How to learn to drive by Purpurea Aemilia

"Almost traumatic experience - but eventually, test passed at the first attempt!"

How I did it: My motive for starting with the lessons was to finally become able to move freely - without always leaning on my parents and depending on bus timetable. So I contacted driving school a little before my eighteenth birthday (legal age for B category in my country). I paid for 40 lessons instead of 20, just in case. I wanted to be sure I'll pass as soon as possible. First lesson was OK, but the second one was terrible. My driving through town was making my instructor desperate. He was patient, but maybe because I'm a girl, or because I was so absent-minded, a few time he lost control and raised his voice. I was just waiting for the lesson to end, so I could get out of the car to cry. Being very self-critic, his comments made me feel very insecure and worthless. So, until the last one, I was very nervous before every lesson.Through time, I got control of the car, but still had no self-confidence at all.

A week before the test, I was sure I was going to fail. I intended to pass just the theory for sure, and the driving... Well, only if I'm very lucky.
Finally came the testing day. I passed the written part, as I expected. While waiting for my turn, my whole body was shaking. But, surprisingly, when I sat in the car with the people who were supposed to evaluate my driving skills, I wasn't frightened at all. I tried to pretend they weren't there; I drove as I would drive in my lessons. I was very calm and focused, and I knew I did my best. Still, I didn't know if my best was passable to them. BUT IT WAS! I PASSED! I literally started jumping from happiness when I got out of the car! Next week I got my driver's licence and proudly showed it to my friends.

Lessons & tips: Be confident - throughout the lessons and on the test. Nobody is born with knowledge - so you too need practice.

Focus - don't think about what beautiful dress is wearing that girl on the bike, what are you going to do when you get home, or how hungry you are. Concentration is very important. 
Listen to the instructor - try to correct you driving according to his tips and advices. Don't think you're smarter than him - he has a lot more experience than you or your dad or whoever you watched driving.
Be realistic - no one expects you to drive as someone who is driving for a decade. Your instructor, still, tries to make your driving perfect. This is why you might get an impression that you're a bad driver - you're good, for a beginner. You won't be expected to drive as a professional in the test - so don't panic. Just try not to break any rules, etc. A few centimeters left or right when parking won't matter much. Just do your best.

Resources: My instructor, concentration, patience.


2 people found this helpful
 

Aug 13, 2010, 03:38PM PDT | 3 comments | 8 cheers


Comments:

(This comment was deleted.)

Aug 13, 2010, 03:49PM PDT

Purpurea Aemilia This fire grows higher

Well maybe, if you’re not farther than 100 km from me. :p

Aug 13, 2010, 03:57PM PDT | Respond to this

barricuda1

awsome i cant wait intel im 16 so i can get mine

Aug 13, 2010, 04:01PM PDT | Respond to this


Purpurea Aemilia has gotten 8 cheers on this entry.

 

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