Passed the driving test!

Yup! Today, I took the practical driving test and passed! only 10 demerit points! Actually I knew I could pass at my 2nd attempt.

After flunking the test for the 1st time, I immediately knew how and what the test was like and I could pass the test for the 2nd time round with a better knowledge of the traffic mistakes I made and how the test would be done.

Hmm nevertheless I was very glad that I passed finally after some long months of driving practice and having the instructor to keep a lookout for me. I even said to myself "I dont wanna fail again and have to wait for some more months b4 I can take a re-test." It would cost alot more money. And yeah one of my wishes has fulfiled finally!

When I collected a temp certified slip that I can drive now, I took a long, hot walk to the bus stop some distance away from the UBI driving centre.

Thought of those times when I first desired driving a car till now, remembered I used to go there and want to register with the comfort driving centre. but at that time, I went home empty-handed coz the staff told me to go and get a medical check up and a form that I am fit to drive. So I stopped harbouring the desire from there. Fast forward to somewhere in 2003.

Lily, Eileen and I used to talk about driving, we decided to go for basic theory tests. Anyhow I passed the first step, then took the final theory test, passed again. Took the final step and it's accomplished today!

When I first started to learn how to drive, things were tough for me. The instructor was not trained how to teach a deaf but somehow, we got things worked out normally as what a hearing and deaf would do in order to communicate.

Learnt how to release clutch, move off the car, reverse, change gears, go up the slope, park, turn left and right, watching out for pedestrains... it was a expensive but enjoyable experience for me. Initially I was not so confident coz there were so many things I had to overcome, and I knew I had to take more time to learn and practice. besides s'pore traffic so strict now.. thought i might have to try some times b4 i can actually pass.

turned out to be otherwise. realised i can actually drive better with a clear and alert mind.

those who want to pass the driving test, here are some tips:

tip 1: sleep well the night b4 the actual test

tip 2: learn mistakes the instructor told u, and not repeat them

tip 3: if u realise u can make more mistakes while driving fast, change to a slow pace. actually at 1st attempt, i drove so fast that the tester was scared out of his wits.. haha :p. today, i used the slow pace style so that i can have less mistakes.

tip 4: dont be distracted by any mistake u make. just proceed with other areas well: focus! keep telling yourself u can do it. it actually worked for me. i knew i have made mistakes but they are insignificant, not much bad as those immediate failure points that i incurred at the first test.

tip 5: dont let nerve bundles affect u.. just be yourself.. actually i felt nervous while waiting for the tester to come call me b4 the test. i was in a room with other newbies. it was like waiting for a sentence to be passed upon us! that room was like... a room where some people test your mind whether u lie or not.. yeah a lie-detector... haha oh no, no lie detector there but it was such a feeling i had while waiting for my turn. dunno why my imagination ran wild like that. was myself again when i was out of the room and went to the car with the tester. phew..

ha.. can't wait to see my driving license in the mail! hee.... 2 weeks later... counting the days...