Getting 3A license

 As the family grew bigger and wanted to drive a car, I embarked on getting a drivers license.  The focus of this blog is on my journey in passing the TP test. Earlier, I had class 2B license and already had passed Basic Theory Test long back, so, I had to sit for Final Theory Test, Simulator and TP test to get the license.

For, passing final theory test, I went through the highway code book and practiced the test using mobile apps. There are lots of free apps available for Android and iPhones which has practice tests. 

After this, I went for Simulator course in CDC and I felt a bit of giddiness while doing the turns in the simulator course which the officer also told some people may experience giddiness. Rest of the them are fine.

The main part of going for driving lessons was to choose either from private instructors or go for driving schools. I started off with a private instructor after doing lots of reviews from Private Driving Instructor Singapore Reviews (pdireviews.com) But the experience was not good and stopped after 4 classes. From my friends, I heard like to get structured learning, driving schools are the best place. I enrolled in CDC and went for Internal Evaluation classroom training also. But when time came to book for practice lessons, I had difficulty booking lessons. Then again looked for private instructors. As my friend had enrolled with a PDI, I also enrolled with him.  The instructor never taught me anything. From first lesson, he asked me to drive and will just talk in phone on speaker. He never taught any techniques or pointers. Lessons went on but I just learnt some steering control only. Then he transferred to his friend. His friend was bit better but always giving intimidating statement like this is immediate failure and your driving skills are poor, bear in mind not to cause any accident as you will be driving with your family etc. But I continued and I did my own preparation. 

My own preparations are:

• Watching YouTube channel - Car Refresher Course. This was really helpful to note the turning points and safety checks.
• Visiting circuit and watching how others do the circuit stations from far and trying to remember the turning points. While doing circuits we do while seated inside the car and seeing other help to give different perspective and helps in actual execution. 
• Closing eyes and visualizing as doing each station.
• Reviewing the document I created based on various sources. It is here.

On the actual day of test, I just kept cool though the stress set off two days back. I was very careful not to commit any immediate failures. As the time was very limited, the tester asked you to go to next station once there is no immediate failures. I was able to clear all stations and tester asked me to go out to road. I was able to clear with some points for turns and signaling. Finally I drove back to center and the tester asked me to follow him. The tester asked me to wait and was finally given the result. 

For me, it was a long journey to get the license though I passed it in the first attempt. This was due to the fact of the PDI asking me to come for lessons for many weeks telling still not ready. If one is confident in their driving and felt as good to go for test, should go and give the test. 

Disclaimer: This blog was created with the intention to share my experience as I was searching for information during my preparation and gained some useful information. The reader is to do due diligence to make this detail useful to him/her.