Hi,

I have never driven before so need to learn. Does it take long to grasp the whole driving process overhere. I have checked out some driving schools and most of them are 30 hours in the classroom with a bunch of 16 year olds and then 10 hours of actual driving. What fun!! not. Is there any driving schools that cater for older people like myself.Im 27.

Will the fact that i dont have my ssn yet affect the lenght of time it takes to learn. I just find the whole concept of driving on the highway so scarey.

I drove in Ireland so not sure about schools here...one thing I would say is, leave the highways till you've mastered the regular roads! Coming off a ramp and trying to move over 4 lanes is still a scary experience for me
Practice, practice, practice!

Can your wife give you a few lessons around your house to become used to the feel of a car?

I'm sure there must be driving lessons for people who aren't young drivers. Just call around to some in your area and ask if they have driving lessons for people your age who aren't 16.

Good luck.

I am not sure if they still do it but AAA had classes when I was learning...............I also received a discount on insurance because I took the classes. I think it may have been one night a week and every other Sat.


I think my parents were afraid to teach me


Definetly have your woman take you around.................parking lots are the best

Thanx will do so. Will get a few lessons from my gf before i attempt to learn to drive through a driving school. Will have to reply on the train to get into boston once i find a job.

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

yes, but the rotaries (roundabouts as you say) in Boston are notorious!

I've 2 uncles living in Boston, and they say that Boston drivers are crazy!! Julia had a really funny thread on Boston drivers...I'll try and see if I can find it

Roundabouts are easy, logical and efficient. Now, a four way stop with three lanes on each road is what annoys me

I probably should not laugh at it, BUT... To exit the car rental area in Dublin airport you have to go through a roundabout. Actually, more than one, but it's the first one I am talking about. Quite a few times I saw a car standing there, with a frightened tourist (presumably American) inside and a HUGE queue of cars behind him. One guy would not move for at least five minutes

Bartek

Oh i hate rotaries. I am glad there is only one in fairbanks but i remeber mass. was the state of rotaries.

Give me a roundabout over a four-way stop EVERY day of the week!

Seriously, you'll do better here having never driven at home. It takes a lots to get used to the the other side of the road, but less effort to learn on it. I think of it in the same way as I do learning a language - learning English was easy, but French and German floored me totally!

I would advise learning to drive somewhere that isn't Boston; they don't call them "Massholes" for nothing....

All the driving schools i called were willing to teach me, even though i was over the age required for drivers education. I went with one that cost $25 for 45 minutes.

Learning to drive here is relatively simple, and if i can do it, anyone can

Goodl luck too you

There is a national company called "Top Driver." I believe they are affiliated with Ford Motor Company (don't quote me). You can contact them at: www.topdriver.com

I just called them for my husband. They do not have any classes for "older" people (he is 35). Only for teenagers. It costs $50.00 for four hours of classroom time to learn the Rules of the Road. It takes place in two consecutive days. They quoted me $385.00 for six hours of driving. They will come and pick you up at your house.

I'm still gonna call around just to see what else is out there. Good luck finding a place that caters to the "elderly" I would be interested in knowing if anyone finds anything like that. I don't think it's too common. Maybe that's what I should do, open a driving school for people over the age of 21

Don't worry once you do it enough it'll just become like an instinct. Believe me, I absolutely hate driving. When I lived in Toronto I was very content to take the subway.

*raises hand*

Uh, that would be me....

On a serious note *ahem* I bet your insurance agent could give you the names of driving instructors. In our area there are even some private ones.

Do you know how to handle a T-junction ? Then you know how to drive through a roundabout, you just do not realize it

Now, the roundabouts I saw in Paris DID scare me. It seems that vehicles entering a roundabout have a right of way there...

Bartek

The roundabout at Arc the Triomphe.....I wouldn't want to drive there

Just google driving lessons for your area. The DMV in your area should also have a list of schools that you could get in touch with.

Driving tests are pretty easy here. All i had to do was drive out of the lot, make two lefts then three rights and then I was back in the lot and done. I didn't have to do any parking manuvers etc at all. It lasted 5 minutes.

Does anyone know if you require a SSN in order to start the driving lessons. I will get my fiance to give me a lesson tonight in her driveway.

Thanx for the replies so far.

i never drive too. i am having my driving lessons. its only behind the wheel. they said 10 hrs good or more...

Ive had the same problems trying to learn to drive here in TN. Most the schools I found would only teach kids. I found one but I wasn't sure it would be worth it. It was $325, and for that you just got 2 hours in a simulator and 2 hours behind the wheel, and they claim that is enought to get your license and be able to drive safely. Personally I dont think I would be confident enough to drive on my own after just 2 hours in a real car.

Im headed back to england for 3-4 months whilst my wife does some military training schools, I think I am going to take some lessons when I get back. even if I dont get my license in england at least I will learn the basics.

Greetings!

This is what i did in Michigan, i just hope that it will help....just ask your partner to practice driving with you instead of paying 40 $ per hour! but must have T.I.P. first...

For 18 years older ( first time applicant).
1. go to the nearest secreatry of state department or DMVand ask for booklets. This will let you learn the traffic rules ofthe specific state.

2. Once ready. go back to the office along with the official documents that you have....1. birth certificate 2. passport 3. EAD if avialable........4. proof of residence ( just use bills with your husbands name) 5. marriage certificate 6. bank statements. If all of those are sufficient for an officer they will have an eye test by just sking you questions... then you are set to take the wrttien test.

3. Once you pass the test a T.I.P. or temporary permit is granted to you. that will allow you to practice driving atleast 30 days.

4. After practicing 30 days after the T.I.P. is granted you may now take the road test. and get road test certificate.

5. T.I.P. and along with road test certificate bring this back to the office and have your picture taken and licence.

note: dont worry about first time driving! if its automatic all you needed to do is step the gas and break and most importantly the traffic signs! then you are set to go....you will learn driving in less than an hour. All you needed to do is practice....practice ...practice....

also, if you still dont have an ss number what they will ask you is a certificate statting that you will give then a ss number as soon as it is available. ( just ask the office where you are as different state varies).

also note that T.I.P. is valid 6 months from the date issued.

Goodluck!
Griffin

(this is from "Mr Ktun", not my wellknown wife
Anyway, one thing you can do it call the office of the Highway Patrol in your state, or even the local police dept. In many cities there are gov sponsored classes offerred for driving. I know that Omaha used to have a defensive driving class offered, and it was inexpensive. Sometimes they would send people there in lieu of a traffic ticket And the class was very good at teaching skills for avoiding both collisions and tickets. But there may be other classes as well wherever you are. (or there may not)
As far as learning the laws and rules of the road, contacting your local Dept of Transportation office that issues the licenses will be able to do that for you. They will have all the brochures and such you would ever want.