I'm one chuffed Dooyooer tonight....... (Learning to Drive)

Member Name: millergirl

Product:	Learning to Drive
Date:	07/09/01 (165 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The fantastic feeling when you pass your test will never be forgotten., The freedom that driving brings

Disadvantages: It is a huge responsibility being in charge of a car, If you end up driving forget drinking!

Is there a more delighted Doyooer than me tonight? I don't think so and if you'll read on I'll tell you why.

It is stretching my memory to think back about 24 years to when I was a learner driver, but hey some things you never forget.

I didn’t attempt driving till I was about 26 years old for several reasons, the main one being money or lack of it! I don’t think I ever gave it a lot of thought before then and in fact it was money that drove me to it. I was married with two young children and we were off for a weeks holiday in Devon so off I went to book the train. I was so shocked at the price of the rail tickets (some things never change) that I booked my first lesson for the week we returned.

From the moment I got hold of the wheel I loved driving and took to it like a duck to water. I had a smashing (bad choice of words) instructor, Sam, who had the knack of making me feel relaxed and confident at the same time. It is strange when you are learning and you cannot imagine how any one copes with putting on windscreen wipers and steering at the same time! I do remember being a great source of amusement to Sam by having absolutely no idea where I was as I was so busy concentrating on the business of driving.

There isn’t much to say about my days as a learner other than the fact that they were mercifully short as I passed my test first time. No written test for me just the couple of oral ones after my practical test. I was so nervous going off for my test 9.15 on 15th Feb 1977 but I will never forget hear those words, “I am pleased to tell you, that you’ve passed” YES! I will never have to go through that again fantastic!

My three children all learnt to drive at about18 years old and passed at attempts varying from 1st to 5th. I will let them tell their own tales another time, but I will only say that the females of the family don’t mess about!

Okay now can I
hear you asking who does that leave? Oh I know my husband! He had always worked within walking distance of our home and of course he had me who loved to be behind the wheel so he really lacked insensitive! When he was 30ish he did take lesson and took and failed two test, this at a time when money was still tight. So with a lack of both funds, incentive and by this time confidence he gave up. There have been times over the years when he has promised to learn the one I really did think he would follow through was after I had a nasty accident. Even that was not enough to spur him on and I had just about given up hope.

Earlier on this year we decided to move away from the town and to a village, we both wanted this but I did say I did not want to be the only driver in the house. My own children are all independent and we have three young foster children and I was thinking ahead to the constant one person taxi firm I would become. To my amazement he sent off for his licence and booked a few lessons! Off I went to lie down in a darkened room for few days but as the shock wore of I realised he meant it he was really going to try again.

He decided to take the easier option and learn on an automatic and just do the test for that, no problem. I like automatics and at the moment that is what I drive any way, as long as he could be independently mobile I was happy. Now at the even riper and older age than me he is a very different character to the somewhat inpatient young man that tried before. This time around he found it very easy, no gears or clutch to worry about and he found he enjoyed it. He took the written test a few weeks ago which he passed without problem now that just left the tricky bit.

Today (or yesterday as it is now) was the day 3.27pm to be very precise he took his test and I waited at home nervously. When I saw the car round the corner he beamed and I knew he had passed! So here he is 55 years old and at last a fully-fledged driver
and yes of course he is already saying, “Why didn’t I do it earlier?” Well never mind that, family were mustered and out to celebrate we have been, I even dare dream now of occasionally going out in the evening and not being the driver!

I’m only writing this because I am so excited and chuffed with him not only because he passed but also because he made the effort and learnt,

I often hear talk of changing the legal age for driving which I find very difficult. My kids were responsible and ready and passed at 18 my husband was not really ready when he tried just 20 years ago but now at 55 he is! How we decide age limits for all sorts of things puzzle me. How do people decide on the age people need to be to vote, have sex, get married or be allowed in sole charge of a potentially lethal piece of machinery. People will always vary and as they can’t be judged on individual maturity there must be a limit, on balance I think it is probably set fairly appropriately.

I do remember when my eldest son failed his first test he was understandably gutted, but there was a part of me that felt relieved. I was not sure at that time that he was ready, by the time he did succeed (5th attempt but please don’t let on I told you) he was.

One thing I would like to see is more compulsory re-testing after certain traffic offences and above a certain age. Maybe we should all have to take refresher courses to rid us of some of the bad habits that we collect over the years.

All I know right now is that I am delighted, I think possibly more so than my husband, mind you I haven’t been in a car with him driving yet. So take my advice, stay indoors for a couple of weeks while he gets some solo practice done!

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