I'm learning to drive!

[kearinne 0]

Well, tonight was the first time I ever got behind the wheel of a car... and I was scared sh*tless!

My husband drove us to this larger parking lot of a middle school but just when we were about to switch spots so that I was behind the wheel, some teenagers drove up and were hanging around so we decided to try another parking lot near by near Safeway. That one ended up having too many spectators sitting outside of the Starbucks there so we finally settled on a real small parking lot to a daycare/school.

I managed to drive us up and around this small semi-slanted parking lot 4 times, even managed to park in one of the spots (between the lines!) and then backed out and that's when my husband asked me if I wanted to try drive home (about 1 and 1/2 miles) through hilly West Linn here including 1 four way stop and 4 turns. I ALMOST made it without any huge mistakes... I was driving real slow with my husband talking me through the whole thing. I ended up letting someone go ahead of me at the four way (it was my turn but I wasn't ready so my husband waved him through for me) and then I had a sharp turn left at an unlit part of the road with a median seperating the directions of the road I was turning onto (which is what scared me the most - thinking I'd hit the median)... but that wasn't where I made the mistake. I was on a downhill, about to turn left onto the street our house is on (which is on another downhill and I let up on the brakes a bit too much. I would have hit the curb on the turn if I hadn't braked (I hadn't turned sharp enough and because I let up fully on the brakes I had moved up too far forward to take the turn properly). My husband was wonderful though, he talked me through it, straightened me out and we got through the turn (without hitting the curb no less!) and even managed to park in the driveway afterward without hitting his new car.

My husband says I did great, but I'm still a bit unsure of myself and how I did. I was very nervous and did make a lot of small mistakes. He is very proud of me none the less and that helps. Hopefully we can try again in the bigger parking lot (which has multiple lanes) and I can fix the mirrors so I can actually see if I'm in a lane correctly, unlike tonight where I had to guess.

I can't say I'll be driving anytime soon but I'm slowly working toward that day. Only took me 15 years to get over my fear of driving enough to actually try! Now all I need is a higher cushion... (the one I used isn't high enough to let me see the right-front of the car well enough without sitting bolt upright in a very uncomfortable position ). I hate being so damn short! Maybe I should just use that floatation device mu husband bought in lieu of a cushion... don't ask - that's another story.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My husband says I did great, but I'm still a bit unsure of myself and how I did. I was very nervous and did make a lot of small mistakes. He is very proud of me none the less and that helps.

Sounds like you have a good teacher. I wish I had that kind of patience

[ktun 0]

Well by the sounds of things, you did great!!!! You were brave enough to give it a try and from now on it will get easier, that was the biggest hurdle for sure. I was terrified when I first learnt to drive and it doesn't bother me now, so I'm sure you'll be just fine!!

Good on you

Kate

P.S. I'm short too, only 5ft and have a cushion too!!

[snz1802 0]

It is like riding a bike, once you learn you will never forget how to do it, if that is any consilation to you

[Amy and Brian 1]

It is like riding a bike, once you learn you will never forget how to do it, if that is any consilation to you

Somehow I think the bike is a bit easier than the car! I haven't driven in almost four years now and I have a nagging suspicion that it won't feel like second nature anymore once I do get behind the wheel again.

[SanDan 0]

Good luck kearinne! I'm sure you'll do great I don't drive either and will have to learn soon... And yes it is scary

[ladybutterfly 0]

Keep up the good work!

[wong_watkins 1]

Sounds like you have a really good driving teacher. I'm happy for you!!

[canadalaura 0]

Good stuff!!! When I moved to the states I had to learn how to drive stick shift - it was like learning to drive all over again! Took me a while, but now it's second nature You'll be speeding around in no time, I'm sure!

[Jasman0717 9]

I let Claudeth drive and she did really good all the way up to when she ran into the Del Taco building and caused $450 in damage to the building and $800 to the Mustang.

Next time it is a driving school!

[Welshcookie 17]

well I am going to learn to drive also....and I am 40.....never too late to teach an old dog new tricks (I am not sure I even should have that cliche in regard to myself... )

good luck!

[kearinne 0]

I DO have a wonderful teacher . Thanks for all the encouraging words, it helps me want to keep trying. Going to try again on Thursday after my Infopass appointment and hopefully this time in a bigger parking lot. I wonder if it'll be any easier the second go.

PS: Welshcookie, I'm only 9 years younger than you (hehe and my husband is 9 years younger than me...! ). I'm sure you'll do fine. I was told adults can make better judgements when learning how to drive than teenagers. My own mom was 55/56 when she learned how to drive (after my dad passed away). And you're right. It doesn't matter the age, it's the determination. Besides, you're still young . Good luck to you as well in your endeavor.

[mgat5 0]

Kearinne!!

That is great!!!! I am so happy for you! You will be driving really soon!!!

[almaty 19]

oh good for you...i be teaching sanita next year..great joy

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I let Claudeth drive and she did really good all the way up to when she ran into the Del Taco building and caused $450 in damage to the building and $800 to the Mustang.

Damn, dude.... how much is the insurance company raising your premiums by?