Driving schools for dyspraxics?

[raisin girl]

Hi everyone,

I browse this forum from time to time and was just wondering whether anyone could recommend a driving school in the Buckinghamshire/West London area?? I had lessons a few years back before I knew I was dyspraxic, and after a couple of false starts (so to speak) managed to find a really good instructor who got me close to test standard on one hour a week for a year or so (not sure how that compares to most dyspraxics). Unfortunately, I then moved away to university and had to give up because it was too expensive, my old instructor is no longer around, and now that I have this diagnosis I think I would really benefit from an instructor that understands my condition. Before the diagnosis I used to think my biggest problem with driving was nerves. Now that I know I'm dyspraxic, even though it is only mild, I am more aware that there are real and valid reasons why driving makes me nervous, i.e because skills that driving makes heavy demands on don't come so easily to me. I was pretty good at handling the car, clutch control and so on, but the spatial/observational side of things and being able to judge distance/speed were a bit problematic. I used to joke that I'd be fine at driving if there were no other cars on the road! A constant complaint from my instructor was that he was having to repeat sequences of instructions all the time because I wouldn't remember things (like the steps involved in doing a three-point turn) after I'd been told. And of course, I didn't have an answer as to why this was. Anyway, I digress. If anyone can help I'd appreciate it muchly. Many thanks!

[gherkin001]

BSM actually train their instructors on how to aid dyspraxic persons in learning to drive, so I'd give them a try.

Kirsty.

[raisin girl]

Thanks for the reply.
BSM were actually the first place I tried years back, just after I turned 17, and the instructor was appalling so I gave up after about 3 lessons (and later found out that that the instructor had moved to a different driving school). However, as I said above I didn't know I was dypsraxic at the time so they wouldn't have known I needed support. I seem to remember I arranged the lessons by ringing up a national call centre who then booked me in with my nearest instructor. If I try them again, would it be a good idea to mention my dyspraxia when I first ring up?

[gherkin001]

It is an idea, and if you get an instructor you dont get on with or cant learn from you can ask to change instructor, they dont mind, or otherwise you're just wasting your money.

Kirsty

[david456]

It's tough, I am learnign in an automatic, just to try and pass, I'm finally getting there I think, but I get confused with manovues, but I can drive on the road, much better, than some of the scary drivers out there!

[Meg]

I know when I was looking for a driving instructor the second time around ( I was 20) I went to a place called MAVIS in Crowthorne which isto assess wheather or not people are fit to drive. My instructor now though is lovely and i'm learning in a manual and find it alright I'm aiming to do my test at easter!

Luv Meg
Xxxx

[pussinboots]

Raisin Girl

I've had a real rocky ride learning to drive with no end of instructors throughout the years. Like you I had to give up a couple of times as I went away to college and another time I ran out of money. I found someone in Matlock near where I live who understands dyspraxia. He teaches lots of different people with various learning difficulties. I know he's not much good to you though as it's miles away from you. I managed to pass my test eventually in an automatic car (I had 6 attempts this time and I've had 2 tests in the dim and distant past). I passed but I'm terrified on my own for the same reasons you mention such as spatial awareness and judgement. I've got those P letters on my car to warn people I'm a new driver but I must keep making mistakes as I keep getting tooted at by other motorists! Scary. Reversing is a nightmare and deciding where to do a 3 point turn is also problematic as I don't seem to have what my husband calls 'common sense'.

I do wish you loads of luck as I know how hard it is. Determination is what you need and you seem to already have that so I'm sure you'll do fine.

I think with the other people who replied to you who can drive with a CLUTCH are amazing. I couldn't hack that at all. The automatic helps but it's still hard for me.

Take care

[Daniel]

A lot of the time it's best to get some local recommendations. If you know someone who's been having lessons or even someone who knows someone, it'll really help you find a good instructor and cut out the chance element. I used an AA instructor on recommendation who was superb and had just the right personality to get me to test and the pass.

Dan

[Wildcat_madness]

I've been banned from driving because on top of my dyspraxia, I've also got a distance/speed perception impairment which they believe is a side effect from the brain damage I suffered when I was 20 months. Before my diagnosis though, the instructor I had was great and seemed to know when I was having good and bad days. It was actually his persuation that made me get tested in the first place.