Learner driver's log (Part I)

The long journey of getting a driving license in Malaysia began with looking for a suitable driving school. My mum picked "Sepakat Driving Centre" for me because the center is close to my house, and it provides full service, which includes

i) transportation for the students to go to government computer center (myeg) to take the driving knowledge test, and

ii) arrangement for examiners from the bureau to come to the center so that the students can take parts of the road test at the center.

Date: June 18 (Sat)

Time: 9 am to 3 pm

Agenda: Driving knowledge course (Kursus KPP)

I arrived at the center at 8:30 am, fresh and ready for this 6 hours lesson. There were around 10 people in the class.

The first half an hour went by fast: we were first given a color blind trial test, then we were shown a 15 minutes video that showed gore footage of emergency rescue team rescuing victims of car accidents.

Each one of us received a thick, fully colored, new book that covered way more than what we need to know for the driving test. The lecturer taught based on the book. I listened attentively to the lecturer, because I were lazy to read through the book on my own.

We were given 3 breaks in total, two 15 minutes break and a 30 minutes break. Water and bread were provided as lunch for those who were not fasting.

Date: June 22 (Wed)

Agenda: Study for the driving knowledge test

My mum nagged; so I revised the road signs for like 10 minutes, then I did 4 free practice tests posted on the website of the driving school.

Date: June 23 (Thurs)

Agenda: Driving knowledge test

My mum dropped me off at the center, and I was brought to myeg by a driving teacher along with two other students. I tried to start a conversation with them during the ride, but all of them seemed uninterested. Okay, fine. I missed having small talk with strangers. Haiz.

The check in process at myeg was fast and I finished the test in 8 minutes. Most of the questions were similar to those in the practice tests so there were not much surprise.

Date: July 11 (Mon)

Time: 9 am to 12 pm

Agenda: First Driving Lesson

I got my learner’s permit on July 1, but since it was Raya holiday break, so I didn’t start my lesson till the eleventh. I was not allowed to bring my permit home, so I couldn’t practice privately with my dad too. Geez. The school system is too perfect for any loophole. :p

I signed up to learn how to drive a manual car because the lesson fee for learning how to drive an auto car is 300 ringgit more. What……I ain’t spending extra learning something I already knew?!

Anyway, the lesson was pleasant. My driving teacher is a friendly and patient guy. We spent all 3 hours practicing in the school compound. There are roundabout, little hill, curves and lots of turns built in within the compound so the drive was not boring at all.

According to the exam guidelines, the skills that I need to master and perform within the compound are: 1) driving up a hill, stopping and parking at the top of the hill, and driving down the hill, 2) driving through a “S” shaped curve, 3) driving through a “Z” shaped curve, 4) doing a 3-point-turn, 5) parallel parking and, 6) 90 degree parking.

Correction: It should be just 5 skills instead of 6. 90 degree parking is not included in the test. (updated August 25)

The steering of the manual car was super tight, so every time when I needed to turn the steering a lot to make sharp turns, I felt like I was trying to battle against a strong-willed lion. Or like this:

Date: July 16 (Sat)

Time: 9 am to 11:30 am

Agenda: Second Driving Lesson

Again, we spent all 2 and a half hours at the school compound practicing the 6 skills. I was better at performing those skills, but sometimes I still let go of the crutch too fast and caused the engine to turn off.

I was very satisfied with my driving teacher, except maybe I was a little unhappy with him being too cautious. Sometimes he pressed on the teacher’s stop pedal* before we were even close to a junction, so I couldn’t really test out for myself how much I need to press the stop pedal before the car will come to a complete stop. Okay, just a petty detail.

*According to Malaysia law and insurance policy, it is mandatory for a person with learner’s permit to drive accompanied by a driving teacher, and the car must have an extra stop pedal installed at the co-driver’s seat. 

I will end part I of this log here. Starting next lesson, I will be learning how to drive on the road with real traffic. I can't wait for it. :) 

Read Part II here.