Learning to Drive

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Many years ago, I took my driving test. Three times.
This was one of the most stressful experiences of my life - and yet also a very useful one. I learned something from my second test - it's okay to fail.

I went into my third driving test just looking to do my best and let fate decide... and my stress was much reduced, to the point that I performed better and passed.

My full story: http://freedom-muse.com/2014/04/28/how- ... etting-go/

How many of you can drive, or hope to?

I took my driving test six times! After I passed I drove on my own a few times and then I concluded that I simply am not made for it, which truly saddened me as driving was always something I had looked forward to.

I take ritalin now and I am thinking that I should give it another try to see if it improves my ability to focus in front of the wheel, but I am in no hurry... I have a valid public transit pass through to the end of the year. :S

I didn't get my license until age 37. I took a test when I was 32, and I failed.

I only learned to drive when I was forced to drive by myself without an instructor. This is a true story!

I took 70+ lessons when I was 32. I failed the test miserably.

I took no lessons at age 37. I passed with flying colors.

This doesn't mean everybody should just "wing it" like I did.

When did you pass your drivers' test? Are you sure you have to take the road test again? You seem like a young person.

I take stimulants and don't feel safe driving without them. I've always found driving harder than my peers. I took private, individual driving lessons -- twice (as in, two full courses, not 2 times driving) and then took my test.

I passed the first time, though, as a teen. I kind of never thought I should have passed. I popped a curb, ran a red light, and botched the parallel parking portion. I don't know why the tester passed me, but he did.

That would NOT happen in NYC LOL. When I was 32, I think I parallel-parked badly--so I failed. I finally passed at age 37.

It really shouldn't happen anywhere...I ran a red light!


I'm an overly cautious driver now. And don't drive when I can avoid it. I also make everyone be silent when I drive.

There are too many different things to pay attention to at the same time. I always leave something out (most typically, speed...I usually drive too slow).

What is everyone else's issue with driving well?

People are impatient on the roads. On highways, 10 mph over the speed limit is the norm.

What drivers don't realize: when one goes 5-10 miles, like they usually do in NYC, it takes almost as much time to reach a destination going 50 mph as going 60 mph. Even at 40 mph, it doesn't make much difference. It's a matter of a couple of minutes' difference AT MOST.

Mine is that I really cannot predict the other drivers' behaviour, plus that while I know I am supposed to keep a certain focus on the road and the sides of the road, I see the birds on the light posts, the yard signs, the foliage, the clouds. I just take it all in.

Oh, and the worst part (and this is very embarrassing), I never remember which pedal is which or which lever does what, so every time I got in the driver's seat I had to remind myself before taking off. I use that as an example whenever my mum points out that shouldn't fail so miserably at some seemingly simple things since I am objectively intelligent.

My dad does that!!

I remember many times as a kid riding in the car and coming up to a stop light and hear this conversation:

Dad: which pedal, which pedal? (All panicky)
Mom: left
Dad: red is stop? (completely not joking)
Mom: pull over, let me drive



But, he's a very intelligent man. He is also ridiculously awful at operating a phone.

How'd your dad do at rotary phones?

Then again LOL...come to think of it, you probably have never seen a rotary phone LOL

I have.

We used to own one when I was a kid. It was the one my mom brought outside when we went swimming. ...and we had a phone booth one (what are those called?).

But, certainly, they were not popular in my lifespan.

And I have no idea how he handled it. With the regular phone, he would always get mad at it for "beeping" at him. Then, when we got a cordless phone, he NEVER understood that he could leave the room with it.

I took my learner's exam once without actually studying the book, and naturally I failed. I figured it was worth a shot anyhow since it's free the first time. I've tried to read the book several times, but it always bores me to death and I can't focus on it.

The phones in the old phone booths were called, simply, phones. There used to be phones on the wall-called wall phones. Then we had the desk-sets--phones which stood on desks. We didn't buy phones until the1980s. They were installed by Ma Bell. We RENTED them.

Sounds like my story. I also passed my 3rd time by letting go.

My first try was funny though. I got into the car and did correctly the parking part. But they told me to do it again. So I did. Correctly again. Then they told me I failed. Why? I was driving with hand brake on and forgot to put it down. -_- The examiner told me it was a small mistake so although I failed the test I can go to the city and change the test to a lesson. I already paid to attend the exam so I decided - why not? At least I will know how the exam looks like.
It was quite funny. I did a few mistakes but I learned what I shouldn't do on exam. Good lesson.
After a hour I returned to the parking and got out of the car with a huge smile on my face. People waiting for their turn started to say:
- Guys, I bet she passed! Look at her face.
- Hey! You passed, right?!
Then I looked at them and (still smiling) said:
- What? No... I didn't. But it was fun anyway!


2nd try was a total fail. The weather was ugly and the windows in the car got foggy. I didn't feel comfortable with the car and had no idea how to clean the windows (if it was my car I would use a cloth, but in this one I couldn't find any). So I decided I will try the parking part with the windows foggy. Of course I failed. It was a serious mistake (hitting a bollard) so they didn't let me go to the city this time.

3rd time I was pretty sure I am going to fail. I was sick (cough, runny nose, fever) and I focused more on hiding my condition then the exam. They wouldn't let me try if they realized I am sick and I couldn't delay the exam because I would have to take additional lessons and another theory exam - it was almost 6 months already since my course ended. And the waiting time between exams was about 2 months no matter if you failed or delayed it. So I decided I will just try my best and hope luck will be on my side.
And it was (but more it was my attention to details and carefulness). We come to a crossroad where my road had priority. I looked both sides anyway and then I realized a car is forcing on me from the slave road. I pushed the brake and ... the brake escaped from my feet. Our car stopped. I looked at the examiner, he looked at me and we were both like "Who the hell steal the brake from me!?!". Apparently we pushed the brake at the same time. Probably in the moment he decided I passed.
I did some light mistakes during the exam (the examiner was keep telling me I am doing something wrong and insulting me for nothing, I bet he didn't like me) so I was sure I didn't pass. Then, when we returned to the parking the examiner said:
- Positive.
My mind went like "What? Wait! What the hell? Could it be? Did I? Did I?!" and I asked:
- Does it mean I passed!?!
- If you don't know what positive means get a dictionary. - he answered.
I wasn't too sure (positive="good, decent, ok, acceptable" for me but I know people can say something good and mean something bad - for example "You genius." doesn't necessary mean someone consider you smart) but everyone I asked later told me "Positive" means I passed the exam so it was probably it. I got sure after 2 weeks when I got my documents.

Last edited by Kiriae on 29 Apr 2014, 7:35 am, edited 1 time in total.

Is driving in Poland difficult?