Started Driving :)

[kidzer]

Hi folks.

I've finally got Driving lessons underway

I turned 18 in july, and only got my provisional in September, a year and 3/4 months later than I would've liked, because it was the first time I'd had money to do it, if I want to drive, it'll be with my money it seems - so a bit of saving has been going on!

Anyways, first lesson was 2 weeks ago at night, went to the car park opposide the shop in the village and he went over everything with me - indicators etc, then he got me going - first thing I did after he'd explained how to pull away was (naturally) stall - it was wet so my wet foot slipped off the clutch and it came all the way up, but nevertheless on we went.

We went round the main housing estate in the village and did some low speed stuff and that was about it, pulled up at the side of the road and went up on the kerb both times!

I thought about it when I got home, all I've ever driven in my life is a 125cc Rotax Kart, which is;
- Much smaller
- Feels much faster
- Uses the left foot for braking
- and has about half a turn of steering lock each way

So any previous experience I had wasn't much use, anyways - cut to lesson two - Thursday 2pm.

Weather forecast high winds/rain etc for thursday, and it was right - one minute it was sunny, the next the rain was making it very hard to see - a fine challenge for my 2nd lesson.

We went out to the next village, did some laps of the hosuing estate there and then headed out onto a main road to another village, though it and back to Pitmedden - the wind was nuts at times, because I'm new to it I found myself trying to make corrections for the wind and going a bit too close to the grass on the side of the road, but sorted that out soon enough.

Overall, it's a very fun thing to do, and the instructor said "as 2nd lessons go, that was about as good as I've done" - so I can't be too bad at it, I'm spending some time every night going over the previous lesson, coming up with improvements for the next one - I want to pass in as few as possible, because I'm cheap like that!

Next lesson he's taking me to Ellon I beielve, 2pm again - Ellon has some thin roads, and at 2pm there will be parents about I think, hopefully I wont meet a 4x4 going down a thin road (or my boss in his expensive car, he lives there!)

[staffsMike]

My instructor didn't believe in slow starts.. Drove me to the nearest steep hill and told me to get it moving

At the end of that road was a junction..on yet another steep hill.

At the end of the next road.. A busy dual carriage way. So after that it was into the villages for the basics

Just remember..learning to drive isn't really learning to drive. It's learning how to pass the test

[shelley bda]

That's fantastic! you did really well, well done. You'll never forget your first lesson ever after cockpit drill which took about 20 min I drove into the next village on my first lesson, got to third gear dealt with junctions before driving back again and I stalled consistently on lessons ( even when I changed Instructors and was learning in a diesal Car ) was worried that going back to petrol after I passed would be tricky but it hasb't been a problem, apart from when i'm reversing, I forget my petrol Clio needs a bit more gas than my Instructors diesal Corsa

Staffsmike is right, to pass the test your learning absolute basics, the real learning should never stop no matter how long you've held a license for

[kidzer]

Yeah, the car I'm learning in is a Diesel Fiesta, so theres more torque to get it going - ideal for the learner I guess

I'm going to see about getting the theory test done ASAP, so it is out of the way, then I can concentrate on thet actual driving part.

[craigtrap]

Good Look with the lessons!

I am currently a learner too, got my test booked for the 26th November! (which i am really looking forward too)

Had a lesson this morning, i drove myself to work for the first time! But i had to get up earlier than normal, i didnt like that (btw i love sleep) lol

Was fun!

I took my theory test like as soon as i started to learn! Passed easy!! NICE!!

Get it done laddy!!

Good Luck!!

[kidzer]

Update for those who are interested:

I've just had lesson number 5, and its still going well.

Went into Aberdeen on last weeks lesson, around the area around the test center and out the dual carrigeway and back home, he said some very complimentary things about my driving so I can't be doing *that* badly!

Did basic manouvers today, turn in the road a few times and a reverse around a corner, which isn't in the test apparently, which is a shame - 'cause it was easier than a turn in the road!

[craigtrap]

Thats good, you done your theory yet?

I thought that on your test, the examiner chooses which 2 of the 3 manouvers to do...

turn in the road,
reverse around a corner and
parrallel parking...

I dont see that it would be any different for scotland

Ah well anyway, good luck with your driving!!

[kidzer]

Not done it yet, going to swot up on the Highway Code et al over christmas and do it in January/February, no rush to get it done, I'm relativley confident about it also.

[Tumble]

Thats good, you done your theory yet?

I thought that on your test, the examiner chooses which 2 of the 3 manouvers to do...

turn in the road,
reverse around a corner and
parrallel parking...

I dont see that it would be any different for scotland

Ah well anyway, good luck with your driving!!

On the Isle of Man, one has to complete a turn in the road, a parallel park AND reverse into a typical back lane/between 2 walls for at least 3 metres, keeping the motor in the middle of the lane.

[shelley bda]

Thats good, you done your theory yet?

I thought that on your test, the examiner chooses which 2 of the 3 manouvers to do...

turn in the road,
reverse around a corner and
parrallel parking...

I dont see that it would be any different for scotland

Ah well anyway, good luck with your driving!!

You forgot bay park, although this maneouvre is only chosen if the test centre has a car park

I got turn in the road and reverse around a corner. It's a right reverse around a corner that isn't done in the L test, only a left

[Clstrphbc_donut]

For your theory I would definitely reccommend the "Driving Test Success" software!

I used the 2005/2006 one, but there's an updated one for the 50 questions there now are on the test.

The thing I like about it most is when I sat my theory, I came across about 45 questions laid out EXACTLY the same way as my CD-Rom does.

Very good CD, worth digging into your pocket for.

Amazon.co.uk: Driving Test Success All Tests (2006/07 Edition) (PC DVD): Software

[shadowmaster]

Don't bother reading the high way code as it will make you fall .

Just do all the questions on the cd ('driving test success’ as recommended by clstrphbc_dount) and you should have no problems.

The other part of the test is the hazard perception. It’s pretty easy, you need to have reasonably fast reactions, and the pass mark is 44/75, which is not really hard. Just practice it a couple of times on the cd and you will get the hang of it.

[arbitor]

To this day cant belive I passed lol

I dont think I became 100% happy with driving till about 1 year after I passed, I now feel very confident in any car really

Good luck, dont be a fool when you do pass. Been there done that

[Butcher]

You forgot bay park, although this maneouvre is only chosen if the test centre has a car park

I got turn in the road and reverse around a corner. It's a right reverse around a corner that isn't done in the L test, only a left

I got bay park, reverse round corner and turn in the road. So you can get more than 2.

[arbitor]

I got bay, revers, and emergency stop.

[Butcher]

Oh had emergency stop too.