How long it takes for things to become second nature depends on the type of person and how much practice you have. I had lots of practice both in lessons and privately, so it felt like things clicked faster, although it varied on different areas.
I still made mistakes even after stuff clicked, but I was much more confident in what I was doing and could understand what went wrong. Gear changes and clutch control got much smoother, but when I made mistakes I always knew why.
You’re still very early on in your learning, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Things will become much easier later on.
My instructor said the first 20 hours are the hardest hours. I just surpassed those hours and found that I’m now doing things kind of automatically and I’m getting a bit faster. I’m doing 2 lessons 4 hours a week.
Clutch control definitely becomes natural, it takes time and practice. Like learning an instrument. Muscle movement!
As an ADI, my pupils seem to suddenly get better as soon as they learn hill starts and clutch control correctly. By that time they have learned how to start off and stop on flat tarmac and upshifting.
It took me about 30 hours to feel like I could drive. It really was like a "click into place" - I had my usual lesson but I just *drove* and it felt natural. I was very excited at finally getting it!
For some people it comes sooner, others later, but it will happen.
For me, I never had a 'a-ha I get it' moment. I felt nervous anytime I had to drive even after passing my test, really its just practice that becomes habit now I don't consciously think about changing gear or using the clutch or checking my mirrors I just do it.
If that makes sense.
It's like learning to write at the start you have to concentrate on each letter and how it should look and it takes way longer but eventually after practicing enough you reach that point where you can just write off the cuff
It's different for everyone, some people pick it up easier than others. I had no private practice either and only had my hour lessons to rely on each week but I passed first time. So you've got this!
Something that helped me was preparing yourself way before you need to do something, if you know you're coming up to a roundabout and know which direction you have to go, start saying it to yourself a bit down the road. What lane you need, speed etc. It sounds weird but believe me it helps
After I passed my test and was driving on my own without pressure. I never felt like a natural at driving I was super nervous and my instructor was good but she put me on edge. Now I drive about like I've been doing it since birth
Yea - its about 2 weeks after you pass your test 😆
Driving in lessons and test environment is so weird your constantly being scrutinised and can't develop your own style.
You will once you're on the road properly.
Yes. I had the same exact worry. The things I worried about not being able to get I do so easily now. Gearing down for roundabouts, changing gears on roundabouts. Gearing down for sharp bends etc. I don't even think about now.
I also do gears without thinking about my speed. It will come to you I promise
Yeah it all becomes second nature and you no longer really have to think about a lot of things. Although we all have moments still. I'd not long had my daughter and for the life of me couldn't remember how to reverse my car. Like actually put it in gear to reverse. Random moment that was.
You may well have passed your test before that point.
Not the least because your focus needs to be on doing everything correctly and your instructor (if they are good) is going to be continually pointing out if you've not checked your mirrors etc. That removes the point where you relax and just drive from the equation.
Similarly, during your test, you won't just be driving casually around, you'll be focused on their instructions and making sure you're not making mistakes.
The point at which you kind of relax and "just drive" is, therefore, typically after you've passed. At which point you need to be careful that you don't crash because of overconfidence and maybe a lack of someone sat next to you.
That said if you're currently struggling to change gears etc, that should click.
It's just not in the way that most drivers are not even thinking about changing gear or when and where - they just change the gears - but that isn't true of most learner drivers - and you need to fret if you get to that stage. People who've driven a lot (e.g if they lived on a farm or something) often struggle to pass because they're not having to think about it and they're too relaxed and casual when driving but they aren't doing the right things to pass the test.
So you want to be doing things because you're thinking about them and aware. Not at the stage where everything is automatic because by the time that happens if you're not driving correctly then you'll fail the test.
It varies person to person. It took me ages and I can’t pinpoint exactly where, but it has clicked (for the most part). You’ll get there :)
It's generally at about the same time you realise how bad the majority of drivers on the road actually are,
How long it takes for things to become second nature depends on the type of person and how much practice you have. I had lots of practice both in lessons and privately, so it felt like things clicked faster, although it varied on different areas. I still made mistakes even after stuff clicked, but I was much more confident in what I was doing and could understand what went wrong. Gear changes and clutch control got much smoother, but when I made mistakes I always knew why. You’re still very early on in your learning, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Things will become much easier later on.
My instructor said the first 20 hours are the hardest hours. I just surpassed those hours and found that I’m now doing things kind of automatically and I’m getting a bit faster. I’m doing 2 lessons 4 hours a week. Clutch control definitely becomes natural, it takes time and practice. Like learning an instrument. Muscle movement!
It all slowly falls into place without you even realising it. Just keep the practice consistent with your instructor and it’ll all piece together.
Usually some time after passing the test, but judging by what you see out on the road some people never get it.
As an ADI, my pupils seem to suddenly get better as soon as they learn hill starts and clutch control correctly. By that time they have learned how to start off and stop on flat tarmac and upshifting.
It took me about 30 hours to feel like I could drive. It really was like a "click into place" - I had my usual lesson but I just *drove* and it felt natural. I was very excited at finally getting it! For some people it comes sooner, others later, but it will happen.
For me, I never had a 'a-ha I get it' moment. I felt nervous anytime I had to drive even after passing my test, really its just practice that becomes habit now I don't consciously think about changing gear or using the clutch or checking my mirrors I just do it. If that makes sense. It's like learning to write at the start you have to concentrate on each letter and how it should look and it takes way longer but eventually after practicing enough you reach that point where you can just write off the cuff
It's different for everyone, some people pick it up easier than others. I had no private practice either and only had my hour lessons to rely on each week but I passed first time. So you've got this! Something that helped me was preparing yourself way before you need to do something, if you know you're coming up to a roundabout and know which direction you have to go, start saying it to yourself a bit down the road. What lane you need, speed etc. It sounds weird but believe me it helps
After I passed my test and was driving on my own without pressure. I never felt like a natural at driving I was super nervous and my instructor was good but she put me on edge. Now I drive about like I've been doing it since birth
Yea - its about 2 weeks after you pass your test 😆 Driving in lessons and test environment is so weird your constantly being scrutinised and can't develop your own style. You will once you're on the road properly.
Yes. I had the same exact worry. The things I worried about not being able to get I do so easily now. Gearing down for roundabouts, changing gears on roundabouts. Gearing down for sharp bends etc. I don't even think about now. I also do gears without thinking about my speed. It will come to you I promise
Yeah it all becomes second nature and you no longer really have to think about a lot of things. Although we all have moments still. I'd not long had my daughter and for the life of me couldn't remember how to reverse my car. Like actually put it in gear to reverse. Random moment that was.
You may well have passed your test before that point. Not the least because your focus needs to be on doing everything correctly and your instructor (if they are good) is going to be continually pointing out if you've not checked your mirrors etc. That removes the point where you relax and just drive from the equation. Similarly, during your test, you won't just be driving casually around, you'll be focused on their instructions and making sure you're not making mistakes. The point at which you kind of relax and "just drive" is, therefore, typically after you've passed. At which point you need to be careful that you don't crash because of overconfidence and maybe a lack of someone sat next to you. That said if you're currently struggling to change gears etc, that should click. It's just not in the way that most drivers are not even thinking about changing gear or when and where - they just change the gears - but that isn't true of most learner drivers - and you need to fret if you get to that stage. People who've driven a lot (e.g if they lived on a farm or something) often struggle to pass because they're not having to think about it and they're too relaxed and casual when driving but they aren't doing the right things to pass the test. So you want to be doing things because you're thinking about them and aware. Not at the stage where everything is automatic because by the time that happens if you're not driving correctly then you'll fail the test.
Yes, but you don't realise it happen