Driving Me Crazy

What a week! This week I’m doing an intensive driving course, and I’m hopeless.
Co tydzień! Uczę się jeździć i to tak trudne!

The subject of driving comes up many times in interviews with Polish parents. Many participants mention how easy it is to drive in Britain compared to Poland, due to the better quality of roads in and around the North East. Some participants however, say that although they have a Polish driving licence they’ve a fear of driving in the UK as we drive on the left, some mention the busy roads here, and whether British or Polish drivers are more courteous is also a frequent point of discussion.

I thought it might be helpful to post some driving test information on my blog, given that what’s I’ve been looking for today.

In Britain the Driving Standards Agency is the government body responsible for setting standards and conducting theory and practical driving tests. As this is a public service you can find out more about driving in Britain at the multi-purpose website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/

Oto kilka filmów, które pomogą Pan/ Pani uczyć się o prawa jazdy w Wielkiej Brytanii:
The DSA have produced a clear video detailing what to expect from a UK practical driving test here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hweCy5vJ1yk&feature=channel

Also, as from the beginning of this month a new element to the UK practical driving test was introduced, called ‘independent driving’. Details about this can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQRl3zkkOgg&feature=related

The British School of Motoring (BSM) have put a really helpful series of ‘driving lessons’ on You Tube. Their experienced instructor conducts a series of manoeuvres and car safety checks appropriate to the practical driving test, and a clear voiceover explains the process. Here’s a selection of the best lessons:
Filmy o prawo jazdy w języku angielskim

Car basics and safety checks:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nNMu_ceG2M
Learning to drive roundabouts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8n9Fw4gInM
Reversing round a corner:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKd0GXZ39U8
A turn in the road:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMfe7hM2YkE
Learning to drive- a hill start:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpeVOl0H7Eo
What to do at a junction:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjdYoRAHPHw

Finally, after a dreadful day of driving, I found this Polish video online showing a driver just as hopeless as me. Poor Asia in the video; her instructor makes some patronising remarks about her being blonde, well Asia, I salute you, as at least you remained calm, unlike me!

Zabwny polski film w którym Asia uczy się jeździć:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTzLL3xt5r0&feature=related