Sooo, I am blogging about DRIVING today because I have recently had to do the California ‘Behind the Wheel’ and written test which I was very nervous about on both occasions. I had lots of fun waiting at the DMV centre in Laguna Hills...lots of fun indeed.
I passed my driving test in the UK 17 years ago so have been driving for a long time. I consider myself to be a good driver, maybe driving a little fast sometimes but not dangerously. I have never been in an accident, touch wood (I’m touching my head now), but I do get quite angry with other drivers, not to the point where I would do anything other than swear and the odd gesture with my fingers/hands!...but that’s pretty harmless, isn’t it??
Anyway, so I passed my UK driving test 1st time around and did the California driving tests a few weeks ago. I was very pleased with myself on the written test, I got every question right! (I’m a perfectionist), I wanted a gold star on my paper but that didn’t happen. However, with the ‘Behind the wheel’ test, the examiner marked me down for loads of things...especially not scanning the road enough?? If I had scanned anymore, I wouldn’t have been able to see where I was going! I still passed though, just with more minor errors than I would have liked. It probably didn’t help that she chatted to me throughout the test! are they allowed to do that?
Since driving in California, I have had to learn to drive an automatic on the wrong side of the road (compared to the UK anyway). My friends from the UK ask me what driving is like over here in the USA. Well, where I am in Irvine, its fast and fierce (which suits me). Everyone seems to drive big cars and everyone seems to tailgate. At each set of lights, it’s like being at Formula One, on your marks....get set....go!!!.....is this normal?? Why does everyone seem to be in such a rush and never indicating?
I have bought a little mini cooper, just like I had in the UK and I love it, it suits me. My mum had a mini years ago, back in the 1960’s. Here is an old photo of her and my dad with the car...followed by a more recent one of me with mine.
Here is a little sketch I have done of my beloved mini cooper!
One thing I love about cars in the USA is the number plates, they look really cool (awesome!)... I found these images earlier showing artwork using number plates:
I love your sketch! I have lived in Cali all my life, and I can say that people tailgate and fail to signal because they are horrible drivers. The problem is that California contains many people from all over the world (well, only a problem as far as driving goes), and so they were all raised with different rules. Even people coming from the East coast of the U.S. have slightly different rules, so it's just a big mass of confusion.
ReplyDeleteHi Kristen, where do people learn to tailgate though...and how come the smaller the person, the bigger their car is. Maybe it is due to all the different nationalities. Glad you like my sketch today!
DeleteI love your mini. I wanted one when I got a new car a few years ago.. but since we were in a gas crunch (another one) I settled for a Prius. Now, I'm glad I did, but I still look at each Mini with envy!
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the pocketbooks made from old license plates?
I love my mini too, they are such fun cars to drive and easy to park too! I've not seen the pocketbooks, I'll google them now.....thanks for the advice and for visiting.
DeleteIt's harder to pass a driving test when you have been driving for a while. You pick up too many bad habits.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for posting. I agree it is harder when you have been driving for so long. Fortunately, being new to driving in the USA it was like learning all over again as I had never driven on the other side of the road or an automatic, I think this made it easier.
DeleteDriving terrifies me. I'm 25, and don't drive, haha. People are cray cray. I guess not driving is okay if I want to live in New York City, yeah?
ReplyDeleteAs long as you have decent public transport, not driving is fine. I always wanted to be able to drive so learnt early and car a car straightaway for independence. I actually really enjoy driving, I only dont like it when I don't know where I am going or when someone is tailgating/breaking sharply. Its nice to be able to just go in the car and go whereever you want (if you trust the satnav!)
DeleteI tried driving back when I was 21, and I hated it. The freeways in LA forget it. I have been to many parts of the country on foot, bike, plane, and bus, so there is always a way to get around. Being a pedestrian is actually cheaper now, and it can be done if you are determined. Also knew a woman who never drove, and her kids did not either. They walked and took the bus, and were just fine. This was in a rural mountain community, even.
DeleteI think it's driving, you either love it or hate it and it either suits you or it doesn't. I know people who have taken their driving tests and passed, then never driven. Why bother? Hats off to you for making the most of public transport!
DeleteThat is so typical in urban areas of California. Traffic and tailgaters. I don't miss that anyone, now that I am living in a semi-rural area of northern california. You can keep all that traffic!!! ugh!
ReplyDeleteI guess I'd better get used to it then! Back in the UK you get the odd tailgater but nowhere near as bad as here in Irvine. I'd love to move to somewhere rural someday, just need to either be able to work from home...or not work at all!
DeleteLove your sketch and your photos. I openly admit to road rage - why are there so many arseholes on the roads these days?! - however I can't stand people who creep at traffic lights - I always end up pulling off faster than them anyway, not that I'm competitive or anything :)
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, or Jerks...as we say now in California! I always try and be first one away too at the lights, I love it when I beat a porsche...nothing wrong with a bit of competitiveness. x
DeleteYour sketches are awesome, especially your Mini Cooper. I sooo want one of those little tykes!
ReplyDeleteglad you like the sketch Claire, i aim to please....you should definitely get a mini they are lovely cars to drive and more roomy than you would think.
DeleteVery cool post on driving. I am the opposite of you in that I am probably one of the few Southern Californians who is a pedestrian, and I do not like driving. People think we do not exist sometimes, which is why I started a blog awhile back about life walking in car centric SoCal. I found your blog via the A to Z comment you made on mine, and I cannot wait to see your next post.
ReplyDeletehey thanks for visiting, pleased you like what ive written. i think its hard to rely just on public transport, especially in SoCal.... ill see if i can find the blog you mention.
DeleteI love your mini! I have one on my list but since everyone in my family is 5'9" or taller, I'm not sure how practical it would be for me!
ReplyDeletehi rechelle, wow it must be cool.to be so tall. im only 5'6"....so a mini is probabky not a good idea for you. thanks for visiting my blog!
DeleteI love mini's and they are pretty safe cars! i didn't know you need to do a driving test when you are over there, is it because you applied for an american drivers license?
ReplyDeleteLove the mini sketch!
hi, yes they do feel quite safe cars and they are fairly economical too!....we had to do the driving test because we are from the uk and you can only drive on a uk licence for 60 days or something like that. US residents that move to california from another state only have to do the written test. im glad we both passed. thanks for the comment!
DeleteMy next car is going to be a Mini - I love that little bulldog of a car! And I give you mad props for driving in CA - even after living in NYC for years, I can't imagine driving daily in a big city. Happy A to Z-ing!
ReplyDeleteJess / Blogging on the Brink
Hey jess, thanks for stopping by. Driving in CA is actually not that bad, lots of lanes and going in a straight line...how hard can it be! I love that I can turn right on a red light. We need to get that rule into the UK. Happy blogging too x
DeleteIs touch wood a UK thing?
ReplyDeleteHa Ha, yes it probably is Patty. Its a superstitious thing. You are meant to actually touch wood! my head is the next best thing when wood is not near me. I've just googled it, there are some interesting explanations on this website....http://www.guardian.co.uk/notesandqueries/query/0,5753,-22199,00.html
DeleteI really like the look of the minis, they seem more sturdy nowadays. I really do love your art work, its so fresh! Thanks for stopping by, I have been making a few of these mini chuncky journals. Blessings, looking forward to more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteAmanda - Realityarts-Creativity
Art Blog
Glad you like my art work! I may have to try and get my hands on one of your mini journals.
DeleteMy son, who is 4, is obsessed with Mini Coopers (as is my dad!). I love your sketch! I don't understand the difficulty with using a turn signal either.
ReplyDelete