Driving For 10 Years To The Day

[David87]

Yep, it was at 10.44am on the 6th of September 2004 that I took my first driving test, from the Chelmsford test centre. I remember it well as it was the first morning back at school after the summer holidays; I was starting my last year of Sixth Form and it was my then-girlfriend's birthday. Failing was not an option. I was 'the car guy' at school, who anyone and everyone came to with car or driving questions. Failing would have been embarrassing. Thankfully, I passed!

I can't believe it was 10 whole years ago - it's making me feel old! It only feels like the other day, to be honest. I can remember what T-shirt I wore (a red Mickey Mouse one) and I even remember stubbing my toe on my bedroom door just before leaving the house that morning and worrying it'd mess up my pedal control.

Well, I'm pleased to report that 10 years later I'm still alive and love cars and driving even more now than I did back then. Some figures:

150,000-180,000 - approx. miles I reckon I've covered in that time. Really hard to keep track of as I've probably driven my family's cars as much as my own!
14 cars I've owned have come and gone, two of which I currently own.
1 crash - hit up the back whilst stationary at a level crossing by someone who fell asleep at the wheel, December 2005.
0 points.
0 stops by the police.
1 IAM test.
1 ARDS test.
8 - number of countries I've driven in.
150+ - highest indicated speed I've seen. Clio 182 Trophy on the autobahn. Likely nowhere near that fast in reality.
Countless trackdays.
1 off-road day.

Here's to another 10 years!

[KFC]

David87 said:

Yep, it was at 10.44am on the 6th of September 2004 that I took my first driving test, from the Chelmsford test centre. I remember it well as it was the first morning back at school after the summer holidays; I was starting my last year of Sixth Form and it was my then-girlfriend's birthday. Failing was not an option. I was 'the car guy' at school, who anyone and everyone came to with car or driving questions. Failing would have been embarrassing. Thankfully, I passed!

For anyone else in a similar position, if you feel there is pressure on you to pass then the simplest and best option is to simply don't tell anyone you are even taking the test. You'd be far better off sitting it in as relaxed a mood as you can.

[anonymous-user]

You've done well in 10 years. May your next 10 be as good (minus the non-fault crash!).

[Sycamore]

I took a lesson right before my test. On the way to the test centre, I was so worried that I didn't concentrate and managed to hit and mount the pavement at 30mph. That really didn't help the nerves.

The instructor asked me to read the number plate of a car parked down the street, as he began filling in his paperwork. Only for said car to drive away, leaving the already nervous me standing there while he got frustrated that I hadn't answered him.

[hardcorehobbit]

My 10 year anniversary is coming up in 3 days.


Likely done over 120k in that time in 5 different cars of my own and countless others.




Here's to another 10 years indeed.

[delboy735]

You must be really tired !!!