r/NewDriversUK

Long story short, I lived in London for twenty years so I’ve never needed a driving licence even through I had one a long time ago. Fast forward to me moving to the countryside, I’ve been trying to get a licence since last year and already failed twice for lack of practice.

After realising I could book a test only every 4/6 months, the biggest issue were driving instructors: they’re really bad! I’ve spent 1k with driving instructors that were as professional as my pet hamster: cancelled lessons, swearing, rudeness, lessons spent avoiding potholes, and many more.

Today I just realised I don’t need their car to take the test and I feel like a fool. I could’ve used that money to buy myself a car, practice with any random driver that meets the criteria and just watch videos, since they were more helpful (and cheap) than the three instructors I had so far.

My suggestion to people in my situation - the ones that know how to drive but don’t have a licence yet - don’t waste money on random instructors just to drive their cars, just buy yourself a car to practice if you have somebody accredited that can come with you!

Hey everyone, I passed back in October and haven't driven since one short drive after I passed.

My partner is a very nervous passenger and kept screaming on my drive, I got so nervous I stopped the car and she had to finish the drive home.

I'm not a young driver (29M) and have practised on and off since I was 17 but never booked my test, I just never really needed to drive.

I now need to get driving soon for personal reasons, I just see my car in the drive each morning and just feel so disappointed in myself, the closest I've been to driving is getting in and running the engine every week so it doesn't die.

Any words of wisdom would be great; I don't think I'm a bad driver, I'm just a bit shaken and nervous, but as it's been so long maybe I've forgotten? I live in a rural area with lots of hills, and it's not the area I learned in as I've moved house since passing.

I have recently passed and I am planning on buying my first car as soon as possible. I am 21 M and have been looking at auto trader for the last couple of weeks for a car.

I am constantly being told I should buy something old that can get beaten up but I am also told I should be looking for something with low mileage. I want a car that I like the look of, reliable and not too bad to insure.

It feels like when I look at a car and tell someone I like it, they instantly point out a major fault. Such as Peugeot 208 the other day for 3k which I liked the look of, was told to avoid due to it having 70k miles and a wet belt. I then found another with a belt replacement recently for 3.6k but was then told I should avoid due to missing the last couple years of its service history.

Is it normal for it to be this hard and stressful to buy a first car? I feel like a budget of about 4k (depending on insurance) is quite reasonable? Or would I have to increase it?

I passed my test recently in a manual brand-new car. My instructor never actually taught me how to use the handbrake for hill starts (only footbrake, clutch, gas)
Now I’ve got my first car - an old 2008 Nissan note 1.4 and it’s a totally different story. I had a nightmare yesterday at a busy roundabout, the car kept rolling back, I stalled, I completely panicked.
Is the handbrake essential for an older car like mine? is there any way I can do without using handbrake as it really stressing me out :(((
I’m now dreading my commute to work :((( really need some advice. thank you so much

During lessons I was so focused on not stalling or messing up that I barely noticed anyone else. Now I spot people indicating late, drifting lanes or sitting on their phones constantly and it somehow stresses me out more than my own driving. This is really frustrating!

Anyone actually have a good experience with wearing P plates?

I passed yesterday (first time 0 minors😝😝😝😝😝🚗🎉) and getting my car this weekend, but I am 100% against getting P plates at the moment, because of how much I got targeted on the road with the L plates on!!!

However obvs I’m a new driver and have never driven by myself yet!!!

Not sure, probs won’t wear them but would be good to see what everyone thinks!

Driving is absolutely amazing I don’t know why I left it so late, I’m 33 only passed last year sep2025 first attempt self taught. Just got my own policy so I can finally build that no claim bonus 😃 £111 a month with full breakdown cover anywhere in the uk. I have a Skoda fabia 1.2 mk1 64bhp htp 2006 manual 3 cylinder beauty it’s fun . Big flex I know 😉 . I learnt and passed in this little machine and I’m going to use it one more year. I’ve just changed the ball joints, tie rod ends and stabiliser drop links or under £55 diy style . When I got my tracking done they said I did a beautiful job . It’s fixed the rattle it had since I’ve owned it feb 2025 😊 I love this car that much I’m thinking about saving up to get the big brother ( Fabia mk1 VRs ) as it’s basically same shape but with some power 😏 💨 what mine lacks of course.

Enjoy motoring all, stay safe and have some patience out there on the roads 🚗 I’ll love to hear about you guys first cars and insurance quotes

Hi, I passed my test end of Jan 2026. I just got a car a few weeks ago but as I live in London I’ve only been driving it on the weekends. I have a few events coming up in July / August which would be 2 - 3 hour long drives mostly on the motorway and it feels quite daunting at the moment that I would be ready to do them. I haven’t been on the motorway yet (will do a lesson with my instructor) and I’m mostly worried about merging in from the slip lanes and the high speed.

How long after passing did you feel comfortable doing long journeys on the motorway? Any tips to make you feel comfortable?

Passed my test 2 months ago (young female, 60+ hours learned). after that I did another 4 hours on the motorway with my instructor so he could show me the route from my house to work (about a 40 min drive).
Got my first car today and next Monday I’ll have to drive to work on my own for the first time on the motorway (M56). I’m so scared 😭
What I’m most worried about is accidentally staying in the left lane too long and ending up going the wrong way, because to get to my office I need to move over to the right lane a few times for different exits, and I’m scared I’ll miss them :(((
Did anyone else feel like this when they first started driving alone on motorways? Any tips would really help 🙏😭thank you

I passed my test back in November and have been driving full time since January (when I got my car), I’m now planning to drive up to Scotland (Edinburgh) from York for the first time and it’ll be my longest drive so far, I’ve previously done round trips of 2hrs on my own for various reasons including lots of dual carriageways and rhe M1.

Was wondering if anybody has any tips or recommendations for the trip.

I do already know to sort tyre pressure, washer fluid and other fluids as well as making sure theres entertainment in the form of music and also to stop off every 2hrs at least, but wondering if anybody else has other suggestions or ideas to make sure its a good trip. Thanks

Hey everyone! I just passed my driving test today 1st try, 1 minor! Very happy with myself! This might sound a silly question, but is it worth displaying P plates? I’m a very anxious driver, and was just wondering if other road users actually give more ‘leniency’ to people with P plates as they’re still getting used to the road on their own. Thanks!

Hey all!

Recently passed my manual test - first time - on a 2021 Seat Ibiza (my instructor's car) a little over 3 weeks ago now. Since then, Ive insured myself on my mums 2009 Toyota Yaris (manual too). However, since trying to get to acclimatised to her car, I've realised I cant do hill starts - I believe the much more modern Seat I did my test in had some sort of hill start assistance which the older Toyota does not, which would explain why I was significantly better in doing hill starts in my instructors car.

Ive driven around a few times with a parent in the car and I cannot do a single hill start, no matter how gentle it may be (relatively), even on quiet inside roads. This has led to the humiliation of putting my hazard lights on and pretending we have car issues so that I can swap seats with my dad to take over and do the hill start.

Naturally I've lost all my confidence, and now have to actively plan routes that dont have hill starts to prevent such things happening again. My fear is that now that I dont have dual control, there is no bailing me out.

Any tips or advice?

Hi all, recently joined in here as I passed my test April 13th. It was a really long time coming of on and off lessons for years until I really powered through and did around 80+ lessons over 4 months and it paid off. However now there’s the anxiety and stress of doing my first drive, I’m gonna be honest I’m absolutely terrified. I was always very nervous/anxious driving but now I’ve got no one with me I’m so scared to take that first step into driving myself. Just bought a car this Saturday old 2004 Ford fusion that I’m picking up Sunday and having to drive it home about 30/40 mins away from my home. It’s older, no parking sensors, no digital speedometer, the mirrors are smaller and the car is slightly bigger than the same 2019 Toyota Yaris I’m used to. I’m so worried I won’t be able to judge gaps, or I’ll get confused at the bigger/spiral round abouts, or accidentally hit someone’s car while trying to park. How did everyone else’s first drive go, I need some good stories to try get rid of my anxiety 😟

Recently passed (3weeks) and have been absolutely enjoying driving since then, with no major issues and confident in going wherever needed without problems.

That was, until Saturday evening.

Went to pick up partner from city centre and first got confused by satnav after missing my turn (which was a tiny lane). Ended up on a 15min detour due to no right turn the rest of the road. Fine, whatever.

However after picking her up, approached a junction to a main road, with a car awkwardly parked by corner of right turn lane. Squeezed in but was so focused on that, that when I went to make the turn I ended up going directly into oncoming traffic lanes.

For context the road is such that there is 1 single left lane, a pavement island, then 3 oncoming righthand lanes. I turned and went to the far left of these 3 lanes not realising during the turn. Wasn't until I was straightening up that I realised (whilst bus driver behind me helped by blasting his horn to warn). Thankfully there was no traffic at all and I was able to do a quick turnaround meaning I was facing the wrong way for no more than 10s.

However since then, ive been doubting every single decision I'm making. It's completely knocked the confidence in my ability to drive.

Decided im absolutely avoiding the city centre for a fair while, and managed a few more journeys since then without incident, but its had a serious knock on how confident I'm feeling.

Has anyone got experience of doing something similar (i.e. a stupid error), how did you recover that confidence? Fully awaiting a letter from the Police and a fine + points as well, even though there was noone around bar the bus.