I'm learning to drive

[BettyBoop]

Hi I've got Dyspraxia I was born with it. i used to be very bad with it but i've improved an awful lot. I'm learning to drive I did have lessons when i was 17 because I could. and now it's nearly 5 years and started a few weeks ago because I want to and I'm ready for it, my co-ordination is a problem. i'm having my third lesson on tuesday. um my question is do any of you with Dyspraxia drive a manual car and how how did it take?

[sheppeyescapee]

Good luck with the lessons! Personally it would be dangerous for me to drive. I cannot process the traffic quick enough, poor spatil awareness, bad co-ordination. I don't want to risk being in sensory overload while on the road as some of my senses shut down when that happens, not really great when driving!

[Stephen]

Well I drive a manual car without huge problems, though I haven't passed my test yet (I drive my own non-dual-control car on my provisional license, so I still need to carry a passenger who meets all the various legal requirements), so I can't really say how long learning takes overall, especially since it is difficult to generalise from one person to another.

When I very first started driving I was pretty terrible, and I progressed considerably slower than your average neurotypical (I tried to judge this based on comments from my instructor and talking to friends who were learning at the same time and seeing how they were getting on etc). However I managed to pick it up at a steady, if a little slow, rate.

My major problems early on were largely in terms of lane position, I think reduced spatial awareness makes it difficult to tell precisely where the left side of your car is, so I would often over/under steer in one direction or the other. I also had difficulties with roundabouts, since there's a lot to concentrate on at once. I'm still not exactly great with clutch control (gear changing is far from smooth most of the time) and I also found that, especially when I was starting out, I would worry way too much about what other drivers might be thinking, and compulsively check my rear mirror to see if I was holding them up or whatever.

So far I have had about 30 lessons and loooads of private practice in my own car, I am doing my theory test next week so clearly my instructor thinks I can't be that far away from attempting the practical. I found that most of my friends seemed to pass within about 30-35 lessons, looks like it will take me about 40-45ish, but then I have been doing a lot of private practice. Still, for me atleast I didn't find dyspraxia a huge hinderance, but obviously it depends on how much it affects things like spatial awareness for you.

[andy20]

I started lessons last Febuary and I just passed my driving test yesterday in a manual car \I know I had more lessons than most but hey I did it

[sanabituranima]

Good luck. I don't plan on learning to drive, but I've heard you might find an automatic easier than a manual. Also, try having the first few lessons at times where there is very little traffic, so you will be less nervous while you get used to it.

[BettyBoop]

I started lessons last Febuary and I just passed my driving test yesterday in a manual car \I know I had more lessons than most but hey I did it

congratulations!

[BettyBoop]

Good luck. I don't plan on learning to drive, but I've heard you might find an automatic easier than a manual. Also, try having the first few lessons at times where there is very little traffic, so you will be less nervous while you get used to it.

yeah ive heard that.

[becky]

I've failed my test four times already. Nerves seem to be my problem. However, I do get sensory overload, and my anxiety comes from that. I have just bought a manual car though, and I'm determined to get my test in a manual. My driving instructor cant understand why I haven't got my test yet, so I think it might be nerves that are keeping me back.

[BettyBoop]

My driving instructor cant understand why I haven't got my test yet, so I think it might be nerves that are keeping me back.

tell them what ur feeling

[Calitxu]

I still haven't passed my practical. I had lessons when I was 17 (I don't know many, but I clearly wasn't ready for the test), failed, had more lessons when I was 26, failed again. I haven't tried again since. I seemed to get used to driving, although it was a slow process, but sometimes I'd completely freeze up and feel I'd completely lost control of what I was meant to be doing. That scared me and I really don't know whether I'll ever trust myself behind the wheel, especially if there are other people in the car!

[Liz944]

I hate having passengers in the car especially if its either of my parents... if my dad is in the car there is normally either a) a family row or b) an accident.... As I get told how to drive and what I am doing wrong even though I am in my 30's....

[sanabituranima]

I still haven't passed my practical. I had lessons when I was 17 (I don't know many, but I clearly wasn't ready for the test), failed, had more lessons when I was 26, failed again. I haven't tried again since. I seemed to get used to driving, although it was a slow process, but sometimes I'd completely freeze up and feel I'd completely lost control of what I was meant to be doing. That scared me and I really don't know whether I'll ever trust myself behind the wheel, especially if there are other people in the car!

If driving causes you that much stress it's probably not worth it.