driving lessons

[ELW 5]

This is my third year in AAA, and it really gives me peace of mind. The first two years I used three out of the four free tows. Good ole old cars.

On Saturday, Sunday and today I let hubby practice in my car (just parking, turning and backing up). The usual for new drivers: almost smashing into a fence because he accidentally stepped on the gas instead of the break, nearly turning into pillars, surging forward or suddenly breaking.

[happywifeymom 4]

I did enroll in a driving school but did not learned from it. I actually learned how to drive through my hubby's xbox driving assimilation game. Funny but hubby bought me a driving wheels with pedal and gas just to have my feet get used to mashing the gas and the pedal.

I was amazed how the driving assimilation game helped me a lot in the real world of driving.

[Baltar 0]

For my wife, It's going to be Grand Theft Auto 4 and a Logitech wheel for the first few months - just to get used to driving a vehicle.. she can run over as many pedestrians as she wants and smash into anything as long as she can run away form (or over) the cops...

[CTRL+ALT+DEL 1]

lol. might as well take them to derby race or bumper cars

[ED*Riza 0]

I enrolled in a driving school with 8 hrs behind the wheels after i crashed my husband's car in a church. I've been driving since Nov 10 last year and so far so good.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Lol, I own Grand Theft Auto...at least my son does, he's already talking about how he intends to beat my fiancee at all those games, so maybe I can enlist my 13 year old to unknowingly help teach my fiancee to drive. It does sound like a good idea. It can't hurt, and I get the added enjoyment of listening to them playing. The bumper cars sounds good too, I'm certain he's never seen those and that could be a lot of fun as well. No point in stressing myself out, I don't want driving to turn into a bad experience.

I have OnStar and I also pay for roadside assistance through my insurance. My towing is only for 75 miles but that is more than I need, and I've used it before, it is actually a good plan. They pay for other things but I'm not sure what that is. I'm hoping I never have to use any of that lol. Just as any crazy person would, I also pay for a 3rd service through my cell phone carrier. So somehow, some way I think I'm covered for just about anything I can't already handle. My dad's best friend is a tow truck driver and my dad is a mechanic. Thank God for family lol.

[horse 0]

and don't forgte to show how to change your tire, check for air, fuel, etc .

Omg....I don't know how to do that lol...wait...I do....I drive it to the Chevy dealership or call roadside assistance lol. Thank God for OnStar! I can teach him how to push a button, yay me!

Thank you Arun and Champi and CTRL+ALT+DEL for your stories and ideas.

I got AAA gold membership, free tire change, free towing for 100miles, and lots of other good perks at no extra charge except the membership fee...well worth the money..

[horse 0]

Hi there ...

So here's the question: I have a foreign drivers' license which obviously is not acceptable prior to obtaining a legal presence document for application of a californian license. While waiting for that official document, I would like to continue practising driving and was wondering if I could do so but with a person who holds a valid californian license sitting in the car with me. .. ???

Do I need to have a learners' permit pasted on the car too for this reason, to be safe?

Thanks .. :-)

[CTRL+ALT+DEL 1]

technically, it is illegal to drive a car even with a licensed driver.

but then you as ka question, how did all the 300+million US drivers start driving? did they ALL take driving lessons? or practice on Grand theft auto?

probably not.

u can probably assume if u have some previous driving experience (real driving not Grand theft auto), u can goto a secluded area... such as mall parking lot (at night), or residential area (at night), etc. i don't recomend driving more then 10-20 MPH - and ask your tutor to properly teach u. meaning stop at all stop sings. look both ways, show turn signal, pretend there are cars/pedestrians on the road. and most importantly, learn to start reading signs/numbers while driving.

[sachinky 464]

My husband-then-boyfriend and I used to practice during the summer in the empty parking lots up on campus hill. He took himself very seriously as a driving instructor and would yell instructions and I would just flippin' out behind the wheel. It wasn't so bad though and I could drive down to the gym and the swimming pool at 20mph. I got really nervous as the cops drove by but I was good at stopping and signalling a turn. However, I never stepped off-campus. So I guess this is something I'll have to do once I do get back there. Learn the rules of the road.

Edited October 20, 2009 by sachinky

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Horse,

Find a secluded area or drive down roads that are hardly traveled. If you live well outside of the city then there are plenty of those roads around. You can get some good driving experience there as well. There's always somewhere you can practice driving with very minimal distracts just to build your confidence. Police can't pull you over just because they want to, so as long as you are following the rules, not driving like a drunk person and in an area that's not too crowded you should be fine.

You may also be able to get a learners permit which gives you legal permission to drive with a licensed driver in the car and you can go anywhere you want. Check to see if your state has those.

[NCWife 0]

Ooooh this is an amazing thread....

Okay... a little background about me. The last time I actually drove a car was like maybe the day I passed my driving test, 12 years ago, back in my country! And I always had someone drive for me back home. When I got here, I know cars are like our legs, you basically can't go anywhere anytime without knowing how to drive. I need to get a job but I need to learn how to drive first. My mother-in-law offered me her old car (Buick, imagine that LOL) so I can drive and of course also to driver her around since my husband does not allow her to drive anymore.

So, I went to DMV and got my permit a few days ago! Yay!! Excited and nervous at the same time. My husband told me that he will teach since hiring an instructor is totally out of the question, too expensive. I am a little disappointed since I was looking forward to learn with an instructor and my husband is a very impatient person. I know he would yell at me whenever I make a mistake! Anyways, I have no choice but to accept the fact that he is going to be the one teaching me.

Today, before he left for work, he suggested that we go for a quick 15 minutes practice....Boy, I was nervous but I was more surprised! He was so patient and never did yell at me!! LOL... I made so many mistakes and was driving so slow but he was encouraging me the whole time. I tried to park but I did so bad!

Now that he is at work and the car is sitting outside, man I really feel the urge to grab the keys and practice on my own but I know I can't do that!! But then, I am so looking forward to my next lesson! Hehehe.....

By the way, anyone of you live in Charlotte, NC?

Cheers..

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Ooooh this is an amazing thread....

Okay... a little background about me. The last time I actually drove a car was like maybe the day I passed my driving test, 12 years ago, back in my country! And I always had someone drive for me back home. When I got here, I know cars are like our legs, you basically can't go anywhere anytime without knowing how to drive. I need to get a job but I need to learn how to drive first. My mother-in-law offered me her old car (Buick, imagine that LOL) so I can drive and of course also to driver her around since my husband does not allow her to drive anymore.

So, I went to DMV and got my permit a few days ago! Yay!! Excited and nervous at the same time. My husband told me that he will teach since hiring an instructor is totally out of the question, too expensive. I am a little disappointed since I was looking forward to learn with an instructor and my husband is a very impatient person. I know he would yell at me whenever I make a mistake! Anyways, I have no choice but to accept the fact that he is going to be the one teaching me.

Today, before he left for work, he suggested that we go for a quick 15 minutes practice....Boy, I was nervous but I was more surprised! He was so patient and never did yell at me!! LOL... I made so many mistakes and was driving so slow but he was encouraging me the whole time. I tried to park but I did so bad!

Now that he is at work and the car is sitting outside, man I really feel the urge to grab the keys and practice on my own but I know I can't do that!! But then, I am so looking forward to my next lesson! Hehehe.....

By the way, anyone of you live in Charlotte, NC?

Cheers..

That's sweet your mother in law offered you her car. You can get a lot of practice and learn some valuable information from her, both about driving and your husband lol. You can strategically pry her for information about all the crazy and embarrassing things he did as a kid.

Instructors in NC are outrageous and the schedules are horrible for trying to go to their classes. At least around here. I live in The northern part of NC, about 4 hours from Charlotte. You are most likely better off with the personalized lessons you are getting now

I'm glad your hubby is being patient. If today was only your first lesson for so long, I wouldn't worry too much about not being a great parker. That's kind of scary because you have to get so close to so many cars lol. I remember learning to drive and I was so nervous about parking. You will get better quick though, it's surprising how quick. There have been some great tips posted in this thread. I'm glad you found it now when you need it! My day to teach driving is coming up soon.

[k.loveh 0]

Ooooh this is an amazing thread....

Okay... a little background about me. The last time I actually drove a car was like maybe the day I passed my driving test, 12 years ago, back in my country! And I always had someone drive for me back home. When I got here, I know cars are like our legs, you basically can't go anywhere anytime without knowing how to drive. I need to get a job but I need to learn how to drive first. My mother-in-law offered me her old car (Buick, imagine that LOL) so I can drive and of course also to driver her around since my husband does not allow her to drive anymore.

So, I went to DMV and got my permit a few days ago! Yay!! Excited and nervous at the same time. My husband told me that he will teach since hiring an instructor is totally out of the question, too expensive. I am a little disappointed since I was looking forward to learn with an instructor and my husband is a very impatient person. I know he would yell at me whenever I make a mistake! Anyways, I have no choice but to accept the fact that he is going to be the one teaching me.

Today, before he left for work, he suggested that we go for a quick 15 minutes practice....Boy, I was nervous but I was more surprised! He was so patient and never did yell at me!! LOL... I made so many mistakes and was driving so slow but he was encouraging me the whole time. I tried to park but I did so bad!

Now that he is at work and the car is sitting outside, man I really feel the urge to grab the keys and practice on my own but I know I can't do that!! But then, I am so looking forward to my next lesson! Hehehe.....

By the way, anyone of you live in Charlotte, NC?

Cheers..

That's sweet your mother in law offered you her car. You can get a lot of practice and learn some valuable information from her, both about driving and your husband lol. You can strategically pry her for information about all the crazy and embarrassing things he did as a kid.

Instructors in NC are outrageous and the schedules are horrible for trying to go to their classes. At least around here. I live in The northern part of NC, about 4 hours from Charlotte. You are most likely better off with the personalized lessons you are getting now

I'm glad your hubby is being patient. If today was only your first lesson for so long, I wouldn't worry too much about not being a great parker. That's kind of scary because you have to get so close to so many cars lol. I remember learning to drive and I was so nervous about parking. You will get better quick though, it's surprising how quick. There have been some great tips posted in this thread. I'm glad you found it now when you need it! My day to teach driving is coming up soon.

Hey we're neighbors!! Mind if I borrow a cup of sugar? I'm in the state just above you two, Virginia Beach, Va.

Oh, those anticipated driving lessons...I'm having mine get his IDP, or international drivers permit so that he'll be legal and just about ready and set to go. The main thing I'm nervous about is 'his' nervousness about driving on the wrong side of the car 'and' (acording to him), the wrong side of the road. Additionally, he has to get used to driving an automatic which he's never in his life ever done. So his foot is going to have to get used to there not being a clutch. I can just imagine it when he drives over here for the first time....brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech! Lol!

Most definately, It's going to be interesting for sure. But I still can't help but look forward to it.

[ms_jinga_lala 0]

Hey we're neighbors!! Mind if I borrow a cup of sugar? I'm in the state just above you two, Virginia Beach, Va.

Oh, those anticipated driving lessons...I'm having mine get his IDP, or international drivers permit so that he'll be legal and just about ready and set to go. The main thing I'm nervous about is 'his' nervousness about driving on the wrong side of the car 'and' (acording to him), the wrong side of the road. Additionally, he has to get used to driving an automatic which he's never in his life ever done. So his foot is going to have to get used to there not being a clutch. I can just imagine it when he drives over here for the first time....brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech-brrrrm-screech! Lol!

Most definately, It's going to be interesting for sure. But I still can't help but look forward to it.

A cup of sugar? Anytime!

My fiancee was going to "learn to drive the car" before he goes to the interview lol. He lasted all of 1 lesson. It was really cute. I know how to drive a stick shift and I remember those days. Well apparently his instructor took him somewhere busy and he kept stalling the car. I think he was a little embarrassed to go back. I had to tell him my horror story which was much worse. I got stuck at the top of a hill in the middle of an intersection and like to never got the car cranked back because I was so nervous. Traffic was having to go around me in the intersection. It was traumatic lol, but I did eventually learn. He was very glad to hear that my car is not a stick shift. He's thinking about being a cab driver when he gets here lol...we will see how that turns out.