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September 03, 2006
Today was my first day of driving at A-1 driving school. I've been meaning to learn how to drive as soon as I had loads of free time, and I totally blew it because now I'm already employed. It's still not too late because I can still hope to finish before the work piles up.

I signed up for 15 total hours of driving (for 8,200 pesos) the previous Saturday and I attended the two-hour orientation this past Thursday. I spend my first two hours earlier this afternoon. I got started on a Toyota Altis (2005 model, I think) with manual transmission, under the guidance of my driving instructor Alfonso. My legs were a bit long for the driver's seat even if I pulled it back as far as it can go. Oh well, nothing I can do about that.

I did my driving along Doña Soledad Avenue (near SM Bicutan), in a nearby subdivision whose name I forgot, and the busy Bicutan instruction. Here are the lessons which I "passed":
  • Pre-driving check-up routine, a.k.a. BLOWFATCH (tm)
  • Identifying the car controls, pedals, and dashboard instruments
  • Steering wheel handling (10:10) position and turning
  • Observing safe following and stopping distances
  • Proper way of shifting gears (only up to 2nd gear so far)
  • Maintaining lanes
And here are the topics which Alfonso said I need practice on:
  • Starting and stopping procedures (i.e., without killing the engine)
  • Left and right turning
Also, we did a little of the following:
  • Uphill/downhill driving
  • U-turn
  • Parking (not parallel)
All in all, considering that I have zero driving experience, I think I did well in my first two hours. It was a little nerve-wracking, but I had loads of fun even if the engine died a couple of times. But nothing a little practice can't fix. I don't have my own vehicle but I can still take my Dad's car out for a spin from time to time. As the song goes, "Gusto kong matutong mag-drive kahit na wala akong kotse."

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4 Responses to “A-1 Day 1”

  1. # Blogger Miguel

    I kind of blew it too and now I feel bad. :( I got my license and all but I stopped driving for about 4 years and when I tried driving again, I couldn't even get out of the driveway. Grr.

    But A1 will help get your license while sparing you some paperwork; "Quality training we commit; safety on the road we... meet."  

  2. # Anonymous Anonymous

    haha. 10-10. ive always known it as 10-2. well. some people say that 9-3 is actually better, just like how it is in formula 1 cars.. itll protect your hands in case of airbag deployment. i dont know how...
    -troy  

  3. # Anonymous Anonymous

    (argh something's wrong with blogger)

    I'd go for one hand in the wheel and one hand on the stick (looks cool) - aids  

  4. # Anonymous Anonymous

    Anong zero experience. Hehe. 9-3 nga rin un narinig kong bago. Much easier daw mag-steer left and right, in addition don sa maaavoid mo un airbag injury. But who cares, kung san comfortable oki n un. Hehe. :P  

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