Passed (!) now some advice please :)

For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday 13th)
and passed, with 6 minors :)!
Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess it's my
lucky number.

I just need some hints -

1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected it,
and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far AWAY
from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with parallel
parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!

2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there anything I
can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
something? (but where?)

Thanks, and please no smart-alec replies. We all started somewhere, and all
I want to do is improve my driving - also thinking of joining the IAM.

Rachel

"Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
> when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
it,
> and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
AWAY
> from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with parallel
> parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!

Can you see the rear wheel and kerb in your left wing mirror? If so, you
can use that to see how near you are.

Roger

"Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday 13th)
> and passed, with 6 minors :)!
> Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess it's
my
> lucky number.
>
> I just need some hints -
>
> 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
> when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
it,
> and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
AWAY
> from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with parallel
> parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!
>
> 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there anything
I
> can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> something? (but where?)
>
> Thanks, and please no smart-alec replies. We all started somewhere, and
all
> I want to do is improve my driving - also thinking of joining the IAM.
>

How can you forget about the lights??

Kev

"Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday 13th)
> and passed, with 6 minors :)!
> Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess it's
> my
> lucky number.
>
> I just need some hints -
>
> 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
> when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
> it,
> and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
> AWAY
> from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with parallel
> parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!

It's just experience that will correct that, you will get used to your car
then have to do it all over again with your next car. By that time you will
have driven other peoples cars and wonder what the problem was in the first
place.

> 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there
anything I
> can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> something? (but where?)

Unless you are driving something like a Volvo with it's always on lights,
it's something you will have to thing of consiously. I find that driving up
to a car at traffic lights at stop and not seeing my lights in his paintwork
etc. at dusk reminds me to switch them on. Having oncoming cars flash you at
midnight is another way to remember to switch them on, and if they are on,
switch off full beam :)
>
> Thanks, and please no smart-alec replies. We all started somewhere, and
> all
> I want to do is improve my driving - also thinking of joining the IAM.
>
> Rachel
>
>

"Steve Firth" <usenet-urd@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1gij9is.bpyt13ksrdoxN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> Rachel <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote:
>
> > For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday
13th)
> > and passed, with 6 minors :)!
>
> Congratulations. Now you can start to learn to drive.
>
> And if you have the right attitude you'll realise that no matter how
> long it was since you passed your test, you're still learning.
>
> As to your Q's the answer to 1. is just practice. Eventually you'll get
> the hang of it and to 2. is to tell yourself to turn on the lights
> whenever it is dark or twilight or poor visibility. You have to get into
> the habit so IMO notes are a waste of time. Don't drive unless you have
> the car set up properly for the conditions and make it a habit to
> check/be sure at all times.
>

Congratulations Rachel.

I agree with what Steve says, and I hope you will maintain your enthusiasm
for driving and enjoy continuing the learning process.

Best wishes all,
Dave - alias TripleS.

--
Any opinions expressed are the author's personal ones only and
do not represent the official position of MDK Consultancy Ltd.

"Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday 13th)
> and passed, with 6 minors :)!

Well done.


> 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
> when parking up alongside a kerb.

As others have said you'll get used to it.

>
> 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there anything
I
> can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> something? (but where?)

When the sun has gone below the horizon, switch your lights on. If it's
foggy, snowing or raining heavily put the lights on. Remember you need to
throw light forward so dipped headlights are needed; that's so that other
drivers can see you coming. It's what lights are for. ;)

"Wayne Stuart" <me4@> wrote in message
news:1gij7ii.1m7x2lnnys4naN%me4@...
> Rachel <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote:
>
> > For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday
13th)
> > and passed, with 6 minors :)!
> > Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess
it's my
> > lucky number.
>
> Congrats!
>
> > I just need some hints -
> >
> > 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the
kerb
> > when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
it,
> > and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
AWAY
> > from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with
parallel
> > parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> > experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!
>
> When parked next to the kerb at what you consider the ideal distance
> from the kerb, from your normal driving seating position, stick a little
> piece of masking tape on the bottom of the windscreen just where the
> kerb disappears behind the bonnet. You can use this marker when pulling
> up to a kerb until you gain more experience to do so without it.
>
> > 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there
anything I
> > can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> > something? (but where?)
>
> If your lights aren't on, neither will the dashboard lights be. And if
> they're not on, you can't be checking your speedo, and you should have
> your eyes glued to that at all times!...
>

I'd rather Rachel just glanced at the speedo from time to time, and kept her
eyes on the road to be honest :-)

Mike

"Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday 13th)
> and passed, with 6 minors :)!
> Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess it's
my
> lucky number.

Congratulations!

> I just need some hints -
>
> 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the kerb
> when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
it,
> and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
AWAY
> from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with parallel
> parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!

You just need a little more practice - it'll come in time. Use your
nearside mirror and
adjust it so you can see the kerb and rear wheel - it'll help no end.

> 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there anything
I
> can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> something?

If your dash lights come on with the ignition, stick a post it note on the
dash.. or set the alarm on your phone to
go off at about 8pm when it's dusk to remind you :-). If your dash lights
come on with the ign, there might be an adjuster
so you can turn them right down, which will make them harder to see in the
dusk, which will also remind you.

> Thanks, and please no smart-alec replies. We all started somewhere, and
all
> I want to do is improve my driving - also thinking of joining the IAM.

Give it about 12 months, do the pass-plus and then join the IAM.

Last of all, GOOD LUCK!!! and don't get wound up by some of the pillocks on
the road!

Mikep

"Wayne Stuart" <me4@> wrote in message
news:1gik9cb.8tywoxjfqse8N%me4@...
> Mike P <privacy@> wrote:
>
> > "Wayne Stuart" <me4@> wrote in message
> > news:1gij7ii.1m7x2lnnys4naN%me4@...
> > > Rachel <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there
> > anything I
> > > > can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note
somewhere or
> > > > something? (but where?)
> > >
> > > If your lights aren't on, neither will the dashboard lights be. And
if
> > > they're not on, you can't be checking your speedo, and you should have
> > > your eyes glued to that at all times!...
> > >
> >
> > I'd rather Rachel just glanced at the speedo from time to time, and kept
her
> > eyes on the road to be honest :-)
>
> Yeah, but my suggestion was kinda tongue in cheek. You did pick up on
> that, didn't you? ;-)
>

Nah :-) It was too early in the morning for me!! Sorry!

Mike

"Kev (The Car Collector)" <scotsman_uk@m> wrote in message
news:AfwTc.159707$a8.129667@fe2.news.blueyonder.co .uk...
>
> "Rachel" <lumiere-@UNFntlworld.com> wrote in message
> news:sNvTc.391$Uj1.237@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> > For anyone that remembered, I took my driving test yesterday (Friday
13th)
> > and passed, with 6 minors :)!
> > Apparently the examiner took me on route number 13 too... so I guess
it's
> my
> > lucky number.
> >
> > I just need some hints -
> >
> > 1. When I first started driving, I had a nasty habit of scrubbing the
kerb
> > when parking up alongside a kerb. I corrected that - but over corrected
> it,
> > and now I have a nasty habit (well, not too nasty!) of parking too far
> AWAY
> > from the kerb. (only when I'm coming in forwards - it's fine with
parallel
> > parking).. can anyone offer any tips as to how to judge? obviously
> > experience would probably correct it but I'm impatient!!
> >
> > 2. I also sometimes forget to put my lights on at night. Is there
anything
> I
> > can do to remind myself to put them on? like, a little note somewhere or
> > something? (but where?)
> >
> > Thanks, and please no smart-alec replies. We all started somewhere, and
> all
> > I want to do is improve my driving - also thinking of joining the IAM.
> >
>
> How can you forget about the lights??
>
> Kev
>
>

Quite easily, demonstrably..