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Topic: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!  (Read 65744 times)

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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #60 on: April 07, 2009, 06:04:35 PM »
Sorry to hear about the test, Karin!  :(

Has anyone else done this?  I've done it once with my instructor in the car, and once with DH.  They tell me to take a right turn, and I turn left...because I'm thinking of the UK 'equivalent' to making a right turn in the US (which is a left turn here) rather than literally turning right - not that I don't know right from left.  Just that everything is ass-backwards (just like yankeeangel said!) & so I end up doing that ass-backwards too!  ;D

My theory test is a week from Thursday (sigh - studying for that biatch is so freakin' boring  [smiley=sleeping2.gif]), and my driving lessons are going well.  :)
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #61 on: April 07, 2009, 06:25:11 PM »
Hi ladies!

Goodness, I am rather late in replying to this...I am taking lessons as well :)  Anyone else really mad at their DH for making them have to learn manual when they can already drive an automatic?!?!  haha  This was probably my biggest problem to deal with.  I've had highs and lows in learning this (granted I have only had 5 lessons).  I am not getting the hang of it and hopefully will only need a few more lessons (wishful thinking :)

Have any of you started your manouvers yet?  I did my first 3 point turn and hit the curb right at the end!   >:(  I also seem to have a hard time with judging the space between the passenger side of the car and the curb-anyone else have this problem?  I've never had that problem before!  Maybe that is because my cars in the US were always higher SUVs?  Eh, any advice on how to not hit the damn curb would be great!!!

I know a few people have their test dates-I am just waiting for my provisional to come in before I can apply-Mrs. R, what are you studying for the theory?  Let's quiz each other!! 

Even after all this time the sun never says to the Earth "You owe me."
Look what happens with a love like that, it lights the whole sky.
-Hafiz


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #62 on: April 07, 2009, 06:33:40 PM »
Have any of you started your manouvers yet? 

We started them - did a 3-point turn my last lesson & it wasn't too bad.  He told me we aren't going to dwell a lot on the manoeuvres in my lessons - just run through them, because he's confident I can do them.  We'll see.  He told me we just need to work on my overall driving technique (that damn coasting thing!) & concentration (I get to blabbing!) - so that I'm not doing bad habit things that could cause me to fail the test.

I also seem to have a hard time with judging the space between the passenger side of the car and the curb-anyone else have this problem? ... Eh, any advice on how to not hit the damn curb would be great!!!  

It's 'cause the car is the other way 'round.  You need to use your left side mirror to help you gauge that.  :)

Mrs. R, what are you studying for the theory?  Let's quiz each other!! 

Bought a £5 PC-DVD thingie at Morrisons, this one: 
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #63 on: April 07, 2009, 06:55:02 PM »
Have any of you started your manouvers yet? 

I did backing around a corner yesterday and had my DI yelling at me because I 1. went too fast 2. was too far from the kerb (curb)...(can't see a thing in hubbie's saab) and 3. didn't check in every direction every second to make sure nothing was coming...well try to watch the left mirror, right mirror, rearview and front all at the same time....jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh.  Still, having to change lanes in a roundabout still ranks as #1 horror! :o


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #64 on: April 07, 2009, 07:15:13 PM »
Yes, I have problems with gauging the distance between the curb and my passenger-side of the car too! And I too never seemed to have that problem the other way around in the US.

I've been doing manouvers; three point turn is easy, but the other three I hate and never used anyway while driving for years in the US! Even my driving instructor agrees: "Who the hell ever backs around a corner into a street?!" Ah well, if it's all going to get me through the second licence I've had to pass for, so be it.  :\\\'(

Essentially I still feel resentful that we have to go through this, while holders of EU licences (who also drive on the right-hand side of the road like the US!) don't have to!

Forgetting to mention ......booked my practical test, it's next month. Eeek!
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 07:17:27 PM by Midnight blue »
*Repatriated Brit undergoing culture shock with the rest of you!*


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #65 on: April 07, 2009, 07:30:49 PM »
Essentially I still feel resentful that we have to go through this, while holders of EU licences (who also drive on the right-hand side of the road like the US!) don't have to!

Forgetting to mention ......booked my practical test, it's next month. Eeek!
I am SOOOOO resentful.  Even Canadians can swap out their licenses.  For one wild moment I even considered going to Toronto, taking the written test, swapping my US license for a Canadian one then swapping again in the UK...but don't think that's possible now that I have a permanent visa in the UK. 

Good luck on your driving test!!  Where are you taking it?


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #66 on: April 07, 2009, 07:47:54 PM »
I don't feel resentful about it - maybe I did in the early days, but I think I've been here so long now - it's just like 'meh - I've got to get on with this'.  I'm relieved to actually be learning how to drive here (safely) because I find it considerably different.  I was talking with my instructor about how our US licenses don't exchange, while Canadian & EU ones do, etc.  He thinks that's not fair - but that they should have to learn 'how to' drive here & take the test & everything like the rest of us do - to ensure they are safer drivers for the UK roads.  And he said he wouldn't automatically presume that he knows how to drive in all of the US conditions/roads/etc either.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #67 on: April 07, 2009, 07:51:00 PM »
I had the same feedback as NHow the first time I did manuevers with the driving instructor.  I did them "way too fast" and didn't make enough observations.  I think because in real life, if you are parallel parking or doing a three point turn, you want to do it quick and be on your way.  But here it's like they purposely want you to block traffic on their small roads.  haha.   My instructor just said to do all manuevers at walking speed, barely applying any acceleration. And to make "exaggerated" observations the whole time.  Tedious...

As for getting close to the passenger curb.  The BSM car I learned in had a small circular mirror in the side mirror and that was my key to see the curb.  Does your instructors car have that?  Maybe he can suggest a trick for his car.  My instructor was great at suggesting little tricks for his car.  


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #68 on: April 07, 2009, 08:00:28 PM »
Glad your lessons are going well Mrs. R! Good luck on the upcoming theory test, too!

I haven't sent off for the provisional yet... bleh. I keep forgetting to do it. I will do it soon, and book the theory test as soon as I get the provisional and get that bit out of the way. I think I will do the theory test before I book lessons, just to get it out of the way so all I have to do is focus on the physical stuff.  :-\\\\  What do you guys think? Is it better to take lessons before doing the theory test?


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #69 on: April 07, 2009, 08:08:40 PM »
I am SOOOOO resentful.  Even Canadians can swap out their licenses.  For one wild moment I even considered going to Toronto, taking the written test, swapping my US license for a Canadian one then swapping again in the UK...but don't think that's possible now that I have a permanent visa in the UK. 

Good luck on your driving test!!  Where are you taking it?

Canada -- yes!! I was doubly indignant when I found out about that one -- my driving instructor even joined me in a sympathetic whinge about how the Canadians get to swap, why can't I?!  :(  Grr.

I'm taking my test in one of the north London test centres we've been driving around -- it is one that's further out to the edge of London than where I'm living, thank God, as my immediate area is a nightmare! I requested not to take it in my own area -- talk about the proverbial narrow streets!

Mrs R, I do agree that we should take some steps to learn how to drive safely here; i was shocked at how "set back" I was as a driver on these streets, after driving well for years in the US. It really IS a different way of handling things, different set of physical conditions, some different rules of the road, signs, markings, and even a different ettiquette. I could not have gone without lessons, lots of them in fact, to get used to things here -- with that I totally agree.

At the same time....I think it may be safe to assume it's very different in European countries too, especially since they too must experience the "eek I'm on the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of this car!" challenge, and yet they don't have to take a test. I'll bet money they face the same issues we do, and yet...so that part of it strikes me as unfair, and my instructor too.  Driving in the EU countries on the continent, for UK drivers, must be as challenging, and vice versa, yet nobody is required to make sure they are safe by taking a test, while we are. It doesn't add up. Either make everyone from a different nation (EU or not) take a test, or not....perhaps enforce perhaps a mandatory course of lessons when switching licences...... but why force a full, start-over re-test on only the US people? Can't help but feel that doesn't add up.  ???

To Jewlz -- the DSA makes a mild recommendation that you take some lessons and get some "on the streets" driving hours in first, before taking the theory and hazzard perception test, as apparently the practical experience of driving actually helps sharpen the same skills that the hazzard perception test is challenging you on (which makes sense). Same with the dull theory stuff -- to learn them by rote from the book is one thing, but learning to see and use them while actually driving around helps really hammer them into your head.

I don't think there would be anything wrong with taking the theory/hazzard part before getting behind the wheel if you feel you are ready, but I kind of see how the DSA's recomendation to go through some lessons first makes sense, as it all starts to help with the mental stuff the theory/hazzard test tests...(lol)
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 08:15:23 PM by Midnight blue »
*Repatriated Brit undergoing culture shock with the rest of you!*


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #70 on: April 07, 2009, 08:25:36 PM »
I'm relieved to actually be learning how to drive here (safely) because I find it considerably different.  I was talking with my instructor about how our US licenses don't exchange, while Canadian & EU ones do, etc.  He thinks that's not fair - but that they should have to learn 'how to' drive here & take the test & everything like the rest of us do - to ensure they are safer drivers for the UK roads. 


While it's a major pain, and a huge expense, at the end of the day I am very happy to have had to go through the the theory test/lessons/practical test, as it has given me the confidence to feel safe on the road. I was a very confident driver in the US, but I really do feel like driving over here is a different skill entirely. A lot of the rules/signs are not intuitive, and I think that driving over here takes more skill and concentration (for me at least) with more fluid/fast moving traffic rather than stop-and-go with traffic lights.

I firmly believe that everyone (EU, Commonwealth, etc) should have to take the theory test. I realize that this is not possible due to treaties and laws, but it really does scare me that there are so many drivers on the road that may not understand the rules of the road.

I also feel like I've read some comments on this site, which point to the fact that the reason for not having an agreement with the US re: exchanging licences is due to resistance from the US, and not the other way around. But I'd have to dig up some old posts to make sure I didn't make that up.  :P

Jewlz--I took the theory test before taking my lessons (but after doing some driving with my husband) and I did find it useful to have that under my belt, and to know the rules.


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #71 on: April 07, 2009, 08:31:50 PM »
The reason they don't swap is not because of resistance from the US, it's because US has no national driver's license. Britain would need agreements from every state. They probably don't want the bother of getting them. Frankly, I can't really blame them.
And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say
"Thank you for being a friend!"


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #72 on: April 07, 2009, 08:34:14 PM »
No, I do think kate_mate is right about there was something on the forum awhile back (yes there are 50 licensing authorities for the 50 states in the US, not one, just like what Mort said), but that the UK is willing to negotiate the exchange - it's the states that aren't.

Here is an older discussion of it, but I was sure there had been something more recent:

http://talk.uk-yankee.com/index.php?topic=37533.msg511929#msg511929
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 08:40:06 PM by Mrs Robinson »
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in...

- from Anthem, by Leonard Cohen (b 1934)


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #73 on: April 07, 2009, 08:35:14 PM »
I did them "way too fast" and didn't make enough observations.  I think because in real life, if you are parallel parking or doing a three point turn, you want to do it quick and be on your way.  But here it's like they purposely want you to block traffic on their small roads.  

This was my problem when I started. And yet, the only comment I got when I finished my test was that (while I passed) I was too cautious and slow on my reverse around a corner.  ::)  Sometimes it seems like you really can't win!
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 08:36:56 PM by kate_mate »


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Re: The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!
« Reply #74 on: April 07, 2009, 08:48:25 PM »
When I was taking lessons in the U.S. my instructor said that I wasn't learning how to drive, I was learning how to pass the test, and those two things were not all that similar. Maybe that's the same thing the instructors here are doing. I mean, have you ever seen anyone do a three-point-turn at walking speed? :)
« Last Edit: April 07, 2009, 08:50:06 PM by Mort »
And if you threw a party
Invited everyone you knew
You would see the biggest gift would be from me
And the card attached would say
"Thank you for being a friend!"


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