Tag Archive for 'Car'

California Drivers Handbook - Best Off!

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As you might know, I am in the process of obtaining a Californian Driver’s license, well, once I’ll have managed to get the behind the wheel test, as it seems that the local administration has lost all evidences of my appointment with them next week…

Test has to be rescheduled… :)

Anyways, while both Sarah and I were learning for our written test, we couldn’t help but noticing (and then marking) some pretty interesting rules and recommendations of the dos and don’t for California drivers which I’d love to share with you…

On Pedestrians (or “Excuse me sir but could you move your Zimmer frame away?”):

Allow older pedestrians more time to cross the street. They are more likely to die as a result of a crash than younger pedestrians.

On things you must not do (or I must come from another planet):

Do not shot firearms on a highway or at traffic signs.Do not block or hinder a funeral procession.Do not ride, or allow a child to ride a pocket bike on a public street or highway [(...) as ] they do no meet federal safety standards

On driving in the fog (or how would Europe do?):

The best advice for driving in the fog is DON’T. You should consider postponing your trip until the fog clears.

On Safety for Aging drivers (or denunciation is OK if they’re old):

Generally, older drivers, especially over the age of 70, have more crash per mile than any other group [...]. Also it is more difficult for older drivers to recover from injuries suffered in a crash. If you are concerned about an aging driver, see “Referring an unsafe driver”

Most of these make sense but just the way some are written down crack me up!

We got our caaaaar!!!

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After a long day of phone calls yesterday and stress and other things, Sarah has secured the car and its delivery at our local bank today (isn’t it fantastic?)

The result? The Nissan Murano SL is ours! Insurance is paid (it even seems I am insured to drive it) and Sarah finally has her “Yummy Mummy” car!

We so love it that once Thia was in bed, we (sad people) both had to go back to the car and try all the its gadgets. It seems to be a breeze to drive, the built-in sound system is a Bose and sounds great and Thia has enough space at the back to run a marathon! What else can we possibly ask for?

We are happy puppies (especially Sarah who has now said goodbye to our rental car nicknamed “The Tank”)!

Sarah is a legal driver

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Great news… Today, Sarah passed her driver’s license test… Well, the US one… :)

So now Sarah is a genuine, official, legal alien Californian driver! Congratulations!

This adds as well the ability for us to purchase our car and get it hopefully by tomorrow (which is funnily enough the last day of our car rental as well). Oh, not mentioning the fact that we can get this new car insured as well, which we will need if we look at the way some of the guys drive here! No wonder, as I was told that you only need 5-6 lessons before you can get your license!

At the same time she passed her test, Sarah collected my Social Security card (a simple piece of paper, nothing big) which means that I am next in the driving school lane. God help us!

Automotion

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Yes, we have succumbed to the US way and have gone for an SUV, a Nissan Murano to be precise!! I know, it is bad! But after many years in Fulham, divided between dreaming of a VW Touareg and hate for the Chelsea tractors, we have given in and went the full tractor way…

One thing is sure though, the price of petrol or gas is definitely a factor that wold have stopped us in London and is not a real issue here! And there is no such thing as a congestion charge here, so to hell with the little cars! :)

So if everything works according to plan, this little tank shall be ours by next Wednesday, once Sarah has “passed” her driver’s license test and we’ve made the deposit into the dealer’s account! :)

Happy Friday!