Road to acquiring car license-Part 2 [Time for the real thing!]

JPJ test-12/1/2017 
Fear was in everyone's hearts at that very moment, including me. After the arrival, I went to check my turn and session, and I was damn shocked that I was AMONG THE EARLIEST (SESSION 1, TURN NO. 4)!! Ma shaa Allah... Yes, because I had to attend other compulsory orientation activities at Taylor's. So yeah. Other candidates and I were then given a briefing by one of many JPJ staffs in charge, followed by the registration process, and finally the real test. By the way, Part 3 was done first before the second, so we had to go on the road first. The ones who shall examine us were waiting for us in the cars, and sometimes horned as time is money for them. When I entered the car (the red Iriz), I greeted him with a salaam, and did the RSM (Rutin Sebelum Memandu). But, he stopped me seconds after I started doing the RSM, and we moved. Oh yes, the radio was turned on (it wasn't me who do this). To me, it's weird that JPJ listens to the radio during the test. Lol. Anyway, at the gate, my examiner told me to turn right (which meant that I would do Road 3). Alhamdulillah, there were less cars on the road when we crossed the road. We were then on the move at a very slow speed just to obey the speed limit. And you know what, he said something like,
"Cepatlah sikit."
-"Tapi saya nak mematuhi had laju ni..."
-"Tapi saya yang lulus atau gagalkan awak."
Wow. Guys, please do not try this! You may make your examiner angry and thus, you'll be given a poor result. Just follow his or her instructions, as they have the authority during the test. Alhamdulillah, everything after that was going fine, and I completed this part with flying colours! Tak sia-sia berlatih dengan ayah saya di laluan JPJ dulu... Time passed. It was time for Part 2. But before that, we had to do the RPK and RSM. There was only one JPJ guy who was examining these routines, and didn't check us all the way! I think he wanted the way we speak-loud and clear. Soon afterward, Part 2 began. And without any warning, I WAS CALLED THE FIRST!!!

There were a couple of cars lined up at the starting point of the hill obstacle (and this would be the finishing point too, as seen in this picture), and coincidentally, I actually rode the car driven by me when I was almost unconsious that day (the blue Iriz which was already lined up). Soon, I was given the green light to start. Hill obstacle, alhamdulillah, wasn't an issue. But at the side parking obstacle, something went wrong. When I was reversing, I had a feeling that the car might not enter the parking space well. Thus, I modified cikgu Azhar's techniques a little bit. And when I moved forward to straighten the car, suddenly, those in charge halted me, and I didn't realise that I did a mandatory mistake. THE BUMPER WENT PAST THE FRONT WHITE LINE!!! I was so distressed as I walked away due to my failure for completing Part 2. I felt so humiliated, but I kept motivating myself by thinking something positive hidden behind such failure. At least, alhamdulillah, I succeeded for Part 3!!! I then went to Taylor's with a bit of disappointment. It's okay, guys. I got my next chance on 2/2, and I really can do it In Shaa Allah!

Retraining class for Part 2 (31/1/2017)-with Cikgu Suhaimi
  It was during the long Chinese New Year break when I once again rebuilt my driving skills, as well as constantly checking whether I would most likely hit the white lines or the curb (or divider, as JPJ would call). During the class, my instructor didn't actually inspect what I was wrong a lot, as he kept sleeping while I was busy practicing. Anyway, that gave me the chance to get out of the car and checked my car's status. Sometimes, I hit, and sometimes no. So, yeah, this could happen randomly. Thus, at the side parking obstacle especially, after I had completed one parking space, I completed another one just to accumulate my confidence. Since the ramp and S-course obstacles were way to easy for me, I usually make a U-turn to the hill obstacle after the Z-course obstacle. At the end of the class, I remembered my instructor saying something like,"Parking semua tu dah okay. Cuma jangan gemuruh sangat. Perasaan gemuruh itulah yang buat kau gagal."

Like I've mentioned earlier, I went out of the car a couple of times as I was doubtful whether the car is touching the curb or white line. One thing I didn't realise is that after the car was straightened, I still got more space to spare (as shown in the first two photos)! Thus, I planned to stop reversing till this point during my second attempt. Then, I'll horn and immediately exit.

When I was viewing the mirror, it looked like the back bumper touched the white line, but it didn't in reality.

 This was the line I meant when I was talking about my third class. Use it WISELY, as this is the point at Metro Driving Academy where YOU MUST STOP BEFORE YOU DO THE SIDE PARKING. TAKE NOTE, GUYS!!!

At the hill obstacle, you might wanna make sure the mirror is SLIGHTLY BEHIND the pole next to you (as seen here). I suppose the maximum position is when the mirror is parallel to that pole.





 Oh yes, this class lasted for 2 hours, just to compensate the remaining hours missed during the second class.

JPJ test [2nd attempt]-(2/2/2017)
 Time passed so quickly it was time for another attempt. I only had to resit for Part 2 exam, because that day, I passed the Part 3 test. So, I didn't have to worry a lot. Once again, I was in Session 1, but I was brought into the 'ulangan' group for this session, and my turn was number 3. Once again, the RPK and RSM weren't a big issue for me, except that the female JPJ staff told the candidates to primarily check the engine components. Alhamdulillah, I still remembered them. Soon, the moment of truth-the Part 2 exam.

This time, alhamdulillah I wasn't the first among the candidates unlike last time. Those taking manual car license went first (as seen in this photo, where manual cars were lined up first. Yes, this photo was taken by MDA while I was there!). Unfortunately, it was quite distressing that some of the candidates failed, even at the hill obstacle. Eventually, it was my turn.
Bukit: Not an issue. Just one attempt like before.
Side parking: There was a slight jam before entering this area. We were only allowed to use the ones closest to the JPJ staffs checking us, which were park no. 1 and 5. Like before, I went to the latter, but this time,  I had to wait first before I was allowed to reverse by JPJ. Whilst waiting for my turn, I recited some verses from Quran to sooth my heart, thus mitigating my fear. I then followed almost exactly the steps Cikgu Azhar told me earlier, and alhamdulillah I did it, at long last!!!
Pusingan tiga penjuru: I entered this obstacle whilst I was having the full alert to not hit the white lines around me, but I didn't, and succeeded completing this obstacle with 3 maneuvers!!!
Selekoh-Z: I thought I had to wait for JPJ's instruction, but there was no need to. Again, no issue with this obstacle like the hill. Soon, I could feel myself relieved.
Ramp: When I reached there, there was one JPJ staff sitting in a hut next to the ramp, saying to wait for a while. Then, I did what I was supposed to do there, and I succeeded!!
Selekoh-S: Obviously not a problem here. Just 'layan' the curve.
The moment I exited this S-course, I was about to release my words of happiness loudly into the air, as I was damn relieved and excited too! I drove the car back to where I started, collected my form with a smile on my face, and took a photo of my form!

   I was so grateful to Allah that at long last, I am eligible to drive on the road! I'm really hoping that with the license and car I'll be driving, may Allah grant me good intentions so I can use it for something beneficial. Currently, I'm looking forward to claiming my P license and P sticker in about a week time.

Road to acquiring car license-Part 1 [The beginning of my driving career]

To be honest, I have been thinking of driving a car since I was young. As I finally turned 17, I was like, "Oh yeah! Let's realise my dreams!" Hence, my driving career was initiated. It all started out at Metro Driving Academy, where I obtained my P license for motor (B2) quite recently. I decided to go for DA class (which is for cars without clutch), not D. Of course, getting a D license is much much difficult, as you must fiddle with the clutch as you drive. Now, I know many people out there have a perception that driving manual cars are more fun and satisfying, but I'll admit I hate clutches. They are primarily the main culprit for stalling an engine. Alamak, tiba2 je buat ceramah ni. Sorry2. Anyway, like before, there was a theory class, except that there were lots of information shared. It was kinda boring as there were some points that I already got from the previous theory class, and that's why my theory class teacher, Cikgu Azan told me, "Selamat kembali ke tadika." Something like that. Then, during the theory test, something weird happened. THERE WERE NO COLOUR BLIND AND VISION TESTS AT ALL! I guess if you add some more classes to your license, there's no need to answer these questions for the 2nd, 3rd time etc. Alhamdulillah, like usual, the theory test was damn easy, and I scored 47/50.
This video will show part and parcel of what I've learnt from Cikgu Azan. Quite hilarious!

But let me highlight my experiences during my road to P license a little bit, as the story was too dramatic to me. Unlike B2, I received a learner's record so I will know how much progress I have done.
First class (18/12/2016)-with Cikgu Shahrul
I was introduced the RPK and RSM by another teacher, Cikgu Ramli, before Cikgu Shahrul introduced to me the various obstacles for KPP02. He also mentioned about some very helpful techniques I could consider, which I found them quite hard to understand, esp the techniques to complete the side parking obstacle. But alhamdulillah now that I understood, let me share to you about them:
1. Move the car forward till your shoulder is parallel to a small stone (but now it's gone so this step is good for nothing).
2. Steer completely to the left, and then reverse slowly till you see 4 and a half stones embedded in a divider (benteng) closest to your car.
3. From here, stop, straighten your car, bring your right mirror down so you can see the metal plate beneath. Reverse till the back right tire is out of the plate.
4. Then, steer completely to the right and keep reversing till you hear a reverse sound, which tells that you are about to hit the divider behind you (and the white line behind too).
5. Steer completely to the left. Whilst in gear D, move forward till the car is parallel to the parking space.
6. Horn. Steer completely to the left and reverse till you hear a reverse sound.
7. Steer completely to the right and slowly to the left as you move out of the parking space.
It took me a few rounds to try going round the circuit using the techniques I've learnt. And alhamdulillah I got the hang on this quickly!

Second class (28/12/2016)-with Cikgu Zaime 
This was when she focused a lot on my RSM (Rutin Sebelum Memandu) and also how to steer properly by using push and pull technique. It felt awkward at first, so it requires lots of practice. I was then introduced the chosen 3 roads and drove there. There were times when it was so difficult to obey cikgu's command, especially at the 'give way' (Beri Laluan) section. I thought I have to just slow down my pace and at the end, just accelerate, but I was responded angrily by her for doing so. Worse yet, I almost suffered a blackout! again... (either because she scolded me, or I didn't eat a lot or I was panic) Either way, I was quickly brought back to MDA and rest. I could have recap my driving skills on the circuit, but the staffs who 'rescued' me said to not force myself to continue. So I went back home early...

Despite the incident, that didn't stop me from continuing. Outside of classes, my father brought me to the 3 roads and drove there with my father's supervision. Yes, this was risky, but the thing is that I still needed to boost my confidence and get rid of being a scaredy-cat on the road, so hopefully I wouldn't be panic the next time I'll be with my next instructors. Alhamdulillah, we went there for at least 2 times with no accidents and encounter of roadblocks at all before my third class.

Third class (3/1/2017)-with Cikgu Zaime Pakuddin
Yeah, I was about to get the same instructor, but she knew I was afraid of her (fine I'll admit haha). So she replaced herself with Cikgu Pakuddin, who happened to be my theory class teacher for motor a few months back. I recalled the RPK and RSM before driving on the circuit. Everything was fine there except completing the side parking and perpendicular parking. He told me some newer techniques to replace some old ones taught by Cikgu Shahrul. For instance, recently, the small stone I mentioned earlier was somewhat removed. Hence, Cikgu Pakuddin said to stop when my shoulder is parallel to the last line of the metal plate next to me. Here in MDA, every side parking venue (there are 5) has a metal plate (not sure why it is there, but apparently useful though), and each plate comes with a few number of lines crossing it. What I meant is that as you enter any of these side parking venues, you'll need to keep moving whilst looking at the metal plate next to you. You have to stop when your shoulder is parallel to it's last line. I hope you understand... Then, reverse using the old techniques, except that as you enter the parking space, you stop when you feel that the right side mirror is IN the parking space. From here, you center your vehicle in that space. When it comes to leaving the space, what's different is that when you reverse, you should ensure that the back right tyre doesn't go beyond the marked back right corner (which is represented as a white inverted 'L'). Moving on to the perpendicular parking, I realised that you must ONLY STOP FOR THREE TIMES. (ie you can only do 3 maneuvers). And for the rest of the obstacles, alhamdulillah I was doing fine, so did on the road, except that I should have stopped at the traffic light and go when conditions permit.
Despite his frequent raising of his voice (that doesn't he mean he will scold me all the time, though I was for a few times), alhamdulillah he complimented me a lot, and gave me good remarks at the end of the class.

Fourth class (8/1/2017)-with Cikgu Azhar
Alhamdulillah, he was quite chill, and gave me the green light for me to sit for the Part 3 of the JPJ test (which was to drive on real roads). He gave me a couple of advices and comments though. For instance, he said to keep left in such a way that you won't hit the intermittent lines (garisan berputus-putus) or eat the opposite lane, to avoid side mirrors colliding with the other cars' ones. Also, he said something like, "Layan selekoh." I think what he meant was to just steer as to how sharp is a curve. If a curve is very sharp, steer a bit more, and vice versa. When we want to change lanes, he said something like, "Jangan tolak stereng. Lama2 masuk lah, macam ketam nak ke kiri atau ke kanan." That basically means to gradually change lanes, not rush as you do so. Oh yeah, he also commonly said, "Sentuh je pedal minyak tu. Jangan tekan. Nanti berdentum kereta orang lain." This means that I should touch the accelerator, especially when cornering or perhaps controlling the car's speed.
And so was for Part 2. Alhamdulillah. But he added or tweaked a few points. For the hill obstacle, like before, just TOUCH (atau tekan sikiiit je) as you climb the hill. Ensure the mirror is VERY CLOSE to the poles. Moving on to side parking, from where you stopped before reversing, reverse till at the right mirror, you see A CORNER (bucu) at the nearest curb. Then you can straighten your steering wheel. By doing this step, your car will almost be in the middle of the space. Now when getting out of the parking space, you reverse while your car is straight. From there, steer to the right completely and move till the back right tyre is touching the intermittent lines. Then, you rotate your steering wheel in a full circle 3 TIMES to the left, and keep moving, until your car is straightened again. At this point, straighten your steering wheel first before exiting the obstacle. In shaa Allah, this will finally be the official techniques for side parking hopefully.

  These videos depict part and parcel of my experiences during my fourth and last class. Keep in mind that there were some slight errors done by me in these videos!