Ugh! I thought I was getting so close to passing but then I mess up. The pressure of needing to pass before my International Driving Permit expires in Jan. 2020 is building. Knowing that these examinators can fail you for any little thing, I feel like I need a perfect drive, but no matter what I do, I mess up on something that I didn't have problems with on prior attempts. So finally, we went to driving class so I can practice with a car identical to the ones used on the real tests and also get driving tips from the instructor on what examinators are looking for. Well, the class is 4500 yen for 1/2 hour, so I practiced for 1 hour. It was very enlightening. Sister Lee got to sit in the back of the car to translate and to see exactly what I go through. Both of us came away from that class now know that I was nowhere near to passing. They are so nit picking on so many things. For example, when I start the car or shut off the car, my foot must be pushing on the floor brake pedal. My hands must be at 10 & 2 on the steering wheel at all times except when I am turning it. I was given a map of the 2 courses where they marked them up where I need to turn the turn signal on, where I need to look right & left, where I need to look back, where to switch lanes, how many times I must look right and left before entering an intersection, etc. Some intersections 3 times right & left, some 2 times, and some once, where it counts against you if you look more than once. Coming out of the S-curve and crank, I am NOT supposed to come to a complete stop. Going into the S-curve and crank, I have to have the left signal on, but as soon as I get inside, I have to manually turn the signal off. I have no clue why. The signal is going to turn off automatically anyway when the steering wheel is straightened out. Who really cares the left signal is still on when I am partially in an S-curve or crank. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate all the tips the instructor gave me. How do the instructors know these minute details what the examinators are observing? I don't have any proof but it sure seems to be they are in cahoots with the examinators. My very first examinator said I should go take a class and find out how to drive the course. Make it difficult to pass generates business for driving schools.
There are so many little things to remember. There are so many maneuvers that I have to perform in the exact sequence and manner that they expect. Looking back is probably the hardest one for me. First of all, I have a very stiff neck. I found out that what I thought was looking back was not good enough. On left turns, I have to look at the area between the back seat side window and the rear windshield. For me with my stiff neck means I have to turn my body as well. Second, because of my stiff neck, I have always relied on using a combination of side mirror and peripheral vision to eliminate my blindspot. 50 years of driving that way has become instinctive and hard to reprogram myself to turn my body to look all the way back. It is really starting to look like it will have to be a miracle to pass this driving test. Please say prayers on my behalf.
