Today marked 10 hours of driving lessons, and while it is not a milestone by any means, having read my blog, I don't think I'm doing too bad with learning to drive a car here in the UK, and if all goes well, I should be taking my driving test pretty soon hopefully.
Today my driving instructor just made me practice what we've been learning so far, so a lot of moving off and stopping, with particular attention taken to make sure I was using POM properly.
I also dealt with all sorts of junctions, turning left and right, emerged at T-Junctions and had to work hard on LADA, as it is not easy following the rules when other cars behind you want to get past you. I don't like having to deal with traffic, as it seems most of London's drivers are always in a hurry, never patient with Learner drivers' and having 'L' plates displayed seems to have the wrong effect as they try to squeeze through the narrow NW2 streets in Cricklewood even though I have the right of way, and they should be yeilding!
I also had more practising of my 3 point turn manouver, this time on more narrow and sometimes busy roads, learning what to do when cars turn up during the exercise, the importance of using the handbrake (parking brake to the Americans), and looking out for pedestrians.
I sometimes forget to look behind me when reversing instead using the interior mirror when my driving instructor says is wrong and will be marked down on during the test by the DSA examiner. I don't know where I got that bad driving habit from, but my ADI seems to be on top of it, so I won't be getting away with it. Roll on the next driving lesson, and you'll be the first to read of my adventures in this blog.
Provision Licence Expiring
I got a letter today from the DVLA saying that the photocard on my provisional driving licence will be expiring next month, and that for my licence to continue to be valid, I need to renew my photocard licence at the cost of £20!
The letter also said that it was a criminal offence if I didn't surrender my expired photocard ID, and that I could face a fine of up to £1000.
I guess I'm paying for delaying starting to learn to drive a car, as I've had this licence since 1999 when I first planed to start driving lessons in London, but due to work and the fact that I've never really had a transportation problems because I live close to the London Underground station and buses to the west end are also easy to get, I've left it this long!
Now I've got to get my passport photos arranged, and fill in the photocard renewal application form and processed before it expires so I can continue with my driving lessons.
The letter also said that it was a criminal offence if I didn't surrender my expired photocard ID, and that I could face a fine of up to £1000.
I guess I'm paying for delaying starting to learn to drive a car, as I've had this licence since 1999 when I first planed to start driving lessons in London, but due to work and the fact that I've never really had a transportation problems because I live close to the London Underground station and buses to the west end are also easy to get, I've left it this long!
Now I've got to get my passport photos arranged, and fill in the photocard renewal application form and processed before it expires so I can continue with my driving lessons.
Turn in the Road First driving maneuver
My driving lessons have been going well so far, and while it is a lot to learn, and very hard work, I seem to be making progress, and having been looking forward to today's lesson, because I will be doing my first driving maneuver, the turn in the road (my adi instructor said it used to be called the 3 point turn).
As usual, we had a recap of previous driving skills I had learnt, with my instructor using Q&A to findout where I would look while reversing and clutch control and what was the meaning of POM because as he explained, I will be using these skills while performing the turn in the road.
It was time for the now familiar driving lesson briefing before a new DSA syllabus topic from the driver's record was covered, and to keep things simple, this lesson briefing explained the maneuver as a 3 point turn.
First I learnt how to use SCALP to chose the right spot to carry out this driving exercise, making particularly sure I don't do it too close to a junction.
Next I was reminded that I must use the POM System for all maneuvers and when carrying out my observations I must make sure there is no one around that will be affected by my driving. This also means that I don't need to use any signals for this or any of the other set exercises.
It is important that I keep the car very slow using clutch control, and that any steering that needs to be done should be with fast hands, hence I have been told to remember the slogan 'slow car, fast hands'.
The first point: Once it is safe, having prepared the car, I should put the handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly forward, I should steer full lock to the right, using a little more gas to overcome the additional resistance caused by the steering and any road gradient. As I get closer to the other side of the road, I should get ready to use the brake and clutch to stop as I steer to the left, if necessary easing off the brake to allow finite movements forward to position my right exterior wing mirror to sit on top of the kerb edge. A bit hard to explain, but I know what it looks like.
Once I stop, I should put on my handbrake.
Second Point: select reverse gear, find the biting point and then carry out my full 6 points observations, and if safe handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly, steer all the way to the left full lock, looking behind and around as the car moves across the road. As I get closer to the other side, slow down, look over my right should so I know where the kerb is and avoid hitting it as I stop close to it, steering to the right.
3rd point: Using POM move off forward, steering to the right, and continue up the road, driving in the opposite from where we came.
It all sounded simple when he explained it, but doing it practically was a different ball game. My first attempt of this new driving maneuver was not bad even though my instructor was giving me full talk through, I was nervous, and sometimes I would zone out, and not hear what I was being told probably because of panic fearing I would drive straight over the road and the opposite pavement! I had 4 attempts, on this very queit road, and was very thankful I didn't have to deal with any cars on this part of the lesson.
We drove around a bit to take a break from the maneuver, then I had a few more attempts, and this time it was getting better, with my clutch control improved now that I was no longer in panic mode!
It was soon time to go home, and before we swapped driving seats, my driving instructor and I filled in my driver's record and I was able to tick the turn in the road, with a 3 next to it. I totally enjoyed today's driving lesson!
My north west london driving instructor also recommended a DVD a visual guide to passing the driving test which I have been watching, and comparing notes with what I did today, and am quite happy that I'll be able to do it when the time for my practical driving test arrives, though that won't be for a few weeks now.
Turn in the Road Video
As usual, we had a recap of previous driving skills I had learnt, with my instructor using Q&A to findout where I would look while reversing and clutch control and what was the meaning of POM because as he explained, I will be using these skills while performing the turn in the road.
3 Point turn
It was time for the now familiar driving lesson briefing before a new DSA syllabus topic from the driver's record was covered, and to keep things simple, this lesson briefing explained the maneuver as a 3 point turn.
First I learnt how to use SCALP to chose the right spot to carry out this driving exercise, making particularly sure I don't do it too close to a junction.
Next I was reminded that I must use the POM System for all maneuvers and when carrying out my observations I must make sure there is no one around that will be affected by my driving. This also means that I don't need to use any signals for this or any of the other set exercises.
It is important that I keep the car very slow using clutch control, and that any steering that needs to be done should be with fast hands, hence I have been told to remember the slogan 'slow car, fast hands'.
The first point: Once it is safe, having prepared the car, I should put the handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly forward, I should steer full lock to the right, using a little more gas to overcome the additional resistance caused by the steering and any road gradient. As I get closer to the other side of the road, I should get ready to use the brake and clutch to stop as I steer to the left, if necessary easing off the brake to allow finite movements forward to position my right exterior wing mirror to sit on top of the kerb edge. A bit hard to explain, but I know what it looks like.
Once I stop, I should put on my handbrake.
Second Point: select reverse gear, find the biting point and then carry out my full 6 points observations, and if safe handbrake down, as the car starts to move slowly, steer all the way to the left full lock, looking behind and around as the car moves across the road. As I get closer to the other side, slow down, look over my right should so I know where the kerb is and avoid hitting it as I stop close to it, steering to the right.
3rd point: Using POM move off forward, steering to the right, and continue up the road, driving in the opposite from where we came.
It all sounded simple when he explained it, but doing it practically was a different ball game. My first attempt of this new driving maneuver was not bad even though my instructor was giving me full talk through, I was nervous, and sometimes I would zone out, and not hear what I was being told probably because of panic fearing I would drive straight over the road and the opposite pavement! I had 4 attempts, on this very queit road, and was very thankful I didn't have to deal with any cars on this part of the lesson.
We drove around a bit to take a break from the maneuver, then I had a few more attempts, and this time it was getting better, with my clutch control improved now that I was no longer in panic mode!
It was soon time to go home, and before we swapped driving seats, my driving instructor and I filled in my driver's record and I was able to tick the turn in the road, with a 3 next to it. I totally enjoyed today's driving lesson!
My north west london driving instructor also recommended a DVD a visual guide to passing the driving test which I have been watching, and comparing notes with what I did today, and am quite happy that I'll be able to do it when the time for my practical driving test arrives, though that won't be for a few weeks now.
Turn in the Road Video
Driving Lessons Continue
My driving lessons blog hasn't been updated much recently, as my driving instructor hasn't taught be anything new. We've continued to practise the skills I've learnt so far, Moving Off/Stopping, approaching junctions to turn left and right, emerging to turn left and right, paying attention to proper use of LADA.
We have been driving on more busy roads, and I've been trying to deal with all the inconsiderate drivers out there who can't bear the sight of a car with L plates in front of them, people overtaking me dangerously, riding up my tail, beeping their horn at me if I stall the car at a junction or while trying to decide on a safe gap when at a T Junction. I get more nervous with these people behind me, and make mistakes more easily. I also feel a litle under pressure when I'm the first person at traffic lights and have cars waiting behind me, it's like I'm holding them up because I can't go as quickly as them when the lights go green.
My driving instructor has said that I will be doing my first manouver next week, the turn in the road, so I'm looking forward to that driving lesson.
We have been driving on more busy roads, and I've been trying to deal with all the inconsiderate drivers out there who can't bear the sight of a car with L plates in front of them, people overtaking me dangerously, riding up my tail, beeping their horn at me if I stall the car at a junction or while trying to decide on a safe gap when at a T Junction. I get more nervous with these people behind me, and make mistakes more easily. I also feel a litle under pressure when I'm the first person at traffic lights and have cars waiting behind me, it's like I'm holding them up because I can't go as quickly as them when the lights go green.
My driving instructor has said that I will be doing my first manouver next week, the turn in the road, so I'm looking forward to that driving lesson.