Driving in America

[jom 4]

I have never driven in the Philippines so driving here is so new to me.

Because I never had a Driver's License in the Philippines, I had to start from the very beginning. I had to take a Drug and Alcohol Course online and a Prep Course for Driving, after which I had to take an online exam to get a certification. After the online process, I went to the DMV Office in Crystal River FL, presented my certification and took another exam from their office. Luckily I passed the first time I took it ( I studied the handbook for one full day ) and now I have my learner's permit.

Beforehand, my husband started teaching me how to drive using our lawnmower It was fun. I started driving in backroads and when I got my learner's permit I was already comfortable driving ( without so much traffic of course ) .

My husband is a very patient teacher. Now, I am better in controlling the car ( driving it in the middle of the lane ) and working with changing lanes. His work involves a lot of travels and because he doesn't want to leave me in the house , he drives instead of taking the plane. Now, we take turns in driving. I drive in the higways with 65mph speed limit and he does the expressway. He is also slowly introducing me to heavy traffic. I drove today in heavy traffic in Enterprise, Alabama and I felt good that I was able to do it.

I get nervous when I'm facing an incoming traffic of semis and I intend to drive at the right side of the lane but I am doing better. Im conquering my fears and I have my husband to thank for.

I love driving and after a month I will go back to the same DMV office for the actual driving test so I can get my permanent Class E Driver's License.

Just sharing my experience.

Myla

[ED*Riza 0]

Hello Myla,

I am doing the same here too except that i enrolled in a real classroom for 30 hours with 15-17 yrs old kids. It was really funny for me that I was the only one that has just hours experience in driving after I got my permit. So basically I was very attentive in class and the oldest as well.

I am also in the process of conquering my fears esp when someone is following me and in a no passing zone. I tend to move faster. My husband is not so patient ans he is scared if im driving since I crashed the car before . But he said I am doing better each time though. Hopefully I can have my driving test soon so I could have a job also. God bless ..

Riza

[Lil Miss Sunshine 14]

i actually just got my DL today. but before i took the test, i was nervous as hell. although i've been driving back in the phils for 4 years, it is still a nerve wracking experience. driving in the phils is so different from driving here in the US. traffic signs/rules & regulations are taken as mere suggestions in the philippines. here, they are strictly enforced.

riza, i understand your fear when somebody's following you. just stick to the speed limit. if they are such in a hurry, let them pass you.

i'm actually curious about the learner's permit.. what exactly is it?

[ED*Riza 0]

i actually just got my DL today. but before i took the test, i was nervous as hell. although i've been driving back in the phils for 4 years, it is still a nerve wracking experience. driving in the phils is so different from driving here in the US. traffic signs/rules & regulations are taken as mere suggestions in the philippines. here, they are strictly enforced.

riza, i understand your fear when somebody's following you. just stick to the speed limit. if they are such in a hurry, let them pass you.

i'm actually curious about the learner's permit.. what exactly is it?

Thanks IsPIKIKAY!

Leaner's permit is given after you pass the written test and is valid for a year here . This allows me to drive with at least 21 year old with a driver's license. Hopefully I will take a road test after a series of practice.

Riza

[island_princess 2]

Hello Ladies,

I have been here in the US for 8 mos. now, but I still do'nt know jhow to drive. My husband attempted to teach me, but he gave up. Teaching is not really his thing. My problem is making the 90-degree turns. I usually end up in the other lane. The worst thing is, I get nervous when I hit the road, even if there is no traffic.

[ED*Riza 0]

Hello Ladies,

I have been here in the US for 8 mos. now, but I still do'nt know jhow to drive. My husband attempted to teach me, but he gave up. Teaching is not really his thing. My problem is making the 90-degree turns. I usually end up in the other lane. The worst thing is, I get nervous when I hit the road, even if there is no traffic.

Island_Princess,

It is really different if it is your husband to teach you.. just like my husband when he was teaching I felt so upset when he raised his voice even if he did not mean it. So we decided that I have to go to driving class and it really had helped me. They have technique when and how to do the turns. It cost a lot though but after my crash my husband felt so scared to let me drive that is why i had the class for a week and 6 hours behind the wheel with a teacher..

Riza

[Lil Miss Sunshine 14]

Hello Ladies,

I have been here in the US for 8 mos. now, but I still do'nt know jhow to drive. My husband attempted to teach me, but he gave up. Teaching is not really his thing. My problem is making the 90-degree turns. I usually end up in the other lane. The worst thing is, I get nervous when I hit the road, even if there is no traffic.

the first time i got my car in the phils and started driving it, i was very nervous. it's just normal. since i had a job that requires me to drive most of the time, i was able to overcome that nervousness. key is to practice, practice, practice! plus before i start driving in the morning, i send a little prayer everyday that i don't cause harm to myself or to others

good luck!

[cherry23 0]

My husband taught me too and same thing.... I was so upset when he raised his voice and treated me as one of his guys in military. But in the end, I thanked him because he was the best teacher.... I was so nervous the first time I drove in interstate with my learner's permit because cars hit 80mph, but I get used to it. I got my DL last March.

[mikeandlani 0]

hi girls, i got my DL yesterday, on my 4th attempt to apply for one. my first 3 trips, its either the lines are far too long, or i am missing my proof of residency. yesterday i got all my requirement together and finally got to take the 3 part tests. good thing i passed it first time around, although i've been used to driving in Manila, i agree with IsPiKiKaY that driving here in the US is different. i've been driving in the Philippines since 1996, and have been totally enjoying driving since then, but believe me i was quite nervous first time i took the wheels here. i guess its because of the faster speed and the wider roads that make it seem quite daunting.

practice is really the key, so don't worry too much, soon enough, highway and interstate driving wouldn't matter as much....next we know, we'd end up saying...i feel the need for speed!

[sj5 4]

hi girls, i got my DL yesterday, on my 4th attempt to apply for one. my first 3 trips, its either the lines are far too long, or i am missing my proof of residency. yesterday i got all my requirement together and finally got to take the 3 part tests. good thing i passed it first time around, although i've been used to driving in Manila, i agree with IsPiKiKaY that driving here in the US is different. i've been driving in the Philippines since 1996, and have been totally enjoying driving since then, but believe me i was quite nervous first time i took the wheels here. i guess its because of the faster speed and the wider roads that make it seem quite daunting.

practice is really the key, so don't worry too much, soon enough, highway and interstate driving wouldn't matter as much....next we know, we'd end up saying...i feel the need for speed! that's right.. i've never think i can do 85 to 95mph

you're definitely right. i drove in Philippines but here in USA its different. i upset my husband when i ignore him. i stay on my lane if i'm not sure what he's saying )

Edited May 9, 2008 by SJ

[ED*Riza 0]

Everyday my husband let me drive after his work just to give me confidence.. He said that I am improving and not gripping the stirring wheel so much now. After each driving I asked my hubby how was my performance and he rated me and he rated also his nervousness. My poor baby It has really helped me and I hope that i will pass my driving test this end of may.

[David-and-Mae 15]

I really wanted to learn how to drive even when I was still in the Philippines. When I first came here, my husband made me practice driving using our riding mower (just like sis Myla). When he thought my mowing has improved, we started the real driving. The problem was, the car that I was practicing on is a brand new car with only 1800 miles on its mileage so imagine the nervousness when I first tried it. I remember, my first few lessons with my husband were not so bad since we only practiced in a big school parking lot. But when he took me to the real road (it's a country road so not too many cars), I got him so upset and we both gave up. We both realized that he cannot teach me because he tends to get so uptight and nervous, hence, making me nervous too. My husband is a retired State Trooper. That's right, a state trooper that's why he's kind of strict with me. Since it's not gonna work for both of us to be in the same car - he as a teacher and me as the student - we've decided to find somebody else to teach me. His friend volunteered and really taught me all the basics of driving. When his friend told him that I'm ready for a ride with him again, we did. It was a mess - him yelling, me nervous-wreck - and I almost got us killed. So I practiced more and more, once a week and my driving has improved dramatically. Just last week, we went on a vacation trip to Nebraska (my husband's hometown) and he made me drive everyday (using his precious SUV - ). We even went to farm roads and practice backing and even smoother driving. Now, we both can say that I am so much better behind the wheels. The farthest driving I have done so far is 100 miles in a 60mph interstate and my husband was so proud of me when I made it through. And then yesterday, I drove again from his doctor's appointment. I felt so proud of myself that I don't get too much nervous anymore having him on the passenger's seat. Unlike before, the moment he said "we'll go driving" my body trembles and my knees and hands would shake so badly that I cannot control the car at all. Now, it's a lot different. I used to get nervous making sharp curvy turns but not anymore. My confidence builds up each time I drive. I still have to learn parallel parking and back parking and then after that, I will be taking the actual driving test (probably this summer). It's true that once you are enjoying it, you'll become a better driver each time you're on the road.

My husband said, driving requires a lot of skills. I say I still have a long way to go to learn everything. But we'll get there.

--Mae