“Amazingly skilled truck driving, folks!” – this seemingly playful remark rings true for many female students I’ve had the pleasure of instructing. As a seasoned driving instructor, I’ve witnessed numerous women not only confidently take the wheel but also master driving skills that surpass expectations.
From Initial Hesitation to Confidence
My journey as a driving instructor began in 2011. Transitioning from a long-haul driver traversing the country, I embraced teaching. Meeting students of all ages and backgrounds, from farmers to intellectuals, has been a rewarding experience. Initially, teaching young, beautiful women did make me a little self-conscious.
Driving instructor guiding a female student practicing truck driving on the test track
I recall an incident where I saw a middle-aged woman repeatedly failing her driving test. She struggled with the hill start, constantly stalling. Through conversation, I learned her previous instructor had neglected her, leaving her to practice alone because he was “frustrated.” I patiently guided her on using the handbrake correctly, and she passed immediately after.
“Amazingly Skilled Truck Driving, Folks!”: Real-World Experiences
Through many courses, I’ve realized that the notion of women being slower learners than men is completely false. Some female students grasp concepts very quickly, becoming “amazingly skilled truck drivers, folks!”, even outperforming their male counterparts.
I once taught three Buddhist nuns, and all three failed their first driving test. School leadership requested an explanation. After investigation, I discovered the reason: the nuns were unaccustomed to removing their headscarves during the exam. In the retake, with better mental preparation, they passed effortlessly.
Many female students passing the driving test on their first try
Another memorable experience was teaching a young, dynamic female teacher. She was very busy and often drove while talking on the phone with earphones. I gently reminded her of the dangers of this practice. Eventually, she understood and focused more on learning to drive.
I also had a student named Ms. Hien, a retired teacher. In the early days, she experienced such severe motion sickness that she would vomit. I encouraged her and found ways to help her overcome her fear. Ultimately, Ms. Hien passed her test and confidently drives to pick up her grandchildren from school.
Women and Their Amazing Driving Abilities
Some female students have truly impressed me with their eagerness to learn and exceptional driving skills. Ms. Ly, working at a rubber company, was always the most enthusiastic in class. She even proactively asked me to teach her reverse uphill parking, “so I’ll know how to reverse without crashing into the house later.”
There are many other names like Ms. Ly learning for a Class C truck license, Ms. Nhung, and Ms. Hang from the police force… all female students who learned to drive extremely quickly and skillfully. “Amazingly skilled truck driving, folks!” is indeed the praise they deserve.
Many female students, after obtaining their licenses, confidently participate in traffic, driving to work, taking their children to school, and even driving taxis and trucks. Don’t underestimate women’s driving abilities based on a few unfortunate accidents.
In reality, some students, especially women, are initially quite fearful and clumsy. But with patience and appropriate teaching methods, they can all overcome these challenges and become excellent drivers. “Amazingly skilled truck driving, folks!” – that’s what I always believe in my students.
