How long did it take to learn to drive?

[N-o-l-a 7,168]

Me? 50 hours 11 years ago heheh (driver's ed)

Husband refuses to drive.

I told him i refuse to take a cab or ambulance to have a baby.

They have those medical taxis.

OP, I took mine after 20+ hours of driving a week for 2 months and about 10 instructor hours included in that. My mother used to make me drive the 16 hours from our house in downstate New York and up to Buffalo and back every week. I'm sure I could have done it in less time, but it was the minimum 6 months since I passed the written test or whatever... I think in NY then you also had to log a certain number of hours of driving in a log book. That might just be for drivers under 18, though.

I passed the road test first attempt, but with a warning about needing to turn my head all the way to the side to look at intersections. I can see just fine with my peripheral and a little tilt...but whatever.

A tip is to take the road test in the driving school car, I've heard it makes them more likely to pass you.

I found out a few months ago that the will require the Dane to get a learner's permit for a minimum period of time in CT even though he has a foreign license.

[The Mean Lady 604]

They have those medical taxis.

OP, I took mine after 20+ hours of driving a week for 2 months and about 10 instructor hours included in that. My mother used to make me drive the 16 hours from our house in downstate New York and up to Buffalo and back every week. I'm sure I could have done it in less time, but it was the minimum 6 months since I passed the written test or whatever... I think in NY then you also had to log a certain number of hours of driving in a log book. That might just be for drivers under 18, though.

I passed the road test first attempt, but with a warning about needing to turn my head all the way to the side to look at intersections. I can see just fine with my peripheral and a little tilt...but whatever.

A tip is to take the road test in the driving school car, I've heard it makes them more likely to pass you.

I found out a few months ago that the will require the Dane to get a learner's permit for a minimum period of time in CT even though he has a foreign license.

I was just glad to find out that a class is not necessary.

I WILL teach my husband how to drive and I will NOT pay someone to do it.

[Holly2234 66]

Thanks everyone, Nola, yes the 50 hours is just for under 18's so thats not a problem for me. The recording of driving hours is also for under 18's.

The 5 hour course is done (NY thing) and all i need now is to get in a car! Last night when my father in law picked me up for the 9th time in 10 days he said "If somebody doesnt teach you to drive soon im going to do it myself!" I really hope he decides to.

[gloomydog 0]

I took a cab to the written test center twice. (Chicago) First time they wouldn't give me the test because my name looked different - last name in a different place, duh. Anyways got my permit the 2nd time round.

Next I hired an instructor but told him I don't have much money, gotta finish ASAP. He says no problem, 4 hours of lessons ($50/hour) is all it takes. He provided the old Honda. I'd never even sat in the drivers seat before then, so I put one foot on each pedal. Anyways 1st lesson was the most nerve wrecking. But after that, the next 3 lessons, he made me do this circuit where we drove the *exact same route* and did the exact same maneuvers the test person made me do.

Within 2 weeks I went and took the test - had no practice other than these 4 hours, and passed because the instructor had drilled me in the exact test...

The day after I received my license, I rented a car and got into a minor accident. I definitely do not recommend 4 hours license for someone who has never driven before, but I would say 8 hours and you can get your license, then another 8 hours of driving and you will be great!

[Holly2234 66]

Thanks As soon as i can get to the bank to cash my pay check (oh the annoyance of not having a car!!) im going to book my first lesson.

[SAT 9,609]

You guys have really inspired me to try again to teach my wife how to drive...And this time, I'll try not to choke her...

[EminTX 131]

When I took driver's ed, I was 16 and had never driven whatsoever. It was am 16 day course (5 on, 2 off, 5 on, 2 off, 2 on = 12 days). We had classroom instruction for 4 hours, lunch, then 3 students to a car to drive one hour each for each of the days. Total actual driving time = 12 hours. (Not including practicing with my crazy older sister!)

When my son took driver's ed, he had already been driving for about 5 or 6 years. As soon as he was tall enough to push the clutch, I made him begin to learn (around 8 or 9 years old). He drove the church parking lot after services and at camping locations for a couple of years and then on a long distance trip where we had to rush a 12 hour emergency drive and I was super exhausted from working 3 doubles back to back, he drove from the middle of Texas up to a small town in the Panhandle. When it was time for him to take driver's ed, the class was a breeze. I can't remember exactly, but I think his in-car driving time was about the same as mine--12 hours.

This is probably so short because of the life-long familiarity with the signs and their meanings. It doesn't help that my husband has developed the habit since infancy to sleep in any moving vehicle. So far, he has had between 25 and 30 hours of driving practice behind the wheel with 3 different people and he has not left the most tranquil of neighborhoods yet. Traffic at all still freaks him out. One issue is that 2 of the vehicles he has practiced in are manual transmissions and 2 are automatics. He is doing very well with that as of now, but it was extra stressful in the beginning.

When advising or (reading advice) on here, please be aware that each state has its own sovreign laws about driving. One state may require a permit, others may not. Different ages of different drivers hav different requirements sometimes, too. Learn what is needed in YOUR state. And take the test in the smallest care you can get.

[Holly2234 66]

You guys have really inspired me to try again to teach my wife how to drive...And this time, I'll try not to choke her...

Good luck! Deep breaths!

[Holly2234 66]

When I took driver's ed, I was 16 and had never driven whatsoever. It was am 16 day course (5 on, 2 off, 5 on, 2 off, 2 on = 12 days). We had classroom instruction for 4 hours, lunch, then 3 students to a car to drive one hour each for each of the days. Total actual driving time = 12 hours. (Not including practicing with my crazy older sister!)

When my son took driver's ed, he had already been driving for about 5 or 6 years. As soon as he was tall enough to push the clutch, I made him begin to learn (around 8 or 9 years old). He drove the church parking lot after services and at camping locations for a couple of years and then on a long distance trip where we had to rush a 12 hour emergency drive and I was super exhausted from working 3 doubles back to back, he drove from the middle of Texas up to a small town in the Panhandle. When it was time for him to take driver's ed, the class was a breeze. I can't remember exactly, but I think his in-car driving time was about the same as mine--12 hours.

This is probably so short because of the life-long familiarity with the signs and their meanings. It doesn't help that my husband has developed the habit since infancy to sleep in any moving vehicle. So far, he has had between 25 and 30 hours of driving practice behind the wheel with 3 different people and he has not left the most tranquil of neighborhoods yet. Traffic at all still freaks him out. One issue is that 2 of the vehicles he has practiced in are manual transmissions and 2 are automatics. He is doing very well with that as of now, but it was extra stressful in the beginning.

When advising or (reading advice) on here, please be aware that each state has its own sovreign laws about driving. One state may require a permit, others may not. Different ages of different drivers hav different requirements sometimes, too. Learn what is needed in YOUR state. And take the test in the smallest care you can get.

Thanks for sharing. I already know what is needed in my state and ive done everything i can as of yet, its only a matter of time now!

I called up the driving school today and no answer so im guessing they dont work weekends. So i left a message and if i dont hear back, i will call again on monday to book my first lesson.

[TBoneTX 46,261]

You guys have really inspired me to try again to teach my wife how to drive...And this time, I'll try not to choke her...

Around here, it's still "I'll try not to give you a chicharron."

[SAT 9,609]

Around here, it's still "I'll try not to give you a chicharron."

Chicharon? as in the cuchi fritos fried pork? I don't get it...

<scratching head>

Edited February 3, 2013 by SteveAndTiff

[The Mean Lady 604]

Around here, it's still "I'll try not to give you a chicharron."

[AnotherLostSoul 167]

I've been teaching my wife how to drive for 3 years. Either she is retarded...or brilliant(because as long as she doesn't have a license, she gets chaffeured around by me)...

HAHAHAHA! Kudos to you! LOL

To the OP: I cannot help, I took my driver's class back in high school...I cannot recall a moment of how long it took...the written test was a breeze, and the driving test took about 15-20 minutes (I think). Oh and I graduated from high school in 2004, so almost 10 years....just so you understand why I can't remember...

[TBoneTX 46,261]

Chicharon? as in the cuchi fritos fried pork? I don't get it... <scratching head>

That's the literal meaning, as in what one would order at the butcher's shop. The other meaning is that of anything from a slap to a roundhouse haymaker in response to a real or perceived no-no.

[SAT 9,609]

That's the literal meaning, as in what one would order at the butcher's shop. The other meaning is that of anything from a slap to a roundhouse haymaker in response to a real or perceived no-no.

Ok now I get it...(but I prefer choking her lol)