Driving Test

I My preparation for my test has been extremely rushed

Even though I've been driving for quite a while

There are still things I need to brush up on

At the moment I have a learners permit

And have managed to dodge my test thus far 

But 

I've procrastinated for too long now

It was time to do it

Yesterday 

I had a two hour lesson

Which went well

But man, there were many things that I did not know

Like this constant mirror, signal, mirror checking 

I mean

Of course I check my mirrors

But not as obsessive as I was being told to

We also practised the manoeuvres 

The three point turn

Which I was ok at 

And the reversing around a corner

Which I struggled with 

My teacher said that was my weak point

Another thing I was really worried about

Was the fact that I had to drive in to the car park for the test

And reverse in to the car parking space 

I practised it a bit this morning 

And it was pretty hit and miss

Ay ay ay

I just couldn't wait until it was all over

I can't tell you how nervous about I was this morning

And I was afraid to take any of my meds 

In case they made me drowsy

So driving down to the test centre

I could almost feel myself going in to withdrawal

But that might have been in my imagination

The test centre is about an hour from my house

In a town that I don't know very well

And only really drove around for the first time yesterday

I picked this town as it's the quietest town near to me

The lesson yesterday was really cutting it fine

The instructor tried to squash everything in tithe two hours

But it was nigh on impossible

Too much information

Too much to remember in such a short space of time

I got back from my lesson yesterday

Got straight in to my pyjamas

And rested for the evening

Then this morning

I got up early 

And my sister came out with me to practise

I practised reversing in to a space

It was hit and miss at best 

The other manoeuvre I would be asked to do was reversing around a corner

I do that every day to leave my house 

But this was on the other side

And it just confused me

I was beyond nervous and anxious this morning 

I just could not wait for it to be over 

The test was at 12 45pm

So my mother and I set off at about 11 30am

We were driving through one of the villages

I had just rounded a corner

When a woman in a brand new big f**k off car

Pulled out in front me

Without indicating 

And without looking

I had to swerve across the road

And thank God there was nothing coming on the other side

I was so shocked I had to pull in for a second

The woman drove by me

And I gave her a filthy look

But she seemed oblivious to what she had just done 

An hour later 

And we arrived at the test centre

Now I had to reverse in to a space

The car park was tiny 

And there really was only one space I could go for 

It took me three attempts 

And it on my second attempt

Someone walked in to the car park that o recognised

I knew the face 

But I couldn't place them

Then it came to me

It was my sisters ex-fiancé 

The one who messed her around 

And who my entire family hate

I hadn't seen this guy in years 

Typical that I would run in to him on the day of my driving test

He saw us 

And quickly looked away

Another filthy look was in order

Then I promptly reversed in to a sign 

Eventually

I managed to get the car between the lines

In a somewhat straight position

I felt shook after my two incidences

But I persevered

My mum went for a cup of coffee after wishing me luck

And I headed in to the test centre

I sat waiting for about five minutes

Hoping that I wouldn't run in to ex-fiancé again

I didn't

And soon I heard my name called

A short stout mam in his fifties ushered me in to a room

He introduced himself 

Explained what was going to happen

He asked for my permit

Which I had stupidly left in my car

So I had to run out to get it

Bad start right there

And the test began

First 

He asked me some rules of the road 

Some I knew

Some I didn't 

Some I blatantly guessed

Then it was out to my car

He checked all my paperwork was in order

Checked my lights 

Asked me to pop the hood

Which I only learned how to do yesterday 

He asked me various questions about where the oil goes etc

I managed that part ok

Then it was time to drive

I started the car

But my nerves were getting the better of me

And I hit the curb on the way out 

You guys 

I failed before I even got out of the car park! 

I could help but curse

'Shite' I said

'Is that it?' I asked  him

'The test isn't over yet' he replied 

So I kept going

And tried to be positive

As I said 

I don't know this town at all

There were many roundabouts 

A one way system

And I was generally very confused a lot of the time 

I remembered to use my mirrors

And check my blind spots 

But there were so many things I neglected to do 

Or didn't know how to do

I just wasn't sure of myself 

Or what I was doing 

I need a lot more practise

My car is an automatic

So there are only two pedals

Brake and accelelorator

No clutch

Usually I use both feet to use the pedals 

But the tester told me that I was doing it wrong 

And only to use my right foot

This completely threw me

As I tried to remember the correct way to do it

I tried my best

Then it was time to do the reverse around the corner

That went shockingly bad

And I hit the curb again

I just wanted to cry at that point

I felt like such a loser 

Next was the three point turn

Now this something that I can actually do

And it went pretty smoothly 

After about 40 minutes

The tester directed me back to the t St centre

I turned off my car 

And he invited me inside

I sat on the blue chair and sighed

'I don't have good news for you' he said

'I know' I replied 

So that was it 

I failed 

But then 

I already knew that 

He mentioned the pedals again

He said strictly he should have cancelled the test because I was using both feet

But he saw I was making an effort 

So he gave me a chance

He told me what else I need to brush up on

And there is a lot

He also said to get a few lessons 

And get to know the test town

Both of which I will do

So thats it guys 

I didn't pass

But I'm not too upset

I knew I hadn't had enough practise and preparation

I will apply for it again soon

And get back behind the steering wheel

I did my best

And it was good experience 

Hopefully next time will go better 

I am so tired now

It's only 3pm

But when I get home

I am getting straight in to my pyjamas 

Taking my meds

And relaxing for the evening 

I mean

I know I'm not a horrible driver

There are just at things I need to brush up on 

And I will 

Just not today