28th November 2006 36th Driving lesson

Started the lesson quite well, more confident in getting out at roundabouts and junctions positioning on roundabouts was better today. I need to remember to make sure signal is off after I finish turning as it doesn't always turn itself off and I forget its still on and guess what else I need to improve on ..... Yes mirror checks as usual.

I had a go at parallel parking the one manoeuvre I thought I would struggle with most and I was right. First attempt I reverse back turn wheel left and stop to check it then turn wheel right and end up to near middle of road so have to turn left then right again still not positioned great. (I am not keen on this manoeuver) Second attempt was bit better but I was looking out side back window cos I was worried about hitting the other car when turning when I should of been looking back. Third attempt was ok ish. I did reverse round corner which I told my instructor that I liked this better than parallel parking. I need to do more observations while doing this manoeuvre and keep car slower I left turning bit late but corrected it ok. I sometimes rev too much I know its the clutch that moves car on manoeuvres but its hard to look back and keep your right foot still.

I went on dual carriageway 5th gear again gears was a bit rushed and I sometimes forget to come off gas when changing gear and put too much gas on when setting off. I actually managed to set off from a junction in second gear as I forgot to change down to 1st after stopping my instructor reminded me but by that time I had already set off and needed to steer so left it and the car never stalled. (saves messing with changing gears) Had few tests at reading number plates which didn't go great though I read some of parts of them I will pass eyesight test somehow. The last half hour wasn't great I had to keep being told to slow down or speed up I actually ended up at 35mph in a 30mph zone. How are you meant to watch the road in front and keep checking stupid mirrors AND know the exact speed you are going at?

21st November 2006 35th Driving lesson

Ok I am finally feeling like I am getting somewhere .. slowly. I want to be ready for my test soon still. Another good lesson today actually feel that I can pick out certain things that I need to improve on and other things that I can do well at last. First my instructor tests me on reading a number plate which I already knew and could just make it out maybe cos I knew it tho did admit it.

Things I need to improve on. Mirror checks the most common problem since lesson one and I still forget I still hate them I just can't check them enough and can't see point in checking them as often STILL. Second most common problem positioning mainly at roundabouts still look left too long and end up in middle of road. The other things include speed I sometimes go to fast up to junctions or roundabouts and gears sometimes rush them. The other thing I will add here is need to improve on reverse round corner tho today I did ok.

Another number plate test which was probably no where near required distance as I read it easily. First maneouver as usual reverse round corner I did observations well kept car slower the only thing I struggled with was the turning round the bend went bit wide but managed to correct it and straighten up ok. One of the better attempts. Turn in road I don't want to jinx myself by saying I am great at it, but today I did it and my instructor didn't say anything I did it on my own with no help (felt odd not being told anything)

Another number plate test which was hopefully slightly further than required distance which I could only just read. Went on dual carriageway 5th gear again slightly rushed with gears.

My instructor tells me I will be doing paralelle parking next lesson.

14th November 2006 34th Driving lesson

Been due a good lesson for a bit now and this was it still the odd minor mistakes but over all a good lesson. One and half hour lesson today. Set off well checking mirrors more, braking gently, slowing down when needed without being told (at last I CAN drive for now) Still need to practice positioning on roundabouts I still look right too long and end up too near middle of road. I can decide if its safe to go at junctions and roundabouts and get away quicker.

First maneouver reverse round corner, had to keep stopping for other cars passing and people crossing, thats my excuse for messing it up totally the first time. I didn't turn wheel enough and ended up in middle of road then got it to the left and couldn't straighten up quick enough and hit kerb. Second one was a lot better and I managed it well, that was cos no other cars came making me stop. My turn in road was quite good the only mistake was stopping bit too early on first bit but I still managed to get round in 3 turns and had another go which was better (begining to like turn in road a bit now)

Went on dual carriageway used 5th gear bit more this lesson I again once put it in 3rd instead of 5th its hard to get it in 5th (my excuse) I also moved off in 2nd gear. I came to junction in 2nd and stopped forgetting to put it in 1st gear and moved off. My instructor reminded me I should be in 1st so I changed but the car actually moved in 2nd without stalling (odd)

I hate stopping on hills with traffic lights at top don't know why as I've always coped well with them but theres one I rolled back on the first time I did it and nearly went up wrong side of road at top cos to go straight on you actually have to steer bit to left as if you keep straight you end up on right hand side of road. Maybe thats why I don't like it but never had major problem with it yet.

A few times changing gears I didn't come off gas so engine reved too much and on one corner I left changing to 2nd too late so ended up changing gear while steering round corner. At end of lesson My instructor tested me on reading number plate which was bit too far for me to read I told her it was too much of an angle (best excuse ever it was at oppersite side of road to us) so we got out and I still couldnt (still at same angle but truthfully it was probably too far away) My instructor tested me on another closer one which I read. She said could be cos yellow ones seem easier to read. I think its probably cos the yellow one was closer.

7th November 2006 33rd Driving lesson

As soon as I get in the car my instructor tests me reading a number plate which is too far for me to read (great start ... not) I set off and stop at junction and my instructor tests me on another number plate which I can read. Mirror checks would of been none existing this lesson if my instructor hadn't kept reminding me (still hate mirrors there is enough to do and watch for without them) My instructor asked me what I though were the main things I need to improve on straight away I answered positioning in the road, braking too hard and not enough mirror checks, she agreed. My gear changes were better this lesson. I relised I should of been using a bus lane which I have used many times before no idea why today I nearly didn't use it so I swerve left to get in it without checking mirrors like I should of (hate mirrors.)

My first maneouver was reverse round corner, my positioning was good , but I didn't check round enough and went bit too fast as always. My turn in road was quite good I did first one good then second one forgot blind spot check so instructor stopped me and asked what I forgot I remembered and told her. I start again making sure to do blind spot check, set off bit too fast but for first time I manage to slow it down and not end up rushing and braking too hard like I normally do. On the reverse bit I stop bit to soon and have to reverse bit more. Overall I am quite good at turn in road now. (watch me mess it up next lesson now I said that well I was good at it this lesson at least)

We went on the dual carriageway again and I was more relaxed and not so desperate to get to 5th I told myself just drive get speed up if I go above 40mph use 5th if not then doesn't matter. I did end up getting to use 5th and got up to 50mph which is max speed limit. The second time I got above 40mph I put it in 3rd instead of 5th the first time I have ever put it in wrong gear, my instructor told me it was in 3rd so I went straight to 5th.

I come to zebra crossing and people are waiting to cross I don't see them so my instructor stops me, I get ready to go again but some one else decides to cros so I have to stop and end up stalling, start up again and stall again, finally I manage to move off. I later stalled at a roundabout only once this time. My instructor gets me to park at side of the road and tests me on reading a number plate but the sun is shining on it so can't read it so I'm told to move past a drive way and pull up to be tested on another I make sure I get as close enough just to be able to read it like the futhest back posible but so I can read it and got to say did it exactly right distance slightly hard on brakes but that was to make sure I didn't get to close but close enough to read it I read it all correctly and my instructor said it was around the required distance (hope its not any further away than I was)