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    Center "Shturman"

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    +7 495 799-78-99

testimonial

Olga


"How did it start?" - a friend of mine used to ask different people this question, without any implications. In response he heard most unexpected and unusual confessions. So, how did my acquaintance with the Center start?

My initial conditions were the same as those of many driving schools` graduates - a driving licence (I paid a fee not to pass a driving practice exam), fear of the road, and low self-esteem due to the instructor`s abuses. To make myself drive, I bought a car ? "cheap enough not to be sorry after the accident". It was standing in the garage for almost 4 years. Urged by friends` and colleagues` jokes, I would hire a private instructor and drive around Moscow. But at the second class I would realize that day could be my last. As a result, I gave up the idea and decided that driving was not for everyone. Moreover, Moscow had endless traffic jams which made it impossible to come anywhere in time, especially in the evenings.

But another summer was close; I dreamed of driving to my dacha; my elderly mom was exhausted by the public transport; and our dog was sick - these and many other reasons made me try once again. Everything turned out very nicely, because right at that time my friend advised me a driving school where "everyone drove well and enjoyed it". The line of those who wanted to take a course at the Center turned out to be rather long, but the thought that it was my last attempt gave me comfort. My tolerance was rewarded. My driving classes began - endless "S-turns", "gates", "squares", "mothers-in-law", and "boxes". I discovered that there were a lot of exercises which allow to drive safely and feel confident. You are not distracted by your own movements while on the road because everything (or almost everything) has been trained on the motordrome.

I understood that I came not to the driving school, but rather to the family where your success is a shared joy, and temporary problems (including technical problems) are a shared concern. You train with your personal instructor but in the course of training you communicate with many people? both instructors and students. As further practice has shown, that communication is a valuable asset which is much more important than just learning how to drive. ( I would do everything to establish a special club!)

By the way, why " trainer"? Firstly, classes on the motordrome are sport activities to some extent; secondly, there is such a great difference between Shturman`s trainers and instructors at usual driving schools that I don`t want to use such a worn-out word as instructor.

So, here comes the day when you can drive in the city. But there are no dual brakes! The trainer only has a handbrake for emergency braking. And it turns out that during training and polishing the steering technique you have learned to hear and obey, which is much more important than dual brakes. My very first drive on the Moscow Ring Road made me absolutely happy and proved that I CAN and I AM NOT AFRAID! Now, when I drive on my own, I can value the trainer`s proficiency and fearlessness which allowed both of us to survive. Moreover, I understand what psychological pressure he was under when trying to convince his unconfident student of success.

Driving on the road shows what you have already learnt and what still needs polishing on the motordrome. To correct the mistakes detected on the road, you have to do numerous extra exercises designed especially for you. Classes on the motordrome become a great pleasure, when an impeccable S-turn done by different steering techniques or a successful parking make you believe in yourself more and more.

Finally, the most scary thing - you must drive on your own, without the trainer. You must drive not a short distance from the parking lot to the motodrome (as you have already done), but from home to work and back. I remember stories telling how difficult that transitional period (lasting for up to two months) is.

…Today I have been driving on my own for two weeks already. I can`t describe how I like it. I look back and wonder whether it is really me. Is it me who doesn`t afraid of the road, traffic cops, and parking? Is it me who is reluctant to get out the car in the evening and can`t wait to drive again after a workday is over?! Sometimes I have to part with my car for another reason: my daughter is taking classes at the Center, too. From my own experience I have learned that we must provide driving skills for our children as a part of the educational process. Besides from being a necessity, driving is a way of self-knowledge and adjustment of your behavior in life. This is an independent topic worthy of scientific research. Moreover, shared interests and common friends bring you closer to your grown-up child. Honestly speaking, I don`t know what these notes are about - either driving skills or a brand new life stage?