get my driver's license

I put this first on my life list since it’s one of my most immediate priorities.

It was hard to take the first step since I’ve always been terrified of getting my license (unlike most teens, I suppose). I’m 18 right now and I’m already going to be a sophomore at my university this coming Fall. Just realizing how hard it was to get around and how dependent I am on my parents this summer finally gave me the push to make me, at the very least, face my goal.

I took my driver’s education unenthusiastically 2 years ago, when everyone at my school was getting their driver’s licenses with no problem. I was pretty bad at managing my time and I would procrastinate like crazy, but I pulled through. I failed the written test the first time since I didn’t read very thoroughly, but I managed to pass a second time and got my permit in 2008. I was pretty okay at driving, but it felt like such a chore. My nervousness would defeat me. I eventually let it defeat me completely when I got into a car accident going down a hill. I would avoid driving and my permit expired.

Now I need to take the test again. I MUST. It has to be done…one step at a time.

I need to study extensively now and I intend to make a goal to take the test by the end of next week. I seriously hope I can pull through.

I want to take this thing step by step and do it right.

I passed the theoretical exam 2 years ago. I immediatly took driving lessons because I wanted my lisence as soon as possible. When I had enough experience, I got cold feet and kept practicing for another year and a half. One week ago I finaly did the exam, but I failed and now I’m too afraid to try again. I’m shure I wouldn’t feel this way if my first year of college wasn’t such a disaster, but is has been one failure after an other and I’m just tired of giving it my all and achieving nothing in the end.
I still have more than half a year left to pass, which is supposed to be enough, however I feel I will never accomplish this goal.

I PASSED!

I’ve been driving for over a year now and I still don’t have my license. My reason? Pure laziness, to be honest. My very asian parents are usually very strict, but this is the one thing that they’ve been pushing me to do… surprising? yes. Now I just need to reach my goal. I went for the most relaxing, freeing drive today, and it made me more motivated than ever to get my license and be street legal for good. Let the games begin.

I’m glad I finally got my driver’s license! When I was in highschool, my friends used to always wonder why I still hadn’t gotten it. It really didn’t phase me, and although I wanted the sort of “freedom” they had back then at that younger age, I couldn’t get it anyway. I think I figured since I wasn’t going to be able to afford a car for a very long time I might as well wait, it wasn’t a big deal to me to have a license, much less a permit, during highschool. Anyway, last August(2008) I decided to go for my permit and luckily I passed the test the first time. Then came the hard part, after delaying it for awhile, I finally signed up for driving lessons. I started I believe in April of this year (2009) and I wanted to get it done and over especially before August (when my permit would expire) and I wanted it done in three lessons but I’m glad I took my mom’s advice and took more lessons (anyway I had to admit to myself that I didn’t feel ready at all anyway). After the 6th and final driving lesson I was finally scheduled for a license test. I was so nervous but my mother was so awesome, she let me practice parallel parking at the specific driver’s license center and let me drive her car between my lessons and leading up to the date of my dreaded test, I appreicate all the times she took me out to my college parking lot and finally to the dreaded (in her case) road. It took awhile for her to let me drive on the road but she got over that first bump and although she still feels ‘weird’ letting someone else drive her for a change, she and I have both made a huge step and I appreciate her time and effort and patience with me (and I’m glad she rarely screamed or yelled at me in the car!). Anyway, I was a little nervous. I was the first appointment to go that morning and luckily I had a nice instructor and in no time I’d passed the license test. I was so happy. My driving instructor and I were talking to a parent and his son next to us waiting in the line for the testers to come out and they calmed me down in a way; knowing that other kids around me were getting ready to do the same thing and me thinking how lucky I am to be first and just get it over with, I guess it all sorta helped! I guess if I were to give advice to others who are in the process of getting their drivers license the key is to just know that you know what you’re doing and to follow the rules accordingly and to atleast try to be calm. You should know what not to do, so don’t do it, and be optimistic. My test went so fast, I couldn’t believe it. I almost didn’t know I’d passed. My tester did say I didn’t look for traffic after I parallel parked but I’d passed. I almost didn’t hear the “you passed..” part. But yay! Congratualtions to others who’ve done the same. And Good Luck to others in the process!

because I didn’t wanna wait a whole month for my next lesson. After ringing up and getting quoted anything from £35 to £45 for 2 hours, I was ready to give up after I called the last name on my list. Long story short, she knows my instructor and he’d asked her to give lessons to any of his students for his prices, and £30 for 2 hours is good stuff. So I have another lessons with this lady called Cath at 11.30am on Saturday!

EDIT: She is a mirror nazi and I stalled about 400 times, but I feel like I’m learning it all properly. We went almost straight out onto roads and it confirmed I really need to get the hang of gentle breaking and not borderline emergency stops ;)

Drivers ed starts next week! I’ve driven a few times already and I’ve figured out that I kind of like to go fast, but I think on the road I’ll be too scared.

Granted I stalled twice in two hours, but I was out on proper roads with real traffic, parking, reversing, turning – and I loved every single second of it! I can take off as smoothly as anything, change gears like second-nature and I’ve already visited 50mph, country roads, big roundabouts and the irritating speed bumps on my road. Gavin, my instructor who lives three doors down, said I could be ready to take my test in about 4 months, seeing as it’ll be almost another month until I see him as he’s on holiday for a fortnight and booked up before then. Seeing as that was my target anyway, I’m a happy girl :)

I passed the test with 100%. My picture looks funny, but maybe I’ll get it next time. They do retake it, right? Mom took me out a few times. First time…utter failure. Stopping, turning, staying in my lane, speeding, slowing…these are my issues. Second time, better at everything, but I almost ran over a turtle and caused an accident. Luckily, the person behind me was a patient person and the turtle got lucky.

I got my G2! I was so nervous for my road test… but I managed to pass somehow. I still think I need more practice. A lot more, if I want to complete my full license. I will consider this done once I get my G. :D