View Full Version : Got My Learner's Permit!
batgirl
18-07-2007, 01:26 AM
Well I received my learner's permit (for driving) today. I passed my written driving test which means I can begin to practice driving officially now, even on the highway and in town. I have to practice obviously, before I am allowed to take my actual driving test. Things are far too hectic today, but Uncle promises to take me out tomorrow for a bit, and I'm very excited about it.
I have had a phobia about driving ever since my dad was teaching me to drive. That was shortly before he shot my family and I, so up until this point I have associated driving with the trauma. Then recently I was also feeling kind of weird and guilty about driving because Brian died from driving while intoxicated. I haven't wanted my family worrying about me doing something foolish. It's took a lot of effort to get up the nerve to even take the written test. I am nervous about the actual driving as well, but I have driven some of our machinery here on the acreage so I'm hoping that will help. I still have a long way to go but just taking and passing the written test finally has encouraged me.
becvan
18-07-2007, 01:29 AM
:claps: Way to go!
That is a huge step and good for you! I'm sure once you get used to it, you'll love it.
I find with my PTSD and my meds, I'm very cautious about when I drive. If I feel a little too medicated, dizzy or anxious, I just won't drive. I think it makes me a better driver.
I have no doubt you will end up being a cautious and safe driver too from your experiences. Good luck!
bec
Kathy
18-07-2007, 06:10 AM
Wonderful darling, I am very proud of you. Like Bec I am positive you will be a good, careful driver. I would say far better than myself but knowing what a horrendous driver I am, that is not saying much! :rolleyes:
anthony
18-07-2007, 09:22 AM
Way to go Evie, well done and excellent work on your behalf for doing, not just thinking. Evie, welcome to independence.... you will be surprised.
Marlene
18-07-2007, 11:20 AM
You go, Evie!!!!! Screwing your courage to the sticking place can be a tough thing. And you did it. Congrats and happy driving.
batgirl
18-07-2007, 12:27 PM
Thanks everyone! It's official, Uncle said he will definitely take me driving tomorrow, so I'm really excited! I hope I don't feel too nervous. He's making me learn on a standard. :p
wildfirewildone
18-07-2007, 01:57 PM
:clap: I hope you stay brave as you go out driving with Your Uncle Jim!!!! Being behind the wheel is a whole kind of new experience leading to an increased sense of independance.....:wink: ENJOY!!!!! SPREADING THE PEACE
anthony
18-07-2007, 09:05 PM
What is a standard? Manual transmission I assume? As we know though, assumptions are not a good thing with PTSD, so I just ask.
Congrats!!! Good luck with driving lessons - I was doing mine up until April and am starting mine again in September... it's scary but it is fun, I think you will get a lot out of learning, and its another step with dealing another part of the PTSD and association....
Really wish you all the best with it!
batgirl
18-07-2007, 11:31 PM
Thanks wildfire and Lisa. Lisa, maybe we can compare notes since we are both practicing at the same time practically!
What is a standard? Manual transmission I assume?
Yes manual transmission, it's mostly called standard transmission here, or just "standard" if your talking about a vehicle with it. I'm kind of wishing I was learning on an automatic, but my uncle says if I learn to drive a standard I can drive anything! :p
mouse
19-07-2007, 05:05 AM
Way to go Evie here comes freedom ya your uncle Jim is right if you can drive a standard you can drive anything, This is abig step for you in the right direction, I am so happy for you.
She Cat
19-07-2007, 10:52 AM
Hi Evie,
Congratulations on your test. Learning to drive will be easy. I learned on a standard, and your uncle is right. Once you learn how to drive standard, you can drive anything.....
You may "buck" a few times, and stall out, but it will be ok.
I have done some reading on some of your trauma....You have been through a lot, have been to hell and back.....The point I want to make is this....You have been to hell...........But you have MADE it back. You are a strong young woman. Courageous, brave, and a fighter.
You could have given up, but you haven't....Keep fighting. Fight with all that you have, and when you're too tired to fight....Look deep within you for more strength. It will be there. You are a survivor....
Many hugs,
Wendy
Talk about conquering your fears!
Good for you, Evie. I'm glad to see you going out to seize even more independence.
Well done Evie!
Thats a big step & you made it. Now what sort of car can you see yourself driving in the future? Don't think you'd like to drive a tractor into town for a timmy's run lol.
anthony
19-07-2007, 09:11 PM
Yep, thats it Evie, drive a manual and you can drive them all then... My mother only ever got an automatic license here, and she has found it challenging at times if her car has been in for repair or the like, as most of us drive manuals for the better fuel economy. Well done and best of luck for your license.
batgirl
19-07-2007, 11:10 PM
Thanks for the good wishes everyone! Wendy, welcome to the forum and pleased to meet you, thank you for the nice compliments. Jodee no lol I would not want to go out on a tractor, although I have thought of taking the mule into town, but I think it's illegal. (?) By mule I mean our Kawasaki Mule, not the animal the mule haha. I can drive the mule really well, it's easy, it's got automatic transmission.
I was feeling kind of sorry for myself yesterday about having to learn on a standard. Uncle and I went out for my lesson and it was VERY hard. You need to have so much coordination, and I've never considered myself very coordinated. The vehicle kept stalling, or lurching forward, or making this awful grinding noise because I wasn't switching gears properly. I got really frustrated. I was almost crying at one point. It's funny, in some respects I like to learn new things, but I also always want to learn things quickly and do them really well right away, if I can't be really good at something immediately I often want to give up.
Anyways I didn't give up, Uncle wouldn't let me, and after close to 2 hours I actually made a smooth gear shift! After a bit of practice it wasn't that hard, I started to get the hang of it. I'm glad Uncle didn't let me give up. It felt really great to learn how to do it properly, especially since it was sooo hard for me at first. I still have lots of practicing to do but I'm really excited I got the hang of the stick and the clutch. And I was so busy concentrating and feeling frustrated over switching gears that I didn't think of my dad or the trauma at all! :)
nugget
19-07-2007, 11:31 PM
Well now "missie" moo, what can one say that hasnt been said before me. Well done Evie big hugs chat soon Rob.
LOL okay, lets compare notes...
It's not easy learning to drive, I don't think anyone finds it easy. To make you feel better, I nearly ran over a family on my first driving lesson LOL! Not funny really I guess, and the woman did drag her kids across the road just as it went green! Rah, it wasn't good! I also had trouble remembering what side of the road to be on, because I was so used to being the passenger seat it was weird. As a result, I nearly went up a roundabout the wrong way! He asks me to turn left, I turn right. At first everytime I saw cars or people I starting shouting "OH MY GOD CARS AND PEOPLE!!!!!" LOL.
Got used to it... but I fear I may be one of THOSE drivers lol. So kangerooing, gear change difficulties, stalling... tsssscch you're doing well!
May have been frustrated. However. You did very well my dear. Better than expected. Very proud of your efforts.
Uncle Jim.
Claire
20-07-2007, 02:47 AM
That's brilliant news Evie! Learning to drive is so exciting. I had an excellent instructor who just made be laugh every time I stalled at a junction. Everyone else behind me would be cursing and I'd be sitting there laughing my head off!
You'll get the hang of it and its a brilliant skill to have. A whole world of freedom.
PS. I had visions of you riding into town on a donkey for a moment there :tongue:
hodge
20-07-2007, 08:51 AM
I just now saw this thread - congratulations, Evie!!! That's really an accomplishment. And to learn on a manual, too...to echo others, your uncle is right, everything else will be a breeze, it's true. I taught myself to drive a manual with my first real car. I stalled out so many times (in heavy traffic, lol) it was embarrassing, but I finally got the hang of it, and you will, too. It'll be like second nature with more practice. Here's to more freedom and independence for you!
tailgunner
23-07-2007, 05:57 PM
I am very happy for you, it is very difficult to take some leaps in life! I am sure you feel that great sensation that came with the completion of that task!
I drive for a living, with that being said, may I just remind you of the most important thing of driving! Take GREAT care of YOU and those arund you, WATCH for the OTHER person, they might not be paying atention! Practice safe, defensive driving skills and you will be a FINE driver!
Take care on the road, be safe!
Tailgunner
batgirl
27-07-2007, 02:42 PM
Hi tailgunner, welcome to the forum. Thanks for the congratulations and the good advice about driving. I haven't been out again since my first practice lesson but I hope to go out again tomorrow. Since I started to get the hang of the stick shift I feel more excited about driving. I think I'm really going to enjoy having a license!
batgirl
27-07-2007, 02:44 PM
Oh and thanks also Rob, Hodge, Lisa and Claire for your congrats too. I haven't been on the forum much lately and it seems I need to catch up on posts but I'm tired. :p
Nicolette
29-07-2007, 09:55 PM
my uncle says if I learn to drive a standard I can drive anything!
Too true Evie. Congratulations.
How is your driving going?
Well Nicolette. Want a report? Evie managed a perfect parallel park today. Second try only! Well on her way to being an excellent driver.
Jim.
Nicolette
06-08-2007, 07:43 PM
a perfect parallel park today. Second try only! Well on her way to being an excellent driver.
Good stuff Evie and you too Jim for being the best parallel parking instructor :biggrin:
Why thank you Nicolette. Didn't realize what a good instructor I was. ;-) However. Having a very willing pupil does help matters.
Jim.
batgirl
09-08-2007, 01:54 AM
Thanks Nicolette, who knew I would love driving soooo much?!!? I definitely never thought so. Suppose there's a lesson for me in that. And yes, Uncle is a great teacher, very patient, so I'm fortunate to have him.
batgirl
01-09-2007, 03:03 AM
Well, in spite of all the cancer and emotional shit that has gone on lately, I have managed to put in enough hours so that I am now allowed to go for my formal driving test and get a REAL license!!!! I'm not going to go immediately though, as I have surgery in about 10 days and then will need to recover. My goal though is to practice driving a bit more and then go for my test in October! Wooo I'm really excited !
anthony
01-09-2007, 12:36 PM
Well done Evie... finally, you have earnt your independence in this area. Really proud of you.
Nicolette
01-09-2007, 04:13 PM
Well, in spite of all the cancer and emotional shit that has gone on lately, I have managed to put in enough hours so that I am now allowed to go for my formal driving test and get a REAL license!!!!
Fantastic Evie. Just shows how much of an amazingly strong woman you are. Congratulations and I'm proud of you too!
Hey. How about a pat on the back for the teacher too? ;-)
Jim.
anthony
02-09-2007, 01:00 PM
Yer yer mate... well done to you also... No doubt Evie can give you big kisses for your hard work.... :)
Nicolette
02-09-2007, 01:26 PM
Hey. How about a pat on the back for the teacher too? ;-)
Jim.
Poor old bugger aren't you Jim? :wink:
I gave you a pat on the back before for the best parallel parking instructor but happy to give you another one for best teacher :biggrin:
Kathy
03-09-2007, 12:44 AM
Oh dear, just like my husband to be fishing for compliments! :tongue: However he was an excellent teacher, very patient. Additionally, I was both surprised and pleased that the two of them had no arguments during it! :rolleyes:
She Cat
03-09-2007, 01:20 AM
That's a plus if anything........I remember trying to teach my daughter to drive standard.....Ok then, thought I would need a new clutch by the end of the lesson. I didn't scream. I did applaud her excellent driving skills in reverse. She never could figure out driving forward, and she finally gave up. Thank god my clutch was saved...
Good job Jim....:claps:
Marlene
03-09-2007, 01:37 AM
Go Evie! You'll be burning up the highways before you know it!
Congrats, Jim. My husband is going to be teaching our youngest how to drive a standard here soon. Our deal was that we each get a kid to teach. Me and my little car went through the wars with the oldest. Now it's his turn. He's got a lot more patience than I do. Let's see how it goes.
Lisa
batgirl
03-09-2007, 07:11 AM
Hey. How about a pat on the back for the teacher too? ;-)
Thanks Teacher, you did do a really great job, and with no yelling! That was the best part.
He really was very patient and calm, I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. There was one time where I accidentally swerved the car in the wrong direction, almost into oncoming traffic, and he didn't even get upset then... or at least, if he did, he didn't show it. He grabbed the wheel quickly but he didn't shout. I'm really grateful for that, because if he shouted or got angry with me I think might have gotten upset and quit.
anthony
04-09-2007, 01:47 PM
I somehow guess Jim already knew that one Evie.... most learners are the same. You really don't need a teacher making you more nervous, and I think you might find with Jim's experience, he has that down to a fine art.
2quilt
07-09-2007, 07:06 AM
Hey, Do Canadians drive on the right side or the wrong side of the road?
--a smartass American
becvan
07-09-2007, 07:11 AM
OMG!
LOL and do you come here in snow suits looking for our igloo's and sled dogs too? ;) :biggrin:
bec
Kathy
07-09-2007, 07:46 AM
2quilt, you would be surprised how many American tourists come to our island (Newfoundland) expecting not only igloos and sled dogs, but even asking if we speak English! Do Americans not take Geography in school? I have often wondered...
And we drive on the same side of the road as you do.
Kathy
07-09-2007, 09:07 AM
Oh dear I meant to include this icon in my last post: :tongue: Re-reading without the :tongue: makes it sound as if I was annoyed, which I was definitely not. Ah, the problems with the written word!
In any event, I came back on here to report that in spite of having treatments tomorrow, Evie drove in the city today! It is the first time she has driven in a "real" city. Jim telephoned specially to tell me about it. She did very well. She is forever surprising us!
veiled
07-09-2007, 09:18 AM
Good for her!
And just like it is not common knowledge for us to know you speak English, live in something other than an igloo, or the right side from the wrong side of the road... it is apparently not know that geography is when American teenagers get there beauty sleep ;)
hodge
07-09-2007, 02:04 PM
Oh, that's great to hear that Evie's been driving in the city! Cool for her!
Haha, now I'm going to be a smug native Detroiter - I've gone back and forth over the border more times than I can remember, so I've always known Canadians drive on the right side of the road :wink:. The main trick, imo, is to get used to watching the kilometers per hour reading on the speedometer instead of the miles per hour, otherwise a U.S. driver can get into trouble speeding very easily.
becvan
07-09-2007, 02:40 PM
HAHAHAHA,
I have miles per hour in my truck so I'm used to conversion! LMAO.. however, since I'm originally from a border town I still use Fahrenheit instead of Celsius! How screwed up is that? :rofl:
bec
anthony
08-09-2007, 01:32 PM
That would be something like people thinking they get off a plane in Australia and see Kangaroo's, or they hop through the cities.... go figure ha? Funny though.
Nicolette
08-09-2007, 05:25 PM
Well done Evie for driving in the city!!
pandora
09-09-2007, 06:10 AM
Good for you Evie....i am so proud of you. independance......you are working toward it and you are succeeding!!!!!
Claire
11-09-2007, 07:13 AM
All English people live in thatched cottages too...obviously! and I think you'll find we drive on the right or should I say correct side of the road :biggrin:
Well done Evie! Get well and then bring on the test!
batgirl
14-09-2007, 12:30 AM
Thanks everyone, can't practice for a week or so now due to being on painkillers, but I am anxious to start driving again as soon as I'm able. My official test is already scheduled, for early October!
nugget
14-09-2007, 08:17 AM
Go Evie, Go Evie, Go Evie, MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Marlene
14-09-2007, 08:22 AM
Or maybe we should call you Speed Racer now? *grin*
Go, girl.
Nicolette
14-09-2007, 09:43 AM
Awesome Evie! Watch out Newfoundland here comes Evie :wink:
Claire
09-11-2007, 08:20 AM
Did I just read it right? you passed your test?! If yes, congratulations Evie, well done!
I have driven some of our machinery here on the acreage
that sounds so much fun. healthy envy from me :wink:
batgirl
09-11-2007, 10:57 AM
Did I just read it right? you passed your test?! If yes, congratulations Evie, well done!
I have yes, but I wasn't ready to discuss it here yet nor receive congratulations. I'm having a bad couple of days, and I was going to begin a new thread and tell everyone the news and how it went when I felt ready. Thanks for the congrats though.
And yes Vera the farm machinery is very fun to ride!