From walking to steering a 'standard'
Published:Sunday | February 5, 2012 | 12:00 AM
Sheldon Williams, Gleaner Writer
You appreciated last month's Woman at the Wheel, and today, Automotives begins another four-week series, as Sheldon Williams takes us through his early driving experience from acquiring a driver's licence to his first-vehicle blues.
With four trips to the Examination Depot, three failed driving exams, four driving instructors, numerous lessons and a hefty bill to finance driving lessons, the transition from pedestrian to learner driver to licensed driver was far from being an 'easy road' and will definitely remain one of the most memorable stages in my life.
It all began in 2005, when I applied for and received my first provisional driver's licence. With enthusiasm and a great rush of adrenaline I was ready to touch the road - or so I thought - because it was not until September 15, 2009, that I took my first lesson.
The reason for the four-year delay was, of course, the financing because professional driving instructions can cost up to $20,000 for a mere 20 lessons. At the time I was issued with my first provisional licence I was still a student - a university student at that - and schooling itself was a strain on the pocket. I had to wait until I secured a job with a steady salary to actually use my provisional licence - that had, of course, by then expired and had to be renewed.
And so the day finally arrived to get behind the steering wheel, whisper a prayer and drive. After enduring the laughs of my friends who playfully teased me at my late start at lessons, since most of them had become licensed drivers by graduating from high school, I was finally ready to become a motorist.
Standard fear
After boarding the vehicle, meeting my instructor and all the other learner drivers, my time was fast approaching to get behind the wheel. I had to wait a few minutes for another student to finish, and I paid close attention to his every move as he observed traffic in his mirrors and changed gears. Then reality hit as I stared at the gear stick. "This is the dreaded standard that everyone hates - how will I do?" I thought.
The minutes flew by rapidly, and in no time we had driven from New Kingston, where I was working at the time, and then to Mountain View Avenue, when the instructor looked across at the student I had been 'studying' and told him, "pull over". That directive could only mean one thing - it was my time. I was instructed occupy the driver's seat. With chills running down my spine I did as was told. "You ever drive a standard before?" the instructor asked. "No," I replied.
Notwithstanding my honesty, he told me that today was the day to learn and gave me a crash course that lasted about two minutes, telling me where the controls were. Of course, everything was said so fast it sounded like a foreign language, and I understood none of it. Moments later, because the vehicle was already in first gear, I fastened the seatbelt, adjusted the mirrors, released the handbrake, put on the indicator, engaged the clutch pedal and I was on the way to becoming a driver.