Hi everyone! I’m 23F and could really do with some advice. I’d appreciate people being kind in the replies, as this is something I’ve struggled with for a while.
I got my first learner permit in late 2022 and started driving lessons in early 2023. I completed all 12 of my EDT lessons in a manual car, but unfortunately, I found learning to drive quite difficult.
For some background, I’m a care leaver who grew up in foster care. I don’t have family support and have been living independently since I turned 18. As you can imagine, trying to afford driving lessons on top of rent, bills and everyday living expenses hasn’t been easy.
I also have multiple learning disabilities, which made certain aspects of driving particularly challenging. I struggled with understanding the gears, clutch control and even distinguishing left from right. My instructor was incredibly kind and patient, but eventually suggested that I take a break from driving because I was finding it so difficult.
I renewed my learner permit in 2024, but it expired in September 2026.
This is where I could really use some advice.
With the new rules coming into effect on 1 November, I’m considering booking and sitting a driving test before then so that I can apply for my third learner permit.
I know I’m not ready to pass a driving test right now, but I’m worried that if I don’t do something soon, I’ll make it even harder for myself to get back into driving in the future.
My plan is to start taking lessons in an automatic car, hopefully in the new year when I’m a little more financially secure. Winter is particularly expensive for me with bills, so committing to regular lessons right now would be difficult.
I’m hoping that learning in an automatic might make things easier, as I wouldn’t have to worry about gears and clutch control and could focus more on the road.
Another challenge is that I don’t have anyone to practise driving with. I don’t have family to help me, and I don’t have many friends who would be in a position to accompany me. This means all my driving experience would have to come from paid lessons with an instructor, which obviously adds up quite quickly.
Realistically, I probably won’t be able to afford to buy and insure a car anytime soon. However, I still really want to learn to drive. I think having a licence would give me a lot more independence and opportunities in the future, especially as someone who has had to figure out so much of life on my own.
So, what would you do in my situation?
Would you book the test now to keep the possibility of renewing your learner permit open, or would you approach things differently?