(no subject)

[theducks]

Work was work. Driving lesson was ok, except I should apparently check over my shoulder and check my mirror before indicating, not after :P (in either case, it was before I actually changed lanes :P) Parallel parking sucks. Instructor went "ok, let me show you first" .. and ended up on the kerb. curb? which one is it? hmm.

Riding home was less good. Hit one of the barriers going out of the tunnel under stirling hwy. Ended up with my bike on top of me. Mmm fun. Straightened up handlebars, fixed brakes and front light, and it was ridable home. The front brake is still a little bent, as are the handlebars, but we'll see what I can do about that tomorrow. Got a slightly grazed knee, but nothing permanent :)

Angst Update: Changing the order to check before indicating is going to suck. I'm also worried because I will have only driven the car for 90 minutes total before the test. I'm also worried I'll make the wrong decisions about how to turn around, where to park, etc. Arg angst!

Comments

[theducks.livejournal.com]

You are meant to check your mirrors and blind spot before you indicate your intention (because your intention to change lanes should be based on the information gathered). You should then change lanes only after checking again that your path is clear. This means that you should actually check twice. You should at least check your mirrors twice.

See, I would have assumed that the decision to change lanes is based on where you want to go :P I suppose I get it a bit, but it still doesn't seem like it would matter.

You should also check your mirrors before applying the brakes, approaching stop signs, red lights, and any of that (failure to check will incur a penalty, you don't know that the person behind you is about to run up your backside). You should also check both ways across a train line before crossing (failure to do so is a penalty, the gates may not work, a train may be about to hit you).

I've got that bit fine :)

Also, you should be able to drive any car you get into almost perfectly within 5 minutes of being behind the wheel. That is what having a licence for all cars of class X means. It's not a licence for Liz's car, or a licence for the instructor's car, it's a license for all cars within those limitations.

Ok, yes, but keep in mind I just have a learner's permit :P I've done the majority of driving in one car. Being in another car just one other thing to worry about. The instructor's car is good.. it has the same layout of stuff as Liz's does. I'm sure I'll be ok.

Finally, in the end, you're either ready or you're not. Part of driving is making good decisions in split seconds, then there is executing that manuveur. Finally, you require the confidence to complete your action without freezing up in the middle of the street. Amazingly, most P-platers have their cars written off due to the third one. While competent drivers (perhaps not fantastic) and able to choose the correct reaction to a situation (although perhaps not as fast as they would like), hesitation causes them to get cleaned up.

My concerns with the test situation is that I don't know what I'm going to be asked to do until just before I'm asked to do so. They're concerns. I think I'm ready, but I again reserve the right to fret about things in advance, providing it's not too much :)

Also, watch out for motorcycles, they really do vanish on the road.

[tevriel.livejournal.com]

I panicked extensively around the time of my driving tests, and failed the car one twice through sheer nerves.

I also panicked for my motorcycle licence, but passed anyway because the examiner was impressed with how flawlessly I handled the problems caused by my nervous mistakes. *grin*