Learning to Drive! (I now have a license!)

[salikriaz]

Thanks everybody. To clarify, the only part of driving stick I'm having trouble with is starting up a hill (happens a lot here). I am grateful that I don't have to take a hard driving test like some of you in other states or other countries. I admit that I have it really easy there.

Don't overly think about it. Just do it. If you stall you stall. And keep practicing. I used to suck and then one day my feet just knew what to do... no more nerves and butterflys in my stomach

Oh and my method is my first two toes on the brake and the rest on the gas (half and half on each pedal). Modulate both as necissary

Good Luck 👍

 

[Bopop4]

If you are using the handbrake method for hill starting it is easy.
Just use the clutch and gas while easing off of the handbrake and you'll be golden.
It's a bit harder to do it the "American Way".
As you are going to from the brake to the gas, let off of the clutch slightly so that you don't roll backwards. You have to be quick as you go to the gas and it will take a bit of practice to be able to go fast with one foot, slow with the other, and then slowing your right foot down again. Like those weird rock band drum parts...

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I had my first session with the driver's ed program (in a Ford Fusion ). It went pretty well, but I didn't like the instructor much. Every time an obstacle appeared, she would reach across and try to grab the wheel. I thought I was supposed to be the one driving! Also, when practicing parallel parking, she would change gears for me, which really bugged me, but I never said anything. Finally, she had a brake pedal (I think) on her side of the car, which I never noticed until the end. Its existence irked me a bit because it means I don't know how much brake I should apply when stopping so that I will stop behind the white line.
It took more to get used to the auto than I thought, actually. I was really annoyed at the lack of engine braking, and the fact that the transmission had to think for a second before changing down. I suppose most are like that, though.
The car itself seemed unimpressive at best. It was quite small inside and the controls were extremely unintuitive. There wasn't much room for my feet, so they weren't completely on the pedals.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I drove again this morning with the school instructor. She seemed much more relaxed this time and didn't grab the wheel nearly as much, and I was more used to it when she did. I'm starting to feel pretty relaxed at the wheel, but I haven't driven the Fit (a manual) for a while, so I need to do that.

 

[Bopop4]

Do NOT let her shift gears or brake for you. If she doesn't listen then ask for a new instructor. You have to learn these things without somebody doing it for you. Grabbing the steering wheel during parking is ok if you are really off but it should be YOU who is driving the car. I had to change instructors because I didn't get along with this 🤬 and once I switched it was fine.
And yeah, it's annoying when the transmission has to kick down.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Do NOT let her shift gears or brake for you. If she doesn't listen then ask for a new instructor. You have to learn these things without somebody doing it for you. Grabbing the steering wheel during parking is ok if you are really off but it should be YOU who is driving the car. I had to change instructors because I didn't get along with this 🤬 and once I switched it was fine.
And yeah, it's annoying when the transmission has to kick down.

Thanks, fortunately, she was much better this time, though I'm sure she might do something for me if we had tried to parallel park again.
Interestingly, today I wanted the transmission to kick down, but wasn't sure how to get it to do so while maintaining 25 MPH. It would be interesting to hear how GTPers manipulate autos.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Well, I went driving with my mum today, and I finally feel like a capable driver with a stick shift. I'm probably going to take the test in the first two weeks of June. The test is on an Automatic car, so it shouldn't be very hard, though I don't want to be overconfident.

 

[McLaren]

50 hours will make you a safe driver. 130 hours will make you a good driver and 250 hours will make you an experienced driver.
But also alot depends on the circumstances you drive, undulation, street width, visibility etc.

No, it will not. No one under the age of 20 is anywhere close to an experienced driver outside those who may actually make a legitimate career out of driving a car & those people were more than likely driving a smaller vehicle of some sort long before they were eligible for a license.

 

[oopssorryy]

Or drove to school then work everyday the day the got their licence. If you can do this and not wreck your first car I would say you're good if you het to 19

 

[McLaren]

Or drove to school then work everyday the day the got their licence. If you can do this and not wreck your first car I would say you're good if you het to 19

There's more to being a good driver, let alone an experienced one, than just driving the same route every day.

 

[DriftingDonuts]

I'm currently 16, almost 17 in 1 month.
I've held my permit for about 4 months now, driving basically almost everyday.

My first experience with my first driving instructor was really awesome.
He was really surprised with my driving and always kept asking if I ever drove before, and I said no. He was like really? With a shock on his face.
I guess I have the natural ability to drive a car, because he always says I drive the car very smoothly.
Heck, on the last day of my testing with him, he brought an friend with him, to show how awesome my driving was. I was really proud .

Also a tip is just ignore the nervousness, and drive like your driving with your dad/mom.

Hopefully when I start learning to drive a manual, the process will be easier for me, because I already have the feeling in my feet of how it works, naturally.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I'm currently 16, almost 17 in 1 month.
I've held my permit for about 4 months now, driving basically almost everyday.

My first experience with my first driving instructor was really awesome.
He was really surprised with my driving and always kept asking if I ever drove before, and I said no. He was like really? With a shock on his face.
I guess I have the natural ability to drive a car, because he always says I drive the car very smoothly.
Heck, on the last day of my testing with him, he brought an friend with him, to show how awesome my driving was. I was really proud .

Also a tip is just ignore the nervousness, and drive like your driving with your dad/mom.

Hopefully when I start learning to drive a manual, the process will be easier for me, because I already have the feeling in my feet of how it works, naturally.

Wow, that's impressive. Maybe you should consider some type of racing driving, if you have an innate talent for driving.

@McLaren and everybody else in the experience debate: How would you recommend I get good experience so that I will become a safe drivier. I can drive now, but I'm only so-so and I want to be a safe, experienced, and capable driver.

 

[sumbrownkid]

My instructor was a douche.

Made sure to flip him off after I got my license.

 

[Sureboss]

Wow, that's impressive. Maybe you should consider some type of racing driving, if you have an innate talent for driving.

@McLaren and everybody else in the experience debate: How would you recommend I get good experience so that I will become a safe drivier. I can drive now, but I'm only so-so and I want to be a safe, experienced, and capable driver.

Just drive. Put yourself in different circumstances. City driving, rush hour, motorway/highway, etc. There are various techniques you'll learn, I can only suggest just listening to those who know and are more experienced than you, there's a couple I've picked up from Famine that I like and make sense to me. Remember, there are always people out there who know more than you, so keep your ears open.

Can't say much about the learning to drive bit, as it'll no doubt be different in the YooEss to over here.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Just drive. Put yourself in different circumstances. City driving, rush hour, motorway/highway, etc. There are various techniques you'll learn, I can only suggest just listening to those who know and are more experienced than you, there's a couple I've picked up from Famine that I like and make sense to me. Remember, there are always people out there who know more than you, so keep your ears open.

Can't say much about the learning to drive bit, as it'll no doubt be different in the YooEss to over here.

I'll do that, thanks.

My instructor was a douche.

Made sure to flip him off after I got my license.

I bet he liked that My instructor was nice, just a bit nervous. My dad, though...

 

[sumbrownkid]

I'll do that, thanks.


I bet he liked that My instructor was nice, just a bit nervous. My dad, though...

Yeah he was real jerk. My test car was my mom's 2002 Nissan Pathfinder (excellent truck all around).

It's torque and power made it slippery on the wet, and my test happened during the rain. I accidently pressed the accelerator a little too much and spun the wheels. He ended up chewing me out on it.

I replied it's got a lot of power sherlock. He stayed quiet after that.

 

[McLaren]

Wow, that's impressive. Maybe you should consider some type of racing driving, if you have an innate talent for driving.

@McLaren and everybody else in the experience debate: How would you recommend I get good experience so that I will become a safe drivier. I can drive now, but I'm only so-so and I want to be a safe, experienced, and capable driver.

Well, as Sureboss said, you just have to drive through different scenarios. I will say you can be a safer driver right now by watching your mirrors & trying to keep a watchful eye on cars near you. Anticipate what they may do & be prepared to react.

For example, on the highway, if you're in the left lane doing 70mph & in the middle lane a few yards up is a guy doing 60mph. You check your mirror and see a guy coming up fast at least 80+mph in the middle lane. If you notice in the right lane that there is another car going 60-65mph, you might want to anticipate that he will try to close the gap & cut into your lane in front of you to get by the guy going 60mph.

Just a lot of situations driver's ed in the US doesn't prepare new drivers for.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I replied it's got a lot of power sherlock. He stayed quiet after that.

Nice 👍

For example, on the highway, if you're in the left lane doing 70mph & in the middle lane a few yards up is a guy doing 60mph. You check your mirror and see a guy coming up fast at least 80+mph in the middle lane. If you notice in the right lane that there is another car going 60-65mph, you might want to anticipate that he will try to close the gap & cut into your lane in front of you to get by the guy going 60mph.

Just a lot of situations driver's ed in the US doesn't prepare new drivers for.

The only thing my drivers' ed class taught me was how to deal with a teacher that you're smarter than.

 

[Slash]

I replied it's got a lot of power sherlock. He stayed quiet after that.

My mom took the test in my dad's truck, and she said they failed her because you had to really be easy on the gas because of all the power, and with a tiny little bit of gas you are really moving, so they failed her for spinning the tires HARD. Thats the way it used to be anyways. Not as big of an engine now.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

I'm taking the test at 5:30 today, wish me luck.

 

[Bopop4]

Good luck, the test should be easy. You'll be fine. 👍

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Good luck, the test should be easy. You'll be fine. 👍

Thanks, apparently the instructor passes everybody so I'm not too nervous.

 

[Bopop4]

Just don't crash or run a red.

 

[Joel]

You can turn left on a red, and make sure to double park at the end of the test. Bring a big mac and fries with you and eat that while you do the test to show you can multitask.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

You can turn left on a red, and make sure to double park at the end of the test. Bring a big mac and fries with you and eat that while you do the test to show you can multitask.

Of course!

 

[Bottoz]

... It's torque and power made it slippery on the wet, and my test happened during the rain. I accidently pressed the accelerator a little too much and spun the wheels. He ended up chewing me out on it.

I replied it's got a lot of power sherlock. He stayed quiet after that.

If you're losing traction in the rain, then you should use better throttle control. Or, take a look at your tires. The instructor is in the right. The driver that isn't doing as they are told is in the wrong.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Yay, I got it! Look out everybody, here I come.


To be honest, it wasn't that hard. Basically, it was to drive through a neighbourhood, and then to my house. Also, I had to answer a few very simple questions about the controls.

 

[gjeff12]

Yay, I got it! Look out everybody, here I come.
**REM VIDEO**

To be honest, it wasn't that hard. Basically, it was to drive through a neighbourhood, and then to my house. Also, I had to answer a few very simple questions about the controls.

Good job, does that mean you get your full license or is that another step? I got my "L" (learners) in September so I should be able to get my "N" (novice) just before school starts again. Then 2 years of max. 1 passenger.

 

[Beeblebrox237]

Good job, does that mean you get your full license or is that another step? I got my "L" (learners) in September so I should be able to get my "N" (novice) just before school starts again. Then 2 years of max. 1 passenger.

I have a junior license, so 1 passenger unless it's family. This lasts for 1 year, then I can get my senior license.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Wow, that's impressive. Maybe you should consider some type of racing driving, if you have an innate talent for driving.

@McLaren and everybody else in the experience debate: How would you recommend I get good experience so that I will become a safe drivier. I can drive now, but I'm only so-so and I want to be a safe, experienced, and capable driver.

How to gain experience? Drive everywhere. Country roads, rush hour traffic, and everywhere in between. And then when you have some experience there, take a road trip to a town you don't know the layout of, pick an address in there and go find it. Preferably find a larger town also. Then you'll be putting all of the skills you honed in your hometown to use, while also learning how to maintain your speed in traffic, and to be able to search for somewhere you have to be in an unfamiliar enviroment.

My dad had me do this back when I was on my permit a few years ago. Started real easy, moved into going all over this town, then the bigger city to our south. And after that, we had to go make a delivery to the other side of the state. He said "here's the address, and a map. Get me there." This was about 6 months into my learners permit

This is all in Florida also. Home of the kind of drivers that Darwinism says should all be gone by now!