learning to drive over here

[Donal78 0]

Hi,

I have never driven before so need to learn. Does it take long to grasp the whole driving process overhere. I have checked out some driving schools and most of them are 30 hours in the classroom with a bunch of 16 year olds and then 10 hours of actual driving. What fun!! not. Is there any driving schools that cater for older people like myself.Im 27.

Will the fact that i dont have my ssn yet affect the lenght of time it takes to learn. I just find the whole concept of driving on the highway so scarey.

[Mand 1]

I drove in Ireland so not sure about schools here...one thing I would say is, leave the highways till you've mastered the regular roads! Coming off a ramp and trying to move over 4 lanes is still a scary experience for me

Practice, practice, practice!

Can your wife give you a few lessons around your house to become used to the feel of a car?

[raymaga 25]

I'm sure there must be driving lessons for people who aren't young drivers. Just call around to some in your area and ask if they have driving lessons for people your age who aren't 16.

Good luck.

[irishgirl73 0]

I am not sure if they still do it but AAA had classes when I was learning...............I also received a discount on insurance because I took the classes. I think it may have been one night a week and every other Sat.

I think my parents were afraid to teach me

Definetly have your woman take you around.................parking lots are the best

Edited March 27, 2006 by irishgirl73

[Donal78 0]

I'm sure there must be driving lessons for people who aren't young drivers. Just call around to some in your area and ask if they have driving lessons for people your age who aren't 16.

Good luck.

Thanx will do so. Will get a few lessons from my gf before i attempt to learn to drive through a driving school. Will have to reply on the train to get into boston once i find a job.

[irishgirl73 0]

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

Edited March 27, 2006 by irishgirl73

[Jenn! 918]

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

yes, but the rotaries (roundabouts as you say) in Boston are notorious!

[Mand 1]

I've 2 uncles living in Boston, and they say that Boston drivers are crazy!! Julia had a really funny thread on Boston drivers...I'll try and see if I can find it

[brtlmj 0]

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

Roundabouts are easy, logical and efficient. Now, a four way stop with three lanes on each road is what annoys me

I probably should not laugh at it, BUT... To exit the car rental area in Dublin airport you have to go through a roundabout. Actually, more than one, but it's the first one I am talking about. Quite a few times I saw a car standing there, with a frightened tourist (presumably American) inside and a HUGE queue of cars behind him. One guy would not move for at least five minutes

Bartek

[denali_1963 0]

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

yes, but the rotaries (roundabouts as you say) in Boston are notorious!

Oh i hate rotaries. I am glad there is only one in fairbanks but i remeber mass. was the state of rotaries.

[ChristinaM 0]

Give me a roundabout over a four-way stop EVERY day of the week!

Seriously, you'll do better here having never driven at home. It takes a lots to get used to the the other side of the road, but less effort to learn on it. I think of it in the same way as I do learning a language - learning English was easy, but French and German floored me totally!

I would advise learning to drive somewhere that isn't Boston; they don't call them "Massholes" for nothing....

[TenderCat 0]

All the driving schools i called were willing to teach me, even though i was over the age required for drivers education. I went with one that cost $25 for 45 minutes.

Learning to drive here is relatively simple, and if i can do it, anyone can

Goodl luck too you

[Minfay 0]

There is a national company called "Top Driver." I believe they are affiliated with Ford Motor Company (don't quote me). You can contact them at: www.topdriver.com

I just called them for my husband. They do not have any classes for "older" people (he is 35). Only for teenagers. It costs $50.00 for four hours of classroom time to learn the Rules of the Road. It takes place in two consecutive days. They quoted me $385.00 for six hours of driving. They will come and pick you up at your house.

I'm still gonna call around just to see what else is out there. Good luck finding a place that caters to the "elderly" I would be interested in knowing if anyone finds anything like that. I don't think it's too common. Maybe that's what I should do, open a driving school for people over the age of 21

[chocolaterie 0]

Don't worry once you do it enough it'll just become like an instinct. Believe me, I absolutely hate driving. When I lived in Toronto I was very content to take the subway.

[rebeccajo 14]

If you guys can master roundabouts in Ireland-the US should be a breeze

.....I probably should not laugh at it, BUT... To exit the car rental area in Dublin airport you have to go through a roundabout. Actually, more than one, but it's the first one I am talking about. Quite a few times I saw a car standing there, with a frightened tourist (presumably American) inside and a HUGE queue of cars behind him. One guy would not move for at least five minutes

*raises hand*

Uh, that would be me....

On a serious note *ahem* I bet your insurance agent could give you the names of driving instructors. In our area there are even some private ones.