Second day driving lesson.
Today, he let me ride the car from the start. He was parking perpindicular to the pavement. I had to go back to get the car out, and there were many cars in the street. It was out of my mind that I could do so! But I did. That was really great. I believe putting me in the midst of cars directly is very good. It gives me much more courage and builds confidence, plus it makes me practice in real world situations right from the start. Of course it could be a bit risky, but he's good, and we're using a learner's car that has breaks at both side and so on.
Todays lesson proceded as follows:
Tips- When turning left to enter another road, look to your left first, and take care while turning of the cars coming from behind in order not to bump into any one of them.
Lesson 3
Today was wonderful. First of all, we did not drive in the morning as in the previous two lessons, we drove after sunset. It was a different trainer this time, Mohamed Said, with a different care as well (same model, or similar Fiat 127). The beauty of what happened today was not only that I drove at night, but that I drove down a tunnel and above bridges. I went a long distance away and back. Of course long compared to what I was used to. We drove right in the midst of traffic! This guy was even more adventurous than the previous one, when I thought that first one was really risk taking.
This built in me even more self confidence. To tell the truth, the car seemed more smooth too, it was smoother in the gear and generally in handling than the previous one. Perhaps I also improved. It seems that the mental exercises I kept doing on and on again visualizing myself driving and taking the correct steps one after the other then repeating this once and again have paid off. Visualizing is a really powerful technique, it's the brain that is in control while driving, so training it is the key to better driving.
I hope I'll do even better in my next lesson, which is hopefully tomorrow morning this time, God willing. Let's wait and see. See you in Lesson 4 God willing.
Lesson 4
A third guy is giving me the 4th lesson. His name is Mohamed (but not Mohamed Said). He took me to a quite round about street and we went on and on all the time there. I moved almost all the time on first gear, with a very vrief time on second gear. It was in the morning. It was not as good, I felt I was falling back in driving skills because I was away from the main streets and the cars. This kind of reduced my stamina and courage. Yet, at the same time, his apprach did help me, 'couse he was taking it slowly and I was taking my time practicing basic techniques and getting hold of the car. So I did benefit today.
Lesson 5
Same trainer as last time, Mohamed. He took me this time out in the streets, was more fun this time. I did learn good things this time. We were driving right before till after sunset. Was nice.
Lesson 6
Today was my 6th driving lesson, and still a new trainer! This is the 4th trainer I get. The woman doing the booking at the driving school seamed a bit apologetic as each time when they bring me a different trainer. But I did not mind at all. In fact, I do benefit each time from a different trainer. Each one gives me new and different knowledge. I also get to drive a different car! (Though all are the same Fiat 127 model.)
Lesson 7
Today I did something new. He made me do a full turn, a 180 degree turn. It felt so nice. I wanted to repeat it on and on again.
He also gave me some instructions to write down. Here they are:
Starting UpWhen moving the car we:
- Make sure the gear is in moor.
- Turn the key gently.
- Press the clutch till the very end.
- Change to 1st gear.
- Press the gas 2 steps.
- Put the handbrake down while releasing the clutch on 3 steps.
Never
- Never change gear without pressing the clutch till the end.
- Never press the gas and clutch at the same time when changing gear. They must be interchanged.
- Never turn from right to left or vice versa without looking in the mirror and being sure the road is empty.
- Never move the car while the handbrake is up.
- Never press the gas at turns, speed breakers or roundabouts.
- Never change gear 2 levels at a time.
Speeds
- 1st gear: 1 - 10 Km/h
- 2nd gear: 10 - 30 Km/h
- 3ed gear: 30 - 60 Km/h
- 4th gear: 60 - 100 Km/h
Turns
- All right turns should be narrow.
- All left turns should be wide.
- Turns should be taken on 2nd gear.
Lesson 12
Parallel Parking- Align your car parallel to the car on your side. Be close to it.
- Turn your steering to the side of the car next to you till the end.
- Move backwards.
- Stop when your front tire is next to the back tire of the car next to you.
- Turn the steering to the opposite direction (of the pavement) till the end.
- Move backwards till you are parallel to the pavement.
Parking perpendicular: Backwards- Position the back of your car at the front of the parked car while being parallel to the pavement.
- Turn the steering to the side of the pavement till the end.
- Move backwards till your care is perpendicular to the pavement.
- Turn the steering back to a straight position.
- Continue moving the car backwards till you are close to the pavement.
Parking perpendicular: Forward
- Position the front of your car at the back of the parked car while being parallel to the pavement.
- Turn the steering to the side of the pavement till the end.
- Move forward till your care is perpendicular to the pavement.
- Turn the steering back to a straight position.
- Continue moving the car forward till you are close to the pavement.