Theory Lesson PPL 5.01 Risk Forecast Training (RFT) which I didn't attend

The Risk Forecast Training was something new. In fact, after I passed the Stage 3 Review, the instructor introduced me to this lesson. If I opt for it, I only need to attend 2 lessons for stage 4. It would save me $100+ dollars. However, I decided not to go for it as I think I needed more practice on the test routes and circuit courses. What is the point of saving $100+ if in the end I failed my test and have to retake? That would cost me another $400+. Doesn't make economic sense. The instructor also agreed. Of course if you already are good and think that 4 lessons for Stage 4 is dreadful, this would be a good chance to save some money.

PS: I'm not sure if you still have a choice to opt out in future but at least during my time, there still is.

Update: Now this training is made compulsory. So if you need more practices, you'll have to book more revision lessons.

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DAY 77: Stage 2 DS 1.01 Driving Simulator

I finally went to attend my driving simulator lesson today. The idea is to allow you to get exposed to driving hazards that cannot be simulated in real life driving. You attend the lesson with another 2 students. Each student is given about 15min to try the simulator, which is an automatic transmission car by the way. Even though it is a simulator, you're still required to perform all the safety checks (eg check blind spot, signal 3s before lane change, wear safety belt). In the simulation, you will encounter dangerous situations like pedestrian dashing out onto the road or motorcyclist suddenly appear at your blind spot while turning. You will also get to try e-brake in wet weather and the 4s rule.

By the way, for school student, in order to go for practical test, you need to complete the driving simulator lesson.

Expenditure

Practical                 $13.91
Total cost so far:     $1832.24

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DAY 52: Final Theory Practice and Final Theory Evaluation and Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.06 U-turn and Roundabout (again?)

Final Theory Practice and Final Theory Evaluation

In order not to flung the Final Theory Evaluation again (check out what I did in my last FTE attempt), I decided to complete all the practice booklets before going for the evaluation. I spent another 3 lessons today to complete all the booklets. Then I went for the Final Theory Evaluation during the next timing slot. I passed with a score of 98/100. Hooray!!! I can go for my Final Theory Test now. The latest available night slot was 2 weeks later. Hopefully I can still remember all the stuff after 3 weeks.

Things to take note:

• All (I think) the questions for the Final Theory Evaluation comes from the practice booklets. If you finish practicing all the booklets, you should be able to pass the evaluation.
• The theory practice allows you to review the answers, it is better to do so to understand the logic and reasons for the answer (no matter right or wrong)

Stage 2 Practical Lesson 2.06 U-turn and Roundabout

Today's instructor was from my default group. I think he is team leader of the group. I didn't make it to the next lesson. He was very strict - he finds that my fundamental techniques are not up to standard, given now that I'm already in stage 2 and I'm still making silly mistakes like releasing clutch too early and not able to hold half clutch.

At one point, he let me decide if I want to proceed to 2.07 or use today's lesson to improve on my weaker areas. I chose the latter. It is better to fix mistakes earlier than later right? Otherwise, he said, it would turn into a 'bad' habit that is hard to kick

We drove around inside the circuit and Bukit Gombak areas doing left, right turns, stopping at the side of the roads and also U-turn. I didn't perform up to my usual standard today, probably rusty after not having lesson for more than 2 weeks (no choice, I had an overseas assignment) and I was in a rather low morale.


Things to take note:

• For starting off, half clutch biting point need to be smooth. 
• Left leg need to be touching clutch when gear 1. 
• Gear 1 is only for starting off. Must change to gear 2 swiftly. 
• Do not step on accelerator while turning. Only step accelerator after you have positioned the steering wheel correctly
• When reach 40km/h, must go to 4th gear already at Choa Chu Kang road. Small road can be in 3rd gear. Do not drag gear too long. Listen to engine sound to judge
• For Choa Chu Kang/Bukit Batok Road, maximum speed is 70km/hr. Need to keep near to it and maintain 4th gear while cruising
• Check rear mirror every time 1s before brake and move off
• Signal 3s earlier before turning or changing lane.
• Position car with your shoulder in line with the edge of the kerb (use the pole or traffic lights as marking) for right turn
• Foot brake is to reduce speed to a desired range before gear down. Do not gear down when speed is still about the range
• For U-turn, maintain around 1m to the right kerb in the bend to leave more space on the outer (left) side of the car. This allows motorcyclist to move up on the left side instead of the right (and end up in your blind spot)

Expenditure

FT Practice         $3.21 x 3
FT Evaluation      $5.35
Practical              $77.04
Total cost so far:  $1169.83

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DAY 31: Final Theory Practice and Final Theory Evaluations

I finally decided to go for my Final Theory practices and evaluation. I managed to complete 2 practice booklets within the 45min timeslot. I was confident that i could pass the evaluation given that prior to this I had already read through the text book and did some practices using a FT Test app on my phone named FTT Learner (can found in Google Play Store). 

I thought I had enough practice already so I sat for the FTL evaluation during the next time slot. Surprisingly, there were quite a number of questions that I had not seen before and some of them were quite tricky. Passing mark is 90/100, I got 80/100. FAILED!

After that, believing that I could pass in a second attempt, I booked another FTL evaluation slot on the same day. But, I failed again 84/100. I should have just spent the money on more practices instead. It's enough for the day. I shall do it another day.

Expenditure

FT Practice             $3.21
FT Evaluation         $5.35 x 2

Total cost so far:     $932.29

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DAY 2: Basic Theory Lesson 1.01, 1.02 and Stage 1 Practical Lesson 1.01. 1.02 Orientation of Vehicle, Pre-drive Procedures

BTL Basic Theory Lesson 1.01, 1.02

In the morning, I took 2 BTL classes. Though I have already passed my Basic Theory previous, the school still needs me to complete the lesson before I can advance to FTL (Final Theory Lesson). Just treat this as a revision. After all, I will definitely see all the signages when I start driving on the streets in the coming practical lessons.

Stage 1 Practical Lesson 1.01. 1.02 Orientation of Vehicle, Pre-drive Procedures

My first practical lesson. I managed to find a cancelled slot yesterday so I decided to go for it. My instructor was a friendly soft spoken guy. In the beginning, he went through the different components of the car and their functionalities. First he described those components inside the car (eg seat belt, steering, all the indicators of the dashboard) then we got outside and he explained the parts of the engine, how to check the engine oil, battery oil and also how to change tyre). 

I thought the whole lesson would be on this but after about 20min, he started to drive me out to the circuit explaining about steering maneuver and the clutch changing. Then we exchange seats and I began to drive the car. My first time driving. Very excited. We drove round and round the circuit for the next 1hr. It didn’t bore me at all. It was like a child who just learned to crawl and he was crawling around the house the whole day and the parents were going ‘Doesn’t he get bored keep crawling round and round?’. All along, I was in gear 1. Clutching is a rather confusing concept. The idea is not totally new to me though (I have played Daytona and Gran Turismo when I was young). But now when I was put inside a real car, I realized that the technique is far more complex. The most difficult part I found was clutching when starting off. The 'biting point' concept is quite distant to me. Basically what I understood is that when you start off in gear 1, you need to step the clutch halfway and the clutch will connect the gearbox to the engine. It is quite difficult to gauge exactly where is halfway. Press too much, the clutch will not catch, too little, the car will stall. I stalled many times along the way. Who designed such a complex mechanism? 

I was also introduced to the concept of engine brake - meaning to reduce speed without using the foot brake but to use the ‘pull back’ from the engine when the accelerator pedal is released. It is meant to prolong the life of the foot brake (by not using it that often). It is kind of hard for me to appreciate it now (not my car). Maybe I will  in the future when I own a car.

Things to take note:

• To move off, make sure gear is at 1. Release clutch to ‘biting point’, hold there for 3s.
• Hands should not cross while turning or returning the steering wheel
• Use engine brake to reduce speed
• To come to a complete stop, step on the clutch fully then step on the brake. Otherwise the car will jerk and stall when it reaches a very slow speed.
• While driving straight, adjust the car so that the dashed white line in the middle of the road appears to touch the right lower corner of the windscreen.

Expenditure

BTL   1.01          $17.12
BTL   1.02          $17.12
Practical             $77.04
Total cost so far: $233.58

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