Driving
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
Driving
My parents made me take a driver education class a couple weeks ago, and now I am ready for the driving portion. We go out in the car 6 times for an hour each and my first lesson is Thursday. I am kinda nervous about the whole driving thing, and when I go and practice, I do ok, but just get shaky when I am in the car and 20 MPH is fast enough for me!! Can you guys give me some encouragement or some way to not be SOOOOO nervous when I go for my first lesson. Thanks a bunch!
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,237
Likes: 3
From: Belleville, Ontario
What you need is more time behind the wheel. Get one of your parents to take you out, even if it's to a parking lot to practice parking (very low risk factor for accidents).
Dig into your pocket for gas money if you have to. Just get the time in.
AL.
Dig into your pocket for gas money if you have to. Just get the time in.
AL.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,005
Likes: 1
From: Cincinnati, Ohio
I remember my first time on the road - I was with my dad and we were driving from a Church down the road from our house to the driveway. I felt like I was FLYING!!! Looked at the speedometer and it read 25 mph.
With practice you will do fine, all too soon 25 mph seemed slow to me.
Dave / Believer45
With practice you will do fine, all too soon 25 mph seemed slow to me.
Dave / Believer45
Last edited by believer45; Aug 15, 2004 at 06:17 PM.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 544
Likes: 0
get to a big parking lot and drive around a building backwards. do this often. remember these two rules of the road:
1: do not assume that the person next to you, behind you, etc., knows what they are doing.
2. you stay in your lane and i'll stay in mine!
the people who cause the most accidents(sometimes they are not even involved) are the ones who are indecisive and confused about the rules.
always pay attention and on your driving exam, turn your head alot, dont just use your eyes, use your neck, they grade heavy on this point.
1: do not assume that the person next to you, behind you, etc., knows what they are doing.
2. you stay in your lane and i'll stay in mine!
the people who cause the most accidents(sometimes they are not even involved) are the ones who are indecisive and confused about the rules.
always pay attention and on your driving exam, turn your head alot, dont just use your eyes, use your neck, they grade heavy on this point.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
i was never nervous driving, but thats because my father as been letting my drive since i was 8 years old in one way or another. not on the major roads or nothing im talking backroads while we were camping and such. also i had lots of practice on riding lawnmowers....dont laugh it helps when your younger in getting to know how to control a moving "vehicle" lol
Signed,
The Don
Signed,
The Don
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
Find some old dirt roads and have at it. Those are the best places to learn and hone on skills. They are also the best places to learn corrective manuevers due to the sparse traffic. I can remember driving on many a dirt roads with my Dad.
***** On the Road *****
- Take it easy for a while until you build your own confidence.
- If it's an automatic, only use your right foot (gas or brakes not both)
- If it's a manual don't ride the clutch
- Use the clutch when approaching a stop (dont coast in Nuetral)
***** For the TEST *****
- Turn your head when checking mirrors and blind spots (don't just glance)
- Check your mirrors and blindspots, signal, check again, manuever
- Wait at least 3 seconds at any stop.
- Keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
- Most important thing is to relax, don't get yourself worked up or you will make simple mistakes.
Don't worry you'll do fine.
***** On the Road *****
- Take it easy for a while until you build your own confidence.
- If it's an automatic, only use your right foot (gas or brakes not both)
- If it's a manual don't ride the clutch
- Use the clutch when approaching a stop (dont coast in Nuetral)
***** For the TEST *****
- Turn your head when checking mirrors and blind spots (don't just glance)
- Check your mirrors and blindspots, signal, check again, manuever
- Wait at least 3 seconds at any stop.
- Keep both hands on the wheel at all times.
- Most important thing is to relax, don't get yourself worked up or you will make simple mistakes.
Don't worry you'll do fine.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
Originally Posted by Bronco2Nic
The first time I drove "legally", I felt like I was going so slow, then I looked down and saw I was going 70 km/h, in a 50 zone.
Ranger Rules, I don't know if there is much you can do. When I took my roads test I was nervous as anything. You will do much better than you think. Good luck!
-Matt
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Woodbridge
Learning vehicle handling on a lawn tractor is actually a pretty good idea. When I was 14-16 years old I used a ratted out 12 hp model to mow a 4 acre plot that was surrounded by seven more acres of dips, hills, trees, and ruts. After mowing, my partner and I would take turns driving that tractor EVERYWHERE on the lot. I learned a large amount of offroad driving skills from that mower! I learned where the corners of the vehicle were, how much traction the vehicle had, and plenty of safety lessons! I also learned to pay attention to my surroundings and that just because you think a vehicle will respond one way doesn't mean that it won't respond differently, so always be prepared for the unexpected!