Driving Orientation Course

Why DOC: I didn't want to lose touch with driving after getting my license, so I planned to practice continuously and drive my family around places too. But the thought of driving on expressways and inside multi-story car parks is quite scary to a new driver like me, and since BBDC offered DOC to train learners like me who just graduated from the driving course in expressways and MSCP aspects, I thought why not? It would be good to get some professional guidance too. The only drawback is the cost of the lessons, but honestly I felt that DOC would be helpful and the benefits would outweigh the costs.

Enrollment: From what I read on BBDC's website, you need to first book an appointment then physically go to the driving centre on your appointment date to enroll. But....apparently, from what I gathered from others who enrolled in DOC, that is old protocol and apparently you can just walk in without an appointment for enrollment. Call and email BBDC to confirm!

Day 1
First lesson! Headed to the instructor room -the room opposite the place where driving simulator lessons (DS, not TPDS) are conducted. Met my instructor for the day and he checked my driving license, then got me to start the engine. Quite a friendly instructor, we had a nice time chatting throughout the lesson :) One round circuit, abit of driving on the roads around BBDC, then he directed me to the expressway. I drove on BKE and KJE and he taught me how to merge and exit the expressway smoothly. First time going at 80km/h! I wasn't really scared...it just felt quite unreal haha. He also got me to pay attention to information signs so that I know where I am going and am able to keep to the correct lane early. After our practice on expressways, he got me to do parking at the BBDC carpark (not using the school method). Throughout the lesson and also at the end of lesson, he commented that I drove really well but was quite hesitant and I also couldn't really "negotiate" with other road users and read their intention. What he means by negotiating can probably be illustrated with an example etc merging into the expressway-when the situation is right, I should accelerate to show the other car that I want to merge into their lane, and observe their reaction...if they speed up, let them past; if they slow down then I can merge. He also commented that I needed to learn to take "quick glances" at the mirror.
Overall, I thought he was a really patient and understanding instructor who was very affirmative of my strengths and detailed in pointing out my weaknesses, and I definitely gained a lot from today's session!

Day 2
Got the legendary car 174 :") The instructor was quite friendly but definitely seemed to talk much less than the previous instructor. He asked what I needed to learn and I said I haven't gone through MSCP and parallel parking for DOC, so he directed me to one of the carparks outside with parallel parking lots. Taught me to do the school method (similar): Car wheels aligned with other car's wheels, full lock then straighten when middle of the back kerb can be seen from side mirror, full lock again when back wheel crosses the outer line of the lot. Did a few times and it seems easy but partly because the BBDC car is small so it can go into the lot without much adjustment. 

Went to MSCP and the instructor said the turns up the slope etc is like circuit crank course :) "You tried vertical parking already right? Let's see if you can do it," he said and told me to pick a lot beside the cars. Alright then. Tried to follow my previous instructor's sighting points and method and I made it into the lot hurrah! "Can wo. Not bad ah." Yay instructor approved 😎I attempted parking a few more times, sometimes with help from the instructor (I think he said I can park well but need to be more aware of the side pillar because sometimes I'm just looking to maintain clearance from the other parked cars and become totally unaware of the pillar). After that, we headed back to BBDC and along the way he gave me a few more pointers on general driving. 

"Your driving okay already, don't need to come back. But you just need to be more careful." YES SIR. 
Saw my group female instructor today and I did want to say hi but she was busy and also kinda paiseh so I didnt approach her. I think she saw me though :) 
And that's all for my journey in BBDC! Truly the end, honestly don't wanna say goodbye, I already miss having fun conversations with my instructors, some of their humour and their passion for teaching made lessons really enjoyable. But all good things have to come to an end. Maybe we will still meet someday, but on the roads 😁

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