Servicing, Tyres & An Update

After nearly 3 months on the road it is safe to say I am LOVING it. 

I can't imagine not being able to drive, the freedom it gives you is unimaginable. I recently drove to Cornwall which is over 3 hours away on the motorway from where I live so that was quite an achievement, despite being exhausted and spending that evening dozing on the sofa. 

Learning to drive was probably one of the most expensive things I've done. Despite no longer paying for lessons each week my insurance, petrol, servicing and my recent tyre incident have set me back massively in savings. 

(I honestly think it might all be worth it though). 

My car was due a service and luckily it was in fab condition so didn't cost me too much. 

However this takes me on to the little tale I have for you today. 

A week or so ago on a glorious Sunday morning I set off to drive my boyfriend home before I went to work. We left the house at 10am and I had work at 12pm, plenty of time, right? 

I had to manoeuvre my way out of our driveway around a Land Rover and between two pretty close fence posts. It was probably about a 50-point-turn before I thought I finally had space to wiggle my way out. 

There is a large hedge next to one of the fence posts and I brushed through it on my way past, my back passenger wheel lifting over the bump just before the fence post, thankfully missing the post itself. (Or so I thought)

The speed limit through the village I live in is 30mph so we travelled along steadily at around 28mph (I'm a safe driver you see). It wasn't until we reached the end of the 30mph zone and entered the 50mph zone that I realised something wasn't right. I had my foot flat out on the gas and my speed wasn't moving past 40mph. 

I checked I was in the right gear, I was. 

I was so confused.

It was then my boyfriend asked what the weird noise was. The car felt a little unstable and wobbly. 

We pulled over in the nearest lay-by (after checking my centre and left mirrors and signalling) and soon realised that my tyre was not only flat, but absolutely ripped to shreds. 

Not planning for this scenario I was gracefully dressed in my jogging bottoms and a wooly jumper which admittedly isn't the most flattering outfit. We stood in the lay-by staring at the mess I had created whilst I tried to phone my dad for some assistance. 

My dad had spoken to me only a few days before about teaching me to change a tyre, I wish we'd had that chat earlier. 

A few minutes later my dad turned up, laughing at my situation. He and my boyfriend continued to find the situation humorous as they proceeded to watch me attempt to follow my dad's instructions. 

1. Use the screwdriver in the tool set to take off the wheel cover. 

2. Use the jack to lift the car up.

3. Use the tyre iron to loosen and remove the bolts. 

4. Take the wheel off and replace it with the spare.

5. Put the bolts back on and tighten (tighten them diagonally and repeat to ensure they're tight).

6. Put the wheel cover back on and ensure that is on tightly too. 

Really it was quite a simple process, but I wouldn't have known where to start. After getting as much dirt off my hands as I could whilst wearing a layer of dirt on my joggers and favourite jumper (sigh) we carried on our way. 

Luckily I managed to get back in time for work after my little ordeal. 

The moral here is, make sure you know how to change a tyre before going out on your own. Imagine if that had happened down a country lane, at night, in torrential rain, with no signal. Then you'd be in a pickle! 

Anyway, all in all I'm having a fab time! I'm earning bonus miles on my insurance each month for safe driving which means I can't be doing that bad! 

It is an expensive process and it will continue to drain my bank account for the rest of my life, but the benefits of being able to drive really are endless. 

I hope you enjoyed this post! 

Let me know if you're learning to drive & how you're getting on!

'til next time. Hannah.

Let's Talk Insurance!

The one thing that everyone dreads more than anything when learning to drive are the costs involved.

I don't think I have ever spent so much money in such a short period of time.

When I got my car I entered the crazy, scary, world of insurance. 

Sadly I had no other option than to bite the bullet and choose something.

I used comparison websites which I shall now link below such as...

Go Compare

Confused.com

Compare the Market

These were all really useful sites that actually managed to give me an idea of the ball park I was playing in. 

Although you do have to spend half an hour filling out the information for the quote over and over again for each website..bleugh..the process is relatively simple and painless.

You are then left with a list of your best options. 

For my provisional insurance I went with Esure Broker, who managed to give me a reasonable price for a years provisional cover, and when changing my insurance after passing, were really helpful and refunded what was left of my cover. Thanks. 

You will be lucky to find annual provisional insurance for under around £600-£800 with full cover (that was with both of my parents on the policy too). 

Luckily I didn't have to claim at all whilst I had my policy with Esure, so therefore I can't give a review in that area. There are lots of different companies offering similar prices to the one I got but for me that was the best deal. 

It got to the point where I needed to play eenie, meenie, minee, mo. 

When it came to changing my insurance over on the morning that I passed, I was glad that I had asked around my friends. 

One recommendation that I looked up and seemed appropriate was Insurethebox.

This company does fit a black box, but insurance is around £2000 without one, pretty much everywhere I looked. 

I paid for 6,000 miles which came to just under £1500 (however I have a 1.4l engine and a car with a smaller engine would be significantly cheaper). The black box measures your accelerating and braking speeds, where you are and how you drive in different speed limits. There are no punishments, but there are rewards of additional miles added to your policy each month for sensible driving. 

I wasn't too keen on the idea of a black box, but I just drive in a normal, safe fashion (as you would.) and therefore what would be the problem with it? It's also an incentive not to speed if you're someone who is tempted too! 

So that was my insurance experience. All a bit serious, I know,  but it's useful to hear other people's opinions when making your decisions! 

I hope this was useful and feel free to comment any questions about insurance or the driving process in general! 

'til next time,

Hannah.

Links to my insurance companies-

esure

insurethebox

Doing My Driving Test

After 6 months of hard work, lots of tears and arguments, the day of my driving test finally came around.

Fair to say I didn't sleep very well the night before, manoeuvres going round and round in my head. Rules about bus lanes being recited.

My alarm went off at 6am, giving me 45 minutes to panic before my instructor arrived at 7:15am to take me for a lesson before my test.

I managed to force down some breakfast and waited patiently for my instructor to arrive.

I have to say, the lesson before my test was probably one of the worst lessons I've ever had. I was rubbish. The nerves were getting to me and I had no hope.

We pulled over and ran through the 'show me, tell me' questions, to which my answers were pretty awful I have to admit. It was like everything I had learned had just escaped my head when I'd woken up that morning.

Before I knew it we had 10 minutes to get to the test centre before my allocated test time of 8:20am.

As we arrived I had to perform a reverse bay park in the car park of the test centre along with all of the other 8:20am candidates. We then went to the waiting room, all nervously holding our provisional licences wondering if this would be the last time we'd be needing them.

I could feel my legs getting wobbly and I began to think to myself, how will I use the pedals without any legs? I've never needed my legs in a test before!

At precisely 8:20am the examiners paraded in and each called out a name. My name was called and before I knew it there was no way out. I signed my name and made my way outside to the car.

I was asked to read a number plate that hung from a fence on the other side of the car park before walking over to the car. It was then he asked me the 'show me, tell me' questions. I was so relieved when he asked me two that I'd just gone over beforehand. HALLELUJAH.

That was when the test began. It was the quickest 38 minutes I have ever experienced. I drove like I'd never driven before and hoped that it was enough. My stomach churned when I caught him writing on his piece of paper in my peripheral vision.
I hadn't been asked to complete a manouvere throughout my test and therefore I knew I would have to complete a reverse bay park when we arrived back at the test centre. Exactly as I had done upon arrival.

By 8:58am it was all over.

My instructor came over to the car and then I was given the impossible task of opening the window. i managed to open the examiner's window before mine. Awkward. 

This was the moment when the examiner said words that I wasn't expecting at all..
'That concludes your test and you have passed'

I WAS SO RELIEVED.

I had passed, first time,  with only 2 minor faults (which is definitely a record for me!)

I would highly recommend JRN Driving Academy, for a professional, enjoyable and incredibly effective learning expereince.

I will write another post soon about insurance advice and how I sorted mine out. 

until next time,

Hannah.

Lesson Twenty One

This lesson was again based around practising everything that I've learned and attempting to polish everything off.

However, because I'm over thinking everything and trying to make sure I'm doing everything right, I keep forgetting the basics. 

Basic things like, slowing on approach and checking for speed limits. 
My mind is on so many other things now! 

Road markings, directions, indication, lanes, hesitation.........AGH! 


I'm a very academic person. Sadly, driving is not necessarily and academic thing. 

This means that you can't always do everything by one set of instructions. Every time you drive the conditions and situations will be different. Hence how lessons and practice, teach you how to be able to adapt to situations in a safe manner, not how to handle EVERY situation that might occur. 

So, for someone who is used to revising step by step methods and following them closely, this is something actually find quite hard. 


Although, despite cracks appearing in some places, everyone is right in saying that the 'driving' aspect (making the car move and controlling it) has become second nature. I think very little about gas/clutch use and knowing when to change gear is natural. Which, as well as making concentrating on everything else a lot easier, means that I am concentrating harder on everything else. 


I'm undoubtedly a worrier. I'm always anxious and I over think EVERYTHING. 

Handling the pressure of a driving test should be interesting! Hopefully I'll be able to hold it together.

Whilst I'm on the topic of the ever looming test, I have been given a list of possible 'show me, tell me questions'. 

These are basically simple questions about car safety and maintenance and by answering them, indicate that you know your way around a car and how to carry out simple tasks. 
The questions range from checking the brakes are working to checking engine oil levels. 
It's been useful to have a read through these in advance so I suggest you look into the possibility of doing so if you haven't already! 

All I can do now is keep driving around over the next few weeks and keep practising! 

'til next time
Hannah.

Driving Update (Lessons Sixteen-Twenty)

As I've been crazy busy with exams and various other things I haven't updated you on my driving for a very long time! 

A quick update: the last few lessons have consisted of practising all of the things I've been taught! 

I'm at the stage of polishing of the manoeuvres and trying to remember the basics throughout the drive such as checking mirrors when changing speed and preparing for approaching hazards. 

One new thing that I have covered recently is the 'independent driving' section. Which, I think, makes up 10 minutes of your test in which you have to either follow a basic map or the road signs to a destination. 

Which sounds easy, and really is. The first few times are a bit nerve racking when you realise you actually have to make your own decisions and concentrate on where you're going instead of just doing what you're told. It's also really hard to do everything you've been taught as well as watching for road signs and markings! BLEUGHGHGH. 


But..as with everything in driving, experience and practice is the only way. 

I have booked my test! Not because I'm ready yet but because the waiting list is so damn long that by the time it comes around I should be better prepared! Scary. 

In my lesson yesterday, I drove around all of the 'difficult' roads in the area. Roads that have rules that may catch you out unless you had encountered them before. My lessons are now all focused on getting me ready to do my test. Yes it's scary but I can't wait! 

The date is in the diary and now I have something to work towards the motivation is there again! 

Let me know how you're getting on if you're learning & share your tips.
Ask me any questions! 
til next time, 
Hannah.

Lesson Fifteen

I PASSED MY THEORY TEST!

It was honestly one of the weirdest experiences of my life. 
I had to find the test centre which I eventually found down a random street on the third floor of a scary looking building. 

I was given a list of instructions which seemed pretty straight forward and I was then asked to lock all of my belongings in a locker at the back of the waiting room. 
They checked behind my ears, I had to roll my sleeves up and turn out my pockets..the lengths people have gone to to cheat..wow.

I was then sent into a room with several booths containing computers and A LOT of CCTV cameras.

Then the test began! I did the multiple choice questions and checked them through twice. They weren't anything I hadn't seen before on the Theory Test apps I downloaded (highly useful method).

Then there was an instruction video telling you how to do the Hazard Perception section followed by 14 clips. (A little boring I have to admit).

When this part was over I left, the lady at the desk handed me a piece of paper and at the bottom was my certificate. Job done. 

I really do think it was highly beneficial to read The Highway Code and use apps to practice the multiple choice questions as well as the hazard perception. 


I then went on to have my fifteenth lesson! 

My lessons now consist of completing every manoeuvre, travelling on dual carriageways and completing tonnes of roundabouts and junctions. Literally just practising everything I've been taught and perfecting it all ready to be tested! 

If you want to know more about taking your theory test and useful apps then I'll answer any questions you may have! 

'til next time
Hannah. 

Lesson Fourteen

With my theory test looming at only a week away it would be fair to say I'm pretty nervous.

But passing my theory test means booking my practical test and anything that gets me closer to driving is worth the worry, right?

This week I did a bit of independent driving and dual carriageways.

Dual carriageways involve 70mph overtaking *palpitations* 

THE most important thing I learnt this lesson is to check your blind spot!! 

Independent driving is tricky especially when you're not used to the area you're driving in.
Concentrating on all of the signs and lanes as well as a million other factors simultaneously is just another complication! (Just as I thought it was getting easier!) 

I've got two weeks off lessons now because of exams, which gives me lots of time to practice in my own car and a chance to try and sort my manoeuvres out. Urgh.

It's nearly summer and to be able to drive by then would be amazing. 

However, even if I did pass, the next problem is my colossal insurance appreciation ew. 

After paying for my last insurance, driving lessons, MOT, service, petrol, tyres and road tax my savings account is feeling a little light. 
Donations anyone? 

Looks like the next few months will be filled with working and driving. Not all bad I guess! 

Don't forget to check out my main blog: Being 17

Let me know any of your driving experiences or any questions you might have about getting started! 

'til next time
Hannah.

Lesson Twelve & Thirteen

I had another lesson at 8:30am..ew

But in this one I learnt something that has been worrying me for a long time now! 

The Parallel Park.

I have to admit, this is probably one of the easiest manoeuvres I have learnt to do out of all of them.

It involves very little accuracy and is reasonably straight forward (pardon the pun) 

I have learnt all of my manoeuvres now! 
- Reverse bay park
-Turn in the road
-Reverse around corner
-Parallel park! 

I've also been practising theory tests on an app I have (Theory Test 2015) and recently I have been passing! Which is lucky considering my test isn't far away!

In my 13th hour I practised all of my manoeuvres! Now it's all about practising and making sure that I can do everything with ease.

I want to past my test by the summer so I'm increasing to 1 1/2 hour lessons which should help me get things done quicker.

The end is in sight! 
I've been driving my car lots and I even cleaned it the other day! Madness. 
I just need to keep practising and making sure that I can get as much experience as I can!

Tell me about your driving experiences!

til next time,
Hannah.

Lesson Eleven

This week my lesson was at 8:30am..I know..

But this week I learnt a new manoeuvre! 

Reversing around corners. Wow. 

AGAIN as always the process itself was pretty straight forward- but there's so much to remember. 
Keep looking around you the whole time, keep the kerb lined up with the mirror.

I'm feeling really confident now and I'm not nervous about junctions and roundabouts as much as I used to be. The practice is really helping. 

I still haven't revised a lot for my theory test which I should really! oops. It's not for a month or so yet though. 

I went for a really long drive in my own car the other day. Realised I hate cyclists but that's okay I guess.
Was about an hour round trip and I only stalled once (just before a hill start)..ACHIEVEMENT! 

Keep thinking about where I'm going to go once I've passed my test! 

Not too long now! I'm going to start having longer lessons so that I can cover everything quicker. 

Let me know how you're getting on if you're learning- or if you have any questions about getting started!

'til next time, 
Hannah.

Lesson Ten

With 10 hours down my test date is being discussed!
Yes it's not going to be for 4/5 months but at least we're making progress.

This lesson I learnt how to do another manoeuvre..this time it was a 'turn in the road'

This is basically a 3-point turn. It sounds simple, it theoretically is simple! AS WITH EVERYTHING!

But when there are other people watching you and you have to keep checking around you, checking your mirrors AND concentrating on not driving up the kerb..it all falls apart.


But as usual I'm sure it'll just take practice.

On the brighter side of things, I had a really good drive the other day! I actually felt like I knew what I was doing- crazy.

I'm still doing online theory tests..urghghghghghhghghghgh.
Hazard Perception can just leave. (Any advice on that would be much appreciated).


For any one who is currently learning to drive, I would highly recommend getting insured on a parent/guardian's car, the extra practice has soooo much impact.

My next two lessons are at 8:30am..lets hope I'm awake enough!

Let me know about your driving experiences or any questions you have about getting started! I can try my best to advise you although I'm pretty hopeless as it is!



'til next time
Hannah.

Lesson Eight & Nine

Since I last posted..

I have been taking every opportunity that I get to drive. Even though its only within 10-15 minute radiuses, I feel I have improved massively for it (however my parents disagree)

I've learned how to do emergency stops..which at first were very scary but after a few goes weren't too bad. 

In my last two lessons I have learned how to do reverse bay parking. There is a lot to remember when doing this, (which seems to be a reoccurring theme with driving) but as long as you remember the routine and keep checking your mirrors it seems to just work out fine?! Magic.

In my next lesson I will be learning how to turn in the road..now I've done a few 3-point turns on my drive way but this sounds intriguing. 

I've also booked my theory test! After being successful online a few times I've decided to cram whatever revision I can do and take it ASAP. 


All in all, the actual driving aspect is becoming second nature, stalling is now minimal and knowing how to approach different aspects of the road is also becoming natural.

HOWEVER: I've discovered that the main issue, and the one thing that makes me want to give up..other people.

Other people on the road terrify me..they're unpredictable and make every scenario 10x more complicated.

Although I think that's what all the practice is for! 

I still love driving and knowing that it won't be long until I'll be able to drive on my own is the light at the end of the tunnel!

Hopefully all of the tears and worry will be worth it in the end! 

Hannah.

Lesson Six & Seven

I SORTED MY INSURANCE!
Hallelujah. After weeks and weeks of trawling comparison websites and review websites I finally made a decision. Phew!

SO! This means I've been able to drive around loads the last week or so. 
I've driven to school a few times and to friends' houses.

It's very scary at first without your trusty instructor but I think it's been more scary for my parents! oops. 

My lesson last week was on Friday 13th...OOoooooOOooooo!

It went really well though! 
This week I learnt about manoeuvring around parked cars, keeping a metre away and checking mirrors to move in and out. Basic concept really but concentrating on everything else too of course made it a lot more complex. 

To practice this we drove around housing estates, which also meant I could practice junctions! 

(I've been stalling A LOT in my car so practising junctions again was vital!)

I think I'm finally getting to grips with things now, it's slowly coming together. 

My instructor keeps testing me on little theory points too which is really useful.
I've also benefited massively from doing a few online theory tests, it all makes sense in real life! 

This week's lesson was today! 

I drove around an estate first just getting warmed up with a few junctions and a hill start..life. 

And THEN..

I drove into town. The naive learner driver I was. My instructor lured me into a false sense of security and before I knew it I was in the middle of town in RUSH HOUR. AH. 

But don't worry...I'm ok. Still a little shaken. 

The main thing I've learnt this week is that in situations when its busy and you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by everything, the best thing to do is stay calm. Stay calm and remember what you've got to do. Just take it a step at the time and don't panic because then you miss things out and get stressed out and then it all fails and before you know it you're crying at the side of the road and......no, I'm joking but STAY CALM. 

This evening I decided to take a leisurely cruise down to my friend's house that is 2 minutes down the road, it was very successful and I'm soooo enjoying it. 

'til next time..

Hannah.

Lesson Five

SO!
5 hours in and I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere! 

After several pretty successful roundabouts and junctions I feel it's all coming together!
I learnt about pelican, puffin and toucan crossings! 
(No, I didn't make those up) 
Also, who knew there was such thing as a Pegasus crossing? FOR HORSES!?

In other news, I'm getting a car this week! CRAZY.

But as exciting as it is, an element that isn't so exciting is...insurance. 

IT. IS. A. MINEFIELD. 

What to trust, what not to trust?
What's good, what's bad?
What are excesses, what are good excesses?
Who's name should it be in?
How many times do I have to fill out this quote form?
 urgh. 

There are lots of companies that offer annual insurance of around £300-£600, but the fact they're so cheap makes me suspicious. 
Comparison websites such as Compare The Market, GoCompare and Confused.com have all been really useful in finding the best deals for me. 

What I've realised is that, no one wants my provisional driver business. 
And if they do, they want to stick a spy box on the side of my car...uh..is that a good idea?

I have 3 more days to sort this out. It's going to have to be this evening. 

I'll update you on the outcomes!

Wish me luck! 

Hannah.

Lesson Four

After learning how to do junctions last week, this week I moved on to roundabouts. 

This. Was. Scary.

I learnt which lane to go in for which direction..
Left for left
Left for straight on
Right for right

But its not that simple. It all depends on the type of roundabout and the road markings! 
AS IF THERE ISN'T ENOUGH TO LOOK AT!?

I also find pulling away from junctions really hard..maybe I'm just bad at it?! 

We drove around a few estates doing every roundabout.

It was exhausting. 

REMEMBER:
Check mirrors on a new road.

I've also developed a habit of stalling, oops!

Almost getting to grips with changing gears every time now! So that was a positive.

Managed to put into practice my two second rule! Crawling along in traffic is tiring! 

Clutch, gear change, clutch, brake, accelerate, bleugh!

I keep trying to remind myself that practice will make it all better.

Need to start learning for my theory exam..hmm! 

'til next week.

Hannah.

Lesson Three

Today I faced my biggest fear.

The HUGE roadworks roundabout near my house. Yes- I stalled but I made it!

This lesson we focused on junctions and emerging. 

This involved driving round and round a housing estate down every road and every turning practising junctions.

I learnt how to do a controlled role which involves switching to 1st gear and rolling to the edge of the junction in order to see better. 

I only stalled once which I was pretty proud of! The pressure of other traffic being around is ridiculous. 

I literally have no idea what I'd do without my instructor having pedals too. Ah. 

I'm getting used to changing gear without looking at the gear box now! Which means I'm not constantly driving into the kerb. 

I also encountered my first hill start. This involves remembering to do so many things at once! 

All in all it was a pretty successful lesson- just need to keep practicing! 

Next lesson next week!

'til then, 
Hannah 

Lesson Two

So after a shaky start to my driving experience, I was determined to get the hang of the basics by lesson two.

After completing my Cockpit Drill (or so I thought) I went on to take off the handbrake. Here I was stopped by my instructor. 
I was confused...I'd checked my doors, mirrors, adjusted my seat and headrest?!

I'd forgotten to do probably THE most obvious thing. Seatbelt. 

Slightly embarrassing!

SO..after that minor hiccup we set off. I reached 60mph which involves moving up to 5th gear! 

My gear transitions have improved I feel and keeping the balance between the clutch and gas has become much easier. 

During this hour I learnt a little about stopping distances..'Only a fool forgets the two second rule' illustrating how you have to be at least 2 seconds behind the car in front of you. This is different in the rain, at 4 seconds. 

It was also today that I experienced every learner drivers worst nightmare. 
THE ROUNDABOUT,
I managed to get the hang of the steering involved after 3 laps around the centre lane..oops. 

As well as attempting a couple of junctions, (checking mirrors, indicating, braking and steering) I mainly practised the basics of controlling the car. 


I'm so excited to start driving! 
I also went car browsing today! eeeek!! 

Lesson three is only a couple of days away so watch this space!

'til next time, Hann xoxox

Lesson One

After one hour I can safely say...I'm going to need a fair few more. 

We started off by learning the 'Cockpit Drill' 

After adjusting my seat, mirrors and head rest I was ready to start moving. 

This was the tricky bit. Getting the balance between lifting the clutch and applying the gas. IMPOSSIBLE. 

I successfully completed a few figures of 8 around the car park before being confident enough to get on the road. 

(I was really surprised that I'd be driving so quickly!) 

I practised stopping and pulling away from the curb, indicating at junctions, changing gears and a lot of shaky steering! 

The thing I found the most difficult would have to be the sheer amount of things you have to remember. 

-Check your mirrors
-Change gear
-Accelerate
-Brake
-Handbrake
-Indicators 
-Steering

AHHHHHHHHH!

Although it was a very scary and tricky hour it was easily the most fun I've had in a while. 
I can't wait for my next lesson and I highly recommend you start driving ASAP.

til next time...

Hannah.