He did it. While I wasn't in the car, Phyllis passed his test, and received compliments from the tester, and a couple of words of advice. She made him reverse parallel park with a twist, on top of a spend hump.
I didn't quite understand what Kosov was telling me, as I don't think he did himself, but Phyllis couldn't take the test driving my car because of its electronic brakes! What? The car is four years old. Many cars have electronic brakes. Staff in the centre told him he had two minutes to find a driving instructor among the people there to in the testing centre to take him in the instructor's car. He did and kaching, an extra $180 to pay.
Kosov and I stayed in my car while Phyllis underwent the test. Eventually I worked out that it was the electric hand brake that was the problem. I searched the VicRoads website and found the answer. If using your own car, it must have a centre mounted conventional brake handle for use by the tester or instructor in case of emergencies. That is, they can reach to the centre and grab the handbrake.
However, certainly at low speeds, my handbrake comes on if I lift the button and it is within reach of the passenger. I can't imagine it would not work at higher speeds. Phyllis passed, but he was annoyed by the extra cost, especially as he said the car he was tested in had the same electric handbrake as mine. Yes Phyllis, but the instructor in his car has a brake pedal on his side as well. I do think it should be made clearer to drivers who about to sit their licence test. They are already nervous enough without the extra botheration. At the end of the day, he would have had to pay regardless.
I have a question for those of you who have taught their children to drive a motor car.
As learner drivers, you constantly correct them as you teach them driving skills. At what point do you stop correcting their driving and keep your mouth shut?
I think I will struggle to stop correcting Phyllis' driving now, even now he is a probationary qualified driver and allowed to drive on his own.
Nevertheless, I am rather proud of him for passing his driving licence test. And just a bit of tiny pride in myself for getting him there in about six months when initially he didn't know which way to turn a steering wheel.
Next year it will probably be Kosov who I will teach, but he has a better idea of driving than Phyllis did, and he has often been in the car while Phyllis was learning.
Well, I will be away for a few days, taking the lads to the countryside, that is Kosov's belated birthday present. When I say taking, Phyllis will be driving, and over the (treacherous?) Black Spur to a place where my maternal grandparents used to stay at a holiday guesthouse.
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Andrew, you are marvellous. So kind and generous of you to help P like you have. (I used to volunteer at L2P, a charity where you supervise those who have no access to a car to get their hours up, in the car provided, I know it can be stressful at times). Oh the Black Spur!!! I remember having a crack at my husband telling him that the speed signs were the maximum speed, not the suggested speed, I was terrified coming down it as I thought it was too fast. Marie, Cheltenham
ReplyDeleteThat's a great charitable thing to do, Marie. Many times I have told Phyllis road speed limits are maximum speeds, not suggested or one to aim for. He was quite cautious on the Black Spur and pulled over a couple of times to let traffic behind him pass.
DeleteWell done to Phyllis and well done to you for getting him to this proud point. Having to take the test in a different car created extra challenge I am sure. I taught both of my children to drive at an old aerodrome on the edge of Sheffield. Sadly, it is no longer open.
ReplyDeleteYP, that was how the training started for Phyllis, in the quiet environs of Albert Park Lake, but he's had plenty of motorway experience, narrow inner city streets, country driving and night driving.
DeleteThis is such a kind thing to do, Andrew! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I am a bit of a push over.
DeleteWell done, Andrew and Phyllis! I taught my son to drive, in addition to driver training at high school. He became a good driver and I became a terrible passenger. In recent times I keep quiet!
ReplyDeleteBoud, driving lessons end up with an aching braking leg, one that has no effect.
DeleteCongratulations, Phyllis, and happy motoring!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirk.
DeleteKeep correcting them til you die. It's your job.
ReplyDeleteIt seems I am doing so, Strayer.
DeleteWell done. That's quite an achievement to teach someone to drive. I don't know any parent that has taught their child to drive. Far too many arguments.
ReplyDeleteFun60, thinking back, I wasn't taught to drive. I learnt to drive. I did have one formal lesson and was judged to be ready.
DeleteCongratulations, well done.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time away.
I did enjoy my time away, thanks Margaret.
DeleteI was barely allowed to correct them while i was teaching them. One took five tests before he passed.
ReplyDeleteThese days I keep my mouth shut and try not to push my feet through the floor because that will offend them as well.
You did well, six months is a good effort. And congrats to the new driver!
Kylie, that sounds like some strong masculinity coming forth. But five tests indicates maybe he should have listened to his mother.
DeleteHave a great adventure. I still correct SweetBears driving and he has been driving for over 50 years - my mother taught me to do that, the way she did for my dear father.
ReplyDeleteTP, we are our mother's children.
DeleteBravo for Phyllis passing his test. I'm sure you will still give little suggestions. Enjoy your little trip.
ReplyDeletePat, more the bigger picture things now, like looking ahead to see what traffic is doing, not accelerating and then braking, rather the rolling along. Anticipating what really bad drivers will do.
DeleteA close family friend worked as a driving instructor back in 1987. He kindly offered free lessons to supplement what my parents were teaching. One of his final lessons involved driving in reverse all the way around a local high school while looking over my shoulder. lol Enjoy a safe and fun holiday!
ReplyDeleteDarla, interestingly the driving tester was quite insistent on head turning checks. My car mirrors and land departure warnings are so good, I don't head check.
DeleteThats an achievement to get his license in 6 months. These days the P platers are better drivers than we were, with needing 120 supervised hours before the test. Back in the day in the country my father taught me once, I drove around the town a bit then a few days later we went to the police station and he gave me my license after watching me drive up the street.
ReplyDeleteJ, but weren't you already an ok driver when you were tested? I could tell quite quickly if someone was ok to be let loose on the roads.
DeleteHe has his Ps You learn by doing and I suspect he will want his own car to drive to and from work. Perhaps always give him a reminder before he sets off by himself that he needs to always be checking his mirrors and drive so he is a safe distance from the car in front of. Him
ReplyDeleteKeeping the distance in front is an issue for him, and I am still nagging him about it. His mirror checking is good. He can't afford a car, but I will allow him to use mine in limited circumstances.
DeleteCongratulations to Phyllis! Bravo to you Andrew for the driving lessons!
ReplyDeleteWishing you, Phyllis & Kosov a delightful trip to the countryside.
It was a nice time away, Damselfly.
DeleteCongratulations to Phyllis and to his teacher. What memories you are making with those boys.
ReplyDeleteDebby, I am making memories, and I have to prepare myself for the fact they may move on one day. Truthfully, I would be devastated.
DeleteFor my two I paid for driving instruction and was appalled when they both qualified at 16 to drive. You can imagine how WW3 started when it came to use of the car. I finally had to buy them an old clunker.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
WWW, I think sixteen is a better age to start than 18. Yes, i can imagine about the car use. I am about to go through the same.
DeleteWhen I was in high school they offer driver ed. I believe it was $20 and that included the learner permit. Last I heard it like $500 so a lot young people wait until there of age. And have some one teach them to drive. These people aren't profession at all.
ReplyDeleteDora, the $20 deal was very good for you.
DeleteA person has to have nerves of steel to teach driving to a young, unlicensed male or female. I happily paid professional teachers to teach my boys, avoiding having any anxiety events myself.
ReplyDeleteHels, I think that is quite normal, but then they now need to get in so many hours of experience, and need to drive the parental car.
DeleteHope you're having fun on your trip!
ReplyDeleteThat rule about the handbrake sounds ridiculous. Is a driving instructor really going to have to reach over and pull the emergency brake? How often does that actually happen? I bet never.
As for making suggestions about driving, I'd say your need to speak up increases with the potential gravity of the offense. If it's something minor, ignore it. If Phyllis is driving in the wrong lane, speak up!
Steve, you are quite right about when to speak up, and without intent and thinking back, that is what I did over our days away.
DeleteCongratulations to Phyllis on passing the driving test. It appears you will now have a driver at your disposal :) Enjoy your country break Andrew
ReplyDelete