To the Perfect Student Driver-Congratulations!
Our son, Nathaniel, came home today and declared that he had passed his practical driving test for a car license. I might have been terrified had he his eyes on my car, however I drive a Volvo so I don’t have to worry, but his mother drives a Seat Leon so I think she may be a little concerned. Maybe that’s why in a week’s time he will be off to Australia.
Most parents complain when they are caught up in the act of providing taxi services for their children, but they forget that there is something even worse that’s to come. That is when the kids get their own driving permits.
This is intended to be a homage to our son because he has a perfect record in the matter of gaining his permits to travel independent of us. First there was the case of getting a permit to ride a moped when he was fourteen. That really did not require much from him at all. But that’s the problem, very young children go out on the road on their slow moving mopeds, and far too many don’t get to grow up.
Next came his desire to move up to 125 cc motorbikes. To do that he was required to sit a theory examination that was in two parts. The first part was regarding the motorcycle aspect, and the second part was for motor-cars. I don’t know what the thinking is other than perhaps he will be circulating along motorways and should know the rules for that. Both examinations must be sat on the same day at different times. Most people fail them both, or pass one and fail the other. Nathaniel passed them both on the first try.
Then came the practical test for the bike that was difficult enough then, but has become even more difficult today. He passed that on the first try. So far, so good! He is showing off his Carmichael mettle.
That was almost two years ago. He has had to wait until attaining his eighteenth birthday before he could go anywhere trying his hand at driving a car. Having already passed the theory test he had only to successfully complete the car practical. He has worked hard, both with myself and with the driving instructor from the school. Here in Spain we are not allowed to enter the road system with a student driver, as is the case in Britain. Therefore, experience comes very expensively as every time out has to be paid for. There are so many little things that can go wrong to trip the student up.
The first one is nerves. Even I, a veteran driver of over 50 years felt a rush of nerves as I thought wouldn’t it be so embarrassing if I were to fail after having been a driver for so long. The fact is that most experienced people would fail had they to take a new test. We build up such a list of bad habits and they come into play when the driving gets tough. Those are the things the examiner looks for in such drivers.
I digress to tell the tale of the lady friend who had to be tested for a Spanish license and just couldn’t get a passing grade. So, on her fourth try she had a vodka and tonic before the test and sailed right through.
There were several things that conspired to foul me when I was being tested. Firstly the examiner had me turn left through a purpose built break in the median, something I would never do on my own, but I did it to his satisfaction. Then, while driving along the one-way street I came upon a truck parked partly on a pedestrian crossing. I couldn’t see whether anyone was using it so I stopped as though it was in use. Just as well as out stepped a lady while I was stationary. Then as I proceeded a small dog ran out between the cars, but my calm speed made sure I was not going to hit it. Then, I had to turn away from the lane that I had been instructed to drive as the police had cordoned it off, and that put me in a proper fix to get back on track. But, all was accomplished with aplomb as I had long stopped worrying about my passenger.
For our son to pass his practical on the first try gave him a perfect track record, which is something of a rarity, and for us we are so very proud of him. That augurs well for his chosen path in life. At the moment he is keen of working in medicine. It is clear to us that when he puts his mind to something he can get it right.
So I think that we can expect great things from our young man. Australia will help to shape him and the future for him looks rosy and bright. I think he can be whatever he decides he wants to be.
Good luck Nathaniel! We love you and you do us proud!
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
Our son, Nathaniel, came home today and declared that he had passed his practical driving test for a car license. I might have been terrified had he his eyes on my car, however I drive a Volvo so I don’t have to worry, but his mother drives a Seat Leon so I think she may be a little concerned. Maybe that’s why in a week’s time he will be off to Australia.
Most parents complain when they are caught up in the act of providing taxi services for their children, but they forget that there is something even worse that’s to come. That is when the kids get their own driving permits.
This is intended to be a homage to our son because he has a perfect record in the matter of gaining his permits to travel independent of us. First there was the case of getting a permit to ride a moped when he was fourteen. That really did not require much from him at all. But that’s the problem, very young children go out on the road on their slow moving mopeds, and far too many don’t get to grow up.
Next came his desire to move up to 125 cc motorbikes. To do that he was required to sit a theory examination that was in two parts. The first part was regarding the motorcycle aspect, and the second part was for motor-cars. I don’t know what the thinking is other than perhaps he will be circulating along motorways and should know the rules for that. Both examinations must be sat on the same day at different times. Most people fail them both, or pass one and fail the other. Nathaniel passed them both on the first try.
Then came the practical test for the bike that was difficult enough then, but has become even more difficult today. He passed that on the first try. So far, so good! He is showing off his Carmichael mettle.
That was almost two years ago. He has had to wait until attaining his eighteenth birthday before he could go anywhere trying his hand at driving a car. Having already passed the theory test he had only to successfully complete the car practical. He has worked hard, both with myself and with the driving instructor from the school. Here in Spain we are not allowed to enter the road system with a student driver, as is the case in Britain. Therefore, experience comes very expensively as every time out has to be paid for. There are so many little things that can go wrong to trip the student up.
The first one is nerves. Even I, a veteran driver of over 50 years felt a rush of nerves as I thought wouldn’t it be so embarrassing if I were to fail after having been a driver for so long. The fact is that most experienced people would fail had they to take a new test. We build up such a list of bad habits and they come into play when the driving gets tough. Those are the things the examiner looks for in such drivers.
I digress to tell the tale of the lady friend who had to be tested for a Spanish license and just couldn’t get a passing grade. So, on her fourth try she had a vodka and tonic before the test and sailed right through.
There were several things that conspired to foul me when I was being tested. Firstly the examiner had me turn left through a purpose built break in the median, something I would never do on my own, but I did it to his satisfaction. Then, while driving along the one-way street I came upon a truck parked partly on a pedestrian crossing. I couldn’t see whether anyone was using it so I stopped as though it was in use. Just as well as out stepped a lady while I was stationary. Then as I proceeded a small dog ran out between the cars, but my calm speed made sure I was not going to hit it. Then, I had to turn away from the lane that I had been instructed to drive as the police had cordoned it off, and that put me in a proper fix to get back on track. But, all was accomplished with aplomb as I had long stopped worrying about my passenger.
For our son to pass his practical on the first try gave him a perfect track record, which is something of a rarity, and for us we are so very proud of him. That augurs well for his chosen path in life. At the moment he is keen of working in medicine. It is clear to us that when he puts his mind to something he can get it right.
So I think that we can expect great things from our young man. Australia will help to shape him and the future for him looks rosy and bright. I think he can be whatever he decides he wants to be.
Good luck Nathaniel! We love you and you do us proud!
Copyright © 2009 Eugene Carmichael
