Incentive: Magazine Article! Can I Drive for Dollars?

Okay, okay. I know it: I've been such a slacker about learning to drive.
I use any excuse to delay my movement behind a steering wheel.

Well now, I have good reason to let go of the mental brakes. A magazine editor has contacted me about my driving phobia. I can either write a feature or be profiled. The hitch: first I have to get a license!!!

secret whine: Why can't I just write about being phobic? Permantely Parked!!! Now that's a headline!

Seriously, I've wanted to write an article about my driving fears for some time.
But can I do it? Can I make myself drive for the lure of headlines, money & glossy pages?

Will vanity win out over fear? Will ego outrace crippling phobias...

Stay tuned. I have no idea. I'm clueless for now.

Poof: Driving Teacher Just Shows Up!

Okay this is scary.

I have finally, finally decided to really be serious about driving and within 24 hours, I have met a highly recommended Driving Ed instructor.

Here's the scenario:

I'm at my kids' school and I meet another mom. I casually mention that I don't drive. She looks mildy appalled; milding amused.

To save face, I mention my summer goal: TO DRIVE!

She says: Oh wow and there's even a driving school car parked in the parking lot TODAY.

It turns out that one of the part-time maintenance crew members also owns a driving school. He comes highly recommended by the maintenance chief at my kids' school.

We talk and he even offers to help me with my written test.

We have an appointment for Tuesday at 3:30 pm

Is that spooky or am I just reading too much into the universal mind?

Hire a Tutor for the Written Test?

I am so intimidated by the written driving test.

Here's my new plan: I'll book an hour lesson with a driving school. Not to drive, (AS IF!!!) but to learn the written stuff.

Is this just another attempt to delay my efforts to really drive? Or am I just revving up the nerve to finally conquer my fears?

I will call a driving school tonight.

I hope it won't cost a fortune for a written test tutor.

I Googled the Florida Drivers Info

Okay. Don't be shocked. I actually did something today towards my goal of getting a licence.

I googled for information and found the website for the Florida Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles.

I reached a helpful site called Obtaining Your Florida
Driver License or Identification Card

I learned two things. It helps to already have a license when you are applying for a new license.

ID is required, preferably a drivers license.

I need 2 forms of ID to start the process. I'll use a passport and a voter's registration card or a marriage license.

Well, let's hope that my driving skills will match my research skills.

Ciao.

Driving Goals for the Week

I'm a very driven person. I just don't drive.

But I think I will start driving if I set concrete goals....public goals with accountability.

Therefore: My goals for this week:

1) Start a personal driving journal...(a part from my driving blog)
2) Locate, download or order a driving manual for the test.
3) Contact a driving school.
4) Schedule a written test for drivers permit.
5) Begin studying for test.
6) Write at least two blogs entries about driving
7) Pitch an editor a magazine story about my efforts to finally drive. Rationale: with a deadline, I might be motivated to drive. Professional embarrassment is a mighty tool.

Okay....I'm off. I have my greenlight.

My New Push to Drive

I'm starting a new push to drive.
My goal for next week: I must start studying for my driver's test.
I'll spend the weekend looking online for information.
Wish me luck

Support Group for Fearful Drivers?

Happy 2006!!

Is learning to drive or improving your driving skills at the top of your 2006 New Year's Resolutions? This blog is dedicated to those with a fear of driving.

I recently received this note from a thoughtful reader:


I have a tremendous fear of driving," she wrote. "This seems to run in my dad's family. In my case, I think it is linked to my ADD."


"Do you know," she asked, "if there is a group online dealing with this subject?"

More comments from the reader:

"I think in my case," she wrote. "I have problems with the following: 1)TERRIFIED of high speed driving (feel less in control) 2) have problems in processing all the different stimuli and get over-stimulated with too many different 'inputs' and 3)have trouble integrating many different tasks, eg. changing lanes, watching the blind spt, keeping the steering on track etc."



Thanks for writing!
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If you have any information about support groups for fearful drivers or information about ADD and driving, please send me an email or leave a comment on my blog.

Happy New Calendar Year!!!