Driving Diaries: We're Back!

It's been a while since I spoke about learning to drive hasn't it? 

When I last updated you I was just getting my confidence behind the wheel, I was close to booking my theory test and I was looking at cars. Then corona happened and everything came to a standstill. I didn't sit in the driver seat for four whole months and surprisingly, I missed it.

The information on when driving lessons would resume was basically unknown, one minute I'd be back on the roads in a week, the next in two months. It was a waiting game and I hated it. However, you'll be glad to know that I am now back behind the wheel and I have quite a bit to update you on. 

So, without further ado, here's an update on what it's like learning to drive in a pandemic (that is something I never, ever thought I'd have to write). 

The Theory Test

I thought I'd start with some really good news; I PASSED MY THEORY TEST! 

After two cancelled tests (thanks corona) and a whole lot of waiting, I finally took my theory test on 21st July and I passed first time. It was a weird experience and the extra precautions we had to take made it that little bit more daunting. I was really hoping to pass first time as I'd been prepared to take the test since April so I was over the moon when I got the pass certificate. 

I struggled to revise for my theory test at first but I found that using the Driving Test Theory 4 in 1 app really helped. I'd do a quick mock test or flick through some questions when I had a spare moment and slowly but surely, my scores started getting higher and higher. The app is brilliant because it allows you to flag questions you're struggling with and it also helps that they're basically identical to the questions you get on the actual test. 

It's like with anything in life, if you put in the work then you'll get the rewards. Now I've just got to pass my practical! 

The First Lesson Back 

Here in England, driving lessons resumed on 4th July and I was one of the first to be back on the roads (eager, I know). I was both excited and incredibly nervous. On the one hand I was delighted to be back on track to (hopefully) passing my test by the end of the year but I was also scared that I was going to sit behind the wheel and realise that I'd completely forgotten everything. 

Luckily that didn't happen. We had a little refresher lesson and to both mine and my instructors surprise, I pretty much remembered everything. It was like I'd never been away. 

However, there is one slight change to teaching as it's advised that both you and your instructor wear a mask. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the current mask situation but trying to learn to drive in a mask whilst your glasses are steaming up is not a fun experience at all.  I'm already a hazard to other drivers, let's not mention me not being able to see!

After a few attempts and trying several different methods, I've finally conquered the whole glasses steaming up fiasco and now wearing a mask to drive doesn't really bother me - I literally forget it's there. 

I should also mention that no personal belongings are allowed in the car, it's thoroughly cleaned before and after the use of every student, gloves can be worn but aren't compulsory, the car windows remain open for ventilation and hand sanitiser is used throughout the lesson. These are just the rules from my driving school, but it gives you a little idea of what you can expect. 

Manoeuvres

Before we went into lockdown, I was about to start on manoeuvres including a bay park and a parallel park. 

So many people told me that it was easier to reverse a car and I can now fully confirm that they were right. I was absolutely terrified to start reversing (if I struggled to drive the thing forwards, I had no chance doing it backwards) but learning to park and reverse has pretty much been plain sailing. 

I started on my forward bay park which I struggled with at first but eventually mastered after a few attempts. Then I moved onto a reverse bay park which I picked up straight away and then onto parallel parking which I'm not fully confident with yet but I'm getting there. I can do it, I'm just not confident which is okay as I know confidence will come with time. 

Just a PSA to other drivers: when you see a learner driver on the empty end of a car park, don't drive up to them, park next to them, stare at them or beep your horn at them. They're on the empty end of the car park for a reason, there's plenty of spaces right in front of the shop so if you could stop being so rude and just leave them alone, that'd be lovely. Rant over! 

You're All Updated

I've been back behind the wheel for four weeks and I've just started on roundabouts which are a complete new ball game and even talking about them gives me anxiety - it was the one thing I really didn't want to do. 

Overall, it's been really nice to be back on the roads and working towards the end goal of passing my test. It's unknown whether I'll be able to take my test this year with the current backlog of cancelled learners on the waiting list but I'm staying optimistic! 

I'll keep you updated on the roundabouts and the car shopping! 

Lots of Love,

Meg x

Driving Diaries: Progress, Car Shopping & Theory Test

Welcome to my Driving Diaries: an anxious girls mission to pass her driving test

Well, I've officially been learning to drive for two whole months. I know, I can't believe it either.

Since we last spoke I've finally mastered junctions, I'm becoming a pro at changing gears and last week I did 60mph down a dual carriageway whilst overtaking a funeral procession (cue that scene from the Inbetweeners). I'm finally starting to feel confident behind the wheel and it's all thanks to my instructor who literally has the patience of a saint.

It's not all been plain sailing though, I've had my fair share of run-ins with idiot drivers (the new bane of my life) and I've been this close to quitting on a few occasions, one being my second lesson when I kept stalling at junctions and couldn't pull the handbrake up far enough. I feel defeated when I can't do something for the first time but I keep reminding myself that I'm learning a new skill and perseverance is key - the worst thing I can do at this stage is give up.

I've had two major driving scares in this first two months; one when a van didn't see us and nearly drove into the side of the car, and the second when a DHL lorry was driving on the wrong side of the road at a ridiculous speed and I panicked. These really knocked my confidence but my instructor takes me back to the places where these incidents happened to make sure I'm not scared driving round those areas.

One thing I used to dread before learning to drive was changing gears. I didn't think I'd be able to change a gear and I struggled at first, but it's a skill that's improving week after week. I also dreaded stalling and the first time I stalled, I nearly cried. Then I realised that even the most professional drivers stall a car and the more I did it, the less it bothered me.

Nevertheless, I still dread every lesson and get so nervous beforehand. I quite literally have to psych myself up to get behind the wheel but once I'm driving I'm absolutely fine. It's mad how the basic skills are just applied in more complex situations.

The Theory Test

The first test I have to pass is my theory test and I already hate the damn thing. It feels like being back at school revising for an exam. It's literally an information overload and the answers are so contradicting. 

I've downloaded the best apps and I read over the highway code when I get a spare minute but I still haven't passed the multiple choice and the hazard perception at the same time on a mock test. I'm hoping to have booked in for my theory test by the end of the month, but somethings telling me that passing could take a little while. I'll keep you updated. 

Car Shopping

Another complicated thing about learning to drive is the weird and wonderful world of car shopping. As a twenty-two year old female who doesn't know the first thing about cars, this has been quite a whirlwind. 

Now, I know what you're thinking - 'Meg, you haven't passed yet. Why are you looking at cars?'

Well, it's always been the idea to buy a car before I pass my test. Firstly because I want to get some extra practice outside of lesson time and secondly because I want to get used to driving a different type of car. The car I'm learning in is a stop/start car but I also want to be comfortable driving (and stalling) a key start car. It's logical when you think about it. 

I've currently got my heart set on either a little Fiat 500 or a Citroen C1, both of which are cars I've wanted since I was 16. Thankfully, I've got my Mum and my friends sharing their knowledge and helping me find the best deal. Who knows, maybe next time I update you I'll have my own little car! 

So, that's the update! 

I'm moving on to manoeuvres next week which I should probably already have been doing, however my instructor wanted to build my confidence on the the actual driving skill first as I was incredibly anxious after the first few lessons, what with stalling and dealing with other idiots on the road. 

I'm already dreading reversing but like I said, I dread every lesson before I'm actually behind the wheel. Then the indicators are on and we're going! 

Lots of Love,

Meg x