A year back from tomorrow 30th May 2007

I have been learning to drive a year now so for anyone who has only read bits of this long blog here's a brief bit about my lessons and bit's I remember (without reading through this.
I had delayed starting lessons due to my eyesight tryed contact lens but can't stand anything touching my eyes (only tryed them in hope of seeing enough to drive) I eventually found I could see required distance about half of time so got lessons.

1st lesson my instructor tested me on reading a number plate and I thought she would end up telling me I couldn't see required distance so no point having lessons but I did manage to read it 2nd attempt. Far too much talking and only got to start and stop in 1st gear twice. I had 3 lessons in 4 days that 1st week way too keen. 4th lesson I did my 1st junction no where near ready and told I had to stop even if it was safe and ended up stalling a few times cos I was too nervous so my instructor got us past it and I had another go not having to stop as it was safe and managed ok.

I remember my 8th lesson was quite bad think I did most mistakes possible used 3rd gear for 1sy time which went ok did my 1st down hill start well. Used 4th gear 1st time in 10th lesson I think. I was bit nervous about going at 40mph and didn't get much above 30mph, but next lesson I made sure I got up to 40mph wasn't as nervous as I expected. Next I wanted to drive myself home so I had to pass quite busy cross roads with traffic lights which was likely to be on red so I had to get biting point quick when lights changed. 1st time as I went near them they were on red so I slowed right down hoping they would change before I got to them and they did. It was the next lesson when I had to stop at them for 1st time I was nervous as I wasn't sure I'd manage to move off quick enough but did it ok. Next new thing was roundabouts did ok with them and didn't get to drive myself home as I hadn't done right turns at roundabouts and I needed to go right at one to get home I wasn't very happy about that espessially as it was a little empty roundabout not much could go wrong.

Did 1st turn in road well apart from wondering why the car was going forward when it was in reverse. Started going on longer routes soon after did busyer roundabout, took me ages to get used to traffic lights I used to try and judge when they was going to change to green and go as slow as I could up to them in hope they would go to green before I stopped. Started having 2 hour lessons. Did some straight reversing then a 3 week break while my instructor was on holiday. 1st lesson back I did reverse round corner quite well. Then parallel parking which I guessed would go wrong and it did I just couldn't do it I'd end up on kerb almost every time. I have messed up on every manoeuvre at some point but can do all 3 ok now not including bay parking as I never did that with 1st instructor at all.

Went on a 50mph dual carriageway for 1st time and still hadn't used 5th gear, but wanted to so made sure I went over 40mph in 4th to show I was ready. The lesson after I got change to use 5th and was bit nervous as I knew I had to be quick with gears and getting speed up as there are roundabouts every so often so you had to slow down for them I managed to get up to 50mph.

Done plenty of stupid mistakes stalling every place possible even at traffic lights though only twice at one lot never again yet. Rolling back on hills, not checking mirrors nearly caused accident changing lane when not safe though it learnt me to check wing mirrors before changing lane, nearly going up wrong side of road at cross roads, stopping at green light, not stopping at zebra crossing, slamming brakes on at traffic lights, hitting kerb on bends and at 40mph recently, trying to go on roundabout when not safe, coming out of junctions when not safe, stopping at roundabouts and junctions when safe, driving off in neutral, going bit over speed limit a few times, signaling early and late, going round bends and roundabouts in wrong gear, and probably loads more. I've put petrol in now with both instructors with 1st one I put it in quite a few times took me a bit to be able to get right amount in. With current instructor done it once so far and got right amount in.

Finally got theory booked at start of the year but my instructor decided she wasn't going to let me book any more lessons til I'd been to opticians which I was upset about as my eyesight had not changed from my 1st lesson. So no choice I went to opticians and eventually got new glasses. Now I had to decided if I should stay with 1st instructor or go with another as I had posted on a forum asking for instructors in my area and got a reply. Got to say I was close to going back with my 1st one as I didn't have a problem with her and I knew what to expect. I asked the instructor who had replyed on forum if I'd get to drive from home and if 1st lesson would be much talking and decided if it would be like going back to empty roads and first lesson again I wouldn't bother but he replyed saying I could drive from home and that I could have 2 hour lesson for price of one. That is what made me decide to have a lesson with him.

1st lesson with him day of my theory he was very nice talking a lot did go on quiet roads but not same area all lesson so enjoyed it went to Doncaster test centre did eyesight check and passed then he drove me to theory test centre and said I would get full lesson every other lesson. I did wonder if he cut lessons short much but cos I liked him and he said I'd get full lesson time other lessons I decided to stay with him. I have got full lesson time every lesson since plus a bit more so can't complain. There have been odd times when I've wondered if I did right thing changing instructors when he hasn't turned up for lesson but had a good reason though last time he could of let me know. Also when he canceled lessons though I got them the day after of even day before.

Been driving in Doncaster and Worksop when deciding where to take my test. Enjoyed going on A1 in Worksop got up to 70mph. Drove on tram lines in Sheffield which was good. Done bay parking first time went ok but now can't seem to do it and need to learn before next test. Done emergency stops and turn in road seems to be my instructors favorate manoeuvre as I do that most I can do it well though. Had a few 2 and half hour lessons which I like as I'm never ready for a lesson to end. Overall a great instructor have a laugh in lessons and can talk to him and its good he goes on forums like me so something to talk about in lessons. Oh and just to finish with I have failed my 1st test earlier this month 2nd one is booked 22nd June.

26th May 2007 ok lesson bad bay parking

Remembered from last lesson to put car in first before stopping, checked mirrors more, went a different way today on national speed limit roads but was bit narrow so couldn't safely get to speed limit did well on them. Going off roundabouts more and more not enough that I failed my test going up to one but twice today I've been beeped at on them. 1st was as I went to go into left lane to leave one and a car appeared behind and beeped so I had to stay in right lane, instructor asked what lane I should be in and I knew left. 2nd one was misjudging getting on a roundabout and went on making a car slow down. On one road I thought it was a 40mph limit and it was 30mph and passed speed camera and my instructor told me it was 30mph speed limit so quickly slowed down just in time.

Did a good turn in road then bay parking what fun that is, I never thought I'd say this but I prefer parallel park to bay parking now. Well my instructor explained what to do and asked me a few questions about where to look and how fast to go got them right. Start reversing struggling to get clutch in right place my instructor tells me when to turn wheel right and the bays were slightly slanted so couldn't get car straight and hit kerb. I had another go so drove out of bay in neutral car moved a bit then stopped so it was then I relised it should be in first. 2nd go was same but didn't hit kerb. I then drove forward into a bay in front after remembering clutch had to be down to put it into gear. Reversed back into a bay instructor asked which one I was going to get it into I said try for one I've just come out of or more like just see which I end up in. We then tryed another bay to the left this time to the left this went ok just hit kerb again so had to pull forward and correct it. Did an emergency stop need to brake before putting clutch down as the car sped up a bit before I braked and must remember to check over both shoulders when moving off again. Did 2 other turn in roads I can do them well now done that many.

Went to see where new test centre was then had to reverse to get out so I ask which way I'm to reverse my instructor says backwards, I knew that but left or right. My instructor said I did emergency stop at traffic lights again but it was no where near one. Got home exact right time and my instructor relised he didn't have any change so I got to drive him to shop and theres 2 ways that you could get back to my house one very short way like go round a few houses and back or a bit longer way a few streets longer and my instructor didn't say which way so I asked which way right? Hinting that I wanted to go that way (it was the longer way) he said it was upto me so I went the longer way.

21st May 2007 late shorter lesson

Only hour and half today should of been tomorrow for 2 and quarter hours but instructor couldn't make it so today instead and he'd just finished work at place near me so only wanted to do hour and half. Set off with instructor telling me wrong directions so had to change signal twice. Just driving today no manoeuvres. I managed to hit kerb going at 40mph oops, need more mirror checks though can check them enough on tests. I need to put it in 1st just before stopping on hills instead of stopping then going into 1st and needing hand brake, positioning on roundabouts could improve. I stopped at roundabout when safe to go. Stalled at roundabout braking without clutch in. Got bit close to white line once. Went round bend wide cos I was changing down gear and steering at same time. At end I come out of junction when car was coming though managed to get going quick. I stopped at amber light and my instructor said it was an emergency stop but it wasn't I could of stopped much quicker if needed. My speed was better today didn't keep going over speed limit. Due a good lesson. Next lesson Saturday 2 and half hours with bay parking and emergency stop.

15th May 2007 first lesson after test

Started lesson in Rotherham today as I am on a stupid course there so my instructor picked me up there. Had to drive round odd streets to get out on normal road did it ok with instructor telling me which way. I did the roudabout that I failed test on only this time did it right it's awkward one cos to go straight on you need to be in right hand lane then that lane opens out so you stay in left side which is middle lane I didn't know that. A few stupid little mistakes like going slightly over speed limit once or twice. Stopping at roundabout when safe to go, going round little roundabout in 1st gear when could of done it in 2nd. Going on roundabout when not safe (well it was but cars came round fast) so had to stop. Bit hard on brakes a few times nothing like I used to be though. Hit kerb on 2 differnt bends one not steering quick enough other steering too quick. Over yook a bike on solid white line, my instructor asked where shouldn't I over take and hinted pointing to white line. Went bit wrong steering up to roundabout instructors words was "you're all over bloody place" in a nice way. The worst mistake was a first time one and hopefully last time, going throught red light I was waiting to turn left at junction and a car let me out I checked it was safe and it was and I didn't notice the traffic lights cos they were as son as I got round bend not where you would expect them. Wow what a bad lesson on the positive side I did get some things right. We needed petrol and I put it in this time (1st time with this instructor) other 2 times my instructor did it. I got it exact right. Did a great turn in road. Did dual carriageways well (I like them ever want me to have good lesson get me on dual carriageway all lesson) On way home my instructor expected me to go round a corner wide and said crash but went very quiet when I stated that I hadn't gone over white line.

9th May 2007 good lesson bad test

Lesson before test went well I remembered mirror checks did good parallel park, revese round corner was god considering there was a car parked round corner so on test I would of got a different corner but instructor said do it just to practice did that well just would of straightened up more if I had room. Turn in road I put car into reverse to start with instructor had to tell me about it other than that did that well. We got petrol in and tested lights on car one head light wasn't working so instructor got another put in. I set off in neutral down hill for first time ever.

Got to test centre admitted I was nervous read few number plates for my instructor we then stood outside talking a bit about test he told me to stop worrying over what would fail me on test and concentrate on whatever was in front of me. Examiners came in and got me to sign test sheet and check my provisional. Outside eyesight check went well read it first time mite of helped as it was one my instructor tested me on before test. Show me tell me was how do you check tyres are safe and how do you check hand brake works got both them right. Very nervous but had nice woman examiner who told me to relax and take my time. Moved off good timing as there was gap in traffic and I had time to signal and get out without slowing anyone down. First left turn did that well then a roundabout 3 lanes left and right and middle for straight on. I was told go straight on so needed to be in middle lane but it was busy so instead of deciding to go left instead I check mirrors signal and go to middle lane only when other cars were passing so examiner grabbed wheel I knew then that I'd failed and said to examiner "I've failed haven't I?" She didn't answer but I knew I had but forced myself to carry on I was struggling to not cry. Got turn in road which after a minute calming down didn't go great but managed it in 5 turns and there was cars waiting to pass so knew I had to be quick or I'd be marked down for holding them up. Got reverse round corner which was my other fail marked serious, I'm not sure about this but examiner said at end that when she told me to pull up on left before junction I slowed down signaled and stopped causing a car behind to slow down. The reverse round corner was good just one minor for going slightly wide. Another minor was gears which I think the examiner was partly to blame as she told me to turn left a bit late so I didn't have time to change from 3rd to 2nd I am not one to blame other people for my mistakes and I accept full responsibility for the fail. It was a stupid mistake but at least it was a fail that should be a fail unlike some mistakes that can lead to fails. Had a lovely examiner no idea of her name though she told me I was far too nervous to hear it. My instructor was great after the test saying there are a lot of positive things about it. 2nd test 22nd June at 11.21 I am not even thinking about passing now til I am told that I've passed as I got my hopes up too much for 1st test and that could be why I was so nervous.

7th May 2007 last lesson before test day 2 days away

Need to check mirrors more must remember them on Wednesday. Did 2 reverse round corners 1st one great 2nd one god but looked in left wing mirror bit to much my instructor must be fed up of telling me about that. Parallel park was good slightly wide off kerb though but would of passed on my test. Turn in road went well. Did 2 emergency stops in 3rd gear don't think my instructor is keen on how hard I brake as he said I was to do an emergency stop without breaking our necks or anything. Both went well.

Definately need more mirror checks just think mirror mirror mirror for 40 minutes and I'll not fail for them. I stalled once today at a queue of traffic going onto a roundabout I rushed getting biting point and let clutch up too high. I have been getting biting point on hills without using hand brake and managed to hold biting point at traffic lights though could of used hand brake as I was waiting a bit (only about 10 seconds) on test I will use hand brake to be on safe side. I got gears wrong once or twice but nothing major. I got out of a junction when my instructor said I should of waited but did it without the other car slowing down. Positioning at roundabouts could do with being more to left for left turns. Need to watch my speed a few times it kept going slightly over the speed limit. I hope to get turn in road on my test and I did want reverse round corner but I'm not that bothered now as on reverse round corner I seem to look in left mirror too much and could fail so as long as I get turn in road I'm happy if not then hard luck. I can do all 3 ok now.

Next posting will be after my 1st test my instructor picking me up at 8.30 to 8.45 so just over hour and half lesson before test. Done over 2 and half hour lesson today and still could of done more so should be ok.

5th May 2007 good lesson at last

Set off well no mistakes checked mirrors more though could do with few more checks. The odd gear fault not changing down for a roundabout once. instructor had to tell me to wait at junction again looked right it was clear didn't check left.

Did 2 turn in roads both went well and my best ever reverse round corner. Spun car round at end of road dead end like shape of a mini roundabout. Had few minutes break there. Probably the most mistakes or where my instructor was helping most was in car park at asda I did forward bay park but wasn't straight so getting out was bit awkward.

Getting better at getting out of junctions and roundabouts now. Think it all depend how I drive on my test if I pass or not I can drive to test standard just sometimes do stupid mistakes. I think I will do pass plus once I pass as I want to get more experience and enjoy lessons with my instructor and not been with him that long so he's not getting rid of me yet. Lesson tomorrow will be best and worst manoeuvre emergency stop and parallel park whick hasn't gone too bad lately. I'll probably mess it up now I said that.

3rd May 2007 bad mock test 6 days to go

The drive to test centre was good well probably not enough mirror checks and did a roundabout in 3rd.

Got to test centre did eyesight test read the wrong number plate correctly instructors response was something like well you read it perfect just the bloody wrong one. I read the right one after and got that right. Show me tell me was same as last time I think the how you check tyres are safe and how you check brake lights when on your own. Hope I get them on my actual test. Set off was going to do emergency stop but didn't get chance. Not enough mirror checks.

Pulled up for reverse round corner should of said that there wasn't enough room as a car was parked roun the corner but thought I had enough room. Put it in 1st gear instead of reverse had to change it, got to the corner steering round it and a car come up behind wanting to pass so had to start again. Went bit wide and cos of the parked car didn't have room to straighten up. Had another go at different corner which again went a bit wide and for some stupid reason didn't straighten up fuly. My instructor keeps telling me not to look in left wing mirror as much when doing this manoeuvre.

I come round a corner in 3rd gear but relised and changed to 2nd quick. Went round corner and there was learner and a bus behind them my instructor had to tell me to be careful. He said afterwards that he could tell by my face I knew I'd messed up. I didn't look left on at one junction left turn and car was passing soI had to slow down.

Overall I got 2 serious one of which I saw less than half way through but carried on for practice and wasn't over bothered as it was a mock test if it had been the proper test I think I would of struggled to carry on.
1st serious for 1st reverse round corner cos of that car being parked I couldn't straighten up. 2nd serious for not looking left at junction.
10 minors
2 for use of mirrors when signaling and changing direction (think it should of been more)
2 for signals when necessary and correctly
3 for turning left was too far from kerb
1 for turning right
2 for driving too near middle of road.

Well at least not as many minors as first time glad it wasn't my actual test today.

My instructor drove me home demonstrating what to do when driving wasn't over pleased about it but the time will be added on to next lesson and again the lesson after so I've missed out on 30 minutes of driving and getting extra hour so works out at free 30 minutes so can't complain. My instructor did al 3 manoeuvres he told me not to look so dissapointed when he did reverse round corner and wasn't too far from kerb (I didn't mean to) On parallel park he was bit further from kerb. On way back he squeased past a bus and only just had enough room so jokingly said people would be thinking it was my fault thinking he was the learner, so I say I could of dualled him he says yes and you would of been walking home.