18/09/2026
🚗 My journey back to driving
I’ve been thinking a lot about preparing to get my driving licence back, and I won’t lie — I’m really anxious about it.
My driving assessment last September was extremely stressful, and the thought of going through it again brings back those feelings.
People keep telling me, “It’s like riding a bike!”
Well, let me tell you… it definitely isn’t! 😂
Yes, some things do come back to you, but what people don’t necessarily appreciate is just how much changes when you have to learn to drive an adapted car after a stroke.
For almost 50 years, I’ve been used to driving comfortably with two hands. So much of driving becomes automatic that you don’t even think about it.
Now, suddenly, I have to think about things I previously took for granted.
Take indicators, for example. In an adapted car, they don’t necessarily cancel automatically after turning a corner or navigating a roundabout. You have to remember to switch them off manually.
It sounds like such a small thing, doesn’t it? But when you’re already concentrating on everything else, it’s another task for your brain to process.
Then there’s the transition from a manual car to an automatic.
I’ve always been used to the gradual increase in speed as you work through the gears. An automatic feels very different, and learning to manage that change takes some getting used to.
It’s not just about remembering how to drive. It’s about learning how to drive differently.
And when you throw post-stroke cognitive challenges into the mix, something that was once second nature can suddenly feel quite overwhelming.
So, I’ve made a decision.
Before I book my next driving assessment, I’m going to have some driving lessons in an adapted car to rebuild my confidence, familiarise myself with the controls and give myself the best possible chance of succeeding.
I don’t want to rush this. I want to feel comfortable, confident and, most importantly, safe.
Not just for myself, but for everyone else on the road.
Getting my licence back would mean so much more than simply being able to drive again. It would mean another piece of my independence returning.
And that is absolutely worth working towards. 💙
One lesson, one roundabout and one indicator at a time! 🚗💪
