I can relate to this post quite well. I didn't learn how to drive until I was almost 22 (I'm 24 now) because I never got a chance to take driver's ed during high school because of some severe emotional problems that I was going through at the time nor could I get any family to help me.

During that period in my life I was struggling mentally while attending a votech school for the IT field while dealing with abuse from relatives who were supporting me at the time while struggling to hold a regular job and even going hungry some nights due to them not wanting to help me get a decent meal and me barely able to afford Ramen noodles along with my school expenses so affording drivers ed was out of the question.

Afterwards I finally had the money to pay for drivers ed but found that I was prone to anxiety and reckless driving behind the wheel which forced me to have to cough up more cash that I didn't really have for private 1 on 1 lessons because I used up the time that I paid for. Also what made it worse for me was because of the age I was learning at. If I were a 16 or 17 year old attending the classes it wouldn't be a big deal to me but as a 22 year old, I was so ashamed for having to be there and so afraid of other people thinking that I'm stupid or trying to judge me for being there that I frequently lied about my age and would lie to my friends about reasons why I wasn't driving yet with the most common reason being me blaming money and I avoided other students like the plague. Even to this day, I am unable to drive without freaking out behind the wheel unless I'm driving a vehicle that is either large (such as an SUV or large truck), a vehicle that is built like a tank, or a vehicle that has some sort of new teched out advanced anti collision system.

I don't know what to tell you. I want you to realize that you aren't alone and many young people are learning to drive at later ages these days. If possible you could consider taking drivers ed elsewhere. I find many bigger cities have better drivers ed instructors so if you live in the south and are financially able to take a trip to another state for a month or so to take drivers ed and live in a cheap extended stay motel or something, I would do it.

Otherwise, check reviews on other driver schools and consider writing a bad review on the one that you used if what the instructor said bothered you. Most of all though, try to focus on your passion and your desire to be free.

Sorry I couldn't be much more help.