Learning to Drive

[SteveDallas]

Originally Posted by monster

I have taken a US (Michigan) driving test -it's the law. It was scarily easy.

When I took the North Carolina test at 20, I thought the driving part was ridiculous. I got in the car and the examiner said, "Drive to the intersection, come to a complete stop, activate your right turn signal, wait for traffic to clear, and make a right turn." Ummm... lady... this is a test, right? Wouldn't it be better if you don't remind me what I'm supposed to do?

Originally Posted by monster

Are the lessons good and you all know the theory, you just choose to express your freedom by not applying it? or is it just a way to keep the kids quiet while they get the necessary expeeriece hours to get they keys?

Oh, come on... you've lived here for a while now.. what do you think the answer is? (IMO it's all of the above, plus a generous helping of self-centered arrogance. Check out some of my commuting rants! Yes, once again, people, you are not entitled to be let through if you attempt to make a left turn out of a parking lot in the middle of the block on a 5-lane highway.)

[monster]

Originally Posted by SteveDallas

Oh, come on... you've lived here for a while now.. what do you think the answer is? (IMO it's all of the above, plus a generous helping of self-centered arrogance. Check out some of my commuting rants! Yes, once again, people, you are not entitled to be let through if you attempt to make a left turn out of a parking lot in the middle of the block on a 5-lane highway.)

The thing is I've been here long enough to not know what is cultural and what is generational. maybe it's just the same back in the UK now.... not that you get much opportunity to pass trucks as the sheer volume of traffic has turned most freeways into parking lots. perhaps i'm just reaching the old fuddy-duddy category? maybe it's time to trade my minivan in for one of those huge old boxes in which i can't see over the dashboard but that doesn't matter cause it's my goddamn right to drive over whatever i please?

[lookout123]

Ours was sophomore year of highschool. A full quarter, one class per day, all theory, no hands on. If you missed 3 days you failed. If you didn't get 80% or better on all tests, you failed. Completing the class allowed you to get a learner's permit. Then you had 16 hours of behind the wheel with an instructor and had to have an adult sign off for an additional 20 hours of driving experience.

If did all that you could get your license on your 16th birthday.

[glatt]

My school in Maine did not offer driver's ed. I went to a private driving school. Some classroom stuff, gore movies, and maybe 10 hours of road practice.

The test at DMV was difficult. A long written portion and the road test. I had to parallel park on the left on a one way street, which I had never practiced before. I passed the first try, but my siblings all failed on their first try.