I passed my test just over two years ago now and since then I have learnt a LOT about driving. As you can probably tell by the photo, I got my car cleaned specifically for this post as I want to share my thoughts and what I have learnt since learning to drive.
Actually passing my test was a struggle; I passed on the 5th attempt (6th if you include the one that I was late for haha). This wasn't down to being incompetent, but more due to nerves. By the 3rd test I had given up on extra lessons as I knew how to drive, so I just went out with my Dad a few times so that I could grow more confident behind the wheel. I was fine with anyone that I was driving with, however as soon as I was sitting next to an examiner.......it was a whole different kettle of fish. I could sense my anxiety spiking, I was stressing myself out, making silly mistakes and then I would do something stupid which would be the point where I failed.
I remember my last test; pulling up outside the test centre and sitting in silence as the examiner finished writing up the paper work, assuming I had failed again. When he told me that I had passed, I honestly couldn't believe it. I literally wanted to cry and hug him haha. My Mum had driven me there that day and she was so relieved when I told her the good news that we went to the cafe to celebrate.
My first car was a black Renault Clio. It was the perfect starter car as it was a nice size and very easy to drive. I must say, my instructor's car was awful to drive which I think was an old Vauxhall corsa. I don't know what it was about that car but I definitely preferred my clio.
I am now the proud owner of a Nissan Qashqai which is a lot bigger than my first car and I love it. I love the colour, tech, size, design.....everything. It also has a reversing camera which I am not sure how I used to live without haha.
Pros
- No waiting around for public transport
- A lot quicker
- Comfortable
- You can blare your music and sing your heart out
- Reliable
- You can bring more luggage with you
- You can go the scenic route and travel to different areas of the country
- You get your own space
- You can control the temperature
- It is often cheaper to drive
- You don't have to worry about the last train or bus home
- I find it enjoyable
- Don't have to worry about if it will rain
- You don't kill your arms trying to carry loads of shopping home
Cons
- Traffic
- People who drive like absolute nutters
- People who don't indicate
- Bad quality roads
- Very expensive to run
- Not always good parking or you need to pay
- Tailgaters
- Not knowing what lane to be in/being in the wrong lane
- Multi-lane roundabouts
- Petrol prices
- Bad for the environment
- People who drive painfully slow
- People who overtake you just to get caught at the lights next to you
- You can't read etc on your journey
Thoughts I Have Whilst Driving
- Oh great, traffic.
- I'm going to be late
- You could fit a bus through there!
- Move!
- Cheeky
- What is your problem
- Wow, you can't drive
- Nope, you can wait
- Umm, excuse me!
- YOU'RE WELCOME!
- Omg we could have made it
- Can you at least go the speed limit?!
- Oh you want to tailgate me? Cool, you can go 25mph.
- Haha, what an idiot
- I really need to start beeping at people
- Ahh what lane am I supposed to be in?
- No one is going to let me out
- It says GIVE WAY
- I really need to get my car cleaned
- Aww, i'm almost on the red
- That's more money
- Woah.
- Please don't miss the lights
- Don't you dare
I sound so aggressive after that haha but I'm not really. I love driving but I think the worst bit about it is other drivers. That is why I love working on the weekend and school holidays; because there is hardly anyone on the road.
There are a lot of 'firsts' when driving, so I am just going to write about a few as everyone has different experiences and it would be nice for me to look back at.
My first car
A black '07 Renault Clio
My first insurance policy
I had so many quotes when I first started out and they ranged all the way to about £5000. The first policy that I actually went for was a black box policy which cost me around £1900.
My first motorway drive
The first time I drove on the motorway was on the way back from Brighton with my boyfriend and it was dark. There were no street lamps so the road was pitch black and that was not a fun experience. But we made it back in one piece and now I actually prefer driving on the motorway.
My first bit of damage
I was coming home from somewhere with my mum when I still had my clio. I was pulling into my driveway and misjudged the space that I had left on the passenger side, so I ended up scraping the left side of my car on a concrete post. That cost almost £500 to fix.
My first long journey
Me and a few friends took a 3 hour journey to Centre Parcs for a mini break. The drive went quite well actually.
My first long journey alone
I recently travelled to Nottingham to visit my friend. I left quite late at night so that I could enjoy the journey and not waste hours sitting in traffic. It was a smooth ride and I actually enjoyed myself. I didn't stop on the way there but I did grab a Burger King on the way back haha.
I think that I have become a pretty confident driver. I am comfortable with hill starts, parking, reversing, motorways, manoeuvring and getting around multi-storey car parks haha. I have enjoyed my first two years and I am so glad that I did not give up when I couldn't seem to pass.
How do you feel about driving?
xx