extra tuition lessons for confidence?

[driveclub]

Hi guys.

Had a couple of lessons of extra tuition to help driving. I'm really good apparently. still don't feel confident enough in myself.

I mean he's taught me a lot. like all he can but I still feel unconfident. Would having more be unacceptable or does it sound a good idea.

[Transiter]

I would go for more lessons, because going by your threads you don't seem that confident, although asking your instructor would probably help.

The way I see it is that you can't get worse by having a trained instructor helping you, if you can afford it it'll surely help.

[driveclub]

Yeah but he says he can't help me like in what he can teach. so dosent paying just to have someone in car with you to support sound counterproductive

[oilslick]

driveclub said:

Yeah but he says he can't help me like in what he can teach. so dosent paying just to have someone in car with you to support sound counterproductive

Not if it helps you build up your confidence. If you're not happy with the person you went out with you could always try a different instructor?

[berlintaxi]

Why not try Passplus, not lessons as such more an extended driving session with an instructor to help build your confidence.

[ecsrobin]

Would an IAM instructor be a good option?

[406highlander]

There's no substitute for driving experience. After I passed, I was crapping myself - "they let *me* drive one of these things?", but then I got used to the fact that I will make mistakes, and that so does everyone else. Doesn't make me a bad driver, necessarily; I've only ever had one (very minor) accident - within a week of me getting my first car - but because I learned from it, I haven't made the same mistake again.

As long as you can get out there and drive it, repeatedly, through various different conditions (sun/rain/wind/sleet/snow, in both light and heavy traffic, in and out of towns, on B-roads as well as on motorways/dual carriageway A-roads), and over various different routes, you will be fine. Fill the car up, pick a point on a map, and drive to it. Bonus points if you take a different route back.

Avoid going out with your mates in the car, as peer pressure can have negative effects on your confidence. Solo trips are where you can learn without distraction.

And a Pass Plus course will probably be helpful too, because they require you to do motorway driving - something you're not allowed to do until you have your full drivers' license, and therefore something a lot of new drivers feel uncomfortable doing.

[Triumph Man]

I'm going to Devon this weekend. What do you drive?

[RobM77]

I'd hesitate to recommend the IAM, as I know a lot of people who've had their confidence knocked by the attitude of many people in the field of advanced driving, although a day with a carefully chosen driving coach may work wonders. I would also recommend getting out there on quiet roads at quiet times with P plates and gradually working towards busier times and busier roads, plus definitely getting some extra lessons with a good (and perhaps different?) instructor and maybe working towards 'Pass Plus'?

[Troubleatmill]

RobM77 said:

I'd hesitate to recommend the IAM, as I know a lot of people who've had their confidence knocked by the attitude of many people in the field of advanced driving, although a day with a carefully chosen driving coach may work wonders. I would also recommend getting out there on quiet roads at quiet times with P plates and gradually working towards busier times and busier roads, plus definitely getting some extra lessons with a good (and perhaps different?) instructor and maybe working towards 'Pass Plus'?

With several thousand IAM observers covering the whole country...... there will be plenty of people who have had a good experience - but just don't post up.
Having done it for years - the majority of observers I know - are actually good.
Of course - there will still be some out there with a "holier than thou" complex. Solution is simple. Tell the group - you aren't getting on with your observer - and ask for another one.
( They aren't all fuddy duddies )

[SteveSteveson]

More training always helps. The important question you need to answer first though is what is the lack of confidence with? If you can answer this then you will have more of an idea what will help and who can help. Is it with car control, is it with knowing what to do (following road markings etc.) or is it with general confidence on the road, or something else. As an example, if it is with car control, driving round when roads are empty will help or finding some driver training on track/closed road, if it is with driving and following road markings, being in the car with someone else driving and just being aware of the road might help etc.

Ultimately you need experience. How you gain this is a matter of what works best for you.