My BBDC experience – (3.1) Practical lessons (cont'd)

Since the Basic and Final Theory segments are pretty much covered in my previous post, I will share more on the Practical lessons. 

Booking of Lessons

I am glad that I listened to the instructor/counter staff’s (can’t recall who was it) advice and booked 25 practical lessons in advance when I got my PDL and was ready. For me, I secured these lessons two months in advance because there were no more slots before that. This seems to be the trend so I definitely recommend you to book the slots ahead, in advance. A good thing is that you can plan ahead and work out how many lessons to attend per week.

Try to book more than 25 lessons if you can, as I ended up going for more than, which I had to book more slots eventually.

First Driving Lesson

I headed to the BBDC lobby to scan my IC using the machine next to the account top-up kiosk. A paper slip was then issued. This paper slip contains the information of the waiting area and car number.

Paper slip

Area A & B and BBDC shuttle bus waiting area

Then, I went to the waiting area and glanced through the sea of cars, trying to spot mine. When the lesson starts, the school bell would ring. This is when you would see many students walking over, trying to locate their cars. By this time, the instructors should be standing beside or sitting in the car to make some adjustments.

When I walked to my car and saw my instructor, he asked for my IC, PDL and the printed paper slip for verification purposes. Then, he introduced the basics of driving – from identifying and understanding how the different controls work (e.g. headlights, wiper switch, etc.), how to adjust the driver’s seat, to learning how to start the engine.      

I can’t exactly recall what was covered in my first lesson, but I think the entire lesson was conducted in the circuit. It was only until the second or third lesson that I went outside, to the road.

I do remember it was challenging to gauge the right amount of pressure (from my feet) to be exerted to the accelerator and brake pedal, for the first few lessons. For example, I want my car to go slightly faster, but I couldn’t figure out how hard I should step on the accelerator – stepping too hard and long will cause the vehicle to surge forward. This is not something that has a standard formula, thus the driving manual and instructor is unable to teach you on how much pressure you should exert. Instead, the instructor can only give you a clue by telling you to either exert more or less pressure, when you are at the driver’s seat. With more practice, I got the hang of it. 

Juggling work and school

I hold a full-time job. Thus, I chose to attend evening practical lessons after work - on an average of 3 lessons per week.

It is very important to have enough sleep during the night. Without sufficient rest, you might find it difficult to concentrate. This would affect your learning progress. And more importantly, it is dangerous to drive the car if you feel tired and is unable to maintain focus.

For me, it was a bit tough when I first started going for driving lessons after work – especially when I had to travel during the peak hour and rush to school. Also, I did not have the time to take proper dinner, thus I had to snack on-the-go instead. There were times I slept late (coz I have no discipline), so the next day I had to drag myself out of bed to work and then school.  

As time goes by, I got used to this routine of work --> school and learned focus more on the positive bits. I told myself that this is something I chose so I just have to stick to my plan and make some sacrifices which are inevitable. I have planted this seed so I should put in effort and grow it.