Passed the driving test!
Dec 18th 2007 | 12:05 pm
#1
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 740
From: Cornwall >>> Marin, CA >>> Cornwall!
Passed the driving test!
In Santa Rosa today I completed my behind the wheel driving test in pouring rain.
Maybe the conditions were so like home it helped relax me a bit!
One more box ticketed and hopefully start applying for some jobs soon knowing I have all the requirements.
Merry Xmas All!
Maybe the conditions were so like home it helped relax me a bit!
One more box ticketed and hopefully start applying for some jobs soon knowing I have all the requirements.
Merry Xmas All!
Dec 18th 2007 | 1:21 pm
#2
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 76
From: from Yorkshire, via Hampshire and Surrey to NC Triangle
Re: Passed the driving test!
Well done mate!
I got mine last week, feels like I mean being here now, don't now about you but I was dreading it, doesn't help everyone saying how easy it is, just made me more anxious about screwing it up - glad we didn't
x
I got mine last week, feels like I mean being here now, don't now about you but I was dreading it, doesn't help everyone saying how easy it is, just made me more anxious about screwing it up - glad we didn'tx
Dec 18th 2007 | 1:32 pm
#3
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 148
Re: Passed the driving test!
Prior posters have compared their testing as nothing fancier than a slide down an icy slope, I trust yours was a stroll in the park.
Santa Rosa is south of LA if my memory has not gone soft, did you have to test on those freeways?
Dec 18th 2007 | 2:27 pm
#4
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 95
From: McAllen, TX
Re: Passed the driving test!
I was a non-driver in the uk. Always lived in London so it made no sense to drive when there is traffic everywhere and you can't park.
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though
I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though
I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?
Dec 18th 2007 | 2:34 pm
#5
Just Joined
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 22
From: Fremont, East Bay, CA
Re: Passed the driving test!
Well done! Having driven for 18 years in the UK I was terrified by the test but passed with 4 marks - the same as my husband so honour was maintained!! That was 6 weeks ago and driving through SF was easy after the test!! Still would rather not cross the Bay Bridge but hey, you have to get out!
Dec 18th 2007 | 3:01 pm
#6
Thread Starter
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 740
From: Cornwall >>> Marin, CA >>> Cornwall!
Re: Passed the driving test!
[QUOTE=Santa Rosa is south of LA if my memory has not gone soft, did you have to test on those freeways?[/QUOTE]
No this was the NorCal version just up the road from Petaluma/Navato.
I was going to do a more local one but they didn't have anything until mid jan even in east bay.
Norfolkgirl - I passed my UK test in '88 so I know what you mean.
Polarbear - I understand the non driving being from London as I've lived and worked there on and off and you don't really need too. I just think get practice and confidence up by doing routine driving and you'll be fine.
Good Luck!
No this was the NorCal version just up the road from Petaluma/Navato.
I was going to do a more local one but they didn't have anything until mid jan even in east bay.
Norfolkgirl - I passed my UK test in '88 so I know what you mean.
Polarbear - I understand the non driving being from London as I've lived and worked there on and off and you don't really need too. I just think get practice and confidence up by doing routine driving and you'll be fine.
Good Luck!
Dec 18th 2007 | 3:03 pm
#7
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,025
From: Nevada b4 California b4 Colorado b4 Valley of plastic and sand, b4 London
Re: Passed the driving test!
Dec 18th 2007 | 3:08 pm
#8
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Passed the driving test!
I was a non-driver in the uk. Always lived in London so it made no sense to drive when there is traffic everywhere and you can't park.
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though
I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?
Dec 19th 2007 | 1:36 am
#9
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 991
From: Rural France
Re: Passed the driving test!
I guess you need to update your location, I didn't know there was a Santa Rosa in the UK.....
Dec 19th 2007 | 1:54 am
#10
redneck scouser
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 162
From: LiverpoolUK-Arizona-Kansas City
Re: Passed the driving test!
Congrats!
I know exactly how you felt. I was a non-driver in the UK, and as soon as I set foot on US soil, my husband had my driving test booked in 3 weeks time! I was so nervous, 3 weeks to actually learn how to drive a car, plus learn all the signs and laws, I was a bag of nerves.
He taught me most of my skills, then he also booked me on a one day advanced training course with the skid car and all that....talk about taking no prisoners!
The actual test was a nightmare, I was so tense and sweaty, being in over 100 degree heat in downtown Phoenix didn't help either. The instructor was an ex-racing driver, and my heart was in my mouth the whole time, as he had me driving 90mph going round corners on the interstate, past semis and even took me through the airport....not at 90mph though! lol
That was the worse hour of my life, but I'm glad I did it.
Well done again, yay to freedom!
Andie
I know exactly how you felt. I was a non-driver in the UK, and as soon as I set foot on US soil, my husband had my driving test booked in 3 weeks time! I was so nervous, 3 weeks to actually learn how to drive a car, plus learn all the signs and laws, I was a bag of nerves.
He taught me most of my skills, then he also booked me on a one day advanced training course with the skid car and all that....talk about taking no prisoners!
The actual test was a nightmare, I was so tense and sweaty, being in over 100 degree heat in downtown Phoenix didn't help either. The instructor was an ex-racing driver, and my heart was in my mouth the whole time, as he had me driving 90mph going round corners on the interstate, past semis and even took me through the airport....not at 90mph though! lol
That was the worse hour of my life, but I'm glad I did it.
Well done again, yay to freedom!
Andie
Dec 19th 2007 | 2:24 am
#11
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 826
From: Nashville, Tennessee
Re: Passed the driving test!
Congratulation!
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
Dec 19th 2007 | 1:48 pm
#12
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,365
From: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Re: Passed the driving test!
Congratulation!
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
Dec 20th 2007 | 1:12 am
#13
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 148
Re: Passed the driving test!
Congratulation!
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
I passed mine last week too! (And that was in sub zero temperatures and a foot of snow... so I'm happy.)
I was really nervous too... more about the written test than the actual driving test.. don't know why. I did my test in the UK before they had introduced the written tests, and I hate written tests so I was a bag of nerves... but it was really easy, and I got 97% in it in the end, so not too bad.
I'm sure in the UK the driving tests are much more indepth - here I was only in the car for 10 mins - and half of that was waiting at red traffic lights..
Still as you say, that's another box ticked. What next???
That may have cost you some points in this area...
Dec 20th 2007 | 2:48 am
#14
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,759
From: TN
Re: Passed the driving test!
I was a non-driver in the uk. Always lived in London so it made no sense to drive when there is traffic everywhere and you can't park.
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?
Will have to start driving soon though as you literally can't walk anywhere here, they don't have sidewalks or pedestrian crossings or anything. I find the whole thing very intimidating though
I hear the US test is easier than UK, is that true?When i went to the testing center they said they couldnt fit me in, then they asked where i was from... Suddenly they had a slot open! The examiner brought her lunch! She said she has never failed a Brit or a JAp as we all know how to drive unlike the 15 year old useless hillbilly kids she normaly gets. We drove around the block once, was back in 2 minutes when she told me i had passed! WTF?!?!?! how easy was that?
Congrats by the way!
Dec 20th 2007 | 4:05 am
#15
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,669
Re: Passed the driving test!
Down here in the sunshine state, you don't even go on the road half the time. They take you around the parking lot or in a track out back that reminds me of the primary school cycle tracks.
