Wooohooo I'm learning to drive

luvmyparker · Apr 3, 2011

I'm jealous!

I had my learners a couple years ago, but never saw it through. I'm too scared to drive. I simply do not trust myself and I feel as long as I can't, I shouldn't drive. Due to losing some relatives in a car crash 13 years ago, I am EXTREMELY paranoid in cars and I really do not trust other people on the road.
I found myself watching the people behind me too much when I did try to drive. So not suited for a car haha.

cheshirecat · Apr 3, 2011

Originally Posted by otto

Really? My state has many requirements. You have to take and pass a written test to get a learner's permit. This test covers road signs, driving laws and driving judgement. It also asks many questions about DWI and DUI laws.

A learner's permit is good for one year. If you do not acquire your driver's license within that year you have to take the test again and get a new learner's permit.

No one is allowed to drive without at least learner's permit, and you have to be with a licensed driver age 18 or over while driving with the permit.

You have to take 6 hours of classroom instruction, prior to taking the driving test.

Then you have to take and pass the driving test.

I guess I did not express my thoughts so well. When I said "driving" I meant that the written test was only about things that were about driving as in road signs, the rules of the road and so on. There were no technical questions about the vehicle that you drove other than it needed to have working lights and brakes.

It's been so many years since I learned to drive. In the state that I lived in at that time the rule was a learner's permit was required but there was nothing that said you had to take lessons. But most kids went to a private driving school. There was no drivers Ed in High Schools like some have today.

You had to be 16 to get the permit and then could drive with a person 21 or older but not between the hours of 11 p.m and 7 a.m or out of state. There was a written test you had to take to get the permit. At 16 and a half with or without formal lessons you could take the road test to get a license.

The only advantage of formal lessons, other than the kid learning to drive properly, was it got you a discount on your auto insurance. The formal lessons had classroom time to prep for the written test, then 6 hours of driving and 6 hours of observation. Observation meaning you rode in back seat while another kid drove.

I got my first license in Massachusetts when I moved to Rhode Island and applied for a license in that state I had to take a written test and an eye test. No road test.

The written test was a surprise but I took the test without any prep and fortunately passed. (almost flunked the eye test) I also had to surrender my out of state license.

When I moved to New Hampshire there was no written test just an eye test and I did not have to surrender my RI license. (still have that but it is years out of date) All I had to do was take the eye test and give pay the fee.

I don't know what the rules are for new drivers since because I have not had a need to know. The only things I do know for sure is in NH drivers 75 and older have to take a road test renew their license.

Winchester · Apr 4, 2011

Congratulations! You'll do fine!

kailie · Apr 4, 2011

How awesome hun, good luck!

I really need to do the same soon. Dana tried to teach me a few times, but the car is a standard, and I would just panic.

I really don't NEED to learn, but it would be convenient.

otto · Apr 4, 2011

Originally Posted by CheshireCat

I guess I did not express my thoughts so well. When I said "driving" I meant that the written test was only about things that were about driving as in road signs, the rules of the road and so on. There were no technical questions about the vehicle that you drove other than it needed to have working lights and brakes.

It's been so many years since I learned to drive. In the state that I lived in at that time the rule was a learner's permit was required but there was nothing that said you had to take lessons. But most kids went to a private driving school. There was no drivers Ed in High Schools like some have today.

You had to be 16 to get the permit and then could drive with a person 21 or older but not between the hours of 11 p.m and 7 a.m or out of state. There was a written test you had to take to get the permit. At 16 and a half with or without formal lessons you could take the road test to get a license.

The only advantage of formal lessons, other than the kid learning to drive properly, was it got you a discount on your auto insurance. The formal lessons had classroom time to prep for the written test, then 6 hours of driving and 6 hours of observation. Observation meaning you rode in back seat while another kid drove.

I got my first license in Massachusetts when I moved to Rhode Island and applied for a license in that state I had to take a written test and an eye test. No road test.

The written test was a surprise but I took the test without any prep and fortunately passed. (almost flunked the eye test) I also had to surrender my out of state license.

When I moved to New Hampshire there was no written test just an eye test and I did not have to surrender my RI license. (still have that but it is years out of date) All I had to do was take the eye test and give pay the fee.

I don't know what the rules are for new drivers since because I have not had a need to know. The only things I do know for sure is in NH drivers 75 and older have to take a road test renew their license.

Lessons aren't required here either, but I think they are in Canada, at least some parts. I have a friend in the Yukon who says the requirement includes part of the required lessons have to be during the winter months. She's almost 60 though, and every time she gets herself on the list for an approved instructor she cancels by the time her name comes up.

Some people do go all their lives without driving. I thought I was going to be one of them, but a miracle happened when I was 35, I bought a car, got behind the wheel and taught myself to drive it. Of course, that was illegal in my state,(driving without a licensed driver) but my (ex) husband had no desire for me to learn to drive so refused to participate in my emancipation.

Ruthyb, keep us posted on how it's going, okay?

ruthyb · Apr 4, 2011

Woohooooo

Its tomorrow, my first lesson, I am so excited

but also very, very nervous, what if I crash

x

darkmavis · Apr 4, 2011

Congrats on finally learning to drive! You'll do great, just take it easy. Very generous of your grandparents too to help you out with this.

ruthyb · Apr 5, 2011

Wow, it was fab, I was so nervous I ended up having a coughing fit

maybe because after 10 minutes of me getting in the cars she pulled up and said right get in and drive OMG, been years but it came right back to me and she was very impressed with me. I so enjoyed it and my next lesson is next thursday. My instructor is lovely and very easy to get on with. She said I have got to start practicising my theory test and get that done soon,I am actually more worried about that as there is so much to know. Better start practicing

x

momto3boys · Apr 5, 2011

I'm glad you had a good first lesson

Otto...lessons are not required in Canada...well not in NB anyways. They're offered but I didn't take any. Once you get your beginners you can sign up for Drivers Training....it's 10 classroom classes and 10 driving classes, takes 6 mths and if you pass your driving test, you are licensed.

Or you can get your beginners and wait a year without any training and go do your driving test (which is what I did but I waited 7 yrs instead)

-_aj_- · Apr 5, 2011

YEY Glad you had fun

How many questions is there now, you only had to get 30/35 when i did mine

ruthyb · Apr 5, 2011

Originally Posted by -_aj_-

YEY Glad you had fun

How many questions is there now, you only had to get 30/35 when i did mine

50 on the theory and then there is a hazard preception test aswell where you have to watch video clips and click whenever you see hazards. Its hard lol.x

-_aj_- · Apr 5, 2011

Oh I forgot about that, i thought the actually test was different to the practice tests you get for that

ldg · Apr 5, 2011

They really make you jump through a lot of hoops! But glad you had a great first day!

When/where I grew up, they had driving lessons in high school! We HAD to get our learner's permit.

My dad took me out for additional lessons. We had a stick shift, and my birthday's in February, so I learned to drive on the snow in a stick. I went ahead and got my license as soon as I turned 16, but I didn't drive for YEARS - I mean, maybe a few times - until I was in my 30s, really.

ruthyb · May 26, 2011

Hi all

a quick update haven't been on here much lately been so busy. I am doing really well with my lessons,I have got to book my theory test tomorrow and as soon as I have passed that I can book my practical test,my driving instructor reckons that if I pass first time (**fingers crossed**) I will be driving by the end of july which will be just in time for the kids summer hols so no more being stuck in the house for 6 weeks yay.x

mbjerkness · May 26, 2011

Originally Posted by Ruthyb

Hi all

a quick update haven't been on here much lately been so busy. I am doing really well with my lessons,I have got to book my theory test tomorrow and as soon as I have passed that I can book my practical test,my driving instructor reckons that if I pass first time (**fingers crossed**) I will be driving by the end of july which will be just in time for the kids summer hols so no more being stuck in the house for 6 weeks yay.x

Happy to hear it is going well. Good Luck on your test

darkmavis · May 26, 2011

That's great! Good timing, too! Best of luck on your written and road tests!!!

parsleysage · May 26, 2011

Wow - I agree, for people in my area (rural) it's the most sought-after rite of passage and NOBODY skips it. In VA you have to be 15 and a half to get a learner's, which you then hold for 9 months - and when you're 16 and 3 months you can get your license.

To get a learner's, you take two tests: driving theory (multiple choice, have to pass 90% I think), and SIGNS - 10 signs in total and you can't miss any or you have to retake the test in like two weeks.

After your learner's, you take Driver's Ed in school which is taught during a health period and it's basically rules of the road type stuff. The last thing is called "Behind the Wheel" which takes place at 6am with gym teachers, lol!! It lasts 2 weeks and you drive every morning with another kid and take turns. Then you get your license!!!!

Everybody gets theirs on THE DAY: the day you turn 15 & 6 months, and the day you turn 16 & 3 months. It's a huge deal.

Ruthyb, congratulations!!!!! It's a freeing feeling to know you can go wherever you want if you choose. Good luck with your tests and lessons!

-_aj_- · Jun 12, 2011

Hows it going Ruth?

feralvr · Jun 12, 2011

Congratz Ruthy

. I can't imagine NOT driving. I just love to drive, but not too far with these gas prices

. You will love it

minka · Jun 12, 2011

I can't believe how many people here don't know how to drive/didn't learn till they were in their 30s. O__O
How did you get to the store? Go to work? Go to school?

Wooohooo I'm learning to drive

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