learn to drive

Today, I drove. My boyfriend asked if I wanted to go to a nearby parking lot and take a practise spin. I hesitated, but he talked me into it. We drove to a nearby abandoned parking lot, he popped in a D’nell CD, and I was on my way. I thought learning to drive an SUV would be really difficult, but it was no big deal. Surprisingly, he was a great teacher, very patient and relaxed.

I practised turning, signaling, braking, and backing. He said I did great, and I think I did too. The only part I messed up with was driving too close the the curb when making right turns (can’t see the ground on that side). It was FAR better than the lesson with my dad five years ago. Now, I need to study the driver’s manual more & get my permit!

Well I’ve looked for driving schools… no dice. All the local places have disconnected phone numbers, and the nearest open school is about an hour away from where I live. Oh well. My boyfriend has been promising to take me for a spin in a parking lot one Sunday afternoon, but something always comes up. Today, it was rain. His vehicle is an SUV too, and he’s skittish about teaching me to drive in something so big with such big blind spots. And I’m not sure if he’s going to be such a great teacher. sigh

On top of that, I should really get a learner’s license, and also I should study the drivers’ manual more. It’s revised, and the newer version is actually quite an entertaining read.

I’m 21, and really should be driving. I’ve always had an irrational fear of getting behind the wheel, probably because I was in a really bad accident as a kid, combined with a frusterating series of driving lessions with my dad in my early teens. Just a lot of trauma.

So far, I’ve only driven around in a parking lot and pulled in and out of the driveway. I’m sick of lying to my family about knowing how to drive (they kept bugging the hell out of me, so I just bullshitted). I don’t think they believe me because they’ve never seen me actually drive, and they keep making little remarks like “you’d look great driving,” or “you should let me teach you have to drive MY car.” Ugh.

I need my freedom. Public transportation is nonexistant where I live, and I feel like I’m spending the best years of my life on the passenger side. It’s so annoying to have to rely on someone else to do something as simple as go get groceries. I’m fed up! I’m going to look for a good driving school tomorrow.