How to start driving again?

Reply to How to start driving again? on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:44:54 GMT

Manfrotto — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:44:54 GMT

It definitely help when the both of you have such understanding! I sometime still get shocks when my wife decided to be over alert sound her caution! Haha…

Reply to How to start driving again? on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:55:52 GMT

cherrygal — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:55:52 GMT

Haha, I am the back seat driver too when my hubby drives… I keep reminding him to be careful here and there as he tends to be quite reckless while driving. I also question his selected routes as sometimes he forgets to take the shorter one.

Guess he doesn’t get offended as he knows I drive around as well. We share knowledge on new shortcuts and cheap carparks. Since I have become a SAHM, I now enjoy my afternoon drives in a leisurely pace and actually like the process of discovering new places to eat and shop.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:22:43 GMT

Manfrotto — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:22:43 GMT

I guess often its because we value too much the expectation of others (especially our spouse’s.) My wife fumbles a great deal when i’m in the car as well:) But she survived really well while living in Germany for 2 yrs. Driving to work everyday on the Autobahn. Average speed of about 150-180 on Autobahn. I have learned over the years… To just seat back and refrain from making any comment. For those who are trying to overcome the fear of driving. I would suggest going out for drive in the late night or find a place where there is light/no traffic. Or perhaps, find a huge carpark to get yourselves "acquainted" with your vehicle. I do that with my wife:) Getting her to drive around in the carpark to get comfortable with steering and parking. One last think… I always remind her the key to good driving, "fit the flow of the traffic."

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:51:20 GMT

linden2000 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:51:20 GMT

happyheart:
My hubby used to comment....'ta brake slowly', ...'speed up after you changed lane',...'signal earlier'...' I see you check blind spot only once'..

(Familar to some of you)?

After a few rounds, I told him I am not driving with him in the car anymore, he is giving me more stress than I already feel:)

These days, he sits in the pasenger seat and pretend to look out of the window while I drive! Best part is, when I ask him how? His answer..not bad, you have improved! :evil:

Hahaha the comments sound terribly familiar so I prefer to drive alone. Less stressed, fumble less and drive better.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:03:28 GMT

3Boys — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:03:28 GMT

711mum:
3Boys:

My wife refuses to drive when I am in the car......
What's wrong with you in the car may I ask.

Recalcitrant back-seat driver I am, I'm afraid..... :oops:

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:43:12 GMT

711mum — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:43:12 GMT

3Boys:
happyheart:
My hubby used to comment....'ta brake slowly', ...'speed up after you changed lane',...'signal earlier'...' I see you check blind spot only once'..

(Familar to some of you)?

After a few rounds, I told him I am not driving with him in the car anymore, he is giving me more stress than I already feel:)

These days, he sits in the pasenger seat and pretend to look out of the window while I drive! Best part is, when I ask him how? His answer..not bad, you have improved! :evil:
My wife refuses to drive when I am in the car......

What's wrong with you in the car may I ask.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:27:45 GMT

3Boys — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:27:45 GMT

happyheart:
My hubby used to comment....'ta brake slowly', ...'speed up after you changed lane',...'signal earlier'...' I see you check blind spot only once'..

(Familar to some of you)?

After a few rounds, I told him I am not driving with him in the car anymore, he is giving me more stress than I already feel:)

These days, he sits in the pasenger seat and pretend to look out of the window while I drive! Best part is, when I ask him how? His answer..not bad, you have improved! :evil:

My wife refuses to drive when I am in the car......

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:28:06 GMT

711mum — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:28:06 GMT

cherrygal:
Yes, with practice and guts, women can be better drivers than men! I trained myself to like parallel parking as I can't stand car doors opening into my car... the trick is to start turning the steering wheel before you move the car.

Anywayz, I have driven daily for more than 15 years. I am quite garang on the road so my hubby makes me drive to JB. I am forced to take the passenger seat when we reach the inner M'sian cities as I am the better navigator. I am one woman who can actually read maps faster than a man...

Just received the best compliment from a male friend the other day. He actually told his wife I was the best female driver he knew.

So gals, it is definitely possible to be a good driver. No guts no glory.

Thumbs up to you :boogie:

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:42:10 GMT

happyheart — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 05:42:10 GMT

Good job, Cherrygal!

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:13:25 GMT

cherrygal — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:13:25 GMT

Yes, with practice and guts, women can be better drivers than men! I trained myself to like parallel parking as I can’t stand car doors opening into my car… the trick is to start turning the steering wheel before you move the car.

Anywayz, I have driven daily for more than 15 years. I am quite garang on the road so my hubby makes me drive to JB. I am forced to take the passenger seat when we reach the inner M’sian cities as I am the better navigator. I am one woman who can actually read maps faster than a man…

Just received the best compliment from a male friend the other day. He actually told his wife I was the best female driver he knew.

So gals, it is definitely possible to be a good driver. No guts no glory.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:10:16 GMT

happyheart — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:10:16 GMT

Btw, if you want to drive again, just have faith in yourself and you can!

I drove again after stopping for a few years, when I had to drive to hospital during confinement to breastfeed my baby boy (whom has to be hospitalised for Jaundice). It was scary but not impossible.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:49:00 GMT

happyheart — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:49:00 GMT

My hubby used to comment....'ta brake slowly', ...'speed up after you changed lane',...'signal earlier'...' I see you check blind spot only once'..

(Familar to some of you)?

After a few rounds, I told him I am not driving with him in the car anymore, he is giving me more stress than I already feel:)

These days, he sits in the pasenger seat and pretend to look out of the window while I drive! Best part is, when I ask him how? His answer..not bad, you have improved! :evil:

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:45:30 GMT

daisyms — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:45:30 GMT

My parallel parking was horrible initially. But after watching this video, my parallel parking skill improved a lot. I can now park both left and right side without problem. Hope it helps you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xckP_BvClrM&feature=related

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:20:10 GMT

icemountain — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:20:10 GMT

I totally agree with those who prefer not to have their spouse beside them in the car.

My hub gets very impatient when I drive and we actually argue. He is comfortable on the roads, having ridden a motorcycle for donkey years whereas I have to train myself to look out for traffic signs like speed limit, "give way" or "stop" signs, jaywalkers (a lot in my area!) in addition to the stress of maneuvering the vehicle and adjusting myself to the gas and brake pedals.

I resisted learning for so long (passed my test 15 years ago and only drove once for 15 mins!) and finally decided to muster the courage to drive. First started going with spouse beside me, then I decided to drive my kid to school 10 mins away and now I drive daily.

Driving daily really gave me the confidence, I like to plan my route well with getthere.sg app so I dont get stressed trying not to get lost whereas my hubs can simply "figure out" the way as we go along. I am still trying to get my head around all the expressways and their exits!

Parking could be a problem at first but once you are comfortable in the car, parking is easy. I have no problems parking in the tightest lot now, but gotta muster the courage to do parallel parking!

Reply to How to start driving again? on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:15:04 GMT

bebe — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:15:04 GMT

I also started driving recently after obtaining my licence for 12 years!! I think that licence is as good as standby IC..

Really gotta force myself to drive..purposely chose timing when hubby is not in town..and n bobian die die must drag 3 kids to run errand..so no excuses..it was scary at first..and I had to ask my kids at the back to look out for me.

After a month of driving..I am quite comfortable driving my gals to sch and parking at my place cos the lots here are bigger...for other places..it will take me a while to park.. just like the \"aunty in the video clip\"..haha..but if I see queues of car behind me...I will drive away further down to other lots..dunwan to stress myself..

the first time I drove and parked swee swee into the lots..(between 2 cars)..I took a pic and sent to my hubby..and told him..\"Neh..told you I can drive better WITHOUT you sitting besides me!\"

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:43:30 GMT

angell — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:43:30 GMT

cherrygal:
No matter what, dun ask your spouse to take you on a refresher course. Sure to conflict and quarrel.

Can just call up Singapore Safety Driving Centre for help. A few branches around - AMK, Ubi...

Thanks for the sound advice and info!

Reply to How to start driving again? on Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:48:28 GMT

cherrygal — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:48:28 GMT

No matter what, dun ask your spouse to take you on a refresher course. Sure to conflict and quarrel.

Can just call up Singapore Safety Driving Centre for help. A few branches around - AMK, Ubi…

Reply to How to start driving again? on Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:07:17 GMT

angell — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 02:07:17 GMT

Hi,

Could anyone please recommend a good driving instructor for a refresher’s course?
I haven’t driven for almost 10 years and last drove left-hand drive overseas, my driving skills are really rusty…

Thanks.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:12:31 GMT

lizuan76 — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:12:31 GMT

Hsm, glad that u start the first move. Slowly, it will be better after a while.

How is ur parking? The son was not inside the car lah. It happen she came back home and saw me parking. She so worry that i stretch his son’s car.

After parking in the lot, feel like telling the auntie off. Haha.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:57:00 GMT

hsm — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:57:00 GMT

lizuan76:
Hsm, i also just started to drive again after 10 years of licence. I am still learning to park my car. Initially, i went for 2hr of refresh course.Hubby was saying that i am wasting $

Normally i will drive during weekend with my hubby sitting beside me. Get a lot of scolding from him. I alway very kangchong when come to parking.Remember there is once when i am having difficult on my parking, one auntie came to me and tell me be careful bec his son car is just beside the lot that i want to park. Feel so scare.

ya, in the end, i didnt do the refresher.. just try on hubby's car too.. after a few rounds, i feel better... but still dare not drive alone :oops:

that auntie so funny right?!! shouldnt her ask her son to move away esp when other people doing the parking?
:roll:

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:32:33 GMT

Herbie — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 11:32:33 GMT

chamonix:
jtoh:

Why do you park head-in? I find it more difficult and inconvenient to park head in than to reverse park. Also you can't see cars when you're trying to reverse out of the lot.

I haven't offered to park for someone else in case they feel embarrassed or indignant. If they're likely to be grateful, I'll offer in the future.
The parking lots here aren't big. It's more convenient to park head-in so as to load the groceries.
Herbie:
yeap, dun park head in... I parked head in and my car got kissed by other car wile i was reversing out.

And the conclusion was. I am at fault

Oh dear, hope it was nothing serious. I had a near accident reversing out too. Besides cars, I have to watch for passers-by as well.

And guess wat? I was driving my colleague's car. I was so paish after that.

The other car has a slight dent at bumper and the driver was very rude and told me he was from MHA and threaten me and ended up calling the police.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:39:11 GMT

jtoh — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 10:39:11 GMT

MMM:
jtoh:
Me too. Can't stand people who park on the line or even take up the other lot.

I recalled that we were trying to find a lot in Sentosa. There was one car who parked in 1.5 lots :mad: The best part was another angry driver actually put a note on his windscreen to comment his parking skills.

There is this mummy driver in particular. Everytime she parks at the car park near dd's school, Hubby would be :nailbite: :scared: :siam: for her. It was like the video but worse as she looks like she will knock another person's car.

:rotflmao: Must park far far away from her.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:27:37 GMT

MMM — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:27:37 GMT

jtoh:
Me too. Can't stand people who park on the line or even take up the other lot.

I recalled that we were trying to find a lot in Sentosa. There was one car who parked in 1.5 lots :mad: The best part was another angry driver actually put a note on his windscreen to comment his parking skills.

There is this mummy driver in particular. Everytime she parks at the car park near dd's school, Hubby would be :nailbite: :scared: :siam: for her. It was like the video but worse as she looks like she will knock another person's car.

Reply to How to start driving again? on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:08:17 GMT

jtoh — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:08:17 GMT

Funz:
chamonix:

The parking lots here aren't big. It's more convenient to park head-in so as to load the groceries.

Oh dear, hope it was nothing serious. I had a near accident reversing out too. Besides cars, I have to watch for passers-by as well.

I thought the parking space here are not that big that is why it is better to reverse park. Morever the lanes in the parking lots are also pretty narrow so to reverse out is more difficult.

I have no qualms about parking head in when in Aust but here, I will always reverse park unless the parking is a diagonal space.

I am also anal about how I park and get totally irritated with people who park haphazardly. Even if you are within a parking space but if you are very near the edge of 1 side of the parking the car in the next parking will not have enough room to open their doors.

Me too. Can't stand people who park on the line or even take up the other lot.