changing seasons

I could have written and posted this yesterday but I was not in the mood. I was not feeling too well yesterday. Yesterday was a special day for me. I was waiting for that day to come since May. It was one of the most important events in my life here in Maine for this year and I was so prepared to handle everything whatever the situation may bring.

I was prepared for it. I came all equipped with the knowledge and skill that I need to be able to do it. I was so excited yet so nervous at the same time but I know it is just normal. I was so thrilled yet edgy at the same time but I know it is just natural. I was so keyed up yet jittery at the same time but I know it is just typical.

As I entered the door of the building, I could feel my hands were so cold and my knees were shaking. The receptionist sensed my predicament and told me to relax and make myself comfortable while I wait for my call. And in no time the officer called me and asked for the documents. He processed everything right away and handed me a piece of paper and asked me to read it and go straight to the parking lot.

As I sat in my car I was praying hard. After 10 minutes the “drill sergeant” [that’s what Hubby named the lady officer] approached my car looking so strict and serious. I prayed harder that the lady won’t drive me crazy. She asked me to turn the headlights on and I did… turn the lights to high beam… then low beam. She asked me to turn on the windshield wiper and I also did. Honk the horn… step on the break… turn on the blinker to the left and to the right. I did them all. And she said… good! She slid into the passenger seat beside me, buckled up and I handed her the paper. She asked me if I have any questions. I said none. Then, she asked me to drive to the exit.

As I approached the exit she pointed at the blue car on the side of the road and told me… I want you to parallel park behind that blue car. I looked to my left for clearance then drove straight to the blue car. I turned on my blinker to the right… looked to the rear over my right-hand shoulder… stirred the wheel and started backing up. I did it! She was impressed. I parallel park just as the way I did it before we left the house. You see… I took parallel parking seriously as if it was my professional career. I heard a lot of stories and urban legend about people flunking the driving test because of parallel parking. And so I practiced parallel parking every chance I get because I wanted to impress people on that particular aspect. And I did. I was just not expecting that that will be the first thing she will ask me to do. I thought it will be the last… the finale… the climax. I was wrong.

As I went on with the rest of the test, I thought I was doing alright. I thought the drill sergeant was giving me tips on driving. She was telling me the dos and don’ts in driving every now and then. As I went on with the rest of the test, I kept in mind all the tips that I get from people who are trying to help or warn me about the driving test. I was happy with the way my test went and thought the drill sergeant is better than my Hubby who is stricter than her. I finally concluded too that Hubby will not be a good driving instructor because he is grumpy and stringent.

As we went on with the rest of the test, she made me drove around the block… turning left and right… going straight… backing up… stopping on stop signs, on traffic lights, on 3-way crossing, on 4-way crossing, on pedestrian crossing… changing lanes… and on and on. After 30 minutes I saw we were heading back to the same parking lot where we pulled off. I parked the car… turned off the motor… and she gave the verdict – RE-EXAM! Mail the request for re-exam and pay $5 fee. Yes, I flunked my driving test. I failed and I have to re-take the road test. And that sucked. I badly need my driver’s license.

I hate that drill sergeant. I went back to the building. Searched for Hubby and when I saw him I couldn’t talk because I am choking. I just waved at him signaling that we need to leave that building now. He sensed it at once. He only said… you’ll be alright… you’ll pass it next time.

As I filled up my request form I read all the crossed out items on the list which obviously are the mistakes I committed that’s why I flunked the test. Here goes…

Mistakes Committed in the Road Test:

1. Disregard for traffic rules
a. Improper lane position (I stopped right on the Pedestrian lane, the gridded white lines on the road)

2. Lacks Backing Ability
a. Unable to properly back vehicle (She asked me to back up 50 yards straight. I didn’t do it straight. The only backing up I know is when I parallel park)
b. Backs into the traffic lane (Again, I wasn’t able to back up straight.)

3. Dangerous Acts
a. Must look over right-hand shoulder before vehicle moves to the rear. (I looked in the rear and side mirrors first)
b. Backing without looking to the rear (I looked in the rear mirror most of the time I was backing up.)
c. Must look over the left-shoulder before pulling from the curb. (I looked on the left side mirror only.)
d. Changed lane without checking R/L and L/R (Of course, I was looking on the left and right side mirrors and she wants me to look over my left or right shoulder.)
e. Exceeded Posted Speed. Posted: 15 miles; Speed: 20 miles; Street: Payson Park (I was already caught over-speeding.)

There you go. Those are the mistakes I committed. And those are the mistakes that I should not make again the next time I will take the road test again. So if you are reading this and you are in the same boat… read and learn! If you already passed it… good for you! If you pity me… I can’t blame you!

More Information on Driving Motor Vehicle:
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicle
Road Test Information
Proposed Motor Vehicle Rules
Maine DMV Guide