Any advice would be appreciated for first DAY driving on the main road

[Suzanne]

So, with heart in mouth, hubby and I arrive at the shop that sells and hires out cars without license. The French term is: Voiture sans permis. Basically, one does not need to pass any tests to drive one. I could take the test, but not in French and too expensive in English and thus, this is the alternative.

Well, my heart jumped in excitement on seeing these cars and how they work and I know that I will be able to drive it. Just two pedals ie brake and excellerater with gear stick. D for drive. N for neutral and R for reverse. How easy is that lol

My panic and have been trying to ignore it, is driving where other cars are. Obviously, have to do it, so wonder how my aspie friends did it, the first time, they were confronted with other drivers?

I cannot fail, not an option and that frightens me so much.

 

[The Penguin]

Watch out for other drivers. There are a lot of ****** drivers out there. Also, never drive behind a slow driver. Pass them instead. I had this one car driving 30 KM below the speed limit and then 40 KM below the speed limit. Always watch for on and off ramps. Cars suppose to yield, or stop but not all do. So in short, I always think ahead and try to foresee what the driver is going to do. You will find drivers will not use their turning signals. Get prepared for this. When possible, always pass a transport truck. If you find a driver getting too close to you behind, make it easy for them to pass you. I never like anyone driving close to me.

 

[Suzanne]

Watch out for other drivers. There are a lot of ****** drivers out there. Also, never drive behind a slow driver. Pass them instead. I had this one car driving 30 KM below the speed limit and then 40 KM below the speed limit. Always watch for on and off ramps. Cars suppose to yield, or stop but not all do. So in short, I always think ahead and try to foresee what the driver is going to do. You will find drivers will not use their turning signals. Get prepared for this. When possible, always pass a transport truck. If you find a driver getting too close to you behind, make it easy for them to pass you. I never like anyone driving close to me.

Thank you Penguin, but actually ummmm I shall be the slow driver! You see, I will only be able to do a max of 40km whether I like it or not! Also, what you describe is how it is in France; terrible drivers.

What I would like to know though, is how you fared the first time, you went out there on the road? I have been a passenger for 24 year's and so appreciate the horrors on the road.

Oh and as a side note: I shall be asking you soon enough, to keep your eyes on the post

 

[The Penguin]

Thank you Penguin, but actually ummmm I shall be the slow driver! You see, I will only be able to do a max of 40km whether I like it or not! Also, what you describe is how it is in France; terrible drivers.

What I would like to know though, is how you fared the first time, you went out there on the road? I have been a passenger for 24 year's and so appreciate the horrors on the road.

Oh and as a side note: I shall be asking you soon enough, to keep your eyes on the post

My first time on the road was with a rental car. It felt weird as I didn't have my driver instructor with me. It took me 5 minutes to get motivated to get out of the parking lot. When I arrived home I got my gear for my trip. When I drove on the freeway, I was 10 KM below the speed limit. After 30 KM, I felt comfortable driving at the speed limit. After 20 more KM, I felt comfortable on the road.

When I did my drive to Cabot Trail, it was like a road test for me. Mountains, windy roads, construction, rain, snow, the works. I not sure if there mountains in your area. If so, there might be days there rain when your near sea level and when you are at the top of the mountain, the rain becomes snow. As the elevation change a lot on Cabot Trail, I keep watching weather changing from rain, to snow depending what elevation I'm on.

 

[watersprite]

Always calm yourself before going out the door to your vehicle. Take at least 1 minute to do this: remove thoughts of imminent horror, rather, clearly visualize 1. Your destination and your vehicle parked there safely, and 2. Your home and your vehicle returned and parked there safe and a successful journey.

When I drove the first time it was the opposite of where your are (I was on an empty mountain dirt-road).
When I first drove in traffic, holy moly I was concentrating and watching out for other vehicles.
Choose a time that is Not Rush Hour. If possible, practice in empty parking lots every day until you are used to every bit of your vehicle.

 

[Aspergirl4hire]

Test-drive in a deserted parking lot. Get to know the car, how it "feels," how tight a turn it can do, and how responsive wheel, accelerator, and brakes are. When I taught my son to drive, I borrowed cones from a buddy in construction and made him learn to weave in and out without knocking them down, drive backwards 100 feet in a straight line, and practice 3-point turns (turns in which you get the car to reverse direction without having enough room to do a full turn). I also made him try out "flooring" the accelerator pedal (this is why a deserted lot, or a field, is good). This showed him how "fast" car would respond.

Be patient with yourself. Wear your seat belt at all times. Let us know how it goes.

EDIT: After reading Stef and Judge, I'm a bit embarrassed to realize I missed the most important things. The safetyof EVERYONE on the road is paramount. I'll leave my post up to remind myself in future. Humbly, A4h.

 

[StephF]

A car is a lethal weapon. Personally, I find it stupid to even think any one would give either a gun or a car into the hands of an unskilled person.

 

[Judge]

If you find the expense of formally learning to drive and properly obtaining the license in English prohibitive, you might want to know exactly what the cost of insurance will be first. Basically two points:

1) What specific carrier will provide you insurance for a micro car under the terms of voiture sans permis.
2) What the actual premiums would be given you have utterly no experience as a licensed driver.

From what little I can find in English about this, that insurance is uh....predictably very expensive.

 

[Wireless]

I just wanted to say good luck!
I've had lessons, but my nerves got the better of me. However, I did enjoy driving on the empty country roads when the sun was shining. Perhaps that should be my advice - enjoy the experience as much as you can.

 

[Datura]

I am still learning to drive, but I suppose the best advice I can give you is to scan constantly. I find it is very easy to get hyper focused and block out the periphery. Make sure you are constantly scanning left and right, looking to see what is coming up well ahead, and constantly checking your mirrors and speedometer. Just glance at your instruments though, lingering on them for more than a second can get you in trouble.

One of the greatest chalenges in driving, I find, is that there is just so much information to keep track of, and it is dynamically changing all the time. For this reason it is best to minemise all destractions. Frankly, I have no idea how anyone could even begin to think talking on a cell phone or texting while driving is a good idea. Driving already demands my full attention.

An other thing (and I am not sure if this is true for you) is that I find it very difficult to gage where my car is in relation to my environment. I am fine when I am on the road, but when it comes to parking I really have no idea where my wheels are. Last time I went out driving I clipped somebody's bumper while pulling out of a parking stall and haven't had the nerve to drive since.

 

[wyverary]

I just have some sundry comments to make here:

1) It's good that you found an automatic transmission. It used to be that you could easily learn on a stick and drive it most anywhere, but the way traffic is these days, that often proves impractical and you would burn through clutches like Larry King goes through wives (just my own personal experience. With cars, I mean, not Larry King).

2) I know you've lived in France for quite a long time, but this would be a good time to at least learn some French that would help you on the road...you never know when you will need it, say, in the case of an accident, or you get pulled over. If you can't do that, have someone with you all the time who is fluent.

3) DEFINITELY practice somewhere out of the way before you put yourself on the open road! Driving can be really overwhelming at first, much like riding a bicycle...Not that it isn't occasionally overwhelming anyway, but especially when first learning, it can cause panic attacks. again, for that reason, have someone else with you in the car at all times.

Anyway...best of luck to you! I know you'll get the hang of it soon enough.

wyv

 

[NTgirl4276]

just chiming in to say congrats on this milestone and good luck! I remember you mentioning this when you commented on a thread of mine a few weeks ago

I love to drive (I often find it very relaxing, which is nuts, because I live in the Washington DC metro area where people drive like maniacs), so I don't have many tips to offer here, though I do agree with earlier suggestions to practice A LOT in deserted parking lots as much as you can, to really become comfortable with the vehicle before you get on the road, and minimize distractions (phone, music, passengers, etc.). As others have mentioned, you can't control the terrible driving behaviors of other people, so the more comfortable and prepared you are, yourself, the safer you will be.

And always, always, always wear that seatbelt! Congrats again. I wish you many safe drives

 

[Tom]

Driving gets instinctive pretty quick once your mind learns the controls (pedals and such). In a way the car becomes an extension of you, like a bike.

The more you practice (without other cars) the better you will get and the less difficult driving around other cars will be. So practice as much as you can. Big empty parking lots are great for that.

With other cars in reality you mainly only have to watch one. The car in front of you. And thats just like follow the leader and not very hard. So you aren't really distracted by all the others. You watch others when the need arises, like at intersections or if you change lanes, etc.

 

[tachyon]

I have done a bit of driving with young people who need to take a fully licensed driver with them while accruing enough hours to get their 'unrestricted' license & find a very common error is to focus just in front of the vehicle. Be conscious of keeping your gaze down the road so you have plenty of time to react to events.

 

[Tom]

I have done a bit of driving with young people who need to take a fully licensed driver with them while accruing enough hours to get their 'unrestricted' license & find a very common error is to focus just in front of the vehicle. Be conscious of keeping your gaze down the road so you have plenty of time to react to events.

Tis true. I didn't know how to express this in an uncomplicated way.

 

[Progster]

Test-drive in a deserted parking lot. Get to know the car, how it "feels," how tight a turn it can do, and how responsive wheel, accelerator, and brakes are. When I taught my son to drive, I borrowed cones from a buddy in construction and made him learn to weave in and out without knocking them down, drive backwards 100 feet in a straight line, and practice 3-point turns (turns in which you get the car to reverse direction without having enough room to do a full turn). I also made him try out "flooring" the accelerator pedal (this is why a deserted lot, or a field, is good). This showed him how "fast" car would respond.

Be patient with yourself. Wear your seat belt at all times. Let us know how it goes.

EDIT: After reading Stef and Judge, I'm a bit embarrassed to realize I missed the most important things. The safetyof EVERYONE on the road is paramount. I'll leave my post up to remind myself in future. Humbly, A4h.

I agree with this, it's good advice. It'll be much easier and safer if you get to know the car in a deserted place first,and give you confidence. Get a feel for it, how it handles and responds. Don't go out at rush hour, into the town centre or busy traffic until you've got a few hours experience under your belt.

Always check your mirrors and be aware of blind spots. Be vigilent. Always check briefly behind you over your shoulder before you pull out or change lanes. Don't let other faster, impatient drivers intimidate you. Ignore them and remember, you have just as much right to use the road as they have.

 

[Suzanne]

I did reply, but seems that it has disappeared!

Thanks so much for all your answers.

I can speak French, well enough that ones think I can speak lol I also know the signs and the road signs. I did a bit of the French highway code and been a passenger for nearly 24 years and so really appreciate the dangers. But yes, I agree, it is insane to let a novice out on the road, but they reason because these cars can only travel at 40ks, it is not dangerous and cannot drive on the motor way ( highway), which is ironic in itself because were I can drive, it is tons more dangerous; but obviously do the speed, I can't!

I am going to be taken out around the car park, to test if I can drive the car and have my husband next to me for the whole day or someone else. At first, my husband was not going to, but I said that it is insane to not, since I have never driven on the main road!

 

[Kari Suttle]

So, with heart in mouth, hubby and I arrive at the shop that sells and hires out cars without license. The French term is: Voiture sans permis. Basically, one does not need to pass any tests to drive one. I could take the test, but not in French and too expensive in English and thus, this is the alternative.

Well, my heart jumped in excitement on seeing these cars and how they work and I know that I will be able to drive it. Just two pedals ie brake and excellerater with gear stick. D for drive. N for neutral and R for reverse. How easy is that lol

My panic and have been trying to ignore it, is driving where other cars are. Obviously, have to do it, so wonder how my aspie friends did it, the first time, they were confronted with other drivers?

I cannot fail, not an option and that frightens me so much.

Idk what to say myself. I'm 23 and i've yet to learn to drive myself. Tried multiple times. For me its nerves plus too much to focus on plus difficulty judging distance. I think now that i have a goal in mind for learning to drive, that will help - i want to transfer to my old four year college, away from the online one im in now. I can't afford a dorm, and nor do i need one since i'm only a 20-30 minute drive away, so driving is my only real option. I think as long as i focus on my goal, on the reason i'm gonna try to learn to drive again, that should help. I think as long as i have control over the 'lessons' that will help - dad never sets a place or a goal, so i will. First master driving around the neighborhood and parking in front of the house, then drive around town to familiar places, etc. That sort of thing. That's all i can think of that will help me, other than perhaps talking myself through situation.

 

[Judge]

First master driving around the neighborhood and parking in front of the house, then drive around town to familiar places, etc. That sort of thing. That's all i can think of that will help me, other than perhaps talking myself through situation.

Good point. Begin not driving with traffic, but away from it. It's what my mother did, sensing how apprehensive I was about initially driving on the main streets and roads. She took me to a junior high school parking lot on a weekend...where I lost all my apprehension because there wasn't another vehicle in sight. Once I got over that initial fear, I was good to go and began on streets at slow speeds...then to the roads and learning to deal with unpredictable levels of traffic. A deliberate, gradual progression instead of being "thrown to the wolves". It certainly worked for me.

 

[watersprite]

I just stopped in to this thread because I'm curious how it is going with your driving, Suzanne?