoyed going for a drive for the sake of it. I’ve never been to Asda so much compared to the last few weeks!

I know that it’s early days and my confidence will grow. I’m a bit like Zoolander at the moment, can only park on the left! Well, not even on the left it would seem!

Now that I am a driver, I can of course offer my advice to non drivers. Do it! Leaving it this late really does make it harder, so many more anxieties than a fearless teenager. I can recommend a great instructor!

I can’t wait to report back on road trips we’ll take, new adventures we’ll have. Beep beep! 🚙

I passed! Jeez, what a journey(😆) that was! This whole process has taken over 2 years with 4 instructors! I wanted it so bad and yet was tempted to give up on so many occasions. I didn’t, go me! I think back to the instructors I did have and think how great it would have been to have had this one from the beginning but these things happen. I’m just glad I passed with him and not the instructor who told me I drive the way I do because I’m a woman or because I’m a mum 😡

So what now? Well, a car would be helpful. That’s a minefield in itself but I don’t want to leave it too long, I need to get behind the wheel! I do work for a car insurance company however which could be a bonus!

When I think about what this means to me and my family, it’s massive! For me and my husband’s entire relationship so far we have relied on public transport and friends and family to get us to where we need to go. Not any more! From being able to do a big shop, to driving our daughter to matches, to trips away, it’s as if a whole new world has opened up to us! Isn’t that amazing?

What will I do first? Well, get the car! Then I think it will need to be a few little trips around my local area. Although I could drive you to Burgess Hill no problem! My daughter is at a residential this weekend, it’s probably a bit too much to think that I will have a car and be able to pick her up in that time!

My daughter of course has already told me that I can drive her everywhere she wants to go, and actually I would love to! And her friends! We have a lot of favours to return and I can’t wait for that. We really have been so lucky to have had friends and family to have picked us up and drop us off, now it’s payback time. Happy driving everyone!

I failed. Let’s get it out there. I must say I was absolutely gutted. I’d felt quite excited about it at one point, picturing myself holding the certificate, even considering what I should wear for the photo!

I was so looking forward to telling my husband and daughter, particularly as I hadn’t told my daughter. What a great surprise that would have been!

Am I glad I took the test though? Definitely. It goes quick doesn’t it! I now understand the formula and hopefully won’t feel as nervous. I shall be booking the next one in today, let’s not hang around!

My husband tried to make me laugh yesterday by asking what Chumbawumba would say. Tequila, it makes me happy? Oh no, the other one…

So my (now ex) driving instructor told me that he was “sorry to be vague” but that he couldn’t possibly tell me how many more lessons I would need before taking my test. What? We would just know when we got there. Huh? I’m sorry but that is some kind of instructor speak for “I’ll keep taking your money for as long as possible” surely? Imagine any other kind of teacher saying, “sorry to be vague” but I can’t tell you if you’re ready for your GCSEs, we’ll just have to see. Where’s the responsibility and confidence in your abilities as an instructor?

Anyway, suffice to say I have been in touch with a driving school that specialise in intense driving courses. I’m just so sick of learning! I have an assessment lesson on Friday where they will then recommend the right intense course for me. It could be over 3 days or a week, depends what I need. I’m not sure where I’ll find the money but it has to be done. It’s crazy to think I could be driving in a matter of weeks 🤞

Anyone out there also learning to drive? God it’s hard. Hard for lots of reasons. Knowing that lots of 18 year olds can do it, that my brain clearly doesn’t work in the same way as my instructor but mainly hard because I want it so bad! Being able to drive is going to be life changing, particularly as my husband has no intention of learning. So it’s down to me!

My daughter plays a lot of sport so I need to be able to take her to matches and not keep relying on the parents in law. Someone once said to me that when your daughter calls you in the middle of the night to say she doesn’t know where she is, you need to be able to go and get her. Not call a taxi or ask for a lift. That stuck with me.

I really wish I had learnt when I was younger but I genuinely didn’t feel the need. I lived in big cities that had cheap, reliable public transport and I would never have been able to afford to learn or run a car. So the decision was made for me really.

Now though what I have is the fear. I think I’m a good driver but I worry about everything! To the extent it can stop me doing the most basic things. I second guess myself and need reassurance from my instructor, but if you asked me to talk you through a manoeuvre I could. I just need to get on with it, I know that. But I have the fear; the test, failing, driving on my own if I pass, having my daughter in the car for the first time, it goes on.

How do I get past that? Maybe today was just a bad day and next week will be better.