L is for Learning

I am revising (studying) for my drivers theory and hazard perception test. I can only drive on my US drivers licence for one year and my time is almost up. My theory test has been ‘booked’ for Oct. 12 (yikes). It took me two days just to book the test. Appointments are ‘booked’ online, the more I looked for test sites with earlier dates, the more I got thrown out of the system. (That was fun). Causing us to sign up for a new VPN, which took a couple of more hours. There should be an internet alternative for ‘well lived’ people, when they need to do something. A bit like the butcher shops here who have a family pack special of the week and an O.A.P. special. In the UK they don’t sugar coat it. O.A.P. stands for Old Age Pensioner. There should be an App for assisting us O.A.P.’s whenever we need to navigate cumbersome sites. (Wouldn’t that App make trillions!)

Revising partner….

Before you can get your test ‘booked’, you have to get your provisional license. You are not allowed to wear your glasses in the photo OR smile. I guess they want a level playing field where everyone looks equally awful on their license.

Before I natter on about driving tests I have learned that there are a lot of different kinds of potatoes and are usually referred to as tatties.

I may not have any opinions on Tatties, but believe me, I’m in the minority.

While ‘revising’, I have had to sometimes ask my tutor (My Loving Spouse) to interpret what The Official DVSA is actually saying. He’s been surprisingly helpful. We’re a pretty good team. He helps me understand stuff and I help him find stuff, like his dustpan. It was missing “from his workshop” for weeks.

My Loving Spouse signed me up for a driving lesson with ‘El Paso’ driving school. It was a wise idea to get some assistance out on the road with a trained professional. I learned that the basis for all driving in America SMOG (Signal Mirror Over-the-shoulder Go) was wrong. Seriously! I have 50 years of muscle memory in that system. Here in the UK it is Mirror Signal Maneuver and there is some controversy on the ‘over the shoulder’ piece. Other than that, ‘El Paso’ was very helpful and filled me full of confidence, sort of.

This sweet cottage has nothing to do with this post, other than it is lovely. Gunner and I pass it often on our sea cliff walk and my B.G.F. likes lots of pictures in the blog.

I ‘revise’ everyday. Here are some of the questions on my mock study tests:

• Who can use the Toucan crossing?
• When can you pass on either side of another vehicle?
• You are parked in a 40 mph road at night. What lights should you leave on in your car?
• What must you do when the amber light is flashing at the Pelican crossing?

Signs: Triangles are for warnings. Round signs are orders. Square brown signs are tourist information.

My all time favorite triangle sign and my favorite question on my mock test. (Wouldn’t you just want to pick the 4th answer for fun?) Since you have to get 93% on the test to pass, there is no ‘monkeying around’!

The DVSA confirmed my testing date and let me know that 54 out of 100 do not pass. They are so encouraging. Luckily I have my faithful revising partner…

hard at work.

Answers to questions:

• Bicycles and pedestrians
• On a one way street
• Parking lights
• Wait for all pedestrians currently crossing to finish crossing.

I’m blessed to have you along.

Thank you.

As I keep learning and revising and finding dustpans….