What Nobody Told Me When I Was Trying to Get My Driver’s License in Singapore
I started taking driving lessons in end-2018 and got my driver’s license at the beginning of 2020. That’s slightly more than a year, and it really did not have to take this long. If I had done things differently, it would probably take me shorter than a year to get my license, but since I can’t go back in time to tell my past self what I have learned (oh, if only), I’m going to share my tips to students trying to get their license instead!
*For reference, I took a class 3A (auto) license at the Kovan ComfortDelGro Driving Centre.
It is okay to change your driving instructors at any point in time if you are uncomfortable with learning with them.
When I enrolled on the driving school, I got assigned a pair of the grumpiest driving instructors. One of them gets angry easily and always snaps at me when I make mistakes, the other is less angry, more chill, but doesn’t really tell me much. I got really afraid of the angrier instructor, so I tried to book lessons from the less angry one and told myself I will just tolerate driving lessons until I pass my test. When my first test date was nearing, I shared with a friend who was also learning to drive about my issues with my instructors. I then got to know that most driving instructors are actually NOT grumpy, but instead friendly and helpful! I had thought grumpy instructors were the norm! She also told me that I could actually switch instructors if I wanted to. At that time, I didn’t as I thought that since my test was nearing, there was no point. Well, what resulted, in the end, was that I of course failed my first test. Towards the end of lessons before my test, I realised that the angrier instructor was better as he corrected my mistakes and the things he told me were consistent with what other driving instructors taught me when I went for make-up lessons (using other cars). The other instructor told me different things and didn’t point out my mistakes, so I tried to book more of the angrier instructor’s classes at the end but it was too late. I finally requested to change my instructors after I failed two tests, and their friendly and helpful personalities aided me in passing my driving test as I didn’t fear going for lessons anymore. Moral of the story: Not satisfied with your instructors? Don’t settle and change them ASAP or you will be wasting even more money (and have an overall horrible driving class experience)!
Try not to leave a huge gap of time in between lessons.
This may sound like a no-brainer to some, but leaving a huge gap of time in between lessons is really not recommended. This is because doing this will make you forget what you learned, and you have to spend unnecessary time revising your driving notes and or the highway code. It can also increase stress and anxiety when driving as you don’t know if what you are doing is right, and stress and anxiety are big no-nos when driving. Instead, pick a time period where you can just spend a few months focusing on learning to drive. You will be able to get your license much faster this way!
If you fail your driving test(s), do not rush into taking another test right after.
You register for your first driving test, nervous but determined to pass it on the first try. Finally, d-day arrives and you go for your test, but alas! You crashed into a curb and got an immediate failure. You then sit on the chairs at the driving centre, feeling discouraged and disappointed that you have to spend a few more hundred bucks to take a second test. Your next instinct is to whip out your phone, scrolling furiously trying to book a second test. Is this you? It’s okay, that was me too. Nobody had told me what to do if I fail my driving test, except my mother who got her license AGES ago. She urged me to book another driving test quickly to get it over and done with, which I did the first time I failed and failed again miserably. Why? I was not ready to drive on my own yet. Some people may only require one or two more classes for revision and then they are good to go for their second test, but everyone is different. We all know how comparison with others does nothing beneficial to us most of the time. This also applies in this situation. So stop thinking you only need two more classes to pass your second test just because your best friend only needed that amount of time to do so. Instead, ask yourself: “Am I ready to drive on the road by myself? Or am I still afraid and unconfident? How prepared do I feel for the driving test?” Having been through the test once, you should get a feel of what it will be like. Use that experience to help you answer those questions. If you are ready, great, take a deep breath and go for your test :) If you are not, just take more driving lessons until you feel ready. You will be able to feel it, trust me.
Ask and ask away if you do not get anything.
Don’t be shy. You paid for this. Get your money’s worth. Unless you want to spend even more money on classes and tests because you’re too afraid to ask questions.
Keep a notebook and record down the feedback your instructors give you for easy referencing.
I don’t know about you, but I have a memory of a goldfish. So after each lesson, I scribble down what I learned that day in my phone’s notes app. You never know how long you actually need to spend on classes, or how big of a gap you will leave in between classes, so I really recommend doing this from the get-go instead of relying on memory alone!
It is okay to fail more than once. Don’t give up and just keep trying! You will get there one day.
I know, a lot of people pass on their first try. But a lot of people fail on their first try too. And their second. And their third. Always remember not to compare your journey with others and just focus on your own progress! Repeat after me: You are enough even if you fail multiple times. It is really okay, the world will not collapse if you fail.
That’s the end of this post! I hope this article helped some of you trying to get your license. Good luck and have fun along the way! :)
