It's very tough to actually ''learn how to drive'' when you already can, just to get the little credit card shaped license to drive... I've lived in Africa for a bunch of years and had a Rwandese license, and on my last night before my return to EU the night turned somewhat interesting (walked into wrong bar, got robbed, big fight...wallet including license gone ), so now had to get my EU license here (the process to get anything with paperwork in Africa is infuriating. In my opinion it is impossible if you're not on location so I didn't even bother)...Obviously I could drive just fine before, and having raced quads etc as well not too unfamiliar with speed. The process to get all the ''bad habits'' out of your system and learn how to do everything by the book just so you can get the laminated card is lengthy and annoying! I know Brundle and Palmer's sons each failed 3 times before passing...
Indeed. As something of a "counterpoint" though, when I moved to the States I was happily driving on my UK licence. Didn't think much about it - I'd been going back & forth using hire cars for so long it didn't really cross my mind. Till the CHP stopped me one day. "License & registration please". I'd bought the car (a *huge* friggin' 2 door Buick) from a "friend of a friend" for $500, and had the reg. [Sold it back to the same guy almost two years later for $500 - *Great* car, even if it handled like a boat!] But, the officer really didn't like my UK license - Gave me a fix it ticket to do the US test...... Studied the "written" part, which was probably the most different. Passed that and scheduled the driving test. Man, was I nervous! Borrowed a buddy's Toyota Camry (how much more low profile can you be? ). I swear the examiner was younger than my kids. We turned right out of the DMV lot, went around the block (all rights) and back to the lot. No lights, no reversing, no parking, no *nothing* as far as I could tell. But she was happy, & I got my license. Cheers, Ian
I'm a *long* way from him!...... I guess...... Even before I became a "professional" I'd been in the paddock/pits with many of these guys - No big deal. [Even if it was, you *never* admitted it anyway. ] And after a few years, one pitlane/hotel room gets to look much like any other. I guess it's the old "I'll do it/see it tomorrow" thing. Looking back, sure, we had a lot of fun and I'm glad I did it. But, when the family came along it seemed like the right time to move along. Cheers, Ian PS - Should probably have mentioned James showed up with 10 from twelve pack + 2 bottles of something I don't even remember.
That was fun to watch. It reminds me of my son learning to drive some years ago. You put your life in your hands with your children behind the wheel, I will tell you that.
Except your children in this case actually drive an F1 car for a living. Watch his hands on the wheel. He uses his right pointer finger to guide the wheel in left turns. It's like some kid driving to the mall. cool video
Having driven in Africa for the last 6 years I've collected some ''bad habits''. 3 wide on a single lane going uphill (the sidewalk is part of the road, right? ), barging in at roundabouts (close your eyes and hope you don't get hit), drive across the median because it's too busy up ahead and you know a ''shortcut''. I think there are 3 general traffic signs in Africa: Stop, speed limit and at some junctions, no U-eys...For the life of me I can't remember ever seeing another sign. After a few lessons here my instructor asked me if I knew what the sign was that I'm driving on a road that I have right of way...I couldn't. Test here is a lot like a UK one, lots of looking, lots of sneeky **** by the examinors to trick you...Yeah definitely not a quick drive around the block!
