Well, maybe I'm not so much learning to drive as jumping through some hoops (and costs) to get a French driver's licence. First step is to pass the theory test: le code de la route.
What I have found interesting is going to my "lessons" which are not lessons at all but just a bunch of students in a room who take practice tests on DVD with explanations. There are 60 possible tests to take in order to learn all the information that is required. I would argue that some of the things are not relevant to being a good driver and that much of it is tricky and vague. For example, they show a picture of a country road and ask if it's safe to pass. Personally I see a curve coming up in the photo, so even though the lines on the road say it's safe, I would wait. But no. It's safe to pass and I get the question wrong. But if I didn't pass the car in question, I wouldn't be driving dangerously, but no matter. The trick is to learn the tricks and play by their rules. The test is multiple choice with 40 questions and I'm allowed to get 5 wrong. There can be anywhere from 1 to 3 correct answers per question and if I miss one I get the whole thing wrong. I've got to study up on my percentages, mathematical equations and statistics!
I've also been learning new vocabulary. Some words that I didn't know at first I made up my own silly meanings for, knowing that they weren't correct. Here are some examples:
bifurcation
my definition: something to do with burping or perhaps vomiting
the real definition: a junction or a fork in the road
délit
my definition: delight
the real definition: crime or offence
chevaucher
my definition: ride a horse
the real definition: to lap or cross over (a lane or a line), but to be fair it also means to ride a horse or to sit astride a horse
chaussée
my definition: the sock of the road (I figured it was the side of the road)
the real definition: the full road surface
allure
my definition: attractiveness
the real definition: speed or pace
sinistre
my definition: evil, ominous
the real definition: an accident (in case of)
I'm still waiting to find out if my application to apply (yes, that's right) for a driver's licence has been accepted by foreign services. When I get that stamp of approval I can apply to take the test and move on to preparing for the practical test, while continuing to drive about 700 km per week on my Canadian licence!
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Just imagine how much more fearless you will be to do things like pass around a curve. It doesn't matter if it's dangerous! You will be right!
ReplyDeleteWow! And I thought that Canada was full of beaurocracy but we have nothing on France! I guess they have many more years of practice ;) Good luck with the test!
ReplyDeleteHa! Canada does have nothing on France when it comes to administration! We're applying to live in an apartment and we have to show:
ReplyDelete- the past three months' pay stubs
- an "attestation" from our employers
- the past three months' rent receipts
- an "attestation" from our landlord saying that we've paid our rent
- a tax return for the year 2008
- my "carte de séjour"
- proof of our marriage
When we sign the contract, we will have to pay the deposit (normal) and show proof of house insurance - this is *before* we move in. And we're lucky that we don't have to pay real estate agency fees (very normal for rentals here) or provide a "guarantor" who makes enough money to pay our rent, just in case we can't. Sigh.