ATAR Notes: Forum
General Discussion => Accountability and Motivation => Topic started by: Joseph41 on March 18, 2018, 10:16:57 am
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Enough's enough, hence this thread.
I'm almost 24, and I have <two hours of driving completed on my Ls. Classic.
I owe many people many lifts and like, I just keep putting off driving. But I need to start, and the time is now. This morning I called a driving school to book an appointment. They didn't pick up, which sucks, because just doing that took a fair bit after 8+ years of putting it off haha, but I left them a message and hope to hear back from them soon.
I think the hardest bit will be starting, so I'm keen to get this done and develop as a person.
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The hardest bit definitely is starting - the first time I drove, I was bloody terrified and thought 60km/h was really fast haha. It seems like there's heaps to focus on at first but it'll become second nature soon enough. :)
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You don't have to drive if you don't want to.
I'm kinda in the same boat after too many idiots on the roads and I came to the conclusion if you don't want to you don't have to drive.
Get your license though in case of an emergency and somebody needs to be driven.
I think In the near future driverless cards will be an option. Card like the Merc E series are essentially auto pilot anyway.
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The hardest bit definitely is starting - the first time I drove, I was bloody terrified and thought 60km/h was really fast haha. It seems like there's heaps to focus on at first but it'll become second nature soon enough. :)
Yeah, I think you're right. One of those things I've just built up in my mind to be way bigger than it is. I'm sure people are sick of me talking about it haha.
You don't have to drive if you don't want to.
I'm kinda in the same boat after too many idiots on the roads and I came to the conclusion if you don't want to you don't have to drive.
Get your license though in case of an emergency and somebody needs to be driven.
I think In the near future driverless cards will be an option. Card like the Merc E series are essentially auto pilot anyway.
I definitely do want to - I just haven't.
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At least you don't have to do 120 hours. I currently have about 4 hours, just did some googling...when I move to Canberra for Uni I don't have to do hours either, I just have to pass a practical test, regardless of age ;D
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At least you don't have to do 120 hours. I currently have about 4 hours, just did some googling...when I move to Canberra for Uni I don't have to do hours either, I just have to pass a practical test, regardless of age ;D
It's good to get the practice, though - there's a reason the 120 hours is in place, and it's to teach you how to drive in different conditions and give you the experience to make you a safe driver on the roads. :)
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The hardest bit definitely is starting - the first time I drove, I was bloody terrified and thought 60km/h was really fast haha.
I'm ~50 hours in and I still think 60km/h is fast!
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Update: first lesson has been booked for next week. ;D
EDIT: Well, Friday week.
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Update: first lesson has been booked for next week. ;D
EDIT: Well, Friday week.
Good luck you'll be fine - as others have said once you get used to the ropes then it becomes second nature.
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Update: first lesson has been booked for next week. ;D
EDIT: Well, Friday week.
You'll be yelling "nice indicator, dickhead!" in no time ;)
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Update: first lesson has been booked for next week. ;D
EDIT: Well, Friday week.
Hehe.
:,)
You'll be revving the car to the max (allowed speed) in no time :)
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Update: first lesson has been booked for next week. ;D
EDIT: Well, Friday week.
Vouching for you J41!
You going for an automatic or a manual license?
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Good luck! I haven't driven for more than 4 months, with my parents car out of commission due to engine issues, and I cannot wait to get back to driving. You'll soon get to the stage where even 100 isn't too fast... like me, who once accidentally went over 120... :P It's definitely worthwhile learning how to drive, and once you get started it's quite fun. Soon you will be one of the many drivers getting annoyed at the ineptitude of many other drivers on the road... Have fun!
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Yesss mate!!
1 lesson is awesome but don’t be too happy with it - aim for 3 and build that momentum!
After my first lesson, the dread of doing it again was like “fuck”. But it really does get so much easier when you manage to string together 3-5 drives with good frequency.
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Yesss mate!!
1 lesson is awesome but don’t be too happy with it - aim for 3 and build that momentum!
After my first lesson, the dread of doing it again was like “fuck”. But it really does get so much easier when you manage to string together 3-5 drives with good frequency.
Planning to book my next whilst I'm still in the car haha.
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Planning to book my next whilst I'm still in the car haha.
That was the only way to get me to do driving as well... in saying that I need to restart my lessons as well :/. But yeah always book the next one after your lesson or else you forget to book it.
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It's time for me to actually start entering my driving times in my log-book, instead of just taking photos of the odometer and saying that I'll do it later...
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It's time for me to actually start entering my driving times in my log-book, instead of just taking photos of the odometer and saying that I'll do it later...
It's time for me to just drive about at my own free will - with my 120 hours behind me (actually got over 160) and greens P's coming fast.
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I drove for half an hour on the weekend. Go me! #progress
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I drove for half an hour on the weekend. Go me! #progress
YAAASSSSSSS QUEEN
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YAAASSSSSSS QUEEN
I'll be paying you back in no time! ;)
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You can pick me up from the airport in November ;)
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You can pick me up from the airport in November ;)
This is genuine motivation hahaha.
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... Who are you and what have you done with Joseph41?
In all seriousness, good on you! I've been driving pretty much every other weekend for the past two years and still at only about 60 hours, be glad you don't have to complete the hours requirement (but make sure you get enough practice enough before hitting the road on your Ps). When I first started I was so excited to be going 30kph, and now 80 seems slow haha. You going to be driving manual or automatic?
I look forward to hearing about your near-death experiences :)
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This is genuine motivation hahaha.
Mate do it and I'll shout a massive fucking feast and shove every travel photo ever taken down your eyeballs
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Wish me luck!
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Wish me luck!
Driving in Good Friday traffic - you've got nerve!
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Will update properly at a later time, but it all went very well. :)
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So yeah, driving instructor is a legend, and the whole thing was pretty chill. Learnt a lot, keen to go again.
Also went for another drive on Sunday, so it's really ramping up haha. ;)
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Hey Joseph, Congrats on taking a hugee step in your driving journey! I've got my Ls too, but constantly asking my parents and friends for lifts (when public transport isn't handy) honestly makes me feel a bit guilty.
My dad's been showing me the basics, but having a driving instructor sounds great too since they're experienced in teaching! Would you mind sharing your instructor's details? And just a general question, how are the lessons structured?
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Hey Joseph, Congrats on taking a hugee step in your driving journey! I've got my Ls too, but constantly asking my parents and friends for lifts (when public transport isn't handy) honestly makes me feel a bit guilty.
My dad's been showing me the basics, but having a driving instructor sounds great too since they're experienced in teaching! Would you mind sharing your instructor's details? And just a general question, how are the lessons structured?
Hey Daniel!
Thanks for your kind words. :) Definitely empathise with the guilt there haha.
And no worries - I'll send over the details via PM. :) As with most instructors, I'd imagine lessons would vary a little in structure from student to student, based on past experience etc.
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I've been driving for a little under a year, at first I was really scared - it took me a month after I actually got my Ls to get in the car. I turned 16 a few months before this and you can tell I was really reluctant to get into the car. If I didn't live in the country, I probably wouldn't have gotten my Ls at all.
Now, I have over 60 hours (Was still really reluctant after I actually did get in the car) and am really wanting my P's to drive to school and just around town. I can tell you it takes time to get used to everything. I used to drive once a month when I first got my Ls now I'm driving my mum everywhere. Driving is fun. Sadly, I still have to get 120 hrs :( Hopefully getting my P's in the middle of next term!
Good luck with your driving, don't stress if you're bad at something. I'm still absolutely horrible at parking but practice makes perfect!
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I've been driving for a little under a year, at first I was really scared - it took me a month after I actually got my Ls to get in the car. I turned 16 a few months before this and you can tell I was really reluctant to get into the car. If I didn't live in the country, I probably wouldn't have gotten my Ls at all.
Now, I have over 60 hours (Was still really reluctant after I actually did get in the car) and am really wanting my P's to drive to school and just around town. I can tell you it takes time to get used to everything. I used to drive once a month when I first got my Ls now I'm driving my mum everywhere. Driving is fun. Sadly, I still have to get 120 hrs :( Hopefully getting my P's in the middle of next term!
Good luck with your driving, don't stress if you're bad at something. I'm still absolutely horrible at parking but practice makes perfect!
Thanks for your post! Definitely some motivation there. :)
Honestly I think the 120 hours thing is a positive. Gotta be safe!
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Done any reverse parallel parking yet?
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Done any reverse parallel parking yet?
(https://media1.giphy.com/media/DeJ2ifS2V2zlu/giphy.gif)
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(https://media1.giphy.com/media/DeJ2ifS2V2zlu/giphy.gif)
I'll take that as a no, then
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Forgot to update: I had my second driving lesson last week.
Went well - spent the whole time driving. The first 10-15 minutes was just around suburban streets, and then we hit some main roads and stuff. I think it's the first time I've driven on a four-lane road. Got up to 80km/h (I was nervous, for lack of a better word haha), did some merging.
Good experience!
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I get nervous going at 60km lol. The first time I drove on a main road was an accident, my mum thought it was still a block away - She was terrified haha, luckily it was a Sunday morning so it was quiet. Merging is scary, i'm always worried that i'm going to pull over too far or not far enough.
When's your next lesson?
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I get nervous going at 60km lol. The first time I drove on a main road was an accident, my mum thought it was still a block away - She was terrified haha, luckily it was a Sunday morning so it was quiet. Merging is scary, i'm always worried that i'm going to pull over too far or not far enough.
When's your next lesson?
Later on this week - looking forward to it. :)
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I get nervous going at 60km lol. The first time I drove on a main road was an accident, my mum thought it was still a block away - She was terrified haha, luckily it was a Sunday morning so it was quiet. Merging is scary, i'm always worried that i'm going to pull over too far or not far enough.
When's your next lesson?
You should go a bit out of Melbourne and practice driving on some more rural roads - the lanes are wider and there's less traffic, and even when there is traffic, cars don't honk at you for taking more than 0.2 seconds to go at a green light. Definitely great conditions for getting your confidence up!
When I was learning to drive, I found that practicing parking actually helped me with merging, because it helped me get more familiar with the size of the car and how much I needed to turn the wheel and all that.
Edit: oh, and just turning this into K888's driving tips ;) The best thing I ever learnt from my driving instructor was to have your driver's side wing mirror so the horizon is 2/3 of the way up, and to have your passenger's side wing mirror so the horizon is 3/4 of the way up. Helps so much with a) merging and b) awareness of other cars around you! :)
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You should go a bit out of Melbourne and practice driving on some more rural roads - the lanes are wider and there's less traffic, and even when there is traffic, cars don't honk at you for taking more than 0.2 seconds to go at a green light. Definitely great conditions for getting your confidence up!
When I was learning to drive, I found that practicing parking actually helped me with merging, because it helped me get more familiar with the size of the car and how much I needed to turn the wheel and all that.
Edit: oh, and just turning this into K888's driving tips ;) The best thing I ever learnt from my driving instructor was to have your driver's side wing mirror so the horizon is 2/3 of the way up, and to have your passenger's side wing mirror so the horizon is 3/4 of the way up. Helps so much with a) merging and b) awareness of other cars around you! :)
Yeah, nice - definitely planning to do this. Thanks Kate.
My instructor made me drive into this really tight court and then seven-point-turn my way out haha. What a legend.
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Yeah, nice - definitely planning to do this. Thanks Kate.
My instructor made me drive into this really tight court and then seven-point-turn my way out haha. What a legend.
Nice - it's a great way to learn, because you're not going at a high speed, and the worst you can do is hit the kerb with your wheels.
I take it this is auto?
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Nice - it's a great way to learn, because you're not going at a high speed, and the worst you can do is hit the kerb with your wheels.
I take it this is auto?
Yep, definitely auto for now.
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Yep, definitely auto for now.
I feel betrayed.
Just continuing the driving tips, make sure you get experience on all kinds of roads. I did some long drives from Melb to Sydney and even though it was highway driving and not particularly challenging (apart from getting off the freeway and not getting tired), it really helped with my ability to use the mirrors. I was able to see where cars were and how far away they had to be to be visible (or not) through my mirrors. You can learn things you might not expect :)
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I feel betrayed.
A manual friend! We never have to worry about our cars being stolen ;)
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Had another lesson. Definitely starting to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
Parking next week!
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Had another lesson. Definitely starting to feel more comfortable behind the wheel.
Parking next week!
Congratulations ! keep up the good work =)
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Another lesson recently. Focused on parking mostly. I actually found reverse parallel parking easier than regular driving; it's all very methodical.
Hoping to go for another drive today if all goes well.
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Another lesson recently. Focused on parking mostly. I actually found reverse parallel parking easier than regular driving; it's all very methodical.
Hoping to go for another drive today if all goes well.
Got through another 25 minutes. Will have limited opportunities the next few weeks, so was good to get some more practice in.
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Have had another lesson since updating this last.
Focused mostly on turning into main roads; I've struggled a bit with adjusting to speed limits and the like.
Staying to get frustrated that I'm not currently a good driver, but I guess I can't expect it all to come at once.
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And another lesson since posting above. Focused mostly on different types of parking, which was good. I feel really confident parking in basically any situation in theory. But as soon as I'm pressured (so like, if another car is waiting for me or something), I start to panic a bit.
No lesson this coming week as I'll be in Sydney on Friday, and then have other commitments on the weekend.
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Didn't have a lesson because I was flying back from Sydney, but managed another 30 minute drive just around the streets on Sunday.
Bit by bit!
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Didn't have a lesson because I was flying back from Sydney, but managed another 30 minute drive just around the streets on Sunday.
Bit by bit!
And another one on the weekend. First drive I've driven in the rain. Was a good experience.
I'll start my lessons again when I get back from the Northern Territory next week.
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Drove about 75 minutes yesterday (including some night driving) and another 40 minutes today.
Feeling confident, feeling good.
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Have been steadily building up the hours - haven't been stringently updating here. I think I'm probably sitting at about 15 - feeling good.
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In addition to the above, I drove more than four hours over the last two days! Made a couple of mistakes but like, that's to be expected, and felt great overall.
I think I've come a long way since the OP in this thread - really happy with how things are progressing.
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I'm up to about 20 hours. Feel like I'm getting on a bit of a roll. Genuinely enjoy driving around the streets.
It's good!
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Went for a pretty long city drive on the weekend. First time driving in the CBD. Whoooole new ballgame haha. I didn't find hook turns themselves too bad, but working out which turns were hook turns was pretty difficult.
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Went for a pretty long city drive on the weekend. First time driving in the CBD. Whoooole new ballgame haha. I didn't find hook turns themselves too bad, but working out which turns were hook turns was pretty difficult.
I feel like a grid would probably be easier to navigate than Sydney's disastrous CBD. But it's still probably one of the first big milestones when you're on your L's because you have to think about traffic lights and multiple lanes (oh and pedestrians) more than ever aha.
(CBD is the only place I've actually gotten lost driving before...)
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Drove to work at RMIT in the city today. Reverse parallel parked.
I'm a real boy.
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Drove to work at RMIT in the city today. Reverse parallel parked.
I'm a real boy.
Huge! An even bigger achievement that you managed to find a park in the city ;)
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Huge! An even bigger achievement that you managed to find a park in the city ;)
It's definitely a bit like that. Everybody's in such a terrible rush.
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I'd say I'm up to about 30 hours. Went for my longest drive on the weekend (3 hours) - to the airport and back. Was certainly an experience haha.
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I'd say I'm up to about 30 hours. Went for my longest drive on the weekend (3 hours) - to the airport and back. Was certainly an experience haha.
You've got this Nick. I remember on my L's driving to the airport to pickup my Dad with my Mum in the front seat. It was a Friday afternoon, and Kings Way was absolutely jammed, so much so that it took us 3hrs one way to get to the airport. It was such a moralising experience though, as I still was able to stay awake and had some valuable hours added on to my L's to help me as much as possible. Now being on my green P's I find it much more comfortable to drive to the airport and back, something which I hope you picked up as well on the weekend.
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I'd say I'm up to about 30 hours. Went for my longest drive on the weekend (3 hours) - to the airport and back. Was certainly an experience haha.
In love with this.
How close do you feel to wanting to test?
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You've got this Nick. I remember on my L's driving to the airport to pickup my Dad with my Mum in the front seat. It was a Friday afternoon, and Kings Way was absolutely jammed, so much so that it took us 3hrs one way to get to the airport. It was such a moralising experience though, as I still was able to stay awake and had some valuable hours added on to my L's to help me as much as possible. Now being on my green P's I find it much more comfortable to drive to the airport and back, something which I hope you picked up as well on the weekend.
Thanks! Yeah, I'm sure the experience will be helpful. :)
In love with this.
How close do you feel to wanting to test?
❤️❤️❤️
Basically, my instructor went overseas on Sunday, and won't be back until November. At that point, I plan to only have like one more lesson with him - just prior to the test. So I want to have my licence by early December, basically.
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Thanks! Yeah, I'm sure the experience will be helpful. :)
❤️❤️❤️
Basically, my instructor went overseas on Sunday, and won't be back until November. At that point, I plan to only have like one more lesson with him - just prior to the test. So I want to have my licence by early December, basically.
So exciting! Are you thinking about car purchases yet or not really front of mind?
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So exciting! Are you thinking about car purchases yet or not really front of mind?
I am! But also not really front of mind haha.
Corolla is at the top of the list at the moment, actually! Any advice?
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I am! But also not really front of mind haha.
Corolla is at the top of the list at the moment, actually! Any advice?
You know I love me a Corolla ❤️
Decide what your non-negotiables are.
For me:
1. 5 star safety rating.
2. Bluetooth
Almost non-negotiable:
2.5 reverse camera/sensors (love it for reverse parking with small margins).
Buy something that’s Japanese or Korean. Don’t buy European. Prioritise comfort. Was considering tiny cars like a Mazda 2 hatch but just glad I didn’t given I ended up driving so much immediately after I got my car.
I got the Corolla just because huge reputation for reliability. No frills. Just a workhorse that did what I wanted it to do. Fierce in the contest with 5 star safety rating. The Cunnington of cars, if you will. Extremely popular car so mechanics are used to working on them and parts are very available. I have no regrets.
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I'd say I'm at about 55-60 hours now. All going well.
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Good on u! 1/2 way mark! :D 👍
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Good on u! 1/2 way mark! :D 👍
Thanks! :) I actually don't need to hit the 120 hours (too old lol), but I definitely think it's a smart move to do so anyway. 👍
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Any updates on your driving? :)
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Any updates on your driving? :)
I passed my test and got my Ps. ;)
#bigboy
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I passed my test and got my Ps. ;)
#bigboy
congrats, an ability to further your independence by driving without supervision is so good.
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I passed my test and got my Ps. ;)
#bigboy
Omg congrats !!
Is it now time to start Uber Notes ??
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I passed my test and got my Ps. ;)
#bigboy
Congrats!! ;D
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I passed my test and got my Ps. ;)
#bigboy
W o a h
Congrats!
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Thanks all!
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Thanks all!
<(o.o)>
Omg congrats !!
Is it now time to start Uber Notes ??
(https://i.imgur.com/c5JU59p.png)
Starring Nick, Bea and anyone else working for AN with a license.
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Driving solo feels w e i r d.
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Driving solo feels w e i r d.
That was me at the start of red Ps. I found driving with just one reliable friend helps ease your way in at that stage because you’re still making the decisions by yourself but it calmed a lot of my nerves. I also purposely drove around more for a period to get accustomed to it - frequently going along familiar routes (e.g. local shopping centre)
Took me ages before I fully got over how weird it was but it was very dealable after a month ish at most
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Driving solo feels w e i r d.
Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it! Just remember to concentrate. There are so many stupid people on the road haha. Congratulations!
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Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get used to it! Just remember to concentrate. There are so many stupid people on the road haha. Congratulations!
Thank you!
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Is it just me or does being a learner driver give you a passionate dislike for driver who tailgate even when you're only less than 5km/h under speed limit?
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Is it just me or does being a learner driver give you a passionate dislike for driver who tailgate even when you're only less than 5km/h under speed limit?
Can confirm.
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Is it just me or does being a learner driver give you a passionate dislike for driver who tailgate even when you're only less than 5km/h under speed limit?
Doesn't everyone hate a tailgater? Oh, right, I'm a learner...
Congrats, J41, for getting your P's!! :)