Learning to drive...
By spoiled311
@spoiled311 (5500)
Philippines
October 24, 2007 10:57am CST
At age 31, this is the first time that I changed roles, from merely being a passenger to the one calling the shots. This is the first time that I slid behind the wheel.
The problem is, I'm a very short girl, so I had to adjust the seat to get very near the wheel and I had to strain my neck just to see the front of the car. Also, I have to strain my left lef whenever I needed to use the clutch, which is practically all the time (to hit the brakes, to change gear, to start, etc.).
On the first day, we had a short briefing and I was asked to take the driver's seat. It was cooool!!! I mean the experience. I know you all probably drive, but I'm sure you still remember your first experience on the driver's seat. We used a fairly old car, but it was running well and the steering wheel and gear shift were okay.
Yes, I'm practicing on a manual car with a stick shift, which suits me just fine because I know that if I master this, I will be able to use an automatic car without problem.
Second day, I got very nervous and kept releasing the clutch, so the engine would stop.
Third day, which was yesterday, we went along the city's main thoroughfare. But Bacolod traffic is the pits! We are not a very disciplined people in relation to traffic rules--it's the pedestrian that rules here!!! This behavior is not very typical all over the country,
just here in our city.
I already learned to go forward, change gears, back up, park, turn right and left, use the lights, mirror, and make a U-turn.
After the 5-day lessons, it will be my boyfriend who will take over teaching me...But in a different car...a minivan.
I think I'm getting better at it. Later will be my fourth session. But there is still one thing that I keep on forgetting and need to do--BLOW MY HORN!:-)
3 people like this
17 responses
@shiloh_222 (5479)
• Philippines
24 Oct 07
i learned how to drive two years ago but it's like it has been over a year that i didnt get to practice... my mom wont lend me her car... only my dad... but he's always busy that i cant borrow it from him.. i feel like my driver's license is just a decoration in my wallet...sigh.. .guess, i have to wait till i have my own car...
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
24 Oct 07
like me, it's been almost a year, too. sigh, i guess we will just have to wait till we have our own cars. i can't drive our van because it is too big for me. i find it hard to maneuver...
1 person likes this
@shiloh_222 (5479)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
well, a smaller car like ours is very easy to maneuver... i felt like i was driving a bump car... hahaha...
1 person likes this
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
oh that's funny! :-) i like big cars. but sadly, with my physiology, i think i will just be able to drive a small car. but it's okay, maybe someday, i can already buy my own car and not to contend with borrowing my in-law's car.
not that they withhold it from me, i can borrow it if it's free, but when papa has somewhere to go, then it is commute time for me...heheh
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
25 Oct 07
i also not very comfortable in driving... i learn how to drive about long long time ago (can't remember) but i hardly drive... and i prefer to be a passenger rather than a driver... :-)
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
hahahaha that is right. nothing beats having a personal driver. you can sleep while he drives. lol
@laurika (4532)
• United States
24 Oct 07
I learnt how to drive when I was 22 years old and I was excited it about it too.But sad is I have driving lisence almost one, but I am not driving much, becuase we have only one car and I don't have oportunity to drive.And also now I am scared after not driving over half year.I need to practice more parking, hope you don't have any problems with it.I hope you will be finish soon with lessons and drive safe.
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
yeah, i sort of forgot my driving too... it's been a while. how old are you now laurika?
@buliangxianren (425)
• China
25 Oct 07
i learn to drive when i was 13 years old. there is a car in my family. i can remeberthe time when i try to drive the car first. it run fast and go to the wild then it can not run and it is power off. i am treatened. but after it i drive it to school. haha. it is simple, do you think so?
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
13??? your parents allowed you to drive? wow thats cool! :-) no accidents ever since? i mean even just minor bumps? cool! :-)
@hopejordan (3561)
• Australia
24 Oct 07
hi therespoiled311 i hope you pass the test i am 32 years old and i did a test in Australia and i failed it 3 times i need to study the book again i am trying for the learners permit so i say i hope you pass.
god bless you hopejordan
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
nope, i still havent taken the test. now i am afraid because i haven't practiced in a long time. but they say, we can pay up authorities to let us pass the test. i dunno how true this is, but this can probably explain why we have so many bad drivers.
in our country, does bribery work as well?
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
what kind of car is she driving ck? does she put pillows behind her back too? i like having a pillow there. keeps me feel secure.
@gorgeousdreamer (1034)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
Well... I can still remember when I just learning to drive. I was also like you... Don't worry, when you are used to driving you'll be a better driver.
@chertsy (3798)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Congrats for getting out there and driving. I give you a lot of credit for learning on a manual. Growing up, that's all my dad ever owned. I saw how he would jump down my brother's neck for doing it wrong. I just sat by quietly until my dad got a automatic, and he still jumped down my neck for getting in with no shoes on. So me and my sister would break the law and drive around without him while he was at work.
Just remember if your boyfriend gets loud at you. Just calmly tell him to hush, that your the one behind the wheel, lol. Honestly though your doing a lot better than my brother and sister. It took them a long time to handle a manual. Also, remember even pros gets the gears jammed every once in awhile.
@Lifeless (2635)
• India
18 Nov 07
Hi there.. I think its pretty late, u shud have learnt driving by now.. But neways, its good that u picked up the courage to learn driving at this age... I learnt to drive when I turned 18, and now its been 4 yrs since I have been driving... Neways, all the best to u.. The only thing to remember while driving is to 'NEVER FRET'.. Don't u ever get scared.. Just, stay confident everytime u r behind the wheel.. That's the only advice I can give to u at present...
@cheodej (102)
• Germany
25 Oct 07
You are absolutely right! I can still remember my lessons in driving together with my husband & my driving teacher itself. I've got my license 6mos. after when I first arrived here in Europe 2003. My husband & I fought everytime when he teaches me to drive. The nervousity is so terrible. It's very hard to get driver license here in europe than in the Philippines. You must take first theory exam then comes the actual driving exam which when you can make false move you are out and must pay again, learn & another exam. Whew! Thanks God it's over. One thing, here in Germany Blowing of horns is not allowed.
Goodluck in your driving & take care.
@wotfpatty (2065)
• United States
24 Oct 07
I learned to drive at age 16 and then learned to drive a stick shift (manual) car at 17. I have been driving all these years and then my license expired and I was soooooooooooooo stupid that I didn't go get it renewed.
Now I have to do it all over again. I just got my permit and have to take the 5 hour course. Then I can take a road test. Funny, after all these years, I feel like I have no idea how to drive. I sort of have to start over because I have my own style and I doubt it will fly with the DMV. So, I am sort of in the same boat you are, taking it a day at a time and relearning everything. I am so nervous, I will never pass the road test. I know how to drive when no one is evaluating me but when they are, eeek.
Good luck! It's true. Once you know how to drive a manual, you can drive anything.
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
hahaha that's funny. my husband also keeps on forgetting to renew his license.
my dad, too. my dad used to say that he is so confident with driving but the moment he learns that his license has expired, he gets really anxious. after a day of struggling, he would go home, return the car, take the public transport and go renew his license. lol
do you also experience that? :-)
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Congratulations on learning ow to drive, and good luck on your continued learning.
I officially learned to drive at 16, but first got behind the wheel at 12. My dad took me out in the country and let me get behind the wheel. I drove a few miles down a country road with him that day. It was fun.
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
24 Oct 07
thank you lilybug! that was so nice of your dad to let you handle the wheel. it must have been a wonderful experience for you becuase you could never forget it. :-)
@spoiled311 (5500)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
oh cool! you will. it is different when a professional teaches you. all the best nupezes. do update us how it has been for you.
@meanangel (167)
• United States
24 Oct 07
I just got my licence and I am 29 so now that you have admited to being a late driver to I don't feel so bad. I still hate to drive and I have a good car. Some people are made for the road and others aren't. It would help if people would stop trying to run me off the road. It happens at least once a day because people are ditracted or just bad drivers. I hope you have better luck than I. Best wishes.
@navincp123 (442)
• India
25 Oct 07
i learnt to drive wen i was 20...and i hav got a license too...i just luv driving on long trips....
@North_Atlantic (126)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Congratulations on learning to drive! I remember the first time I got behind the wheel and realized that the car had a manual transmission. At the time, I was horrified. The concept of using three pedals to make the car move just seemed so strange. Thanks to some teaching from friends and family though, I eventually came to love stick shift. It can really be a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. Driving can really open up a lot of opportunities, so congratulations on learning.
