'I didn't think I needed to do an advance driver training course'

Advance driver training was meant to make me a better driver. And it did. But not until it had completely freaked me out first.

I had forgotten how scary it is to be behind the wheel of an out-of-control car. I'm such a slow and cautious driver these days that I rarely get into trouble on the road.

However this time I was taught how to deliberately steer the car out of control, while taking a corner at speed, on a wet road, and then I was taught how to correct it.

I've never felt more empowered on the road.

I was signed up for a BMW Driver Experience. They are run around the country and I was booked to do it at Phillip Island.

I didn't really think I needed it. I have been driving for 25 years and I've had plenty of learning experiences on the roads over those many year.

After my husband explained exactly where Phillip Island was (Victoria! Penguins!) I got a bit excited. For some reason I immediately pictured myself doing burn outs and feeding the penguins my lunch leftovers.

NB: Penguins are NOT seagulls and should not be fed lunch leftovers.

I arrived early. It was FREEZING.

I wondered if I'd be able to master all that I'd learn about driving while wearing 17 layers of clothing.

As is my habit these days, I surveyed the crowd, wondering if there were any other mothers there because driving with children in the car is a specific skill that takes years and tears to develop.

Is there a course that teaches you to pass a bottle of water to a child sitting in the back seat of a car because they are "so thirsty" and have to have a drink "right now"?

What about an exercise during which we practice concentrating on the road while three children direct three separate conversations in your direction?

Not spotting any mum-types, I grabbed a coffee and sat next to a random young man who I discovered was a software developer and immediately asked for career advice for my 13-year-old son Philip.

Apparently learning Java Script is still the way to go.

He was way more excited to get behind the wheel than I was. In fact I'm pretty sure everyone was more excited than me.

I just don't know what to do in a car that is clean, tidy and new.

Give me a ratty old SUV with fast food wrappers in it and snacks in the glove box and I'm good to go. 

It took me a few minutes to understand what the requirements of the course would be. Among words like "safety" and "fun" there was mention of driving fast on a wet track including speeding into a corner and trying to maintain control of the car.

Then there was talk of being allowed to drive around the race track at 200 kilometres per hour.

Before I could raise my hand and ask, "You want us to do WHAT?!?" we were told about a time trial we'd all be doing during which we negotiated our way around witches hats (am I the only one who sees children instead of witches hats during exercises like that?).

Then the big finale would be something called a "hot lap".

I made a mental note to ask exactly what that was at some stage throughout the day.

It was as I was watching the first participant driving a BMW at speed on a wet track, heading for the turn before breaking and spinning out that I began to feel just a tad nervous.

The exercise was meant to teach us how to control a car that had gone into a corner at speed. Many of us ended up completing several "accidental doughnuts" that afternoon before mastering the move.

I eventually got it, but not before I took off with the hand break still on, requiring me to stop, release it, complete a slow lap of shame and start over again.

IT WAS INCREDIBLE!

We were given three turns to steer into the corner at speed, steer into it, lose control of the car and then correct it and all of us managed to do it by the end of the exercise.

We felt elated!

The second exercise required us to steer around an obstacle course of witches hats, the fastest driver earning a prize. If there had been a prize for slowest driver I would have won by far. I was the only one who clocked in at over 20 seconds.

The winner completed it in 16 seconds!

It's just that when I see witches hats I see little children. It's mum-brain. I can't help it.

Jo Abi's daughter Caterina, 8, behind the wheel of the family car. Image: Provided

Next up, the race track. This is where I'd get a chance to shine, I was certain.

I'd always wondered what it would feel like to reach speeds of 200 kilometres per hour and with the experts careful instructions regarding maintaining control around a turn, I felt I could do quite well.

Or at least remember to release the hand break this time.

We took off in groups of four, led by an expert who issued instructions via radio so we knew what we were doing, and somehow I'd managed to activate the window wipers. 

It wasn't raining. 

By the time I'd figured out how to turn them off I increased my speed eventually reaching 90 kilometres an hour!

In about 30 seconds I'd lost sight my entire group so I decided to just coast along, enjoying the scenery.

It was quite a lovely drive actually. There was a lot of green grass and I felt relaxed. I even began thinking about afternoon tea and whether I'd have coffee or another skim cappuccino.

I really hoped they'd provide some little sweets like biscuits or slices.

That would be nice.

"Okay, pull in," our group leader instructed over the internal radio, which I eventually did, just a few minutes behind the others.

Next up, hot laps.

Everyone was quite excited and I pretended to be as well, not wanting to admit I didn't know exactly what a hot lap was.

THIS is what it was.

Four of us amateur drivers would get into a car with an expert/former race car driver and hoon around the track at speeds we'd never dreamed.

I watched one round before I carefully backed away and RAN up the stairs to HIDE.

From there I had a perfect view of the hot laps.

I felt like throwing up just watching them.

The course reminded me that at driver has to be in control of the car at all times.

That takes skill, experience and ability, all of which you can learn in a course like this.

Since my children were born I've become a much more cautious driver. I've slowed down and don't take any risks at all.

I never assume cars will stop for me, even if I have right-of-way.

I've learned to look out for other driver's mistakes.

Now I can add steering out of an out-of-control corner while retaining control of the car at all times, keeping my precious occupants safe.

Also, manners.

What I try to keep in mind is that we all still need to have manners on the roads. Nobody's trip is more important than anybody else's.

That means we have to take turns, give way, wave our thanks and respect the fact we are driving a huge hunk of metal that can do serious damage to others.

What I learned was that everyone needs to do advance driver training and my children will not be allowed on the road until they have completed one. The courses teach you corrective driving techniques you can only normally learn the hard way and they are also a lot of fun.