Learning to Drive- USA

I really have to nail driving this time around and was planning to look for driving schools, does anyone have any tips.

I know most of you guys learn much younger and have classes sometimes at school, but I presume some people go to driving schools later in life?

Any advice appreciated- thank you

(yes, I'll be the turn-right-only lady

every US state handles driving tests/licences differnent.  Which state are living in now?

Every mid-to-large size city will have a private driving school of some kind, usually several.  If you know what state you'll be in, go to their Department of Motor Vehicles/Department of Transportation website and you can find all the basic info for what you'll need to do before you can get in a car.  For example, some states require you get a provisional license, some do not (I'm assuming you are over the age of 18 ).

In terms of what to look for in a driving school, treat it like any other service.  As long as it's affordable and they offer what you need, it should be fine.  I used one when I first got my license, and I think I went out 2-3 times with the instructor before I'd met the minimum driving practice time requirement before I could take the practical exam.

I hope that helped a bit!

My mom taught me how to drive! 

Try Sears.  Sears department stores are all over the country and they have their own private driver training classes, I see the cars with the little signs on them all the time.

   How fun and exciting!!!  Drivin' in the USA!!  Woo hoo!!

~Liza

I really don't have any advice, but I have a funny story.

I had driving lessons in high school my senior year. The gym teachers were the instructors (why? Who knows.) Anyway, there was this teacher that everyone LOVED called Mr. Warmerdam. He was super laid back, great big tall guy - the basketball coach. Anyway, one day we were out and he had us pull over at a little grocery store (Piggy Market, just to add to the story) but he only had a little change on him. So he went in and litterally bought himself a handful of nuts from the bulk foods. Then he spent the rest of the drive in the back seat (quite a no-no, I should expect, but he was SO laid back it's not even funny.) I'll never forget old Warmerdam....

Oh, but Sheril, as an adult I would probably insist on finding a woman instructor if at all possible. IMHO, it would make things less stressful for you. I'm planning on finding a woman to teach me over here, if I ever actually get around to it, that is!

My mom taught me how to drive! 

Yeah, we started out with my dad teaching me.  It quickly became apparent that if I wanted to live to see 17 we would have to find someone else to do it.  I don't think the two of us ever screamed at each other in frustration more than that day!

Plus, the only car we had was a manual transmission and I could NOT get my coordination together to use it.  I actually couldn't drive a stickshift until college.

Plus, the only car we had was a manual transmission and I could NOT get my coordination together to use it.  I actually couldn't drive a stickshift until college.

I still can't. 

Manual/stick shift - not a problem.

Parallel parking, however. 

Parallel parking, however. 

I'm the world's best parallel parker.... I lived on top of a hill in SF where most apartment blocks had no parking provided. It could easily take upwards of an hour to find a space at peak times (everyone thinks I'm exagerating, but I'm not. The record was 2 hours of looking non-stop.) I developed the ability to park in ANY space, no matter how small and no matter how steep the street. 

Thank you for all the replies

Liza- A friend e-mailed me the Sears link for CT (thank you for the recommendation), so I am thinking of going with them.

Anne, I totally take on board what you said about a woman, I don't mind being called a stupid english chick for not driving by a woman so much as a guy   And as for your little piggy that went to market-  LOL!

And oh, Peedal- my husband tried, bless his heart he tried, but he got too frustrated with me because I wasn't confident enough in him, wow, we nearly killed each other those few times To be fair he had only just passed recently himself, but this time he has to re-sit his own test and we just can't do it to each other!

I have a very patient girlfriend who has offered, but- I'd like to keep her that way 

I had driving lessons in high school my senior year. The gym teachers were the instructors (why? Who knows.)

LOL!! We had the same deal! Coach Hamner taught me how to drive! Just like your Mr. Warmerdam, Coach H was pretty relaxed. Most of the time, he'd have us drive to Dairy Queen for ice cream!

New-Dawn, another resource is a local high school. Often the driver's ed teachers there give private lessons on the side or have a private company outside of school hours and can be quite inexpensive. Good luck!

The gym teachers were the instructors (why? Who knows.)

Our gym teachers not only taught driver education, but health as well.  You haven't lived until you've had a crew-cutted 50-year-old football coach explaining the menstrual cycle to a class of snickering tenth graders.

Our gym teachers not only taught driver education, but health as well.  You haven't lived until you've had a crew-cutted 50-year-old football coach explaining the menstrual cycle to a class of snickering tenth graders.

Too funny, FunGirl! At least we had the female gym teacher of questionable sexuality.

Oh, sorry, New-Dawn! Best of luck with the driving! Everyone else has given you great advice about where to find a good instructor. You'll nail it.