Third lesson today, did left and right turns, my instructor said i am picking everything up pretty quickly. Main thing i am struggling with is how he wants me to steer.
Feed it through your hands? I had trouble with steering for a while, when turning and changing gear at the same time, always turned first then changed gear second or vice versa, now can do the two together. Steering is a piece of p*ss when you get used to it.
Had my 15th lesson the day, first in what feels like ages as been really busy with work. Had a brilliant lesson until about 50 minutes in and for some reason I started making mistakes, those b****** round abouts. Also drove over a zebra crossing with some bloke still not fully crossed which I was told would result in a fail on my practical test. Done another parallel parking and kissed the kerb which I was told would be a minor on a practical test. Wouldn't mind but parking and such has been my strength in terms of manouvres. Was well upset at the end as I had done brilliantly for the vast majority of it.
Anyway asked my instructor to level with me, to tell me what stage I'm at. He said he'd class me as an advanced learner driver who has a few bad habits that I should be getting rid of by now, says I panic too much at certain round abouts or when traffic at round abouts are particularly busy and fast too but he says my road sense has much improved and that my perception is spot on, says I'm reading things brilliantly and that he'd consider me quite a safe and considerate driver. Handling the car is becoming not a problem now, says in slow moving traffic for example I'm really good. Apparently a lot of people end up stalling or constantly using their breaks and even handbreak when traffic comes to a stop before moving off again, as a result my hill starts either up the hill or down and on a flat whether going forward or reversing for parking etc. is spot on. Basically clutch control which when I first started was my big worry and one of my big flaws.
Its those round abouts though, the lanes, judging, accelerating quickly and changing gear quickly, remembering to left indicate etc. Honestly they scare the s*** out of me and I freeze whenever I enter a big one or a fast moving one, little ones are no problem even with traffic. I have to get over them. If I had the balls I'd jump on my bike and start using them that way just to get some more roundabout sense.
Still though I'm loving it and confident I'll get over my fears and get rid of my bad habits and one day make a decent driver.
