Fit To Drive School

Test day nerves?

Prior to the weeks following up to your test here's a little routine that may help.

In my upcoming book "Healing Hacks" I have lots lots more ideas that can help spiritually, physically and emotionally. Whether you're prepping for an exam or just dealing with what life serves you up.

I have used breathwork, meditation, neuro science hacks and Yoga to help deal with many issues including 5 years of living with SIBO as well as other issues which I will no long harp on apart as I've done so on this page a few times before....;-)

In todays incredibly fast paced environment, cost of living pressures for many families,the stress of being glued to your screens most of the day( bad! Really bad!) and many other things that steal our peace I hope you can use what's in my forthcoming book to help>
The routine :

This tailored neuro-routine is designed to be built sequentially over the weeks leading up to the P-plate test. By practicing these hacks in a low-stakes environment first, they will become automatic "muscle memory" for the brain on test day.

Weeks 3 & 4 Before the Test: De-conditioning the Stress Trigger

The goal here is to train the brain not to associate the driver's seat with danger before even turning the key.

The "Parked" Vagus Nerve Activation

The Action: Sit in the driver's seat of the parked car without driving. Grip the steering wheel, take a deep breath, swallow hard, and hum a low pitch for the duration of a long exhale.

The Neuro-Target: Stimulates the vagus nerve while paired with the physical context of the car. It signals the brain's threat-detection center (the amygdala) that the driver's seat is a safe zone.

Routine: Do this 3 times every single time you first get into the car to practice.

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The Spatial Horizon Shift

The Action: While parked or stopped safely at a red light, consciously soften your gaze and widen your peripheral vision to take in the entire dashboard and the far edges of the side mirrors without moving your eyes.

The Neuro-Target: Driving anxiety causes "tunnel vision," locking the brain into high-alert tracking. Dilating your vision overrides this, calming autonomic arousal and actually making it easier to naturally spot hazards.

Routine: Practice for 30 seconds before starting the engine and during parking practice.

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Weeks 1 & 2 Before the Test: Breaking the "What-If" Loops

As the test gets closer, anticipatory anxiety and ruminating thoughts ("What if I stall?", "What if I fail instantly?") will peak.

The Driving-Mock Divergent Pivot

The Action: When a negative "what-if" loop starts at home, immediately look around the room and name 5 random things, then mentally invent a silly story linking them together (e.g., "The lamp wants to eat the coaster because the curtain told it to").The Neuro-Target: Forces the brain out of the looping Default Mode Network (DMN) and activates the Central Executive Network (CEN). You cannot actively calculate a creative story and ruminate on failure at the same time.

Routine: Run this 1-minute pivot the exact moment a negative driving thought enters your head.

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Test Day: The Acute Panic Protocol

Use these right before and during the test to handle surges of adrenaline.

The Pre-Test Physiological Sigh

The Action: While waiting for the testing officer, or sitting in the waiting room, take two quick sharp inhales through the nose, followed by a long, slow mouth exhale.

The Neuro-Target: Instantly triggers the parasympathetic nervous system, dumps CO₂, and lowers a spiking heart rate within seconds. It clears the physical "shaking" or racing heart.

Routine: Do a sequence of 3 physiological sighs right before the testing officer gets into the car.

The Red-Light

The Action: If you make a minor mistake or feel panic rising during the test, use any complete stop (like a red light or stop sign) to do one quick physiological sigh and a hard swallow.

The Neuro-Target: Flushes out the immediate adrenaline spike from a mistake, preventing a minor error from sn*******ng into a major panic response.

Pax Vobiscum
KIm

Link to my new book next week!

Meanwhile if you're a "supervising Driver" and would like to help your young learner driver get a few more skills to help them stay safe on the roads here's what's called a "commentary drive"

It's part of what I call "practise with a purpose" meaning when you go for a drive have a plan behind what you what to achieve, perhaps it's reverse parking, or doing a "3 point turn" or driving in heavy traffic.

A commentary drive is showing the learner what to look out for what to anticipate and what actions to take in any given situation when approaching a "hazard" meaning anything that causes the driver to slow down down or change direction.

I'll be doing a really detailed video on this in the next week or so>
Stay safe, share and enjoy!

Obey road signs. What road signs? So as I'm making commentary, if I see a road sign and say, this is a particular road sign, what type of road sign? Why should I obey it? Distinguish between cautionary and regulatory.

If it's 60, give a reason why it's 60 kilometers an hour. We mean we have to obey the 60 kilometer an hour sign. If we go over that speed, we're breaking a road rule and we can possibly get fined, and it takes us longer to brake.

Okay, so in or out on approach to a roundabout, we say, okay, as I'm approaching a roundabout, I'm checking my center mirror, preparing to slow down/stop and give way to all traffic in the roundabout and mindful of any traffic approaching from the right.

Okay, and I do my observation checks as I go through the left and right.
I indicate OUT of a round about if I am going straight through or turning right>

We turn left, we turn slow, and we under control just in case there is a pedestrian crossing the road immediately as we begin our turn, or there could be cars coming in opposite directions which may force us to go across to the left-hand side of the road.

So when we turn left, we need to stay on our side of the road in case of oncoming vehicles. We need to be under control so we don't go into someone else's space.

As we're going through intersections, we're doing our checks ( scan left to right on approach) on approach, we're covering the brake, looking out for any red light runners or emergency sirens,

• See/Hear: Identify actual and potential hazards using observation (mirrors, scanning well ahead, road signs, lane markings, pedestrians, cyclists, other vehicles) and listening.

• Think: Anticipate what might happen, prioritise risks, plan actions (e.g., check mirrors, cover the brake, slow early, increase space), consider road rules, and how your actions affect other road users.

• Do: Carry out the appropriate action smoothly (adjust speed/gear, position the vehicle, signal, stop if needed).

What a Commentary Drive Looks Like in Practice

Parents can start by demonstrating it themselves while the learner rides as a passenger, then gradually hand the commentary over to the learner once basic vehicle control is comfortable. Keep it clear, relevant, and focused on the highest risks first (you don’t need to name every minor detail on a busy road).

Example excerpt (approaching a suburban intersection or school area): “Checking mirrors — car behind is a safe distance. Looking well ahead — traffic lights ahead are green but a pedestrian is waiting on the left footpath near the school crossing. Child on the footpath might step out. Covering the brake and easing off the accelerator. Checking left mirror and blind spot. No cyclists.

Maintaining a 3-second following distance. If the lights change or the pedestrian moves, I’m ready to stop smoothly. Giving a bit more space as we pass the parked cars — at least 1.2 metres clearance.”

Other typical elements include noting road surface changes, bends/crests with limited vision, vehicles in blind spots, tailgaters (leaving extra space ahead), parked cars that might open doors or pull out, and applicable give-way or speed rules.

The most maladministered and convoluted set of rules in Australia in regard to the mutual recognition of driving instructors from other states has become a little bit more "streamlined"

I won't go on as I've already spoken of what I went through in the past in my dealings with the SA dept of transport.

What I will do is post a link to my new book which helped me deal with the stress of 4 plus years of a gut ailment ()SIBO) as well as dealing with working in an extremely physical job that had me getting up at 4am everyday>

I feel blessed and lucky to not only still be here but to have gone through what I have and the learning experiences that came along with it.

Whether its your last year of school, taking a driving test or just want some help getting through every day in an increasingly insane world I hope you'll get a few ideas that will help>

The link will be up in 3 weeks to download for free.
Pax Vobiscum
Kim

I like to have a bit of fun from time to time and do these quizzes,just to test myself.

Nobody knows everything and increasingly more rules,more fines so it pays to keep informed!

Enjoy your Saturday folks and drive to the conditions :-)

https://samove.raa.com.au/the-u-turn-rule-you-need-to-know/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPzZ85leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBvcmtDNmpWczlwakowRTRac3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkHzdOyEOjfbZTSvwM3I38Im3owQflTYWENKf6PmPAoiPD5csKlXH2xbJGb1_aem_448sNE4qWDGPKomncAtzKA

The U-turn rule you need to know SA Move Magazine Online

Have a wonderful and safe Australia day folks.Keep safe and cool.45 degrees in Adelaide tomorrow!

The secret speed-camera signs to look for in every state How do you know if you're approaching a speed camera?

https://www.dit.sa.gov.au/infrastructure/projects/40-km-h-school-speed-limits"

For those that live in SA it pays to be informed!

As a school bus driver presently it's astounding how many people I see hurtling through school zones at school times at well above the speed limit.

The penalties are huge and the potential repercussions of hitting someone...

Please be mindful when going through school school zones on school days and be aware that some zones are posted 25KPH when children present.
This means any day any time NOT just school times/days.

40 km/h school speed limits | Department for Infrastructure and Transport  

Teaching my wonderful daughter to drive.
I went to Melbourne to get a brake pedal fitted to my car on the passenger side,unfortunately getting a pedal fitted in SA means that you must be a driving instructor that is registered to teach in SA Yep another government BRULE( bu****it rule ;-)

Its fantastic being able to teach even she she doesn't pay me..LOL
Still not registered as a DI in the state of SA but wont say I've given up on the idea.
Drive safely

Eight and a half years! after I left Sydney this morning I received a lovely phone call from Frieda.

I had given lessons to her sister and her niece.

She still had my number in her phone and and asked if I was still able to do lessons for another family member.

I said no and explained my situation to her>

It was really heartening to receive a call like the one I took this morning!

Over the last eight years since leaving Sydney and Victoria it's not the first. that I have received from some of my wonderful ex students and their family members.

I keep thinking do I go back for another try at the test?, knowing what I know about the department of transport and it's assessors in SA ?

I'm thinking about it,I loved teaching and still believe I can offer lots.

Anyway I'm busy with my book so we'll see.

An almost instant technique to stop anxiety and panic attacks.
It's not a new technique and I cannot claim I invented it. I have over the years used breathwork and meditation to manage my stress levels and I'm always looking for new ideas that I can use in everyday life to improve myself both physically and mentally.

It can be used prior to you taking your P plate test or almost any situation when whatever your facing will cause you anxiety.
It works for anyone, is free(until the government works out a way to tax the air you breath and don't worry that'll happen soon enough...LOL)

It will be included in a book I'm writing about mental health for teens. What's in the book will be lots of simple no BS techniques and tools that you can use to stay sane in an increasingly insane world.

As the father of a 16 year beautiful daughter, soon to be learner driver and doing year 11 I can see the issues that she is facing so that's one of the reasons I'm writing the book it's not just for her but I have over the years had lots of students, both young and not so young with anxiety related issues of varying severity so this is for you too and also for Mum, Dad or anyone that you want to share it with.

The book will be free if your reading this post!

Most of the material I'll write about will be free to access and to use-the idea being that it'll help you to deal with whatever physical and emotional issues that you feel you may need help with.

If you've read my book on "Healing SIBO" the debilitating gut disorder I faced 5 years ago when coming to SA you'll understand the toll that this or any gut related disorder such as IBS, Crohns, ulcerative colitis or in fact any auto immune disease can take on a person.

I have a growing collection of "biohacking" tools including PEMF mat, portable steam and infrared saunas, icebath, hydrogen water filter etc etc that I've used with varying degrees of success to help with my issues however a lot of what I do is a lot simpler and easier than using technology.

Ready?

This is called the "Physiologic breath" I think I got this one form the Andrew Huberman podcast,(which by the way is brilliant and well worth listening to.)

Okay the way it works is like this.

Take a very deep slow breath in just when you feel you cannot take any more air in take another short breath in through the nose-hold it for a second or two then let it out slowwwwlly through the mouth like a big sigh.

It may take one or two or three breaths or you may need to do it for 5 minutes or so.

Treat it as an "experiment" This is the underlying philosophy I have used when trying new supplements to help my gut related issues.
Some things including these techniques may work instantly and some will require a little more time and perseverance they will give you results!

Here are two other types of breath work techniques I have used for up to 15 minutes each to alleviate anxiety and some of the panic attacks I've had when dealing with some extremely stressful situations.

The "Box breath"
Inhale for the count of four.
Hold for the count of four
Exhale for the count of four
Hold for the count of four.
Repeat as often as you feel is necessary try for 3 minutes or so at first.

The "Four-Seven-Eight" breath
Inhale for the count of four
Hold for the count of seven
Exhale for the count of eight.
Repeat as often as you feel is necessary try for 3 minutes or so at first.

That's It!

Enjoy your holiday if it's a holiday in your state, drive safely and be nice to each other.
Paxc Vobiscum
Kim

Read,learn and share. Enjoy your weekend!

Sadly more and more peeps getting caught with using mobile phones,you'd think by now the lesson would be learnt. Even touching your phone if it's not in a cradle and you're sprung will get you fined heavily along with loss of points( know the rules in your state if you're a P plater-nearly all states prohibit the use of P platers using a MP in any form-Green Ps may be exempted in some states)

I heard that in SA one person got caught 32 yes THIRTY TWO times using a mobile phone going through a mobile phone detection camera.
This was I believe just before the fines were going to be officially introduced and people were still be sent caution letters.

That chump takes the Darwin award winner of the year you'd think.