Driving lessons

[allana]

At long last I've sent in an email enquiry about driving lessons. The company's website said nervous drivers welcome, and I definitely fit that category. I'm less than happy with the idea of learning to drive, especially in England. Traffic is crazy here; every day I see appallingly bad driving leading to near-misses and Dave sees at least six crashes a week on the motorway whilst driving to work. This doesn't inspire confidence. I have zero confidence in my vision either, despite being told on Friday that I'm perfectly safe and legal for driving.

However, the longer I leave it, the harder it will get. Already they've introduced yet another new element which wasn't there last year - in addition to the theory/hazard test, you will now be asked at your practical test to identify engine parts and also about car maintenance. Lovely. So, that'll be fun. On the plus side, there's a half-price deal for the first lesson when you book online; so I only need lose £12 to discover whether driving leaves me a nervous wreck or not....

Comments

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

Engine parts and car maintenance? Hmm. I guess that's not bad to know. Good luck with the driving lessons. Learning to do it is nerve-wracking definitely, but like with anything you'll gain confidence as you do it.

[madandy.livejournal.com]

Dude, if I/i> can do it, you can do it. I was so shit-scared of driving I hid from it for ten years. And even though I've got to the stage where I enjoy a long solo drive, I'm still nervous about it if I haven't driven for a while. Trust me Ang - you CAN do it.

As for the engine bits, that's an awful lot easier than you think. Honest!

[madandy.livejournal.com]

*Groan* Obviously not awake yet. Spot the place I fucked up with the closing tag...

[feelforfaith.livejournal.com]

I know what you mean. Passing a driving test (theory and driving) on the first go in Poland is close to impossible. For example during the manouvers in the parking lot, you need to park your car so that there is the same distance on the left and right side. And if you are unlucky to get an overzealous examiner, he will measure it with a ruler, I kid you not.

And since they make money each time you take a test, they are not interested in making it easy on you. So you pay for extra hours and spend them in the parking lot practicing maneuvers with a ruler, at the expense of practicing, you know, actual driving.

I hope your first lesson goes well! Good luck!

[silentinflames.livejournal.com]

I know you will be good, Angela. Learning to drive, especially if you've never tried, can be nerve-wrecking. But after a while you will enjoy it. Try to relax. The fun comes, I promise.

I love driving. Sometimes I even go drive for a while if I'm annoyed at something. Helps me calm down and relax. :D

Engine parts and car maintenance? Not that difficult. They probably make you change a wheel--nothing easier than that, really.

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's not a bad thing; just yet another addendum to the test. By the time I get to take it, I'll have to build a car under exam conditions and then drive that.

[screwthedaisies.livejournal.com]

I came to make a comment and got confused by the two Larses. lol

It could come in handy knowing how to build a car from the ground up starting with pipe cleaners and peanut oil.... My only fear is that you'd get held up on the safety ratings part, which I presume would be where they put an egg in your newly built car and drop it off the top of a building to see if the egg cracks.

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm not so nervous of the engine bits - I should be able to spot most things... it's just that they keep adding to the test every year now :( Still, if I pass then I can drive all over the place and visit all the people and shops that I keep meaning to.... *waves a long list around*

Thanks for the reassurance!!

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

First lesson at 10am tomorrow *wobbles nervously* The instructor sounds really nice, so at least I don't have to worry about that aspect of things. I can't believe that things are so stringent/petty with the driving test in Poland!

[glam-ang.livejournal.com]

I tried before, over 10 years ago (that really makes me sound old. Ugh). The instructor sounds nice, and I feel calmer for having had a good natter to her this afternoon.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Brigitte!