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.