On Monday, Nov 9th, I took my first behind-the-wheel driving test. I took it in Redding, but everyone I've talked to said they took theirs in Red Bluff because it was easier and you don't have to deal with busy downtown Redding.
I took my written test and did all my driving lessons in Redding, so I thought I'd do my driving test there too. But I do hate the downtown Redding lights because they are so confusing. That's what really stresses me out.
In the days leading up to the driving test, I was totally calm and collected, not worrying about a thing. Jk, I was freaking out and thinking that I was definitely going to fail. 🙂 I prayed every day that God would get me through it and help me pass. And if I failed, that I wouldn't be too disappointed but would keep learning how to drive better. Well, He definitely answered my prayer!
I was sitting in the car, waiting for my driving instructor to come; with every passing second, I got more nervous. Well, she came, and we did the pre-drive checklist (to make sure the brake lights, windshield wipers, turn signals, etc., all worked and that I knew where everything was). Then she got in the car, and we started driving. She told me where to go and turn. She held the score sheet, and every time I did something, she scribbled it down. I can't see what she's writing, but I can see she's definitely writing something. Might be good or bad. That made me a bit nervous, so I tried to remember to do everything right.
As we drove, I know I definitely didn't come to a full stop at a stop sign. I knew she would write that down. So the next time we stopped at a stop sign, I made sure to come to a full stop.
We only drove around the neighborhood and never went to downtown Redding. I was so happy!
The instructor had me pull over, then back up a bit in a straight line. Only for like ten feet or so. Then we got back on the road and drove a bit more. The whole drive was super short, probably five minutes max.
We drove back into the DMV parking lot, and she had me park. Then she started to tell me what my mistakes were and how many errors I had. She then said I passed and told me to follow her into the DMV office to get my license! I was so happy and thankful!
I had 6 errors. You need no more than 15 to fail.
For now, I have my paper license until my actual card arrives in the mail, which they said would take two to four weeks.
God definitely answered my prayer, all thanks to Him!