Advice?

[Rosiecarmel]

I've just received my provisional driving license in the post as I intend to start lessons shortly (I've never wanted to up til now!)

As my diabetes is very uncontrolled but I'm not on insulin....yet.... Do you think I should wait until I am? I'm aware I'll have to inform the DVLA when I become insulin dependent but I'm worried about driving with levels as high as mine. Is there a limit? Thanks!

 

[trophywench]

Well there isn't a higher limit, no. However I have to say - when you start it's one helluva lot to take in - and you really do have to have all your wits about you whilst simultaneously trying to control a potentially deadly weapon that you have absolutely no clue how to control.

I can recall thinking coming to the same set of traffic lights near our house (500 yards?) for the umpteenth time (after at least half a dozen lessons) so slow down, steer, stop, brake, clutch, into first balance clutch and accelerator, pass through green light, into middle of road, slow stop wait for gap turn right change up, go faster, change up slow change down turn right ..... I'm never ever going to be able to do any of these things smoothly!

 

[Northerner]

I always found learning to drive very stressful - not always consciously stressed, but my legs ached afterwards because I had been so tense on the pedals! So, stress may also have an effect on your levels, depending on how you are with these things. I think I'd be tempted to wait until I felt more at ease with my health.

 

[Diabeticliberty]

Now you have your complete d'head doctor and nurses on the back foot your diabetes will be sorted soon. Go out there now and start having lessons. Life is to short to put stuff off.


PS when you pass your test FIRST ATTEMPT we are having a huge massive forum party

 

[Ljc]

Hi Rosie. Only because you are going through /have been put through a lot of un necessary shite and must be soooo stressed with it all, I suggest waiting a while.
I passed my test back in the 70s but I can still remember most of my early lessons as though they were yesterday, only because I was so tense I used to have a earth grip on the steering wheel. it seemed two hands and feet were not nearly enough. It does get easier honest !!
I was given two bits of advise that has stood me in good stead, I would like to pass them on to you, they're not in the Highway Code nor in the tests
1) Always expect the unexpected
2) Treat everyone the other side of the windscreen as idiots.

 

[trophywench]

Nobody has mentioned the white knuckles, accompanying the Death Grip ! LOL

 

[Martin Canty]

white knuckles, accompanying the Death Grip

That used to be my driving instructor......

 

[trophywench]

LOL - mine was dead relaxed - he'd taught at least half of Kidderminster to drive before me and he had a wife and three daughters so he was never phased. And always seemed to be waving to them.

Plus, he was a Very Sensible Man - his driving school vehicle was ALWAYS Dual Control!

 

[Diabeticliberty]

Mine used to let me drive his car alone with him in another car when one of his was due for service to take one to the garage. Another time we came to a set of traffic lights which were on red and he asked me why I had stopped? He got quite excited and said carry on driving. The poor old feller was half blind and deaf as a post. He looked for all the world like Dr. Snuggles

 

[Martin Canty]

I taught my Ex Wife to drive in a 2CV (the one with the gear shift in the dash, no transmission tunnel.... If ever I felt she was accidentally in reverse I would slam the clutch in (whether her foot was there or not) & put it into first!!!!

 

[HOBIE]

Get on with it 🙂. As Liberty says life is to short . You will be a different person when you have passed ! Good luck