Journey to the License (Part 2)

I decided to write on the continuation to my Journey to the License as a result of a popular vote. It is also a good time for me to recount my journey so far as I am now nearing the end of Stage 3, about 5 to 6 lessons away from my test(wow time flies). 

For those who wanted me to write on the 2001 Murder Case involving Anthony Ler, his wife, and the teen, I will be writing on it in the foreseeable future, given the recent interesting developments.

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(Continued from previous)

After registering for my PDL on the Traffic Police website, I was able to start booking for practical lessons on 4 October 2018 (Thursday). To my shock and horror, the earliest lessons were the end of the month, so I could only start then. I followed the advice of the centre (and my friend) to block book 25 lessons first, as lessons get snapped up very quickly. Even if my schedule didn't suit the lessons eventually, BBDC allows unlimited cancellations so I can cancel and alter my training schedule for free!

BBDC also allows try-selling of lessons. In other words, if I would like to cancel my lesson within 48 hours of the start of lessons, I can put it up for try-sell. If someone wants to take the slot, I will be refunded the amount I paid for the lesson. If nobody wants the slot, I can take back the slot and still attend, or choose to forfeit the money paid for the lesson. Similarly, I could snatch up try-sell slots. However, the catch is that try-sell slots do not guarantee you your own group instructors. In fact, BBDC has specified you will get another group's instructor, though this is not always the case.

For this post, I will be summarizing my Stage 1 experience.

LESSON 1 (10 October 2018, Wednesday, 1320-1500)

Stages Cleared: 1.01 and 1.02

This lesson was an introduction to how the car works. Learnt the basic functions like accelerating and braking. Also learnt how to adjust side mirrors and rear view mirror. Other functions such as headlights, wipers, dehumidifier, and signals were briefly covered, though I obviously couldnt remember. Thereafter just went right turn after right turn around the circuit.

Instructor was all right. He was very thorough when delivering content, but after a while was more focussed on the tablet than me since he thought I was doing fine. Scared the crap outta him due to me jam braking many times, but he was patient and understanding.

LESSON 2 (10 October 2018, Wednesday, 1710-1850)

Stages Cleared: 1.03 and 1.04

I kinda couldn't find the car initially as I was kinda blur, and when I got into the car I met the instructor with a rather pissed off look. I didn't know what was this guy's problem, but he was pretty pissy throughout the whole lesson. Even though it was still my first day, he got mad at every small mistake that I made. We did repeated left turns and left turns, and all I heard was keep within lane keep within lane. I won't deny that I did improve from this lesson, but the instructor was really pissing me off, though he was a bit more encouraging towards the end.

I was demoralized after the lesson. However, this instructor ended up being one of the instructors who helped me the most and is one I respect a lot as the lessons went on. (To be covered in future posts)

LESSON 3 (12 October 2018, Friday, 2110-2250)

Stages Cleared: 1.05

To the roads we go! Not only was this my first lesson on the roads, but it was also my first lesson at night. The first instruction given to me before turning out of BBDC was "switch on headlights" which I totally didn't know how to! Thankfully, the instructor guided me verbally and I managed to do it. Driving on the roads was really a fun experience, though my inexperience started showing first when I did my left turns. Sometimes I went in too slowly, sometimes I just swung my car and the speed limit. I also didn't know how to react to danger, as I found myself jam braking the car more often than not. In general, my braking was really bad as I kept on heavy and jerky braking. However, my observance of traffic rules and speed regulation was decent I guess, so I passed 1.05, but had to continue next lesson with 1.06, braking.

LESSON 4 (26 October, Friday, 1710-1850)

Stages Cleared: 1.06

I was blessed with a very patient and engaging instructor for this lesson, even though he was not from my fixed group. For some reason, my braking was all right this lesson, save for a few minor mistakes. I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson and it passed by very fast. My only gripe is that the instructor didn't follow up with 1.07 and instead just brought me on a scenic tour around Bukit Batok, which was really not bad at all but I wanted to clear my lessons faster to make up for the previous lessons.

I did consider fixing this instructor as my fixed instructor, but I never saw his face on the list of driving instructors. Didn't ask the counter in the end as I got busy and just continued on my lessons. I still consider this plan once in a while though.

LESSON 5 (2 November, Friday, 2110-2250)

Stages Cleared: 1.07, 1.08

The instructor that I got for this lesson was great too, not sure if he's in my fixed group though. Thankfully as this was a Friday night, the roads, especially Bukit Batok Road, were quite empty. I was able to fulfill the task of speeding up to 70 km/h. It was actually a very scary experience, as I was only used to driving up to 40-45km/h. But the instructor wanted to see me drive to and maintain and 70 km/h. The only difficulty I got was at traffic lights, where I had to slow down and then speed up afterwards. But sometimes I anticipate the light changing too much and slow down too much, other times I do not anticipate as well and either have to jam break or rush through at amber light. I learnt the 2 types of acceleration - gradual and rapid. 

I also learnt the various forms of braking, the intermittent braking technique, which should be applied in high speeds or rainy weather (NOT on a clear weather in neighbourhood roads), and also braking before a bend. Going slow before a left turn gives me more time to turn properly and reduces risks of wide turning. Although we are supposed to let go of the brake during the actual turning, but I still have the habit of stepping on the brakes slightly when turning, but immediately afterwards accelerating.

I also did consider fixing this instructor, but compared to lesson 4 he was much more naggy, which at times was unnecessary, hence I cancelled the idea.

LESSON 6 (5 November, Monday, 1320-1500)

Stages Cleared: 1.09

I managed to get my first instructor again! The aim for this lesson was sharp turning. However, the instructor was not too happy I was always looking at my steering wheel and immediate road rather than the far roads, hence my car kept going near the lane divider. He encouraged me to look far by focussing on random things, like the bus plate of a bus far ahead or the traffic light. I got the intention of looking far for danger quite well, though his instructions did overwhelm me once in a while. 

On the actual lesson, I finally managed to turn properly. In the past, I always turned late and sharply for fear of mounting the kerb, though my fears were wrong as I was always far from the kerb. I also relied a bit on the circuit method of waiting for doorknob to pass the kerb then turn, which isn't right as in the real roads, not all kerbs are the same. Though I was really confused when the instructor said turn according to the curve and follow my instincts, I soon realized what he meant and just turned to my gut feel. I eventually got better and passed this lesson. Not sure why it took all 100 minutes to do well for turning though...

LESSON 7 (5 November, Monday, 1710-1850)

Stages Cleared: 1.10, 1.11

I got an instructor which was quite tired as seen from his almost closed eyes. He taught me checking blind spot, which seems simple enough but it's hard to add in an additional step every single time I turn or lane change. Although the instructor seemed restless and spent time talking to his colleague (a little bit unprofessional), he was conscientious in reminding me to check my blind spots on the road. The main thing I learnt was when turning left from a slip road to a main road via the zebra crossing (at give way line), after checking right for any oncoming vehicles, I must again check left blind spot to ensure no motorcycles are beside me to avoid hitting them. This really wasn't intuitive and took a while for me to get the hang of.

I tried my best to remember to check blind spot, but was occasionally overwhelmed with too many things to remember. Slowly but surely though, I managed to improve over the lesson (but still not 100%). 

To my surprise, when I got back to the centre, I thought I only passed 1 subject as 1.11 was my review (thought one whole lesson was needed for a review). But the instructor went ahead to pass my 1.11 too! I was given a slip to book my driving simulator, and left with excitement to begin Stage 2.

TOTAL LESSONS FOR STAGE 1: 7

Actually, normally people take 5-6 lessons to clear. I guess I was just a bit slow, inexperienced, and careless, and maybe once in a while met instructors who cleared me for 1 stage when there was time for 2.

Next part, my driving in stage 2!