Driving in US coming from UK

[JFH 12,189]

7 hours ago, jakejon said:

 Oh, I remember driving in the UK with Jake and he nearly had a heart attack as I drove around a roundabout clockwise   

But clockwise just makes more sense to me! Proof, if it were needed, that Brits drive on the correct side of the road! 

[C90 376]

On 2/1/2019 at 2:27 PM, jakejon said:

Thanks for this!! I just fear I'll be a dumbster and it'll take me 3-5 time LOL. Going to take both you guys advice!! ❤️ 

Idk if you're a dumbster (cause then I would be) I've had my foreign license for over 9 years (passed my drivers test in my home country the first time) and failed the road test 2 times already in the US on the littlest thing.

The first time cause I accidentally didn't come to a full stop at the stop signs (I went through the sign with like 1 mile ph so that's an immediate fail) and the second time my tires were over the white line at the stop signs (I could still see the stop sign very clear through my windshield, so it wasn't that I was far over it, prob just on it or just over it) I've got my next test next month but given up hope a little of ever passing cause it's basically just nitpicking what they do here. Luckily I can drive for the next couple of months on my foreign license in PA (failing me completely defeats the purpose but okay, I understand they have certain rules they have to go by)  

[jakejon 1,196]

On 2/3/2019 at 6:53 AM, C90 said:

Idk if you're a dumbster (cause then I would be) I've had my foreign license for over 9 years (passed my drivers test in my home country the first time) and failed the road test 2 times already in the US on the littlest thing.

The first time cause I accidentally didn't come to a full stop at the stop signs (I went through the sign with like 1 mile ph so that's an immediate fail) and the second time my tires were over the white line at the stop signs (I could still see the stop sign very clear through my windshield, so it wasn't that I was far over it, prob just on it or just over it) I've got my next test next month but given up hope a little of ever passing cause it's basically just nitpicking what they do here. Luckily I can drive for the next couple of months on my foreign license in PA (failing me completely defeats the purpose but okay, I understand they have certain rules they have to go by)  

Yeah i guess!! I only assume that they are more critical here maybe because the test is so short. Good luck for next month! I have mine booked for next month too 

[jakejon 1,196]

Passed drive test 1st go!!!  

[Wuozopo 4,285]

1 minute ago, jakejon said:

Passed drive test 1st go!!!  

Well done. I guess you remembered to fully stop at stop signs and not cross over the white line.😂

[jakejon 1,196]

13 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

Well done. I guess you remembered to fully stop at stop signs and not cross over the white line.😂

Oh I made my mirror and blind spot checks as dramatic as I could!!  

[Wuozopo 4,285]

11 minutes ago, jakejon said:

Oh I made my mirror and blind spot checks as dramatic as I could!!  

Did you have to parallel park?  At a DMV where I had to go to change my address, the wait was endless. They had glass walls looking out over the car park where they tested parallel parking. Unbelievably funny!  Teens learn in drivers training classes, but these were mostly adults with no clue how to even attempt it. Of course you could go a lifetime here in Texas and never have to parallel park. 

[jakejon 1,196]

On 2/9/2019 at 8:34 AM, Wuozopo said:

Did you have to parallel park?  At a DMV where I had to go to change my address, the wait was endless. They had glass walls looking out over the car park where they tested parallel parking. Unbelievably funny!  Teens learn in drivers training classes, but these were mostly adults with no clue how to even attempt it. Of course you could go a lifetime here in Texas and never have to parallel park. 

Yeah I had to do it last on the test. I actually booked for March 9th to do it and I had a sudden urge to want to do it earlier. I was like if I fail, at least I know what I have to work on. Oh, I felt like the oldest person waiting for a drive test. I always try and avoid parallel park-bad memories in the UK of holding up traffic in a one way street cause I sucked at it LOL! Interestingly, I have yet to have a bad experience at the DMV. Calling them is the worst part and massive eye rolls at that! It's like they aren't trained or just don't understand immigration that much. 

[Just Paul 4,591]

On 2/2/2019 at 5:25 AM, Paul & Marina said:

Have you thought about going to a local driving school?

This worked very well for Mary.   She drove for a week, not a full month on the international driving permit, and said she was too scared.   6 hours of class and 10 hours of driving school and she is fine on the streets and rural highways.  The lessons counted for the state road test so she didn't even have to take any tests at the DMV.  Best $500 I spent.

 

She is  still not very "comfortable" on the freeways yet but that is because of the speed and the crazy drivers out here in Arizona.

[jakejon 1,196]

3 hours ago, Paul & Mary said:

This worked very well for Mary.   She drove for a week, not a full month on the international driving permit, and said she was too scared.   6 hours of class and 10 hours of driving school and she is fine on the streets and rural highways.  The lessons counted for the state road test so she didn't even have to take any tests at the DMV.  Best $500 I spent.

 

She is  still not very "comfortable" on the freeways yet but that is because of the speed and the crazy drivers out here in Arizona.

Yeah a Driving School is great (if you can afford it) LOL! Nevadans are super quick and move without even scanning, looking in mirrors (no offence)!! 

 

I do appreciate my spouses commitment and to showing me the way to driving in the US-I think I'll treasure that in my heart. He is a very harsh instructor and demands perfection ❤️ 

Edited February 11, 2019 by jakejon

[LukeU 413]

10 hours ago, jakejon said:

Yeah a Driving School is great (if you can afford it) LOL! Nevadans are super quick and move without even scanning, looking in mirrors (no offence)!! 

 

I do appreciate my spouses commitment and to showing me the way to driving in the US-I think I'll treasure that in my heart. He is a very harsh instructor and demands perfection ❤️ 

I unfortunately had 2 options the second time I visited the US, drive, or be stuck in the hours for 12 hours 4 days straight as my fiancée was working and I had things to buy. So 5AM, ice on the roads and away we go.

 

She was an absolute tyrant while informing me on how to drive initially (generally because she has a lead foot and I was a little more cautious initially), 1 incorrect turning down the wrong side of the road (it was quiet, it's fine) and fast forward many trips and she jumps out the driving seat ASAP and lets me drive while she throws some Z's now. I'm hoping Michigan is a little more laxed with regards to UK drivers and the requirement for tests.

 

Next off the driving list is having Courtney step in to a manual during this next trip, in the driving seat...oh how the tables will turn :-P 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

4 hours ago, LukeU said:

Next off the driving list is having Courtney step in to a manual during this next trip, in the driving seat...oh how the tables will turn 😛

I threw my fiancé into UK driving on a visit. I made her drive from Heathrow to Oxford. She did fine except said we have too many markings painted on the roads at intersections that she didn't understand. 

[LukeU 413]

2 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

I threw my fiancé into UK driving on a visit. I made her drive from Heathrow to Oxford. She did fine except said we have too many markings painted on the roads at intersections that she didn't understand. 

The driving itself doesn't bother Courtney other than the speed cameras....again, lead footed. It's the manual gearbox as she's only ever driven an automatic. We're doing it this time for certain but I don't think I'll make her drive through central London (literally, across Vauxhall bridge) to get to our Airbnb....not because I'm feeling kind but because I don't want to pay to respray the car :-P 

 

I find their markings much more confusing, especially the central turning lane. That still gets me over there. 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

20 minutes ago, LukeU said:

I find their markings much more confusing, especially the central turning lane. That still gets me over there.

Around here, they call that the suicide lane. 😂 

 

My wife already knew how to drive a manual from having a little sports car years ago and it all came back to her even though she had to shift with the opposite hand. Courtney would enjoy driving on the autobahn in Germany. We did that in my car.

[LukeU 413]

Just now, Wuozopo said:

Around here, they call that the suicide lane. 😂 

 

My wife already knew how to drive a manual from having a little sports car years ago and it all came back to her even though she had to shift with the opposite hand. Courtney would enjoy driving on the autobahn in Germany. We did that in my car.

It really is! I still don't quite get the hang of it (at times I'll go up to the next turning and just come back on myself to turn into the place 😂 ) 

 

I haven't driven a manual over there for very long (maybe 10-15 minutes) but yeah changing with the opposite hand was different but it works. Oh geez, she'd never want to leave the autobahn that's for certain!