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Fear of Driving: It Wasn’t Always Like This
Once upon a time I actually liked it…
On my 17th birthday, the first day I was legally allowed to learn, I had my first driving lesson.
It was mad and exciting. It was the beginning of that special kind of freedom you can only get from driving yourself.
My birthday is at the start of the academic year and I was the eldest of all my friends. I felt like I had to lead the way. To learn to drive and pass my test first.
I’d already been swotting up on the theory and passed it within a week of hitting that grand old age of 17. It was joyous. Now just the actual learning to drive bit.
Never questioning my ability to drive
At 17, driving was just the thing you did. That’s what 17 was for. Learning to drive, drinking at weekend and occasionally showing up to college.
I learn to drive in the UK, a land where the vast majority of cars are manuals. Y’know, with a clutch pedal and at least four gears to choose from.
Over here you learn to drive a manual and when you pass, you’re free to drive a manual or an automatic. Some people get stuck with manuals though and choose to learn and pass in an auto. This means they’re only legally allowed to drive an…
