28th July 2007 dual carrigeway good lesson

Did quite a few dual carriageways today which explains the good lesson. My instructor thinks I'll definatly pass my next test (hope he's right then he will do a jig though he hopes I forget to make him but I'll remember) Well usual things to improve on speed and mirrors. Last part of lesson my instructor told me to work on not going over limit and he said I did well only going over slightly once or twice. Getting better at deciding when to go when there is parked cars though held back once when I could of gone.

Practiced bay parking in test centre car park 1st one to the right which apart from going a bit fast I some how did it well no idea how pure luck. Next to the left which was a bit fast and ended up over white line tryed again and managed to park well this time. Another one to the right went slower and managed to get in ok again lucky. I do a parallel park which my instructor says he isn't helping me with as I don't need help I get the turn left in ok then start to turn right bit soon so my instructor tells me when and I park quite well.

I had to remind my instructor lesson shouldn't finish til 3.30 as he thought it should of been 3 o clock and was nearly home dor 3 til I reminded him. I then joke about why can't he ever think lesson should end later than it should. So we have another drive round. On way back traffic lights turn to amber when I'm quite close and I slam brakes on and make sure I don't go over stop line. Cos I've got a letter from police over going through red light day before my 3rd test and it was amber light so made sure it couldn't happen again. I would of probably carried on if it wasn't for remembering the letter as it was full emergency stop. Back home my instructor has no change so we end up walking to the shop for some no idea why I couldn't drive there instructor being awkward oh well wasn't that far and I did ask to drive there, but he said I can if he forgets change again.

23rd July 2007 hard but ok mock test

Had mock test today or yesterday as I'm bit late updating this. Started it as soon as lesson started though only the driving bit as my instructor said no need for eyesight as I've obviously got good enough eyesight of I wouldn't of had 3 tests. Also done all show me tell me questions on an earlyer lesson. 1st roundabout I'm told to go left 1st exit so I signal left and move with traffic and my instructor asks what lane I should be in. I relise I'm in middle lane and should be in left lane so move over. Soon I'm told to take next left and see the narrowest uphill road ever and have to ask if he means that one and he says yes so I manage to get up it ok its only just wide enough for 1 car. I brake bit hard a few times at junctions. Speed and mirrors are ok for once. I stalled at a roundabout but know you don't always fail for stalling and moved off ok after. Went on quite a few roads with speed bumps managed that ok but went bit fast over last few.

Manoeuvres where parallel park which went wrong with me on the kerb then at end did turn in road which went well again it's the only one I can do every time. reverse round corner most of time ok. parallel park hate it can do it ok sometimes and bay park bit better than parallel but not great. Well result fail cos of parallel park and my instructor said when I moved off from somewhere I made a car slow down which I didn't notice. He said I still try to push through gaps when cars are parked though I did hold back a few times aswell.

First thing after mock test was turn in road again as we was at dead end my instructor said he wasn't even watching this as he knows I can do it well (must be good) Had drive round then parked up at side of road and my instructor tells me to swap seats with him, I ask why and he gives me a funny look and says its only so he can show me parallel park and says he will have to get a crow bar to get me out of driving seat. After he's shown me how to do it I have a go and leave turning right bit long so instructor tells me to do full lock to right and I manage it well. My instructor looked so pleased but said he's determined we will practice it more next lesson so most of lesson will be parallel parking or how ever long it takes. Lesson after that will be in Barnsley as my instructor is going to take me on roads where there is cars parked on both sides so I have to decide if I should wait or go.

21st July 2007 good lesson

Mirrors and speed main things as usual put enough about both by now. Got bit close to right hand lane on roundabout so instructor had to steer away a bit. Also instructor had to slam brakes on cos of another driver about to enter roundabout in front of me though he made it clear that wasn't my fault.

Had to stop at barriers for train passing then did bay parking first on I turned bit late so ended up over white line on my side, had another go and parked well this time. Did parallel park aswell which went ok though was bit wide so had to reverse back bit more then forward to get closer to kerb. Overall good lesson.

19th July 2007 goodish lesson great turn in road

Ok bit late updating this. Set off had to get through narrow gap and ended up getting slightly close to right and knocked right wing mirror so had to pull up to put it right again. Did mainly roundabouts most was ok exept one where I went bit near right hand lane that a car was in so my instructor had to grab wheel. Stuck in traffic a bit my instructor didn't trust me here though as we was on a hill going upwards and I was getting biting poing without hand brake as I can do it ok and my instructor was ready to put hand brake on before I had chance to move forwards or roll back, did ok though. Also was coming off roundabout and had to stop as cars in front had stopped and I was braking and my instructor went for brakes but I told him I beat him to it. He said he shouldn't have to go for brake but I tell him he didn't have to cos I was braking and he couldn't argue with that. Coming up to traffic lights they change to amber I try to stop but realise too close so carry on as I would of been over stop line. Speeding a few times in 30 limit. Also a first time mistake I stopped car using hand brake probably cos I was talking to instructor and not concentrating fully before he could say anything I told him I know.

Did 2 turn in roads well 1st one was at dead end did that well. Later my instructor tells me to do turn in road on very narrow road and says its narrow and he will be pleased if I manage it. He says if I can do it on this road I can do it on any. Got to say I wanted to do this well so much I was bit nervous as cars were waiting to pass but couldn't til I'd done as no room but I managed it in 5 turns very pleased.

15th July 2007 another good lesson and parking

Why is it after good lessons theres not as much to write about? I think speed was the main thing this lesson and parking as everything else seemed to go quite well well no doubt could do with more mirror checks. Speed went slightly over a few times my instructor told me once or twice even once when I was doing 31mph in a 30. Missed seeing a few speed signs and my instructor asked me what speed was a few times. Stopped bit far out of one junction then made car slow down as I pulled out. Had to drive through big puddle again which I did well. My instructor decided to get me to drive up a very steep hill which I needed 1st gear to get up so ended up stalling at bottom messing with gears so started car up again and managed to get up it well though slightly fast though it was cos I was making sure I had enough power on to get up it.

Did bay park to the left a few times lost count how many but one was bit wonkey as I straightened up bit soon, needed more observations hit kerb on one and did last one well. Then tryed to bay park to the right 1st one totally wrong missed bay I was ment to be parking in had to try for one next to it parked over white line. 2nd go I managed ok though slightly wonkey but instructor said would of been ok on test as not on white lines.
Parallel park 1st one went like one of my first attepts as in would of ended up on kerb as I left steering right too late. 2nd and 3rd attempt my instructor told me when to turn right and I managed it ok. Also did my best manoeuvre turn in road love that one... Yes it went well.

Practiced the show me tell me questions then had to do another turn in road type thing in area where you can park cars to get out which went well.

13th July 2007 good wet lesson

Instructor parked in bay park space forwards meaning I had to reverse out to the left steered left bit soon so had to steer right then left again. Raining nearly all lesson, did quite well today was quite busy to start with so clutch control in slow moving traffic bit hard on brake a few times. Went on dual carriageway got up to 70mph. Junctions and roundabouts no problems. Instructor mentioned I need to check right wing mirror after checking inside mirror before signaling to go right, managed to remember that longer than I expected.

Did parallel park 3 times all went better than expected. 1st one did totally on my own (instructor in car watching of course) did ok but bit far from kerb 2nd one instructor told me when to turn right and did that well. 3rd one again bit far from kerb. Did reverse round corner on sharp corner did that ok tho went bit wide but corrected it and saw another car bit late. Turn in road went well though did risk hitting kerb on last bit but managed not to but on test I would of done it in 5 turns, just with it being on lesson and 1st time my new instructor seen me do it I wanted to manage it in 3. Next was emergency stop my instructor tells me he will tell me to stop in emergency soon, but wont say what road and the next few roads we go on arn't long enough to get speed over 20mph so I had no idea when to expect it. When he says stop I'm doing around 20+mph and slam brakes on quite well he then asks me what to do before moving off again I remember check over both shoulders.

I had to drive through some water on road big puddle full width of road so had to drive slowly through it first time I've done that.

11th July 2007 first lesson with 3rd instructor

Well as the title says I have got a new instructor as my other one is retiring at end of this month disappointed but new instructor seems nice enough just a matter of getting used to him and the new car, can't fault how he was with me.

Started lesson struggled with the new car at first reving a bit much and braking bit hard and stopped bit far forward at a junction so my instructor decided to drive me to quiet road to get used to the car which was bit disappointing but had to admit I was struggling and he added the time on at end so still had full 2 hours driving. On quiet road I'm back in driving seat set off ok now my instructoe tells me about not getting too close to car in front should be able to see the cars wheels and bit of road under them when in queue of traffic. Gears are odd in the new car, need a lower gear than I'm used to for certain speeds like 20mph in the other instructors car I could go slightly under 20mph and get speed back up easy in 3rd in this new car normally need to stay in 2nd til you are doing over 20mph and even faster uphill. Went into Barnsley and Sheffield. Need to check mirrors more as usual the only problem I have almost every lesson though do remember to check them when signalling usually and changing lane. Had to be stopped once going on roundabout when not safe. Steering on odd bend could be better. Still watching my speed went over slightly once or twice. Forgot to cancel signal a few times as you can't hear it clicking so nothing to remind you it doesn't cancel itself. Did a straight reverse as had to go back way we come as it was dead end so went round left turn and reversed back and went back up the road.

6th July test 3

Instructor has decided he is retiring at end of this month so not best way to go into test but had to get on with it. Lesson before test went quite well considering the added presure and bad lessons I've had lately. Checked mirrors enough not too near white line didn't speed. Main error was on reverse round corner looking in left wing mirror too much and hit kerb through it. My instructor pointed at it as in telling me not to, near test centre I did parallel park again was looking in left wing mirror too much so my instructor positioned it upwards so I couldn't use it. Did it ok then. Did a good bay park then on 2nd 1 needed to correct it a bit but managed ok.

I was last one to go for test as my examiner was on phone, did eyesight 2nd go got tell me question how much tread should tyres have and probably the easyest show me question possible how to use the horn. Both them fine. Bay park straight away did it to the left as I had choice and only done it to right once or twice wouldnt be sure when to steer. Went ok but bit over white line so went forward to correct it and parked ok. Drove well exept for not waiting for car to pass as there were cars on my side and car coming towards me I thought there was rom to get through but examiner didn't agree and moved wheel left more. Straight after that I did turn in road in 5 turns no minors at all for that. Went on a few national speed limit roads didn't get much above 40mph though only got minors for that. Back at test centre I can't park straight in a bay going forwards so end up over white line. I guessed I'd probably failed for the bit examiner grabbed wheel but saw P ticked on marking sheet and thought it was a pass so disappointed my instructor came out I told him failed for one thing he thought it was for how I'd parked car in bay at end but told him what it was for. Also told him I went bit slow in places.

I'm now waiting to hear from my instructor about if he will take me for next test he told me to book 17th August as that was earlyest one. But he is deciding over weekend if he will take me as he was planning to retire. I've got a few instructors who I may get lessons with if needed but hoping not to need to.

5th July 2007 could of been better lesson day before test

Raining all lesson need to react to things bit sooner in rain. Mirror checks not too bad for me though probably could do with few more. Main mistake not reacting to junction nearly went over give way line so instructor tells me to stop and brakes I just go for brake then remember clutch just in time. In 40 zone doing 40 traffic lights go to amber I decide to try and stop then relise not going to be able to stop before line even with emergency stop so carry on, my instructor tells me I was speeding as with it being wet I should go slightly under speed limit. At some other traffic lights down hill that change to red so have to more of less do emergency stop at them.

Do revese round corner go too wide 1st time over white line then straighten up ok was looking in left wing mirror too much. 2nd time do it ok which I'm glad about as last few goes have gone wrong. Did parallel park 1st time I was rushing a bit as the owner of car I was using got in waiting to move, I was too far from kerb and couldn't straighten up. 2nd time was better though bit far from kerb cos I turn right too much. Did turn in road I love this manoueuvre can do it almost every time. I thought I was going to end up hitting kerb on last bit but somehow managed not to.

I told my instructor he needed petrol and asked to put it in for him at first he said no but as we was back bit early he decided to let me and sent me in to pay for it first time I've been in to pay for it. I asked to do emergency stop my instructor said I'd already done 2, I corrected him said one he said ok one and half. At end I did get to do one in 2nd gear just forgot to look over both shoulders when moving off again. Also forgot a blind spot check. My instructor told me about speeding doing 35 in a 30 then told me again when I wasn't I was doing exactly 30.

3rd July 2007 2nd lesson night time

My first drive in dark loved it though my instructor didn't seem to but he wasn't keen on idea to start with. Lesson started as it was getting dark went similar way to lesson this afternoon. On some lanes which was good I was doing 40mph and my instructor asked me if I'd seen a 40 sign further back as he had missed it I tell him there was one. It's bit harder seeing things at right time in dark I was bit slow seeing few speed signs but apart from that I didn't speed though was going bit fast on some bends which was on a 60mph road but should of been going slower for bends. Got bit close to white line once when lorry was coming other way. No emergency stop though I did ask. Went on quite a few 60mph roads lanes used 5th gear. Went on A1 my instructor said we was going onto the A1 I said oh good he argued not good at all, probably didn't think doing a lesson that late was at all good lol. Got home he asked how much I was giving him so I said 30p he didn't find it amusing though knew I was joking, I gave him £20 which is £2 more than usual hour though I'm not that bothered as I've had more that £2 worth of extra time last week alone.

3rd July 2007 2 lessons today day lesson

Had my 1st lesson which was usual 2 hours. Went a different way today on quite a few national speed limit roads which is always easy enough used 5th gear got up to 60mph no problem. Still need to watch my speed in places and my instructor told me about passing a 40 sign doing 50mph though I was slowing down. I told him I would not be failing my test again for speeding and I will be making sure I don't unless I am 100% sure the speed limit is higher I will be doing 30mph got to stage where I'd rather fail for going too slow than speeding, of course I don't want to fail for anything. Another thing is being too close to white line 2 lessons now that has come up. Nearly went on roundabout when not safe though stopped in time. A idiot car pulled out in front of me from junction though I managed to brake quick enough my instructor didn't even go for brake cos I was on it though he usually goes for it aswell in situations like this. Was told to go straight on at roundabout and thought it was 2nd exit but it was 1st exit so had to go round again.

Did reverse round corner went bit wide but managed to straighten up and didn't look in left wing mirror too much. Did good turn in road I hope to get these two manoevres on test Friday turn in road one I want most.

Nearly set off in 2nd gear on entering roundabout but relised and changed to 1st and tryed to set off in 3rd at traffic lights though relised when car wasn't moving and changed to 1st before it stalled. Instructor says my mirror work is improving and need to concentrate on not speeding and keeping away from white line.

Things I am going to do my best NOT to fail for

Speeding (will not fail for this mite be other way round though going too slow)
Driving too near white line
Not checking mirrors
Looking in left wing mirror too much on manoeuvres mainly reverse round corner and parallel park

These are the things I've been told about most so going to concentrate more on them and of course try not to do anything else wrong.

Lesson 2 will be in the dark one hour tonight tryed to get my instructor to agree to longer but no chance he can't get before 10pm and wants to finish lesson at 11pm. At end of lesson today I said 10 til 11.30 tonight then but he said no chance if I'm not home by 11 I'll be getting bus home he said. Well it was worth a try.

2nd July 2007 No night lesson

Well my first lesson in dark is tonight and I can't wait. 9pm til 11pm so will get an hour in dark. My instructor seems less keen on the idea than when I first mentioned it. I text him asking if he'd seen my post on 2pass forum about driving in dark and told him he was getting sympathy off some posters, he replys so he should be. I ask him why and he replys saying £40 an hour for that. He then admits he's not best pleased over the lesson even though he agreed and this is 1st and last lesson he does this late. Could be interesting lesson.

Well instructor didn't turn up I text him last night no reply. Text him again this morning and he replyed car in garage may need new clutch. Lesson today at 2 o clock he seemed to forget the night drive so I asked about it and got it tonight he said 10pm one hour so I'm going to ask for bit longer when on lesson this afternoon.