My last entry ended a little abruptly, but there was a reason for it. On Tuesday this week, I took my driving test. I have to say I was still very fuzzy-headed and still not quite over the hangover but luckily, I passed. In fact, I am grateful that we had an enormous weekend on the whole as it distracted me from spending the days leading up to the test in a state of perpetual terror. On Tuesday though, the fear set in something fierce. My exam wasn’t till a little before 4 in the afternoon, which meant I had all day to sweat and panic. I tried to distract myself by playing some guitar and reading for a bit, but it was all I could think about. In the end though, the stressing beforehand turned out to be far worse than the test itself, which seemed to be over in the blink of an eye.
The process is broadly the same as the UK in that it lasts about half an hour, you have to do a couple manoeuvres, and there is the concept of major and minor faults. Where it differs is that it is done on a points system: 31 available, 20 needed for a pass. Some of the points can be scored for odd and easy things like saying “does everyone have their seatbelt on?” before setting off, and for answering some basic questions about the car itself. The rest is down to how well you can control a car and how safely you can share the road.
My instructor was in the backseat throughout and, as she knew my examiner of old, they spent the whole time chatting, which I think helped calm me a little – but nonetheless, I was shaking and sweating buckets. It was a huge relief when I got out of the car and my instructor (who was laughing at the state I was in) said, “don’t worry, I think you did fine”. The issue is that in the Dordogne, they don’t tell you immediately if you have passed or failed. They used to but apparently, the instructors stopped because they too often received abuse from candidates who had failed. They must be an angry bunch, these country bumpkins…
The result is normally sent out 2 days later (using an envelope and stamps that you have to provide yourself) so the wait isn’t that bad really – but it was long enough for me to start over-analysing and worrying about the whole thing. Finally, on Thursday, my envelope showed up. My instructor is a huge fan of mnemonics and just after my exam, left me with a good one on whether or not to bother opening the letter when it comes: “Si l’enveloppe est fine, bon signe. Si elle est grasse, tu repasses” – which means “if the envelope is thin, its a good sign, but if it is thick, you are taking your test again”. I suppose they give you a detailed breakdown of what you did wrong if you balls up. Anyway, mine arrived and looked comfortingly thin, mercifully. In fact, I ended up with 29/31, which was extremely pleasing given how terrified I was. There is (of course) some paperwork to do before I get my actual licence, but I am permitted to drive immediately, so I have now taken lovely Lola out three times, the last one by myself this morning when I drove aimlessly but happily all over the place for about an hour. I am absolutely loving it, and am desperate for any excuse to get behind the wheel. Freedom at last!
Other things have happened this week, but I am leaving them for Matt to describe (hint, hint poppet) so that is all from me for now.