The reason why I started this blog is to record my journey in getting my driving lesson. It also serve to help my fellowmates who are also interested in getting the license. Hopefully with this blog, you can get the relevant and useful information about learnin to drive.
Well, enjoy the blog. I will try my best to be as detailed as possible and pull in some hilarious punch.
Til then, vroom vroom!!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
4th practical lesson 12 Oct 07
Instructor: Phang
Time: Friday, 4pm
Weather: Gloomy
Subjects Passed: 1.07, 1.08
As today I am on half day, I grasped the opportunity to learn the off peak lesson at a rate of abt $60! It is $10 cheaper than my usual peak hour charge! Yeay!!
However, as the time draws near, the sky got darker too. Soon, it started to pour.. I was afraid.... Do i really need to drive in such weather? It was dark. It was pouring. And lightning and thunders. I can't handle it! This is only my 2nd lesson on the outside road... god bless me. I kept praying for the rain to stop.
Well, heaven answered my prayers. It really stop raining as my lesson start. Phew.
As I was few minutes early, I updated my PDL status at the information counter. It was a quick and hassle-free process. All I had to do was to show her my PDL, and sign on a form.
Then I proceed to my car for my cheaper-than-usual lesson. $10 of savings... yahooO!
My instructor came. Just as we were getting into the car, we heard some honking... then i heard the other instructors saying " confirm bang... "
My god! There was an accident, just outside BBDC! I was praying in my heart (again) that there will be no casualties. I don't think i can drive past the accident scene peacefully if blood is sighted.. Geez! I never wanna be involved in any accidents.. and anyone..
As expected, there was a jam as the road was kena blocked by the accident vehicles. My instructor being a smartie took the alternative route and drove out. Lucky. Imagine how much time (and $$$) I would waste if I'm stuck in the traffic jam.
We passed the scene and saw the accident. It was between a taxi and a BBDC car. The taxi had kissed the butt of the BBDC car. And guess what! The BBDC car was a test car. My god! What can beat it? Being involved in an accident when you are doing your TP? What can be worse? But luckily, there wasn't any injuries. BUt the poor student. I wonder if he has passed or fail his test.
If he has passed, will he be so shakened that he has lose confidence in driving?
If he hadnt passed, will he dare to retake his TP?
Sigh.. it just wasn't his day.
Anyway, instructor was telling me the accident happened because the taxi is following too close to the car, hence when the car halt, the taxi couldn't stop in time. And hence, it is very important to learn the correct technique of braking. To give adequant warning to the cars behind that you are stopping. And also never to tailgate another car. When the car in front stop, you may not have enough time to react.
He said that when we are approaching traffic junction, there are 3 arrows. They are there not for fun. There is a reason. The guideline is... 1st arrow, speed to be about 40, 2nd arrow 30, last arrow 20 or almost 0. It is really a good technique and i kept reminding myself about this. Soon, I got quite good with my braking, always able to brake smoothly. Not bad!
I drove along the road with a speed limit of 70. Yes, i drove at 70! It felt so fast. But the road was not very busy, hence quite ok to be driving at this speed.
At 1 point of the road, there was road works going on. I had to change lane. I could do it ok, of course with the guidance of the instructor.
I also learn to drive to the filter lane. The key is to drive into the lane as soon as it appear so that we can have the right of road.
The bends were something I had to handle this lesson too. There are some bends along bt batok, and we have to negotiate the bend. He was telling me, we have to learn from the F1 drivers - Look near, look far. Look near, look far. Like that, then can we negotiate the bend without mountkerbing or going to the next lane.
As it approached 5pm, there were numerous cabs driving at a breakneck speed, and quite recklessly. Instructor was saying they are rushing to change shift at 5pm. We have to be extra alert.
Comments: Instructor said my driving was not bad. But I had to take note to do more checking, like blind spots and the rear mirror. Check rear mirror more often. When I am doing blind spot check, have to do it faster. Dont check too long. And also, try to read the practical book before going to the lesson! Haha
Time: Friday, 4pm
Weather: Gloomy
Subjects Passed: 1.07, 1.08
As today I am on half day, I grasped the opportunity to learn the off peak lesson at a rate of abt $60! It is $10 cheaper than my usual peak hour charge! Yeay!!
However, as the time draws near, the sky got darker too. Soon, it started to pour.. I was afraid.... Do i really need to drive in such weather? It was dark. It was pouring. And lightning and thunders. I can't handle it! This is only my 2nd lesson on the outside road... god bless me. I kept praying for the rain to stop.
Well, heaven answered my prayers. It really stop raining as my lesson start. Phew.
As I was few minutes early, I updated my PDL status at the information counter. It was a quick and hassle-free process. All I had to do was to show her my PDL, and sign on a form.
Then I proceed to my car for my cheaper-than-usual lesson. $10 of savings... yahooO!
My instructor came. Just as we were getting into the car, we heard some honking... then i heard the other instructors saying " confirm bang... "
My god! There was an accident, just outside BBDC! I was praying in my heart (again) that there will be no casualties. I don't think i can drive past the accident scene peacefully if blood is sighted.. Geez! I never wanna be involved in any accidents.. and anyone..
As expected, there was a jam as the road was kena blocked by the accident vehicles. My instructor being a smartie took the alternative route and drove out. Lucky. Imagine how much time (and $$$) I would waste if I'm stuck in the traffic jam.
We passed the scene and saw the accident. It was between a taxi and a BBDC car. The taxi had kissed the butt of the BBDC car. And guess what! The BBDC car was a test car. My god! What can beat it? Being involved in an accident when you are doing your TP? What can be worse? But luckily, there wasn't any injuries. BUt the poor student. I wonder if he has passed or fail his test.
If he has passed, will he be so shakened that he has lose confidence in driving?
If he hadnt passed, will he dare to retake his TP?
Sigh.. it just wasn't his day.
Anyway, instructor was telling me the accident happened because the taxi is following too close to the car, hence when the car halt, the taxi couldn't stop in time. And hence, it is very important to learn the correct technique of braking. To give adequant warning to the cars behind that you are stopping. And also never to tailgate another car. When the car in front stop, you may not have enough time to react.
He said that when we are approaching traffic junction, there are 3 arrows. They are there not for fun. There is a reason. The guideline is... 1st arrow, speed to be about 40, 2nd arrow 30, last arrow 20 or almost 0. It is really a good technique and i kept reminding myself about this. Soon, I got quite good with my braking, always able to brake smoothly. Not bad!
I drove along the road with a speed limit of 70. Yes, i drove at 70! It felt so fast. But the road was not very busy, hence quite ok to be driving at this speed.
At 1 point of the road, there was road works going on. I had to change lane. I could do it ok, of course with the guidance of the instructor.
I also learn to drive to the filter lane. The key is to drive into the lane as soon as it appear so that we can have the right of road.
The bends were something I had to handle this lesson too. There are some bends along bt batok, and we have to negotiate the bend. He was telling me, we have to learn from the F1 drivers - Look near, look far. Look near, look far. Like that, then can we negotiate the bend without mountkerbing or going to the next lane.
As it approached 5pm, there were numerous cabs driving at a breakneck speed, and quite recklessly. Instructor was saying they are rushing to change shift at 5pm. We have to be extra alert.
Comments: Instructor said my driving was not bad. But I had to take note to do more checking, like blind spots and the rear mirror. Check rear mirror more often. When I am doing blind spot check, have to do it faster. Dont check too long. And also, try to read the practical book before going to the lesson! Haha
3rd practical lesson
Instructor: Lee
Time: Saturday, 4pm
Weather: Hot
Subjects passed: 1.05, 1.06
I drove a few rounds in the circuit before going out on the road. Yes! My very 1st time on the road. People! Remember, you need a Provisional Driving License (PDL) before you are allowed to drive on the road! How to apply for PDL? You have to go to the traffic police counter at level 2 of BBDC. But let me warn you.. the opening hours is office hours and Saturday is opened til 1230pm. Queue is long long long!! I waited about 1 hour plus for the PDL! So go earlier and prepare to wait!
Ok, back to my road driving. The instructor drove out to the road and showed me the route which I'm supposed to drive. After the round, he said: easy right? your turn now!
Geez! How nervous I was!! Though it wasn't exactly the 1st time i drove on the road... What? I drove illegally before? Nonsense!!!
It's because.. few years back, i did learn driving for a while lah!!!
So maybe I wasnt as overwhelmed as a 1st timer should be..
The driving went quite smoothly. I learnt to do some turns, but left turns (which is easier).
Drove at 50. I felt that the car is moving sooo fast! But instructor kept encourage me to go as the road was quite clear, and the speed limit of the road was 70. At 1 point of time, I really drove at 70! Wow.. Zoom zoom zoom!
Time: Saturday, 4pm
Weather: Hot
Subjects passed: 1.05, 1.06
I drove a few rounds in the circuit before going out on the road. Yes! My very 1st time on the road. People! Remember, you need a Provisional Driving License (PDL) before you are allowed to drive on the road! How to apply for PDL? You have to go to the traffic police counter at level 2 of BBDC. But let me warn you.. the opening hours is office hours and Saturday is opened til 1230pm. Queue is long long long!! I waited about 1 hour plus for the PDL! So go earlier and prepare to wait!
Ok, back to my road driving. The instructor drove out to the road and showed me the route which I'm supposed to drive. After the round, he said: easy right? your turn now!
Geez! How nervous I was!! Though it wasn't exactly the 1st time i drove on the road... What? I drove illegally before? Nonsense!!!
It's because.. few years back, i did learn driving for a while lah!!!
So maybe I wasnt as overwhelmed as a 1st timer should be..
The driving went quite smoothly. I learnt to do some turns, but left turns (which is easier).
Drove at 50. I felt that the car is moving sooo fast! But instructor kept encourage me to go as the road was quite clear, and the speed limit of the road was 70. At 1 point of time, I really drove at 70! Wow.. Zoom zoom zoom!
2nd practical lesson
Instructor: Tan
Weather: Fine
Time: 750pm
Subjects Passed: 1.03, 1.04
Today, I got the instructor from my fixed group, Tan. He is a friendly and young instructor. I immediately like him as I feel very at ease with him beside me. He constantly chatted with me. I found out that he had been teaching for 5 years already!
We drove around the circuit. Firstly, I drove around the outer lane which is easier as the road is wider. Slowly, I turned and moved to the inner lane where the road is narrower, hence have to drive with more care.
I learnt turning too... gentle turns and sharp turns.
I mounted the kerb once! But Tan was very nice. He patiently told me it's ok.. nex time muz turn at appropriate position.
After he knows where I stayed, he asked if I know about the "Send service". That is, they will alight me at a spot which I want after the lesson. Great! I always thinking about the journey from bbdc to home. Not near. Not far. Not near to walk back.. and it's a lonely and dark route. Not far enough to take a bus back. Hence the "Send service" is a god send thing! They will send me home. But of course, it will eat into my learning time for about 5 minute.
Oh well, I gonna sign up for it anyway!
Weather: Fine
Time: 750pm
Subjects Passed: 1.03, 1.04
Today, I got the instructor from my fixed group, Tan. He is a friendly and young instructor. I immediately like him as I feel very at ease with him beside me. He constantly chatted with me. I found out that he had been teaching for 5 years already!
We drove around the circuit. Firstly, I drove around the outer lane which is easier as the road is wider. Slowly, I turned and moved to the inner lane where the road is narrower, hence have to drive with more care.
I learnt turning too... gentle turns and sharp turns.
I mounted the kerb once! But Tan was very nice. He patiently told me it's ok.. nex time muz turn at appropriate position.
After he knows where I stayed, he asked if I know about the "Send service". That is, they will alight me at a spot which I want after the lesson. Great! I always thinking about the journey from bbdc to home. Not near. Not far. Not near to walk back.. and it's a lonely and dark route. Not far enough to take a bus back. Hence the "Send service" is a god send thing! They will send me home. But of course, it will eat into my learning time for about 5 minute.
Oh well, I gonna sign up for it anyway!
1st practical lesson
Instructor: Wong
Weather: Fine
Subjects passed: 1.01,1.02
As it was my very first lesson, i was quite lost. Not knowing what to do...
Ok, 1st... i have to go to the printing self help station to print out a sheet of booking.
Then I am supposed to go find the car which is stated on the paper. The car number and the area it is parked at. I didnt know about it, hence I seeked help from a fellowmate. She understands that I am a first timer and went all the way out to help me. But my car was not sighted at all!
Am i blind or what?? Where is my car???
Then the staff there saw the lost look in me, hence helped me. Apparently, the car number wasnt displayed on the car! Grrrr.....
Then we went to a corner where Wong taught me the basic about the car. Even on how to change punctured tyres.
After the basic teachings, he let me drove to and fro.. to and fro along a straight road. My mind was thinking: Gosh! Is that what i will do today? To...fro...to....fro?
Boring!
But fortunately after a few rounds, I drove out to the circuit.
Basically what I do was to drive round and round the circuit (at outer lane). This is to get me used to driving and have a better feel of the acceleration and braking control.
After the lesson, I was already looking forward to the next lesson!
Weather: Fine
Subjects passed: 1.01,1.02
As it was my very first lesson, i was quite lost. Not knowing what to do...
Ok, 1st... i have to go to the printing self help station to print out a sheet of booking.
Then I am supposed to go find the car which is stated on the paper. The car number and the area it is parked at. I didnt know about it, hence I seeked help from a fellowmate. She understands that I am a first timer and went all the way out to help me. But my car was not sighted at all!
Am i blind or what?? Where is my car???
Then the staff there saw the lost look in me, hence helped me. Apparently, the car number wasnt displayed on the car! Grrrr.....
Then we went to a corner where Wong taught me the basic about the car. Even on how to change punctured tyres.
After the basic teachings, he let me drove to and fro.. to and fro along a straight road. My mind was thinking: Gosh! Is that what i will do today? To...fro...to....fro?
Boring!
But fortunately after a few rounds, I drove out to the circuit.
Basically what I do was to drive round and round the circuit (at outer lane). This is to get me used to driving and have a better feel of the acceleration and braking control.
After the lesson, I was already looking forward to the next lesson!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
