I start my driving lessons with the instructor this afternoon...

sockiesmom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
940
Purraise
1
Location
Ontario, Canada
Yikes. LoL, I'm so nervous that I'm going to mess up and make a complete fool of myself.
Arrrrgh. I make the dumbest mistakes, like turning on the wrong turning signal and stuff like that. 2 more hours...
 

krazy kat2

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Sep 14, 2001
Messages
8,085
Purraise
41
Location
Somewhere in Georgia
You'll do fine! I learned to drive a manual transmission truck just a few years ago, and it was not nearly as hard as I thought it would be. You'll be out driving around in no time.
 

badhabit

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2002
Messages
1,238
Purraise
2
Location
MA
I know it seems so overwhelming at first but soon you'll become comfortable behind the wheel. Just remember.... Relax.... Deep breaths....
 

debby

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 5, 2000
Messages
10,983
Purraise
4
Location
Iowa
How did it go??? I am sure you were great!!!
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

sockiesmom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
940
Purraise
1
Location
Ontario, Canada
Weeeeeeellll, I suppose it didn't go horribly.
It didn't go too well, but I guess that's okay...

First, we were turning onto this street where there were no people and the instructor says "OOH! Look over there!" (meanie, lol) and so I swerved a little by accident. She said she was just doing that to prove how easy it is to lose control of the car. So once I regained my composure from that, we went to an old parking lot and did figure 8s. Then I had to do backwards figure 8s! I was going insane. Then it was finding the blind spots and stuff, and then I drove around the block 17 zillion times. I stay too close to the curb on the my right turns, and I go out too far on my left turns. Some guy ran a stop sign and nearly hit us. A cat ran infront of us, and I screeched like a mad man and put on the brakes right away. The instructor flipped out and said "You're so lucky there wasn't somebody behind you!". So she's nicknamed me 'Pileup'. And then to top it off, as I'm getting out, she says "Well, you're not my worst student!" LOL. She was just joking, but I felt really stupid.
 

adymarie

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 23, 2001
Messages
11,210
Purraise
1
Location
Toronto
I hate instructors like that! No one is perfect on their 1st day - get family or friends to take you out and practice. A deserted parking lot is a great place to practice. You'll get the hang of it in no time!
 

deb25

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 6, 2001
Messages
12,769
Purraise
5
Your instructor should well know that if you have to suddenly brake and the driver behind hits you, then it is HIS fault! The driver behind is responsible for following at a safe distance and being prepared to stop also.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #8

sockiesmom

TCS Member
Thread starter
Super Cat
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
940
Purraise
1
Location
Ontario, Canada
Originally posted by Deb25
Your instructor should well know that if you have to suddenly brake and the driver behind hits you, then it is HIS fault! The driver behind is responsible for following at a safe distance and being prepared to stop also.
Yeah, I know. People in this town don't seem to understand 'safe distance' though.
But I guess there's bad drivers everywhere. I'm trying my best not to be one of them.

Eh, she's so encouraging.
I'll be able to get the 2nd part of my graduated license in early February, but she says "I don't think you'll be nearly ready by then. If you want extra time, it's $35/hr." Geez. I thought I did pretty good considering it was nearly dark outside and I was doing BACKWARDS figure 8s! My dad has taken me out a few times, but he works shift work, so it's hard to get everything together. And my mom doesn't drive.
 

jeff24girl

TCS Member
Alpha Cat
Joined
Apr 25, 2002
Messages
486
Purraise
1
Location
Delaware
Unfortunately, people in MOST towns don't understand keeping a "safe distance" from the car ahead of you. Don't worry if you didn't do "perfect" the first time. You'll be fine and when you have been driving for a while, you'll look back and laugh about how you did today!


My Dad was constantly telling me when he was trying to teach me how to drive, "Carla, you are oversteering the car". My hands looked like a seesaw on the steering wheel...constantly moving the wheel! LOL! Now I use one hand only (for the most part) and use a finger to turn the wheel. Now BEFORE everyone starts yelling at me and saying I am being a bad influence on the young Paduan here...I have been driving for 22 years and have yet to have an accident. It's just how I am comfortable...that's all.

I hear the yelling already...:tounge2:

Good luck with the lessons! You'll make it just fine.
 

debby

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Nov 5, 2000
Messages
10,983
Purraise
4
Location
Iowa
I got a chuckle out of her nicknaming you Pileup!


I never did understand why people have to do things like backwards figure 8's when the ytake driving lessons anyway...I mean like you're ever going to actually do that when you are driving!!! Makes no sense!
 

bodlover

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
3,350
Purraise
1
Location
Leicester, UK
Sockiesmom, you'll do fine!! I promise!! I'm also learnignt o drive at the moment, though its a bit different here to there, but seriously, I wouldn't even get IN the drivers seat when my hubby tried to teach me!! I was so scared!! But now, although I haven't had a lesson for a couple of weeks (can't afford it!!) I'm driving my own car around just fine!! (we can drive before we've passed the test as long as we have someone whos been driving for 4 years with us) I have to take my theory test soon (sigh) and then I can take my proper test... but it costs so much!!! I'll just have to wiat till I can afford it

As for your fisrt lesson, don't worry! On my second lesson I almost hit a pedestrian!! We were stopped at a junction and I accidentally stalled the car, these two guys started to cross the road right in front of me (like two inches from the front of my car) I started up the engine, but it was still in first gear!! The car lurched forward and I missed this guy by about a milimetre!!

I'm pretty safe now though... honest...
:laughing:
 

badhabit

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 16, 2002
Messages
1,238
Purraise
2
Location
MA
Holy crap she made you back up and do figure 8's? I would have frozen in fear. I still don't think I'd be able to do that.


Rhea- I couldn't help but chuckle at you almost hitting a pedestrian. I mean it's not really funny but it is since no one got hurt.
 

bodlover

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
3,350
Purraise
1
Location
Leicester, UK
Jessica - don't worry!! I was absolutely peeing myself laughing at the time - my instructor didn't find it so funny though... :laughing: Needless to say, I have NEVER left the car in gear again... :laughing2
 

jeanie g.

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 21, 2002
Messages
5,046
Purraise
12
Rhea! You never told me that! Once when I took my son out, we were on a rather busy road. It had been raining earlier, and the side of the road was muddy and full of puddles. My son asked why "that guy" was walking on the road. I told him the man was avoiding the puddles. My son came so close to hitting him, I nearly had a breakdown! He said, "I'll bet that guy won't walk on the road again."
After I was able to breathe again, I very strongly advised him that the object of driving was not scaring or hitting pedestrians!
 

lhezzza

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Jul 31, 2002
Messages
2,525
Purraise
1
Location
Orange, California
Ugh........ I live in California, and our freeways BLOW (suck, stink, etc.)

For my drivers test we had to drive on the freeway (merging, changing lanes and staying at 65 mph)

I almost pooped my pants, I was soooo nervious!

Learn to drive in L.A. and you can drive anywhere in the world!
 

bodlover

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
May 21, 2001
Messages
3,350
Purraise
1
Location
Leicester, UK
Ah well Jeanie.... I'm full of dark secrets... :laughing: :laughing2
and your son sounds like my hubby!!! If theres someone in the road, he revs the engine and speeds up to make them move out the quicker!!!
(He's usually quite good though... honest...)
 
Top