So I've done a blog already about driving, but technically, I don't think I'd really started learning by that point. If memory serves, I wrote that around the day I did my written test to get a learner's license. Since then, I've started actually doing real, physical driving in a non-golf-cart-like vehicle, so I'll be talking a little about how that's been going.
To start off, my dad had me driving laps around the block (as my mom isn't a huge fan of being in a car with new drivers). I live in a very quiet area, so I would come across one to two cars during a half hour drive. This went pretty well- he slowly eased me into things like pulling out of the driveway, which was initially something he would do for me, so I wouldn't be too overwhelmed. The road isn't particularly nice around here though, and there isn't much to do other than turn right (we never went for counterclockwise laps, for whatever reason). Eventually we got bored, and decided to move to a new road where there's more for me to learn.
Next, we went down a little side road nearby, since there was the potential to go more than 30km/h, and some more complicated things (like stop signs and cul-de-sacs). This didn't last long, though- I ended up busy with family, and when we got back to driving after a week-long break, neither of us wanted to stay on that road. I'd only been down it once, but I already felt there was nothing left to learn there. We went down a busier road, through the town, and at some points did up to 60km/h. There was significantly more going on than in the previous trips, but I did surprisingly well (translation- I didn't crash)
There are three main things I feel I have trouble with at the moment. Firstly, since my left eye is so much better than my right, I have a bit of trouble keeping track of where the right side of the car is on the road. I suppose it's good that I can see where the left side is- generally, that's the side that's nearest the cars going in the opposite direction at very high speeds- but it would be nice to know when I'm driving in a ditch, or on a sidewalk. Secondly, I have a bit of trouble keeping my speed consistent. I don't fully understand how hard I need to press the pedal to keep 0 acceleration, but that's something I'm improving. Lastly, I could do with brushing up on my rules of the road- knowing when intersections need a full stop, or just a slight slow down, etc.
Overall though, progress is going surprisingly well, considering I've only gone out driving a handful of times.
Anyways, that's gonna be it for today- hopefully you've enjoyed this post! If you've got any good stories about learning to drive, feel free to share them here :)
