P to the Cee

I’ve always been slow getting round to some of the big things in life. I *should* have taken my theory and practical test when I was 17/18, but never had the money to commit to lessons week in/week out. It wasn’t until I got my own place that I actually looked in to the possibility of driving and even then things were stop, start (and not just my driving!)

I started learning when I was 22 and have been through a series of driving instructors, most good, and none bad but one in particular made me lazy. We’d spend the hour chatting and driving round instead of practising maneuvers like we were meant to.  Suffice to say I stopped learning with him and took a break of about 6 months before picking things up again.

I’ve now found an instructor whom I get on with, is flexible and always turns up on time for lessons. We have a chat while on the lesson, but he knows my weaknesses and how I should be combatting them.

Yesterday I (somehow) managed to pass my theory test. I’d done hardly any revision due to working long hours and being too tired to after work, so I was setting myself up to be told I’d failed. After I’d completed everything, I walked out of the insanely quiet exam room to the reception desk. A little old man picked up my license, matched it up to a piece of paper and pointed to the first line;

Congratulations, Mr Coyne, you have passed your theory test.

Still under exam conditions, I couldn’t burst out a cheer – but I did pump my fist a little before collecting my things from the locker and running as fast as I could to Michelle and Sophie who were waiting upstairs.

I’m now on course with my goal of passing my practical by the end of the year and regularly take out my car (which Dad left to me when he passed away) with Michelle supervising and offering guidance when she needs to.

It’s a new lease of life and something that is allowing my confidence to grow each time we go out. Will it make me pass my test? Of course not. That’s up to the examiner and how I drive on the day. All I know is, I now know I *can* do it, it’s just a case of proving it to that man/woman with the clipboard