learning to drive

[wafflycat]

WCMnr has started having driving lessons. He's only had a couple so far, so very much early days.

BUT

Already his years spent cycling are paying a dividend. His instructor has commented on how aware WCMnr is of what is going on around him on the road, and how he is positioning himself correctly on the road with a view to other road users and hazards generally.

Most excellent.

 

[thomas]

That's good! Certainly any road time before learning has to help. I found one thing was, I was used to travelling down a lot of the roads already so knew what to expect. I always found it annoying when my driving instructor would say 'take exit X at the roundabout'...much rather he just said 'head towards the town centre'.

I ended up passing in under 3 months which is pretty quick when you consider how long it can take to even get a driving test booked

 

[very-near]

WCMnr has started having driving lessons. He's only had a couple so far, so very much early days.

BUT

Already his years spent cycling are paying a dividend. His instructor has commented on how aware WCMnr is of what is going on around him on the road, and how he is positioning himself correctly on the road with a view to other road users and hazards generally.

Most excellent.

I found this as well when I learned to drive. Everyone wanting to drive or ride a m/cycle should cycle first if physically able as it will give them a massive advantage in doing so over someone who doesn't.

 

[postman]

Well done.I also found that cycling and using a motor scooter(honda 90) thingy.Helped greatly once i had got the coordination right.


Hope the test ,when it's taken is passed first time.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout? I'm genuinely interested as so few people seem to do so these days that I'm wondering whether it's not taught any more.
And you're right - there's nothing like being on two wheels to give you a heightened sense of what's around you. (Or eighteen wheels, come to that - it's just four wheels that seems to be a problem for people.)

 

[wafflycat]

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout? I'm genuinely interested as so few people seem to do so these days that I'm wondering whether it's not taught any more.

Don't know - I'll ask him next time I see him.

 

[HJ]

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout? I'm genuinely interested as so few people seem to do so these days that I'm wondering whether it's not taught any more.
And you're right - there's nothing like being on two wheels to give you a heightened sense of what's around you. (Or eighteen wheels, come to that - it's just four wheels that seems to be a problem for people.)

There are far to many drivers out there who think that driving lessons are about learning to pass the test, that done they can just forget it all because their are such good drivers they just don't need to do any of it any more...

 

[Fnaar]

Good luck to wafflycat minor...

On a side-note, I failed my first test... nothing drastic, was just a tad nervous... but I was my instructor's last entrant before he retired from the business... I was gutted I couldn't have made his last one a success, if you see what I mean. Mind you, that was years ago. Now I can drive with my eyes closed...er....

 

[Theseus]

I failed my test twice. The first time I was a tit, the second time the examiner was being assessed by someone else in the back. I was given the option to decline his presence, but foolishly agreed to it. I think the examiner was a little harsher than he could have been as a result of his own nerves.

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I failed both my HGV tests - class 2 and class 1 (as they were then) - twice. To say I was nervous would be very much an understatement. Mind you, with lorries it's absolutely true that you start learning after you've passed your test.

 

[thomas]

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout

Only got taught a few years ago, but you certainly use indicators on roundabouts. If turning right you would.

Mirror
indicate right

Then when you will be turning off the roundabout you mirror, check blind spot, then indicate left of the roundabout.

Though, as soon as people pass they seem to forget. A friend of mine never seems to bother and it really pisses me off.

 

[Headgardener]

Seems to be a bit of a trait down here on the south coast not to to indicate on islands/junctions. Manys the time I have sat a junction waiting for somebody to drive past only for them to turn off without so much as a by-your-leave and definately no indication. What do they think I am a mind reader.

 

[montage]

Had my second driving lesson today. I am aware of what is going on around me, which is great ....but have a habit of drifting into the curb...not great!!

Can't say I find learning to drive much fun, and I seem to be one of the only teenagers in the world to have this opinion. It got to the point where my parents pushed me into doing these driving lessons...which at least means they pay ....I have an excellent instructor - who is an ironman (well...ironwoman)....but driving is a hassell...cars are boring and the price for owning a car is rediculous... Seems to be a necessary evil

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout? I'm genuinely interested as so few people seem to do so these days that I'm wondering whether it's not taught any more.
And you're right - there's nothing like being on two wheels to give you a heightened sense of what's around you. (Or eighteen wheels, come to that - it's just four wheels that seems to be a problem for people.)

Yes.. indicating when turning right round a roundabout is taught....and I have just realised I have slagged off your job...Oopsy...it was a matter of personal opinion anyhow

 

[thomas]

Remember my first driving job after passing my class 1 was a night job where you was double manned. Me and the other guy were discussing the test and how you are only taught how pass the reversing manoveur in an artic and not actually how to reverse. I told him he was talking out his backside.

I never got taught how to bay park, because the test centre didn't have pay parking spaces so it couldn't be on the test ....though, to be honest. It's not exactly rocket science.

 

[bauldbairn]

Just out of interest, Waffly, are they teaching him to indicate when turning right at a roundabout? I'm genuinely interested as so few people seem to do so these days that I'm wondering whether it's not taught any more.

I'm also interested in the answer to this question - as too many youngsters seem to be doing it(not indicating) these days.

I've lost count of the amount of drivers(there are some older ones as well) I have sat behind / been followed by who don't indicate at all.

There are many many roundabouts in Falkirk. If there's no-one on the road except me and the other non indicating driver behind me, then I stop indicating as well and this seems to annoy them? I'm trying to let them see how useful it is(for other road users) to use there signals.