On the way back to the driving test centre, I had a feeling in tummy that I had just passed. You can by no means be too certain so you are often a tiny bit anxious of what the outcome could be. My heart was pounding as the examiner requested me to secure the vehicle and finally advised me that I had been successful in my practical driving test.
I was in such a euphoric state as I patiently waited for the examiner to issue a pass certificate and finish the administrative formalities. When this was done, my instructor got back in the automobile and insisted he dive back as I was in shook and amazement with ideas racing through my head.
Immediately after I got to my house I demanded that I be added to my father’s insurance coverage so that I could drive about in his car right up until I could afford a decent car of my own.
I imagined independence at last, no more hanging around in the freezing cold weather hoping for the bus to arrive, only for one to ultimately appear with nowhere to sit down. All those years of utilizing public transportation in whatever form be it bus, train, tube or even running had made me feel at the mercy of other people or the climate depending on the time of year.
It was the most fulfilling feeling understanding that I could drive anywhere I desired to without having to beg my parents or friends for a lift or use public transport. So as soon as my father had confirmed my insurance was valid, I decided to make my first journey that evening.
I had quite little experience of driving in the dark as a lot of my classes and the exam had been in day light hours. This did not put me off in the slightest although I did ask my younger brother to accompany me on the voyage simply in case we ran into difficulties.
After I got into the car, I was so thrilled that I disregarded a lot of what I had been tutored concerning pre start preparations like the cockpit drill. I simply whipped on my seat belt and off we resolved to go. The initial few mins of driving with just my brother in the car appeared to go by in slow motion. I realized that there was no instructor there and no duel controls to stop me. So if a thing went bad it is completely my responsibility to cope with.
After 10 or fifteen mins of driving I began to settle as these were roads that I had practiced down with my teacher a lot of times. We were able to get to our destination and back again with out any significant incidents. Looking back again on that evening some 15 years later, I now realise how my over self confidence had absolutely eradicated my knowledge of defensive driving.
As nights turned to months turned to years bad routines became a whole lot worse and I was starting to drive like a mini cab driver in East London.
Its very vital to understand that for the first two years from the date of receiving your licence known as the probation period. If you get 6 or more penalty points on your licence, you may well be disqualified to sit the test from scratch.
This means studying for your theory exam once more but thats the begining of your problems. Once you have got into bad routines it is quite hard to get rid of them and revert to learner driver mode.
There are quite a few details that are not covered by the L test such as motorway driving. It is therefore important that you dont turn out to be overconfident and callus in your driving.
The very best consequence of getting into bad driving routines is that you may pick up penalty points and a hefty fine. The worst case scenario is that you may risk your own existence and that of a different person.
My suggestions therefore to the recently certified driver as follows:
1) Do not disregard what you have been educated in your theory or practical exam and keep up to date with the newest Highway Code. Driving is a ability for life and you should aim to carry on following safe driving principals throughout your driving career.
2) On your initial maiden voyage ensure you have someone with you who is a certified driver on their own and can supervise you if vital but at the very the very least offer you that bit of confidence that an seasoned driver is sitting next to you.
3) By no means fold to peer pressure and drive carelessly or dangerously as the effects can be very serious.
4) Constantly guarantee your vehicle is road worthy earlier than heading out on any voyage.
5) Consider putting P plates on your car to warn other drivers of your degree of experience as a freshly certified driver.
6) Take into account enrolling on a pass plus program that may help you defeat any concealed apprehensions of meeting circumstances that you may not have earlier encountered similar to motorway roads.
7) Constantly remember that you may think yourself the ideal driver in the world but you are surrounded by drivers who are plainly not! So constantlyutilise the principal of defensive driving.
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Highway Code Gujarati
Hazard Perception Gujarati
Practical Driving Test Gujarati
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