Need some info about first time driving

[trinket 30]

So after being in US for over 1 year, I think its high time to get myself a car. I wish to know a few things from other members.

--My husband doesn't drive(had an accident a few years ago and he just refuses to drive after that), so I will get the driving lessons from professional institute here in town. I have a very short time to practice, the 30 hour driving lesson (24 hour class, and 6 hour driving). I will not have any other time or way to practice other than the driving lessons I take in the class. Do you think it will be enough for a first timer to handle things and get a driving license?

--For a first couple of months I will try to drive inter city only, don't want to venture into highway. Home to work(8 minutes drive), home to grocery shopping(5 minutes drive), that's about it. I think that will build confidence more.

--How much should I expect as insurance fee to be? I know I can do a google search, but I don't want to get all those phone calls. Anyways I will be first time driver, I can't take the insurance on my husband because he doesn't have a DL, so it will be for me. I plan on getting a honda civic, don't know about the year, but most probably it will be under 3k.

--On a personal note, both USC and immigrants, how long did it take for you guys to get a hold of driving properly, it could be that you started driving as a teenager or could be someone like me who took up driving in their late 20s.

Thanks for all the help in this regard, if you have something more to give as input I would really appreciate it

[britbird 4]

Can't help you on the insurance unfortunately, becasue it has a lot to do with your age, the type of car you're driving, deductables, experience, whether you are signed on to someone else's insurance, the crime rate in your area, and the frequency with which you use the car.

Different people get the hang of driving at different times. I didn't really drive in the UK (didn't need to - used a boat most of the time!!) so the US is my first real extended driving experience. My husband started driving when he was 16, and he's also a cop so he is a far far better driver, and a far more confident and experienced driver than I am. They learn how to drive in high speed and high danger situations and control crashes and all that stuff so I think he's far more skilled than me. I like that there are no roundabouts near where we live, and driving an automatic means you can keep two hands on the wheel, but really it'll just be up to you and whether you enjoy it or not. Just take it easy.

[Anh map 2,098]

Insurance pricing is a local thing. So you will need to get quotes from carriers/brokers to find the best value for you. A first time driver will be more expensive. If you have homeowners or renters insurance contact your agent for a quote. There are often discounts for having multiple policies.

If you have friends with cars you could ask them to let you drive them around on an afternoon or two to get more practice. It all comes down to confidence. The more that you drive, the better you should be.

Best of luck. Don't text and drive.

[trinket 30]

Insurance pricing is a local thing. So you will need to get quotes from carriers/brokers to find the best value for you. A first time driver will be more expensive. If you have homeowners or renters insurance contact your agent for a quote. There are often discounts for having multiple policies.

If you have friends with cars you could ask them to let you drive them around on an afternoon or two to get more practice. It all comes down to confidence. The more that you drive, the better you should be.

Best of luck. Don't text and drive.

Thanks both britbird and Anh map. I am totally against of driving and cell phone, so that will not be an issue.

I don't really have any friends here, so don't really have any other way to get practiced unless its my own car. I never had to drive in India because cabs and buses are so cheap.

We do have rental insurance, I will have my husband give them a call and see how much they give as an estimate.

[Moksha 1]

Trinket I think never driving in India might be a plus for you! My husband caught on to American driving pretty quick, but the things he struggled with are things that you would never have experienced, like driving on the other side of the road, the other side of the car, and just the general chaos that is driving in India...so I think you will do great and catch on really quick. If not there's always the bike again

[Anh map 2,098]

I am sure that the driving school will be happy to help you with extra practice driving. I would be surprised if they didn't have a fee structure for that already.

[trillium13 84]

You can go online and get quotes for free and no one will call and bug you if you don't want them to. You will get some emails from them though. Some companies (Progressive for instance) will give you quotes from them and from competitors as well.