I was taught to drive safe no doubt by my instructor Terry but i find that i face so many situations in every day life that i normally dont! For example, theres this department store where i get my groceries and driving there is such a nightmare. In spite of looking both sides before moving forward, i find a car approaching me within a micro second. It was scary so the basic lesson was to be very alert!
I also never really encountered a right turn signal until recently and i dont know if i turned on red but i remembering seeing the words right turn signal. That means that i need to be much more vigilant at signals. Normally i see a no right turn on red sign posted but i didnt see one out here.
My first experience on driving on the highway alone wasnt too bad. I had gone to drop my husband to the airport and was returning back. I realised that i didnt follow the GPS instructions well. I managed to reach the airport exit and for the first time i pulled up near the booth. I was kind of afraid i may bang the car. The entry to the highway was luckily smooth for me at all times when i switched highways. There were a few times that i had to slow down because the people ahead of me and i kept to the right most lane most of the time. Perhaps, on my next drive on the highway i will try keeping to the middle lane.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Driving at night
I have not had much of experience driving at night so the other day when i decided to go to Walmart at night i was a little scared. I should not have been scared since it was pretty much the same with the streets being well lit.
However, one problem i faced was whenever i turned the indicator i managed to switch off the lights and so i learnt to put the indicator on in such a way that the light switches are not affected. I have at least learnt to get the headlights on and i returned home without any issues.
However, one problem i faced was whenever i turned the indicator i managed to switch off the lights and so i learnt to put the indicator on in such a way that the light switches are not affected. I have at least learnt to get the headlights on and i returned home without any issues.
Giving way to emergency vehicles
Even though the TX Driving License guide contains all the information on giving way to emergency vehicles, its a totally different experience when it happens in real. I went to drop a friend off at his apartment and on the way back i see cop cars and am at the stop sign waiting for the emergency vehicle (fire engine) to go so that i turn, i never realised that the emergency vehicle wanted to turn in and that it takes a wide turn and therefore couldnt turn with me being there.
The driver honked at me twice before it struck me and i turned right. When i came home and talked to Nishanth he said i should have backed up into the aparmtment complex and parked or else taken a right immediately. A search on the internet shows that people have been ticketed for the same. Again, another first and a lesson for me to learn while driving.
The driver honked at me twice before it struck me and i turned right. When i came home and talked to Nishanth he said i should have backed up into the aparmtment complex and parked or else taken a right immediately. A search on the internet shows that people have been ticketed for the same. Again, another first and a lesson for me to learn while driving.
Driving through a school zone
I started driving recently and have not had much experience. Today for the first time, i drove through a school zone during school times. I am really glad that there was a car in front of me that slowed down making me slow down otherwise i would have gone through the school zone at 40 and there are cop cars through out the school zones and i would definitely have got a ticket.
Therefore, if you are out between 7 and 10 make sure you pay attention to the school zone signs. Theres also an afternoon timing but i dont remember what it is. I am learning things as i am driving...
Therefore, if you are out between 7 and 10 make sure you pay attention to the school zone signs. Theres also an afternoon timing but i dont remember what it is. I am learning things as i am driving...
Road Test
4 months after i got the learner's license, i decided that it was time i took my road test. With my husband travelling often, it was important that i take the road test. Although, i practiced with the driving instructor at the Plano DPS site, i took the road test at the Carolton DPS site.
For those who need to take a test at the DPS office, one needs to go early in the morning say 6:00 AM to stand in the queue for the road test. In that case, you would take your road test by 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM depending on the number of test takers ahead of you.
I wasnt asked for identification documents by the Carolton office probably because my drivers license had the temporary visitor stamp. In any case, one should take the identification documents as required by TX DPS. In addition, F1 visa need to take I-20, school schedule, bursar receipt, social security card, insurance receipt, passport and I-94.
We used our own car so i had the insurance on my name. I suppose if you use a friends car, one needs to fill out a form and the person whose car you take needs to be with you. I am not so sure about that part.
On the first day when i took the test
1) I was asked to switch off my engine and told to brake, put on the right and left indicator and honk. The DPS officer also asked for my insurance copy and took a look at the registration and emmission on the windshield.
2) I was asked to start the car and unfortunately for me there was a problem with the car and she decided i dont know how to start the car and deducted points for that.
3) I was asked to parallel park between two single poles. Our car is a 2009 Honda Fit. I pull my car parallel to the poles and go ahead until my back door is aligned with the front pole. Thereafter, i put the right signal on, put the car on reverse and turned the wheel all the way to the right. I have a blind spot mirror which enables me to gauge the distance from the curb - i can actually see the curb. I backed up and thereafter turned the wheel to the left until i straightened out and was parallel to the curb. Thereafter, i turned the wheel to the right twice to straighten out the wheel.
The distance from the curb should be between 6 to 12 inches. At the carolton office, they are a little lenient with the parallel parking part unless you hit the curb or the pole in which case you fail.
4) After parallel parking i was asked to pull out. I put on the right signal, put the car on reverse to back up a little, looked over my shoulder to ensure no cars were coming. I put the car on drive and thereafter drive out.
5) Afterwards i was asked to go on to the main road, take a left and taken through a residential area with many stop signs where you turn right and turn left. There was a point where the road was being dug up and it was a little nerve wrecking to go through it. One should not drive at a speed higher than 30 in the residential area.
6) After the residential area the instructor takes you to the main road, the service road and the first time i attempted to turn when a vehicle was in sight. She stopped me saying i could have caused and accident and didnt get through the test. The second time i took the test i spent a few seconds to make sure there were no cars and i got through the test.
7)Once you are on the main road, you are asked to do a lane change to the right and a lane change to the left. One must make sure that they use their mirrors, look in the rear mirror, right mirror and over the right shoulder after showing the right signal and thereafter change the lanes. Similarly, for the left lane change, check the left mirror the rear view mirror and over the left shoulder after showing the left signal before making the lane change. The lane changes should be smooth.
8) Thereafter, one is taken to the DPS office and asked to reverse for less than a minute. The key here is to ensure that you constantly look back while reversing. Even if one goes slowly its fine.
I had two attempts at the road test, in the first attempt my parallel parking came out proper but in the second attempt i was a little further away from the curb. I guess i was more scared of hitting the curb.
I was taught by my driving instructor to always stop at the stop sign and then go ahead and stop again if one does not have a 180 degree view of the road. However, the DPS officer said i should stop at the stop line and not at the stop sign. So well, if there is a stop line i should stop at the stop line. If there isnt i suppose stopping at the stop sign makes sense.
I lost points on the first test since the engine would not start. However, the second time everything went perfectly fine. Also, my lane changes could have been smoother.
Passing the road test was not so difficult at the Carolton office. The instructors expect you to be observant, use your mirrors, follow instructions.
If you pass the road test, you go to the DPS office where they take your vision test and a photograph, give you a temporary permit and tell you your license will arrive in the post.
For those who need to take a test at the DPS office, one needs to go early in the morning say 6:00 AM to stand in the queue for the road test. In that case, you would take your road test by 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM depending on the number of test takers ahead of you.
I wasnt asked for identification documents by the Carolton office probably because my drivers license had the temporary visitor stamp. In any case, one should take the identification documents as required by TX DPS. In addition, F1 visa need to take I-20, school schedule, bursar receipt, social security card, insurance receipt, passport and I-94.
We used our own car so i had the insurance on my name. I suppose if you use a friends car, one needs to fill out a form and the person whose car you take needs to be with you. I am not so sure about that part.
On the first day when i took the test
1) I was asked to switch off my engine and told to brake, put on the right and left indicator and honk. The DPS officer also asked for my insurance copy and took a look at the registration and emmission on the windshield.
2) I was asked to start the car and unfortunately for me there was a problem with the car and she decided i dont know how to start the car and deducted points for that.
3) I was asked to parallel park between two single poles. Our car is a 2009 Honda Fit. I pull my car parallel to the poles and go ahead until my back door is aligned with the front pole. Thereafter, i put the right signal on, put the car on reverse and turned the wheel all the way to the right. I have a blind spot mirror which enables me to gauge the distance from the curb - i can actually see the curb. I backed up and thereafter turned the wheel to the left until i straightened out and was parallel to the curb. Thereafter, i turned the wheel to the right twice to straighten out the wheel.
The distance from the curb should be between 6 to 12 inches. At the carolton office, they are a little lenient with the parallel parking part unless you hit the curb or the pole in which case you fail.
4) After parallel parking i was asked to pull out. I put on the right signal, put the car on reverse to back up a little, looked over my shoulder to ensure no cars were coming. I put the car on drive and thereafter drive out.
5) Afterwards i was asked to go on to the main road, take a left and taken through a residential area with many stop signs where you turn right and turn left. There was a point where the road was being dug up and it was a little nerve wrecking to go through it. One should not drive at a speed higher than 30 in the residential area.
6) After the residential area the instructor takes you to the main road, the service road and the first time i attempted to turn when a vehicle was in sight. She stopped me saying i could have caused and accident and didnt get through the test. The second time i took the test i spent a few seconds to make sure there were no cars and i got through the test.
7)Once you are on the main road, you are asked to do a lane change to the right and a lane change to the left. One must make sure that they use their mirrors, look in the rear mirror, right mirror and over the right shoulder after showing the right signal and thereafter change the lanes. Similarly, for the left lane change, check the left mirror the rear view mirror and over the left shoulder after showing the left signal before making the lane change. The lane changes should be smooth.
8) Thereafter, one is taken to the DPS office and asked to reverse for less than a minute. The key here is to ensure that you constantly look back while reversing. Even if one goes slowly its fine.
I had two attempts at the road test, in the first attempt my parallel parking came out proper but in the second attempt i was a little further away from the curb. I guess i was more scared of hitting the curb.
I was taught by my driving instructor to always stop at the stop sign and then go ahead and stop again if one does not have a 180 degree view of the road. However, the DPS officer said i should stop at the stop line and not at the stop sign. So well, if there is a stop line i should stop at the stop line. If there isnt i suppose stopping at the stop sign makes sense.
I lost points on the first test since the engine would not start. However, the second time everything went perfectly fine. Also, my lane changes could have been smoother.
Passing the road test was not so difficult at the Carolton office. The instructors expect you to be observant, use your mirrors, follow instructions.
If you pass the road test, you go to the DPS office where they take your vision test and a photograph, give you a temporary permit and tell you your license will arrive in the post.
Driving License Delayed
After giving my road test, i never received my license in the mail. I had to go in person to the TX DPS office. Although, i gave the road test at the Caroltton centre, i could go to any TX DPS office to get a provisional license and i was told that they would send the license from Austin.
Hopefully, i get the license soon. Ideally one should receive the license within 3 weeks.
Hopefully, i get the license soon. Ideally one should receive the license within 3 weeks.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Driving Lesson Number 1
So well, here i was never having driven a car in the USA. I told Terry so and she decided to teach me from the very beginning. I used to make notes after every lesson so that i would review them before the next lesson and i am putting down my notes here!
Deciding on a driving school
Now that i had my learners license on hand, i decided to go look for a driving school. After looking at the reviews and the school that was nearby, i decided on Desi Driving School, Richardson. http://www.desidrivingschool.com/
I called them up to make an appointment for driving lessons. They charge a fee of 80$ for a 2 hour lesson which is a steep fee. However, i wanted to learn driving well and i knew for sure that i could never learn driving under Nishanth. I remember the time i took the car out with Nishanth instructing me and i never touched it again! In India, i learnt to drive my scooty and it was more of a on-the-job experience which resulted in a few accidents that could have been avoided had i learnt well. I was therefore determined to drive better. Furthermore, i didnt want to crash our 2009 Honda Fit.
I was assigned Terry as my driving instructor and for me she was just the right instructor. She instructed me in a way that i could understand and had the patience to teach well. I would recommend whoever chooses Desi Driving School to take lessons with her. She is booked to the brim and it normally takes two weeks to get an appointment with her and so its always best if you book many appointments at one time. Once she wasnt in town and i was assigned another instructor whose name i dont recall and it was a nightmare. All i wanted to do was get back home!
I called them up to make an appointment for driving lessons. They charge a fee of 80$ for a 2 hour lesson which is a steep fee. However, i wanted to learn driving well and i knew for sure that i could never learn driving under Nishanth. I remember the time i took the car out with Nishanth instructing me and i never touched it again! In India, i learnt to drive my scooty and it was more of a on-the-job experience which resulted in a few accidents that could have been avoided had i learnt well. I was therefore determined to drive better. Furthermore, i didnt want to crash our 2009 Honda Fit.
I was assigned Terry as my driving instructor and for me she was just the right instructor. She instructed me in a way that i could understand and had the patience to teach well. I would recommend whoever chooses Desi Driving School to take lessons with her. She is booked to the brim and it normally takes two weeks to get an appointment with her and so its always best if you book many appointments at one time. Once she wasnt in town and i was assigned another instructor whose name i dont recall and it was a nightmare. All i wanted to do was get back home!
Instruction Permit
Nishanth had to go to Finland for 2 months and for the first time in two years i needed to get around Dallas myself. And hence i signed up for Driving Lessons and have decided to blog about my experience driving.
Since, i reside in Texas i visited the following website for more information on the driving test procedures. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
The first step in front of me was to give the written test. This test contains rules
I went down to the Plano office to give the test.
Address
2109 West Parker Road Ste 224
Plano, TX 75023-7739
General Information
972-867-4221
At the office, they asked me for my identification. I had taken the following:
1) A Fee Receipt
2) A letter from the registrar stating i was a student
3) My passport which had my F1 visa
4) I-94
5) I-20
6) Social Security Card
Getting the letter from the registrar took 3 - 4 days. I studied from the Texas Drivers Handbook
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf for one day before taking up the test and searched online for sample questions.
Upon arrival at the TX DPS office,i was asked to fill a form which contained details such as Name, Nationality and Address. Thereafter, i was asked to take the vision test which consists of reading the 4th line. I read through quickly and made a mistake the first time and was asked to read the second time. Once i took the vision test, i was assigned a computer where i had to take up the written test. In order to pass the written test, i needed to score 70% on the test.
The questions were directly from the handbook and in many cases were intuitive. There were questions on road signs, lane change, right of way, stop signs, speed limits, school buses, time taken to stop. There are many sample questions on the internet and going through these questions helped. Nishanth had a few sample questions from the time he gave the test and i found that many of those questions were repeated.
There is an option to skip a question and get back to it at the end. One therefore could always come back to questions one was not sure of later. The moment one scored 70%, the test would stop regardless of the "skipped" questions and then you would be asked for your finger prints and a photo was taken. One is given a temporary license and actual drivers license comes in the post. I got mine within three weeks.
Since one has to option of opting for learners license (24$) valid for 6 years with a photo or an instruction permit (6$) valid for one year, i opted for the learners license. That way i had 6 years to give my road test and a photo ID. The following restrictions were placed P, A, B . "A" was for corrective lenses, "B" stated that i needed to drive with a license holder 21 years and above and P stated that i was a temporary visitor and had a duration of one year validity for F visa holders.
Since, i reside in Texas i visited the following website for more information on the driving test procedures. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/
The first step in front of me was to give the written test. This test contains rules
I went down to the Plano office to give the test.
Address
2109 West Parker Road Ste 224
Plano, TX 75023-7739
General Information
972-867-4221
At the office, they asked me for my identification. I had taken the following:
1) A Fee Receipt
2) A letter from the registrar stating i was a student
3) My passport which had my F1 visa
4) I-94
5) I-20
6) Social Security Card
Getting the letter from the registrar took 3 - 4 days. I studied from the Texas Drivers Handbook
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/DLhandbook.pdf for one day before taking up the test and searched online for sample questions.
Upon arrival at the TX DPS office,i was asked to fill a form which contained details such as Name, Nationality and Address. Thereafter, i was asked to take the vision test which consists of reading the 4th line. I read through quickly and made a mistake the first time and was asked to read the second time. Once i took the vision test, i was assigned a computer where i had to take up the written test. In order to pass the written test, i needed to score 70% on the test.
The questions were directly from the handbook and in many cases were intuitive. There were questions on road signs, lane change, right of way, stop signs, speed limits, school buses, time taken to stop. There are many sample questions on the internet and going through these questions helped. Nishanth had a few sample questions from the time he gave the test and i found that many of those questions were repeated.
There is an option to skip a question and get back to it at the end. One therefore could always come back to questions one was not sure of later. The moment one scored 70%, the test would stop regardless of the "skipped" questions and then you would be asked for your finger prints and a photo was taken. One is given a temporary license and actual drivers license comes in the post. I got mine within three weeks.
Since one has to option of opting for learners license (24$) valid for 6 years with a photo or an instruction permit (6$) valid for one year, i opted for the learners license. That way i had 6 years to give my road test and a photo ID. The following restrictions were placed P, A, B . "A" was for corrective lenses, "B" stated that i needed to drive with a license holder 21 years and above and P stated that i was a temporary visitor and had a duration of one year validity for F visa holders.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)