I am a few weeks away from my test, and got my car, its taxed and insured.
I tried driving the car today ( just parking) and it stalled 3 times and I couldn't reverse it!! It sounds so stupid, but I can drive quite well as I'm realy near my test, and when I'm in my instructors car my driving is very smooth and fine.
I can't afford to keep paying more than £18.00 I pay him a week ( for an hour) and was wondering if anyone was willing to help me out for the next few weeks. For something like a fiver an hour or something:D
Help!!

What are the two cars? Is your's significantly older? It's virtually impossible to stall a new car as the engine management system is too brainy and compensates for your 'mistakes'. With older cars need to 'listen' to them and 'feel' for the engine.

That's why they're likened to women! :D

Ask your instructor if he'll take you out in yours (now you're competent, he shouldn't need his brake).

Be wary of anybody who wants to give you 'lessons' at this stage. Us 'experienced' drivers are full of bad habits that you shouldn't learn until after your test.

Good luck!

I supposed you're right. I'm sure it'd still help though!

Well if you take your test in your instructors car it should be fine?

Or am I wrong?

Originally posted by Strix
What are the two cars?

Brand new Corsa ( classic!) driving instructors
Mine Polo M Reg

Hi Sony,
Is you're instructor's car a diesel and yours a petrol engine?
Petrols rev higher and diesel's rev lower and have more torque. This could easily be the problem if you are used to the sound of a deisel car.
I have recently been helping a friend of mine with my presence as he practiced his driving in his mum's car, and he wasn't revving the engine enough and was stalling quite a lot.

Originally posted by Sony
Brand new Corsa ( classic!) driving instructors
Mine Polo M Reg

My sister's polo isn't easy to drive :mad: . Sounds like the engine management. One lesson with your own instructor in your car should do the trick :thumbsup:

Edit: I've remembered why I don't get on with my sister's polo. The biting point is far too high. She only has small feet too, so she's not keen on driving any great distance in it.

Half of the problem might just be that you're switching cars.

I know when I passed my test and first drove my pwn car I stalled it several times as the clutch levels, engine revs and so on are all different.

It's just a case of getting a good feel for the car you're in - become one with her etc :cool:

Personally, I'd stick to your instructor's car being as you're so close to your test (and it will be that car you have your test in) and then once you pass with flying colours find a nice quiet road and have a bit of a drive in yours, get the feel for it.

That's what I did and after that you will be fine. :thumbsup:

Originally posted by Sony
I can't afford to keep paying more than £18.00 I pay him a week ( for an hour) and was wondering if anyone was willing to help me out for the next few weeks. For something like a fiver an hour or something:D
Help!!

Just to remind you, Sony, that it is illegal for anyone other than a DSA Approved Driving Instructor to take payment for driving lessons. Even payment in kind is classed as payment so anyone helping you would have to do it free of charge.

Originally posted by Strix
Ask your instructor if he'll take you out in yours (now you're competent, he shouldn't need his brake).

Thats an excellent idea and your instructor shouldn't have any problem with this. Just ensure that your insurance covers you for doing this though.

Originally posted by muddycoffee
Is you're instructor's car a diesel and yours a petrol engine?Petrols rev higher and diesel's rev lower and have more torque. This could easily be the problem if you are used to the sound of a deisel car.
I have recently been helping a friend of mine with my presence as he practiced his driving in his mum's car, and he wasn't revving the engine enough and was stalling quite a lot.

This is an excellent suggestion by muddycoffee. There are 2 reasons for a stall - letting the clutch up too quickly (the symptom is the car suddenly lurching to a halt and/or kangarooing) or not having enough gas on (the symptom this time is the engine just dying). Find somewhere quiet and practice first of all with more gas, and if that doesn't work, or you find the car is flying away with you, slow your clutch down.

If you (or anyone else who's learning to drive) needs any further help, just post on here and I'll be happy to advise.

clutch control,if you have this you can drive just about any car

wear sensible shoes, get used to the bite on the clutch and youve cracked it
as for asking people to sit in with you,always make sure that you have a third person with you if any one takes up the offer

good luck and remember ,its clutch control,practise as often as you can.......

I had this problem too when i went from the driving instructors car to mine. Mine was so much different and i cried because i thought id never get the hang of driving my car and that id have to take it back which i didnt want to do cos i loved my new car! I kept stalling and it was so uncomfortable by foot really hurt after driving it for a couple of minutes. After a couple of weeks i was used to it. I didnt need any lessons or anything I just kept practising and moved the seat around until i got comfortable.

After a few years i can switch cars and pick it up pretty easily but i know how you feel its really scary and surprising how different 2 cars can be.

Thanks all, well I've had a word with my driving instructor and I'll drive my new baby with him for an hour or so. I am a bit worried, but at least he'll show me what I need to know on the car (Mainly how to use the clutch on this one!!)