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learn to drive


 

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How to learn to drive by spreadyourwings

"Scary but worth it :)"

How I did it: Perseverence I think is the main word. Driving has been one of my biggest fears for as long as I can remember because I lacked the confidence in myself. I put it off for a year and then my Auntie applied for my license for me and I signed the form. I wasn't bothered about it. Then I started lessons in the summer after my eighteenth birthday when a wave of willing hit me and I found a driving school with a good reputation.

My first instructor, a stout man called Keith who pretty much just sat me in the driving seat and said "Drive"... was about as much use as cleaning the windscreen with sandpaper. He used my lessons to sit there and watch the scenery not to help me. Eventually he left the company under a cloud of smoke and about four weeks later they assigned me another man from the same company.

He was what will now and forever more be known as GREMLIN-MAN... he refused to let me change the seating positions in his car, the car smelled something awful... I'm certain there was a dead body decomposing in his boot. AND he spoke to me like I was an incompetent idiot. He even dared to say that I would never pass the test as I was a young blonde woman. He thoroughly knocked me confidence and made me feel like I would never do it. Soooo, I quit driving for nearly half a year.

Then last autumn my Auntie came along and booked me an appointment with a woman driving instructor who had put everyone she knew through the test. She came along and said instantly that I was better than I thought, she explained the thought processes so I knew how to be safer and listened to my whinging about it. Eventually I put in for my tests and although I didn't pass first time as the nerves took hold and I stalled three times before I even left the test centre :P... the second time I was on form and I passed. I came out looking, I imagine, rather shell shocked as I hadn't expected to pass... BUT... I did. It proved to me that I can do anything I want and I should never let anyone else tell me otherwise!

Lessons & tips:

  • Have belief in yourself!
  • Go with a trained teacher
  • Find an instructor who puts you at ease and explains things in a way that you understand. If you're not comfortable with any aspect of their teaching DO something about it! Remember... you're paying them!!!!


25 people found this helpful
 

Oct 27, 02:58AM PDT | 6 comments | 28 cheers



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    People doing this are also doing these things:

    Entries

    thissideup

    Untitled 3 hours ago

    Well first off, I can drive.
    Just not “properly”.
    I can’t parallel park. But it’s not because I’m a bad driver, it’s because I’m from a city where you NEVER have to parallel park. My driving instructor taught me by saying things like “Okay, so turn until you see that light post in the corner of the mirror”. I could drive really good when I lived there, but I’ve since moved 8 hours away into a bigger city.
    I also freak out in traffic, simply because I don’t trust anyone driving around me.
    I can’t merge or lane change because I always feel like I can’t see anyone around me.
    I can’t park in a parking spot because I can’t judge how far I am from objects.
    I feel so hopeless but I want to have my license by the end of August.

    Jul 12, 02:34PM PDT | 0 comments


    BigBrownVenus is sleepy!

    Road Test is on Aug 15th! 8 hours ago

    A week before my birthday, I scheduled the road test. I have been practicing at least an hour everyday. The test is no longer in the parking lot, so I am a little nervous. I have been driving in parking lots, somewhat empty streets and country roads. I hope that I pass! I’ll be 25 soon and I want my license.

    I have scheduled two weeks of instructional practice in addition to the hours that I complete with my family member. It’s kind of a nervous thing, getting behind the wheel, but I am not a coward. I will face my fears and pass the test. You have to believe in yourself! Good luck everyone!

    Jul 12, 09:43AM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments


    AliNH

    Untitled 3 days ago

    I am 24. Its time.
    I can do it.
    Through my LD and my anxiety.

    Jul 09, 02:13PM PDT | 0 comments


    Jamton is Revising

    Arggh! 4 days ago

    First driving lesson tomorrow! Well…. 27th, but same difference.
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    Jul 08, 01:25PM PDT | 0 comments


    Cansu is getting back on track.

    I drove!! 5 days ago

    For the first time on Sunday!

    I mean, that was during a driving lesson, but hey, I did much better than I thought I would!!!!

    And that was fabulous, but I’ll keep this goal up until I get my licence…

    Jul 07, 03:44PM PDT | 0 comments


    Goataroat

    Yes! 5 days ago

    I only learned to signal, accelerate and turn but I feel great about having started at last. My next lesson is on Friday.

    Jul 07, 09:54AM PDT | 0 comments


    Goataroat

    First lesson tomorrow morning 6 days ago

    10 am. I’m looking forward to it!

    Jul 06, 02:18PM PDT | 1 cheer | 1 comment


    Silver_Lightning 'you wanna piece of me?!' 'no I want two.'

    Untitled 6 days ago

    I can drive now yay. not legally as my test isn’t until next month, But I can drive a manual car anywhere. :)

    Jul 06, 01:36AM PDT | 0 comments


    Cansu is getting back on track.

    Closer... 1 week ago

    I just took a written test today, rules, first aid and how the engine works. Seems like it worked out well, and well, I’m starting with the driving’s lessons tomorrow morning!

    So exciting, but I get pretty scared indeed!

    Jul 04, 06:57AM PDT | 1 comment


    jiangyh is enjoying the summer vacation

    Next Year 1 week ago

    Try to reach this goal next year after graduation, by using consumption voucher.

    Jul 03, 12:18AM PDT | 0 comments


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    Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal


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    		 joasia82 asks, “Can anyone recommend a decent driving instructor (in-car) in Toronto?”
    — 2 years ago


    		 2 answers

    Brighton and Hove
    		 Harry1W asks, “What should I look for in a driving school/instructor?”
    — 2 years ago


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    San Diego
    		 teh_darkcloud asks, “Does anyone know of any good resources online that would help me learn how to drive? Maybe a game where I need to drive and if I do anything wrong it'd tell me? A good website would also help. :) (Oh, and I've already been to DriversEd.com”
    — 2 years ago


    		 6 answers

    Los Angeles
    		 LearningNerd asks, “Do you use two feet or one (for automatic)? I've heard many debates about which is safer, and I'm just curious as to what people here think. (I personally prefer to use two feet.)”
    — 2 years ago


    		 29 answers

    California
    		 kundajoy asks, “How do I get my license in a month, without a car to practice on? I could drive really well, the last time I tried, but that was 2 yrs. ago. I know it won't take long to relearn, but I need a car to drive. I don't want to be taught by a driving instructor”
    — 3 years ago


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