Learning to drive, round 2

I got my learner driver licence yesterday. It was about time. It’s a bit surprising that I last drove in 2007, clocking in about thirty hours, and let my licence expire before buying a photo card so I had some form of identification to get into over-18 places. Because I still look pretty young.

During the time I had no licence, I have watched my friends progress through provisional licences, through to full licences; I have asked (politely!) for rides to places; I have bothered my parents and made them pick me up at midnight; I have burned money on a taxi or a cab; I have leeched rides off my friends just by squeezing my schedule into theirs (for example, asking Tristan for a ride home on the same day he happened to be working late)… so overall, I have probably been an annoying friend.

I will admit I was not too keen on learning to drive. My parents were not keen on teaching me (ETA: Well, actually, they were, but because I wasn’t that keen, that happened). There was no rush. There was also the working-three-part-time-jobs-and-studying-full-time thing that happened in university, and learning to drive just became less of a priority. (And that’s A-OK.) Over the years I have not felt a great need to learn either. But I’m getting older, and soon, knowing how to drive will be more convenient. I’ll have to drive with someone else in the car until I progress to the next level… but hooray, new beginnings. (James was clearly more excited than I was.)

I passed my knowledge test yesterday with flying colours. Full marks. I’m pretty sure I got two questions wrong last time. I practiced and made myself familiar with the new rules, so I think I’ll be pretty cautious next time I jump in a car. ;)

It might seem a bit foolish, but my parents have suggested I buy a new car that I can learn in and have as my own car long-term. I can afford one, and it will be better than spending money on a used car only to buy a new one later on. It might seem like I will, you know, crash it on the first day or something – but as James pointed out, he would be surprised if I progressed through to my full licence without so much as a scratch on my car.

I had my eyes on a red Volkswagen Beetle, but everyone thought I was nuts and there was no way I would enjoy having a Beetle by the time I’m 30 years old. I kept insisting that it was the only “dream car” I had but eventually, after mulling over the Suzuki Swift and the Nissan Micra and other “small cars”, and not wanting to get something too common (because I’m young and hip and you know how you usually think when you’re 22), I settled on the Mazda 3. Sensible and pretty swish, without being too unusual and “different”. :P

Yeah, of course it’ll be red. It’s my favourite colour! I will set out to buy one some time in the near future, though there is no rush and I am going to be taking a few driving lessons with a professional to get myself started again.

Haha cars. I never used to like them. But with much thought on driving lately and getting a new car, I trust that I’ll be a cautious driver and be careful with something so new. :3