Year after year, new students and young people start to learn to drive. In most cases, new driving pupils become excited and cannot wait to get behind the wheel. However, after doing a little research, it seems that there are a small minority of students that really dislike driving. After looking into the volume of Google searches completed, we found that more than 100 people are searching for “why do I hate driving lessons” every month!
Now, as a driving school, that’s quite a worrying figure to see. If you do the maths, that means that more than 1200 people are searching for answers to this burning question every year. We’ve come across our fair share of nervous drivers, so think we can come up with a few reasons as to why people get so worried about their driving lessons. Stick with us, as we try our best to reassure anyone who feels this way!
Why Do People Hate Learning to Drive?
- Low On Confidence
- Nervous
- Bad Previous Driving Experience
- Failed Driving Tests (Theory or Practical)
- Not Comfortable With The Transmission
- Becoming Anxious
- Feeling the Pressure to Pass
- Fear of Failing
- Costs and Expenses Involved
- The Theory Training
- It’s Boring
#1 Low On Confidence
As a Grade A driving instructor, the driveJohnson’s owner, Anthony Johnson has taught many people to learn how to drive. Some have been complete beginners, whereas some have had more experience than others. He even had the pleasure of teaching Tottenham Hotspur and England International footballer wonderkid Dele Alli how to drive.
Many of the new pupils that take their driving lessons in Boston are low on confidence, simply because they are complete beginners which is perfectly understandable. Going from public transport to driving on the busy roads of Boston can be a daunting process, especially if you are planning on driving during rush hour. Also, many may be comfortable with the easy public transport available in their area, but there is no better freedom than having a driving licence – something that you’ll immediately understand once you have a licence in your hand and keys to a new car!
Your confidence may also be getting knocked by your current driving instructor; if this is the case, then perhaps you should seek a second opinion. Good instructors may knock your confidence occasionally but they should be able to find a way to pick your confidence back up again by adjusting the lesson. Poor instructors will knock your confidence each lesson and will often go over the same things again and again, rather than trying a different approach.
#2 Nervous
Many pupils are put off by learning to drive simply because they cannot handle their nerves when they are behind the wheel. However, any approved driving instructor worth their salt will recognise this and will hold back from taking you out onto busy roads until you are both comfortable at the wheel and controlling the vehicle.
You should never be taken out onto main roads and dual carriageways as a complete novice, so if this has happened to you, then perhaps seek try an alternative instructor.
#3 Bad Previous Driving Experience
This is arguably one of the most common reasons why pupils give up on learning to drive, or wait until they are a little older and street wise.
As one of the leading driving schools in the UK, it does hurt us to see that more pupils are delaying their learning experience due to the incompetency of a previous, inexperienced driving instructor. If you want to learn to drive – go for it. Don’t let a bad experience hold you back. For example, all of the driving lessons in Milton Keynes that we provide are carried out by approved driving instructors (ADI’s), who will ensure that you never encounter a bad experience while learning to drive. These guys go through annual assessments to ensure that they are continually at a standard to provide top of the range driving tuition, no matter the age or driving ability of the pupil.
If you have had a seriously bad experience, you should bring it to the attention of the DVSA, you can view the ADI code of practice and what is expected here.
#4 Failed Driving Tests
Unfortunately, not every driving student can pass his or her driving test first time. Fails do occur. However, there are many myths out there claiming that driving instructors and examiners have to fail a certain number of pupils. We can safely say that this claim just isn’t true. If your ability to drive is considered safe and meets the examiner’s guidelines – you will pass.
Obviously, if you have failed your driving test a couple of times, your confidence will be low. However, it’s important to remember that you are more than capable of passing your driving test. If there is a particular area of the driving test that you feel could hinder your performance, then you are well within your rights to request individual routines and manoeuvres to help build your confidence during your lessons.
#5 Not Comfortable With The Transmission
90% of drivers learn to drive in a manual vehicle. This is always recommended, as after you have passed your driving test in a manual vehicle, you then have the opportunity to drive an automatic car too. However, if you take your driving lessons in an automatic vehicle as well as your final practical driving test – you will only be able to drive an automatic car.
Older people tend to learn how to drive an automatic, whereas younger people stick to the manual controls. The final decision is up to you – we would always encourage you to learn and take your test in a manual vehicle because you can make the change to automatic afterwards should you wish.
However, if you are seriously struggling – you could consider learning in an automatic.
#6 Becoming Anxious
Anxiety and mental health have become a significant issue here in the UK – especially amongst young people, which is incredibly frightening. If you do suffer from anxiety or other stress related illnesses, it is well worth contacting your local GP to ensure that you are safe to learn how to drive.
If you suffer from undiagnosed anxiety, then this could be a reason why you aren’t enjoying your driving lessons.
The important thing to know is that you are not alone. There are many free support groups and treatments available that have been designed to help young people cope and effectively deal with their anxiety.
#7 Feeling the Pressure to Pass
If you have a close group of friends, and all but you are yet to pass, there can be a huge weight of expectation and pressure to take your practical test as soon as possible. However, it is worth noting that you should only listen to the pressure that you put on yourself (which should be minimal).
You should only feel comfortable booking your driving test when you feel that you are ready and comfortable with the driving manoeuvres and test routes.
#8 The Fear of Failing
Everyone is scared of something, and to some people, their biggest fear is the fear of failure. This isn’t always driving related and can come into play with some everyday routines.
A lot of people feel that they are judged on both their successes and failures – that is not something that you need to concern yourself with.
Many people fail their driving test every year and this is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, there are only a small number of individuals that are capable of passing first time round! You can book driving lessons in Bolton and surrounding areas with driveJohnson’s for a local patient driving instructor to help you through your training.
#9 Costs and Expenses Involved
Some young people are put off learning to drive due to the costs involved. There are many things to consider, such as driving lessons, a vehicle once you’ve passed, tax, car insurance and general maintenance costs – not to mention breakdown cover.
If you want to learn how to drive but save as much money as you can – consider purchasing a bulk-booking offer. For example we have a fantastic block booking deal available for driving lessons in Wembley and surrounding areas at the moment where you can save £50 on a 10 Hour block booking.
You can book 10 hours of driving lessons and receive a discounted rate per hour – making it a little cheaper for you.
When it comes to vehicle tax and insurance – there are a few things that you can look into which will help reduce costs. Some newer vehicles are so efficient that the annual car tax can be as low as £20 per annum.
For car insurance – younger drivers can pay for something called a black box. These small boxes are fitted to your car and measure your driving, considering speed, braking, positioning and more.
At the end of each year, your general driving ability is assessed. As long as you have been behaving on the roads, your insurance premium may be significantly reduced.
#10 The Theory Training
Another area that young or new drivers are put off by is the theory training that is needed to take the practical driving test. I have lost count of the number of people that have gone into taking a theory test with little or no revision. It’s incredible to think that those individuals come out wondering what happened, thinking passing their theory would be an absolute breeze.
The trick to passing your theory training is through regular revision. There are so many tools that you can use to help you pass. Mobile Apps, DVD’s, Audiobooks and more – all will help you pass and take you that little bit closer to passing your practical driving test.
#11 It’s Boring
Have you ever done any type of learning, be it at school, college, sport clubs etc where you have enjoyed yourself? If you have, you may understand you always learn faster and time flies when you are having fun. For some learners, it may be better to learn with an instructor who has been doing the job for 5 years and slightly younger at heart, rather someone that has been doing the job for 30 years and slightly more military in their approach. There are over 40,000 instructors out there in the UK and probably many in your local area, so it might be worth talking to a few instructors over the phone first, asking them a few questions and then deciding who you would prefer to learn with.
At driveJohnson’s we can offer you this service if you explain your requirements to us over the phone. Tell us the type of instructor you think will suit your learning style and we can pair you with someone we believe will serve you well and make learning to drive fun. Failing that, we can ask a few instructors to get in touch with you for a no obligation chat about your driving requirements.
Confidence is Key
To pass your driving test, you need to approach it in a confident manner. If you go into learning to drive with negative thoughts, then there is only ever going to be one result.
Hopefully, you have found an answer to the “why do I hate driving lessons” query. Remember, if you need any help or advice on learning to drive – just give us a call.
All the best with your learning and we wish you best of luck!
