Should I change driving instructors again?

[Anonymous]

I just started to learn how to drive in my 30's. I had a lot of bad experiences with driving instructors in this area. I don't know which one is a good one or if they're all just bad. I just started to learn with a new one who didn't instruct me how to turn my steering wheel. I just told him that the last time I drove was a year ago for 2 weeks. So he didn't instruct me how to turn my steering wheel or how to position my seat. I just positioned it how I felt comfortable. He also didn't tell me if I was stopping behind the car in front of me too far away. I had another driving instructor who would but he'd quickly get angry and was very sarcastic and rude. Is this one teaching me properly?

[Anonymous]

You shouldn't need someone to teach you how to turn your steering wheel - that's really common sense. And position your seat however it feels comfortable so you can reach the pedals. You're overthinking things.

Stop the car so there is a car width's space between you and the car in front of you. Stop being so nervous - you're driving a car not a rocket ship. You can do this.

[Anonymous]

OP are you in treatment for your anxiety? I am not being mean. But I think you need to get it under control before attempting driving lessons. Do you not have a trusted friend or family member to teach you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in treatment for your anxiety? I am not being mean. But I think you need to get it under control before attempting driving lessons. Do you not have a trusted friend or family member to teach you?

I do have anxiety sometimes but my feeling now is just a let it be attitude. Just need guidance from a good instructor.

[Anonymous]

Have you taken any courses BEFORE you got behind the wheel? Where are you driving (I'm assuming not anywhere with other cars). The reality is, most instructors figure someone, especially you age, are going to have some understanding of how a car works. Have you specified how basic you need the instructions?

I would also advice watching learning videos on YouTube and researching it as well. It isn't that difficult to figure out and I think you're in your head at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP are you in treatment for your anxiety? I am not being mean. But I think you need to get it under control before attempting driving lessons. Do you not have a trusted friend or family member to teach you?

I only have a mom and sibling near and one is too busy and mean while the other has bad anxiety. I don't have friends nearby to teach me and I don't want to be a liability anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you taken any courses BEFORE you got behind the wheel? Where are you driving (I'm assuming not anywhere with other cars). The reality is, most instructors figure someone, especially you age, are going to have some understanding of how a car works. Have you specified how basic you need the instructions?

I would also advice watching learning videos on YouTube and researching it as well. It isn't that difficult to figure out and I think you're in your head at this point.

Yes I've been looking at some videos. Well ill clarify on our next appt. I did get good feedback on our first drive. I just worry ill be stuck with another bad instructor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you taken any courses BEFORE you got behind the wheel? Where are you driving (I'm assuming not anywhere with other cars). The reality is, most instructors figure someone, especially you age, are going to have some understanding of how a car works. Have you specified how basic you need the instructions?

I would also advice watching learning videos on YouTube and researching it as well. It isn't that difficult to figure out and I think you're in your head at this point.

Yes I've been looking at some videos. Well ill clarify on our next appt. I did get good feedback on our first drive. I just worry ill be stuck with another bad instructor.

I think you need to be a bit more open instead of stubbornly saying "I have a bad driver." I doubt most drivers ed teachers expect to have to teach you how to position your chair. Please get help for your anxiety before you start driving seriously.

[Anonymous]

You should contact I Drive Smart and sign up for their course as well as any extra behind the wheel hours you need. Be sure to tell the in car instructor(s) you are a complete beginner and a little confused about proper technique. No driving instructor should be impatient or critical. You pay them not to be. The ones I had to learn special techniques always reviewed the fundamentals, including seat positioning and proper hand position and turning techniques for the steering wheel.

[Anonymous]

I am always touched when DCUM-ers take the opportunity to be kind and generous, but this is not such a thread. My goodness.

OP, good for you for overcoming your fears and getting back out there. I know it can be daunting. I think you just have to communicate very openly about what kind of guidance you need from your instructor before your lesson. I would make it clear that I have no experience, despite my age, and apologize in advance for asking lots of questions. You’ll have to be proactive.

If a driving instructor is harsh or sarcastic, I would request another. But the fact that your most recent person didn’t teach you how to hold the wheel doesn’t mean you need a new instructor; imagine if you had asked them, they would have showed you. The most important quality fir your driving instructor is patience.

[Anonymous]

Meant ^^ *I* imagine that if you had asked them, they would have showed you.

[Anonymous]

You need a driving school, not an individual instructor. Do you live in Maryland? Greg’s driving school has locations everywhere and are well-regarded by the MVA. You can’t see who your instructor is when you make your appointments online (once you are enrolled), but if you find an instructor you like, you can ask them to put you on their schedule. Most people just sign up for time slots and get different instructors each time.

[Anonymous]

Technically, you should use "shuffle" steering. However, as a starting driver turning the wheel with the"approved" method way down on the list of priorities. The "approved" hand position is 9 and 3 o'clock. Most use 10 and 2. Again, this is the level of detail you don't need to know when learning to drive. Focus on staying in your lane, controlling your speed, watching for problems ahead. Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute. Stop worrying about trivia.

Stop so you can just still see the other cars wheels. Some like more. Some like less. You can always step out with a tape measure, but if you are that OCD, you shouldn't be driving.

[Anonymous]

There is a Scandinavian expression about how if everywhere you go smells of crap, it is time to look under your own shoe.

A normal instructor would not expect to have to tell you where to put your seat or how to hold the wheel. You should relax and enjoy the lessons. Alternatively, ask yourself if driving is really for you. Many people never learn and havd cery hsppy lives. It isn’t for everyone.

[Anonymous]

You can ask questions too. "Am I turning the steering wheel correctly?" "Am I positioned well in my seat or should I move the seat?" You are paying and should bring up any concerns, but the instructor may not be able to anticipate minor concerns like these.