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

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

The US state driving tests I've heard about or taken also have automatic fails for *touching* anything during parallel parking. And I, also, think it's stupid, because in fact in a tight space touching the cars ahead and behind, for example, is *completely normal*. And touching the curb isn't serious and is also fairly common (though never *deliberate*; whereas touching the cars I do on purpose when necessary).

I'm appalled at how much it's costing you, too. I believe my training cost $15 in the 1970s, plus some time from my parents and some time from a friend.

I'm curious how I'd do on the tests there (I'd have to study the rules, of course, since it's not where I'm used to driving). I've driven there a few times on trips, and didn't feel too seriously outclassed, but such self-evaluations are notoriously unreliable.

[(Anonymous)]

I'm glad you're in America so you won't be 'touching' my car during parking. Colliding with another car, not matter how slowly, is never necessary.

[dd-b.livejournal.com]

Hey, if your car is such a piece of junk that it can be hurt by a bumper-to-bumper contact that slow, you've got bigger problems than anything *I* might do to it!