25th February 2007 3rd lesson with new instructor

Instructor 10 minutes early today but I was ready. Went to Doncaster today another quite good lesson yet again I know I still didn't check mirrors enough ggrrrr I HATE them I MUST remember to check them more or I'm going to end up failing my test for not checking them enough and I would hate that to happen. A few minor steering faults think I'm going to take test in Rotherham as Doncaster has a few odd roads where I don't think I'd know which lane to be in and I know Rotherham more. No point taking test in Worksop just cos I enjoyed driving on the A1 yesterday I mite not get that on my test and instead get the junctions that are close together. Rotherham has quite a few dual carriageways which I like though lower speed limits which could help as there is less to think of like 5th gear and slowing down enough and stuff.

I did bay parking did quite well for first time, though my first time at turn in road and reverse round corner went quite well then got worse before getting better again. My instructor said I'll be doing parallel parking next lesson which I'm glad about as it is the manoeuvre I need most practice on I still hate it but will hate it even more if it causes me to fail my test (hope I don't get it on the test)

I'm learning to look for speed limit signs now went through amber light first time today but I was right to do so as it went to amber as I was passing the stop line and I wasn't driving too fast I wouldn't of been able to stop before the line. Next lesson next Sunday which will be the have driven in a day 4 hours 2 lessons of 2 hours with 2 hour break in middle. Looking forward to it, hopefully I will prove its not too much for me like I have proved 2 hours is not too long.

24th February 2007 2nd lesson with new instructor

First Saturday lesson. Instructor was 15 minutes early so wasn't quite ready. We went to Worksop today as I am trying to decide where to take my test, Worksop, Doncaster or Rotherham. I have had my lessons in Rotherham so far so probably will take it there. Worksop seems to have quite a lot of junctions close together which could cause me to fail. We went on the A1 which I enjoyed and thought the speed limit was 60mph as there was a national speed limit sign so trying to keep it at 60mph not going over I ask my instructor where the speed limit is 70mph he answers here so I easily get up to 70mph for first time and don't feel at all nervous. I managed to do 60mph quite a few times aswell. I enjoy driving on dual carriageways especially with higher speed limits. I managed to get through a quite narrow gap past a car and pavement at some traffic filter lights, I stopped as I didn't think there was room but my instructor told me to have a go at getting through and managed it well.

I did turn in road which was slightly fast but did ok just need to get used to going slow on manoeuvres in the different car. I will be doing bay parking tomorrow for first time. I asked my instructor when he thinks I will be ready for the practical and he said I can book it when ever I want now so when I decide where to take the test I'll book it. Of course as with every lesson there was a few mistakes the main one being looking in the mirror too long and not noticing a bend so my instructor ended up steering round it, not checking mirrors enough and positioning at roundabouts. I had to slam brakes on at some traffic lights turning red I could do with noticing which lane I should be in a bit more. Overall good lesson and proved to myself that 2 hours is not too long well it was actually 2 hours 15 minutes so quite good. Next lesson tomorrow we are going to Doncaster and doing bay parking. Hopefully then mite be booking my first practical test.

20th February 2007 1st lesson with new instructor and theory

I sort of expected to do a few daft mistakes with it being 3 week since I last drove and in a new car, but it went quite well. New instructor came and I drove from home mostly quiet roads with higher speed limits so got up to nearly 60mph. Instructor was nice and we talked for most of lesson and I managed to concentrate aswell as talking. Well probably hardly checked mirrors again, but got to say I enjoyed it as my instructor wasn't constantly telling me everything to do as much as my other did. He said my main problem is I sometimes go round corners too wide.

I had a drive round Doncaster area as I was being dropped off there for theory. I was shown the test centre and managed to read 2 number plates from where you get tested on the test and the first one I managed to read was slightly further than you get asked on the test so my eyesight is finally good enough to drive which I am delighted about.

I did turn in road quite well apart from could of observed more and gone bit further back on reverse bit. Had about hour and half driving in 2 hour lesson but instructor said it was cos he always drives people the last bit of the way to the theory test centre cos it was hard roads to drive on. I wanted to drive and feel confident on all roads he made it clear it was nothing to do with how I had driven and that I will drive for full 2 hours every other lesson. Can't complain too much as I only paid for one hour and got it cheap. He said I can be booking my practical soon and I finally believe that I will pass eyesight test without having to cheat though wont hurt memorising a few number plates just in case nerves affect my eyesight or anything.

Theory test multi choice questions I knew most and guessed the others first time round there seemed quite a few I wasn't sure of so paniced a bit, but went over them with what time I had left and there seemed less that I wasn't sure of. Hazard perception was ok though I'd had enough near end had to remind myself to keep watching and clicking. Got results straight away and PASSED with 32 out of 35 on multi choice and 50 out of 75 for hazard perception.
One of the questions on multi choice was stupid cos only people with their own car would know unless told.

It was when would you show your insurance certificate 2 answers to be marked here, possible answers was:
When told to do so by the police,
when getting your car MOT,
when taking the practical test,
when getting your car taxed.


I knew one had to be when told to do so by police but how the hell should I know the other? I guessed when taking practical test but it was wrong the other answer is when getting your car taxed.

I can see far enough to drive.

Well got my new glasses Saturday and tested my eyesight with them today and so far so good I probably will manage to read the number plate on the test at least when measured if not before. Can't see any difference between wearing the new and old glasses but there must be a slight difference as I can see number plates at least a bit better. I'm so happy.

Lesson booked new instructor

Well got a lesson booked with a new instructor Tuesday 10am 2 hours for price of 1 to see how I get on with him. Then I've got my theory so will be posting about both after theory.

New glasses

Been for the consultation at laser clinic got through 3 tests of many. First test was like they use at opticians look into a screen thing one eye then other. Then the woman told me the machine was going to blow air into my eye this was the worst bit, I had to open my eye wide and then felt the air like someone blowing hard into your eye 4 times each eye very hard to keep your eye open wide when you know whats coming I ended up blinking to much but got it done in the end. Next was I think to measure pupil in the dark with infa red which was not too bad as nothing went in your eye or near it you just had to open your eyes wide and look at red light. Next was similar to opticians except smaller letters and only 3 rows I had already said the reason I wanted laser was in hope of seeing well enough to drive. Because my vision with glasses is boarder line in seeing the required distance I was advised not to have laser as it could make me below the legal requirement for driving (at one time I wished my eyesight was a definate yes or no for driving but now I'd rather it be boader line than definate no) I was tested on reading the letters in front of me with various lenses and could just manage to read one letter from the 3rd (bottom) line which I was told was the line which was used to test if people could see well enough to drive. So I am getting the new glasses when they are ready and continuing with driving as planned (I already decided I would still carry on with driving) Hoping to book next lesson tomorrow at latest can't wait to get started again.

Been to the opticians

Went to opticians this morning and there isn't anything they can do to make my vision better than it is now with glasses bit upseting though I already guessed. I am now looking into different laser treatments as some give you perfect vision. No idea when I will be driving again but I am still determined I will be driving soon. Theory on 20th of February that will probably be the next update and I'll put what is happening about lessons if anything.

Well next update will be the 13th February I have got a consultation at optimax to see if I can have laser treatment I'm in two minds about this one if I have it I should easily see far enough to drive. Two the though of having it done and the messing about you have afterwards worries me and I don't know the full details yet. Need drops in your eyes every few hours (not sure about at night. You need to wear goggles at night so you don't rub your eyes while asleep. They put a contact lens in your eye then take it out few days later (I hate anything touching my eye) While having treatment your eye is numb so you shouldn't feel anything but afterwards it stings. To top it off I made the mistake of looking at picture of what they do and to put it mildly it horrified me. I will have it done though if I am suitable for it as it wil be worth it in long run even if it is just for driving and most people see an improvement in their sight the same day which is good.