Am I being over cautious new driver?

Question

I have had my licence for 2 weeks now and driving locally on roads I know very well. Even so, I have had the honk from a van behind me when I refused to squeeze on a set of traffic lights when a coach was taking a foot of my lane. Maybe there was room but according to my judgement there was not and I refused to go further despite being bullied by the van behind me. I still refuse to go on motorways or drive at night. I am giving it time to get to know the car and get used to going out there on my own until I go for the puss plus that hopefully will give me the confidence to get out there full time.

I do not have P-plate on the car, it is UK and you don't have to have it, so when I drive within the speed limit and people don't like the 30 m/ph they are free to overtake as they wish.

I am being too scared tho? I passed with 3 minors so obviously I can control a car, I just still find it so nerve wrecking. Is this normal?

Answer 1

You are perfectly right. Van drivers are always impatient.

The safest thing to do when you pass is what you are doing. Drive slowly and carefully and know what your limits are. Its only after you pass your test that you start really learning to drive.

It is far more dangerous to drive faster than you are able and try and keep up with experienced drivers.

I hear all this c**p about how people who drive slowly cause accidents because people try to overtake them. It is because people are impatient and will do anything if they think it will get them where they want to go a few minutes faster.

If you ask people what sort of drivers they are, the vast majority will say they are above average drivers. Since this is statistically impossible you can see that there are a lot of people deluding themselves that there driving skills are better than they are.

Learn at your own pace and don't let others pressurise you and you will do great

Answer 2

It sounds to me that you need to take more lessons, as you are not yet confident that you can drive properly.

Answer 3

Firstly congratulations on passing!!!

Now ignore other drivers, use your own judgement and if you don't feel like you can do something don't. If you don't feel confident in a situation all you will do is panic and could end up having an accident.

Try going on the motorway when it's quiet and get someone else to go on with you.

Enjoy your driving and good luck

Oh and remember ignore all the a r s e s that sit behind pipping

Answer 4

Sure it's normal.

Drive the way you feel comfortable driving, don't worry about idiots who have a lead foot and no patience.

The more you drive, the more comfortable you will get driving. When you feel comfortable feel free to start driving on the motorway and at night.

Good luck

Answer 5

Better to be safe than sorry.    

Answer 6

if you was a man you would`nt have been honked at,,,van man thy are all c***s

Answer 7

As long as you are driving legally then stuff the van driver.  It is good that you don't give in or feel pressure to bow to impatient van drivers.  They will always be there, even when you have been driving 30 yrs.  Tune them out, don't react and drive according to your own beliefs.  Being human, you will of course make mistakes from time to time and it is all very forgivable.

Answer 8

Well done on passing - I too have just passed and am wary about going on roads I don't know.

You are right to be cautious, I was told by another driver that I had room and told me to come through - I ended up clipping the wing mirror of a parked car.  My lesson learnt, don't worry about other drivers, just make sure everything you are doing is safe and let other people wait/go around you.   If you are not sure - trust your instincts until you are more used to the size of your car etc.

You will get more confident with time, you could also try driving with a friend or relative at night as the longer you leave it the worse it will get as it is starting to get darker earlier now.

Good luck!  

Answer 9

AH BABE!

First of all congratulations!

then yes I think its very normal you just need some confidence . I have no doubt that you can be a good driver. I passed my test in the 2nd attempt and with 7 minors. lol

I also never used new driver plate.

I would recommend you to use new driver plate as it will avoid you from other people's behaviour and

you also need to bring confidence in your self and drive calmly and dont panic

pass plus would help you to bring confidence in you

I would say do it ASAP.

YOU JUST NEED CONFIDENCE!

GOOD LUCK!

Answer 10

Thats totally fine.. espicially because you just got your liscense. the 1st comment is right, too :)

Answer 11

You're not being scared.  You are driving as you were taught and that is a good thing.  Too many people forget what their instructors have taught them, almost as soon as they pass their test.

Gradually build up the time and distance you drive on each journey.  Try to drive just for the driving experience sometimes (rather than having to get somewhere).  That will help you to relax a bit more.

Experience and confidence builds with time.  Take it steady and carefully and you will be fine!

Answer 12

It doesn't sound like you did anything wrong or illegal.  If you didn't feel there was adequate space, then you made a responsible decision to wait IMO.    

If the guy in the van behind you would have been more responsible and left earlier for his destination, then he wouldn't have had to wait on you in the first place.  That's called a "their" problem, not a "your" problem.  Don't worry about it - you can't make everyone happy no matter how hard you try.

You acted safely and got to your destination without causing anyone else any harm, that's the bottom line.  

Answer 13

You drive the way you were taught and through time you'll gain more confidence and experience, certainly don't feel pressured to do things you're not comfortable with....enjoy your driving best of luck.

Answer 14

you are doing fine, your right not to do anything you don't think is right coz its your car and your call.

i was just like you when i first passed my test and got in a car on my own, i think everyone is.

the fact is you learn to pass your driving test, now you have to learn to drive on the roads i know it sounds silly but they are 2 different things.

i use to go out early on a Saturday and Sunday morning when it was quiet about 7am and practise junctions and bits of road i knew where very hard to know what your doing and just where your meant to be, but honest after a few weeks you will start to feel good i never had a problem driving at night but it will all come Good trust me.

good luck and don't be scared to get it wrong i still do now and then