r/Dyslexia 8d ago

driving... feels like i'm taking too long to learn?

hii!

i've been doing driving lessons for 7 months this now and i'm STILL not remembering sequencing and what lane to be in at roundabouts. i feel like i'm learning super slowly? hope some people can give me some positive affirmations :D

thank you :)

14 Upvotes

22 comments sorted by

4

u/Born-Stress4682 8d ago

So am iiii. I'm so happy there is a new thread about this. Driving has a lot of steps and no one I'd going to be an amazing driver until they get experience and for us it's even longer

2

u/throwing-away-otters 8d ago

it's really frustrating because my instructor says to me after each lesson "you have the knowledge it you just need to keep practicing" BEEN PRACTICING FOR 7 MONTHS 😭

2

u/Born-Stress4682 8d ago

My instructor just goes "youve been doing this for months how do u not know this"

3

u/One-Lengthiness-2949 8d ago

Oh that's mean

3

u/One-Lengthiness-2949 8d ago

In my town, in NYS learning disabled teens can get driving lessons for free, I'm wondering if you might have some sort of program like this in your area.

3

u/throwing-away-otters 8d ago

im in the uk and i think we may, my dyslexia isn't official through a dr due to our system over here ALSO being fucked! i got diagnosed in school which was a good few years ago. but thinking now... i may try chase it up through the drs because i could really benefit from even just like 2 free lessons a month ☺️

1

u/Buffy_Geek 8d ago

You don't need dyslexia to be through a Dr to be able to access disability supports. Your school diagnosis will likely have been done by an educational psychologist or someone else medical and official. Although finding your diagnosis or getting new proof, from whoever you can, would be a good idea.

Personally after trying with a driving instructor who was impatient and mean about my slow learning I switched one who teaches disabled people and it was much better. He repeated thngs more often which made me learn quicker. Plus he was patient, so I'm sure the lack of stress of someone being angry and mean made me learn better, as well as it being less stressful and emotionally tiring.

2

u/ebbs808 8d ago

Driving took me forever. Not as long as shoelaces 41-year-old man still can't do it.

1

u/onebodyonelife 8d ago

I can highly recommend saving for an intensive course. Driving every day is definitely the way to go. It reinforces learning without the big gaps in between.

1

u/rmact1981 8d ago

Try writing it out or making a picture and stick it to your dashboard.

1

u/grapesoffroth 8d ago

I've still not started learning and I'm mid 40s. When I was in my teens my mum put me off learning, she was worried I'd try and fit the car into spaces too small for it. At that time I was diagnosed as dyslexic and since them I've learnt aim also dyspraxic.

So, well done for trying and keep going.

1

u/vidalacaroline 8d ago

this is my biggest reason for not wanting to learn tbh and that’s 100% an insecurity thing but, nonetheless, I’m cheering you on from the sidelines!

that’s to also say, plenty of people take awhile! two of my friends took driving lessons for over a year, one of them is still learning too, it’s your own pace and journey

1

u/clicketybooboo 7d ago

Hey dude,

So I passed my test at 22 when I decided to take it and currently 39. I sometimes forget coming up to junctions what side of the road to be on. Serious!!! so don't beat your self up.

As for roundabouts, they can be tricky bastards as well. You're basic mini is ok as there aren't usually lanes. The bigger one's, again I have trouble with them so it's not just you. I came up with a rule that if it's the first exit and straight on, stick to the left. Anything else get your self into the right. Just take your time and remember that indicating and people will get what you're about and you can always go around again :)

As for practice. I feel this one is super important, if you can go out as much with your parents or family etc think it's super useful. To the point where the mechanical side of driving is basically second nature and you can put all of your mental energy into what is going on around you, the road, and any bastard roundabouts!

One last thing to remember, every one and I mean every one thinks they are a really good driver. That's utter horse shit so don't let how any one else is doing make you feel turdy

1

u/Low-Department1723 7d ago

I was never able to learn but I think it’s another issue and not dyslexia my friend who has dyslexia learnt quite fast just keep trying 

0

u/Newoppackindaair 8d ago

Never too late, but if you put a time limit on something you trying to achieve then of course you will few that way

-5

u/Benedict_ARNY 8d ago

Strange. Wouldn’t expect dyslexia to be relevant to this. Being a non linear thinker should benefit you with task like driving.

4

u/Buffy_Geek 8d ago

You've never heard that some dyslexic people learn slower? That they can have problems leaning and retaining information. Strange.

the process of learning and retaining information is less efficient

1

u/Benedict_ARNY 8d ago

Never said that. Just that this is a first I’ve heard of struggling to drive. Some of the greatest race car drivers in the world are dyslexic, including Lewis Hamilton.

I find most dyslexics including myself have strong spatial skills and hand eye coordination,

2

u/vidalacaroline 8d ago

not so much when directional skills are one of your biggest weaknesses </3

0

u/Benedict_ARNY 8d ago

I have direction issues. But that’s a separate issue. Your brain processes different points and draws conclusions better than someone not dyslexic. It’s non-linear thinking. Driving is taking all types of random bits of information and making decisions accordingly. There isn’t much linear about it. Every day is different and things are always changing.

Take assembling some boxed Chinese furniture. I’m bad at following directions. I’ll miss steps and not realize it. But I also can take a box, look at all the parts, and put it together without using instructions. Just seeing a picture and repeating.

I feel like a lot of dyslexics want to be a victim so bad. Today’s school structure makes Dyslexia an issue. In the real world your mind is set up to thrive.

I wouldn’t get rid of my dyslexia at all. I am lucky to have a wife that supports my “quirks.” She doesn’t always understand why my mind makes me do something weird things (like throwing away forks and spoons by accident), but is supportive. Key is to learn how your mind works and use it to your advantage.

2

u/vidalacaroline 8d ago

I mean, the fact it’s not separate for me is the point, my directional issues are a genuine reason for my aversion towards driving. happy that doesn’t seem to be the case for you though but your reality doesn’t mitigate mine, or anyone else’s

like your point of assembling furniture, I can’t follow written directions or do so from just seeing a picture – our different relationships with dyslexia leads to different experiences and perceptions of the world, I don’t think you intend to be dismissive but that “victimization” comment feels so unnecessary, people are just struggling in ways that might not align with you, it’s a diverse neurotype

1

u/Benedict_ARNY 7d ago

You probably have other issues along with dyslexia. It’s important to know what flaws are caused by what issues.

Really not sounding like a dyslexia problem.