Try again, fail better

[fivemack]

Well, nine rather than sixteen minor faults, but still three major ones.

Previously I'd tended to fail for lack of observations; this time I turned my head constantly, as if a partially-deaf owl seeking an especially succulent but somewhat stealthy shrew, and mostly failed for lack of steering.

(apart from hitting the curb on the parallel park; I don't see why this is an automatic failure, tyres being solid enough that it won't damage the council's curb, and probably only somewhat reduce the life of the tyres)

Fourth time pays for all, that's what they say ...

I've spent £1592 on driving lessons and tests to date. I can't help thinking at the moment that I might rather have a dual-processor PowerMac, or four weeks youth-hostelling in Australia.

Comments

[antinomy.livejournal.com]

OOI, who are you learning with in your part of the world (since it's about to become mine, and I have a test to pass too)? How do you rate them?

[fivemack.livejournal.com]

I'm learning with BSM.

I've got through four instructors now, one of whom (the third) struck me as really competent. My first one was amazingly frustrated by me, which was no fun for either of us; second and fourth OK. #3 and #4 had incompatible sets of things which had to be done without fail ('thou shalt never change into first while moving' vs 'thou shalt change into first when approaching give-way lines'). So, not great teaching (though I'm an awfully long way from being a great pupil); and £20 per hour for the lessons.

It might be possible to do better with the right individual-instructor, but likely also worse.

[mobbsy.livejournal.com]

Sounds a lot like my experiences of learning to drive. Fortunately my parents were amazingly generous about funding it. I've no idea how many lessons it took, but got through several instructors and I failed three or four times.

I don't think I'm a great driver now, but I'm not all that bad. It did take a bit of time and practice for me to mature though.

[antinomy.livejournal.com]

Ahh, I've been with BSM here, and have just signed up with the AA for when I get home in a week's time. Mostly because I'm just a bit annoyed at how they treated me towards the end of my attempt with them. Also, because I think I want to buy a Ford if I pass. Hoping to have a first crack at my test in August (if you ignore the one I cancelled <24h beforehand a month ago).