When you all started driving, how long did you spend in certain spots before main roads like the parking lot and the neighborhood roads?
Posted by Big_Pea3882@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 60 comments
Sorry if this question isn’t allowed, but I thought since there is a lot of enthusiast in people that are just the cars in general on here maybe y’all might be able to help me out a bit
I (M21) know that I’m very late to the party when it comes to driving, but I had a really bad fear for about five years of driving and to be honest I still worried that I’m trying to just get over my fear. I have my license but only because the test in my cities and I like business park with no traffic. I’ve been driving for about 10 months and have been using my brother’s big big truck since that’s all I can really use right now while saving for a car and I still struggle with turning in our neighborhood after 10 months
I’m wondering when you all started driving how long did you all spend in like parking lots or neighborhoods before actually getting onto a city road?
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
Only drove on secondary highways for the first couple years before getting my licence then would drive on the highway and main roads all the time since they're faster/more direct most the time. If you are able to operate the car you should be driving on main roads, learn by doing, I was driving on the interstates and through major cities when we'd go to the US on my learners
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I’m able to operate it, but I still struggle with turning because every time I do it from the way that everybody’s taught me I feel like I’m turning frantically or I’m having to turn it to since I’m in a gigantic Toyota Yukon
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
What way would that be?
Check mirrors, signal, check mirrors and get over into appropriate lane, turn signal on before you start braking, brake down to 20km/h, start turning. Where exactly to begin turning is going to depend on the specific car but right turns you generally want to turn once the front wheels are beyond the curb/sidewalk and for left turns they should be roughly in line with/just behind the center line of the lane you're turning to
Also Toyota doesn't sell a vehicle called the Yukon, do you mean a GMC Yukon?
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
Sorry no I meant tundra i was thinking Yukon cause another family member
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
Ahhh, makes sense
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
What do you think though about me only 8kph with 4meters to go till turn?
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
That is pretty slow and you should build up to turning a little quicker but until youre comfortable it is what it is
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
What about like 16kph
TheCamoTrooper@reddit
Do what you are comfortable with but I would over time work on building up to being able to do about 20km/h for most turns
Blu_yello_husky@reddit
The first time I ever drove was on a gravel road. The first time I ever drove on pavement was on a backroad. Theres no use in practicing in parking lots. You dont learn how your car handles when youre going 10mph in a parking lot.
miatlogi@reddit
don't be scared to take time and use your turn signals to indicate where you are going/changing lanes/turning/etc
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I already do that but my problem is that I end up having to press on my break way too much to make a turn. I tried slowing down to probably like 10 mph so I can make a turn on this one road from a bus road And my brother told me that I should never have to slow down that much and I think he wanted me going faster but I would’ve hit a car.
abattlescar@reddit
In proper Driver's Education, they teach you to turn left at 14 mph, and right at 7 mph. Now, I think that's ridiculous, but you are doing it by the book.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
Oh, OK. Well, that makes me feel a little better.
Honestly, I think now seeing everybody’s comments, I think that my main problem is that I need to get some sort of smaller vehicle
Ok-Coyote2365@reddit
Don’t listen to your brother.
Yes, you shouldn’t be going 5mph for 500m down a main road holding up traffic, but slowing down slowly into a turn is not only safer, it puts way less stress on your brakes and will extend their life.
If your brother is slamming on his brakes going into turns, not only is that unsafe I’m guessing he also wonder why brake pads don’t last long lmao
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
It’s more like if I’m making a turn or if I’m like 10 or 15 feet away he wants me to still be going the 20 or so
Unique_Mix9060@reddit
I see, that’s ok, driving a Tundra doesn’t give much driving confidence, and honestly that confident stoping distance he have takes some time to get used to so it’s ok to slow down a little bit earlier.
Even if you are going 5mph to cover that 10-15 feet space, you will make that distance in less than 3 seconds I wouldn’t fuss over it
RepulsiveAnswer4202@reddit
Take it to a parking lot and see where your vehicles grip is. You'll be suprised at how much grip you actually have. You'll hear it when your about to lose grip. Start with a sharp turn at 10-15 mph, then bump to 20, 30. Don't hit the brake, just turn the wheel. Not crank it but just a steady turn. You'll feel the front corner dive, eventually you'll find where your grip is. For a truck it's usually around 30-35 mph on a 90 degree turn depending on tires and road condition. You'll hear the tire howl before it screeches. That howl is your warning sign that your about to lose grip. When it screeches you have lost grip.
Tires talk to you, listen to em.
If your struggling with a trucks turn radius and knowing where your front bumper is then practice with some cones. Drive off the rear inner wheel, ie when going to turn a corner watch your side mirror and as soon as that inner rear wheel passes the cone, crank the wheel the rest of the way. (might need to adjust your side mirror down to see it while training). Try brushing the front bumper on a tall cone to get a feel for where that corner is.
I guess my big question is why you feel you need to slow down so much. Are you afraid of curbing the inner rear wheel? Are you afraid the front end of the truck will swing too far and hit someone? Are you afraid of the motion/momentum shifting?
abattlescar@reddit
First time I had to drive in Driver's Education, which was the first time I drove at all. I hadn't had a chance to spend time driving in a lot with my dad before then. Frankly, when I learned manual I took more time than learning to drive in the first place.
jrileyy229@reddit
How did you get your license if it aren't able to drive through your city, turn, parallel Park, etc?
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I’m able to parallel park and it’s not that like I can’t turn but whenever I do, I have to slow down a bit and my brother told me that I shouldn’t be slowing down as much as I do
CommanderKrieger@reddit
Ignore your brother. If you’re the one driving, then you are the one in control of how fast the vehicle moves, not him.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I don’t know if you could maybe help me see who is in the right or wrong in this situation but I’m gonna try to paint this out as good as I can
When I tried driving on the actual busy roads, what I did was, I was in the right lane at this intersection of lights you needed to make a right. I had to slow down a lot from a bit of a way back because we were going like 35 and then when I was starting to make my right turn, I was probably going about 10 mph with cars behind me because if I would’ve been going any faster, I would’ve probably hit a car.
How much would you slow down if he was in the same sort of situation?
Unique_Mix9060@reddit
That seems very normal, I do that too, it makes zero sense to sling the car around the corner at 35mph on a regular city street, slow down until you are comfortable to make the corner safely, there are zero rush.
For example my younger brother would take these turns faster than I do, but overall none of us would have taken a busy intersection at the speed limit of the road.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I was going and slowing down to 5mph where I was around 15 feet away from the turn so was going 5 mph with 15 feet away from the turn with cars behind me also and that’s why he got mad
CommanderKrieger@reddit
5 is a bit excessively slow in my opinion, but if you don’t have the confidence to make the corner at a higher speed then don’t. Be aware of what the drivers behind you are doing though, if they aren’t expecting you to slow down that much then they may be going too fast and not be able to stop soon enough to not hit you.
If I may ask, what vehicle is it that you’re driving? I know you mentioned it’s your brothers big truck, but depending on what exactly that means would absolutely help shed some light on how wary you are being when operating it.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
Toyota tundra it’s so fucking wide
CommanderKrieger@reddit
Tundras can be rather large for new drivers. 10 is the average for me on hard turns at intersections, and I’ve been driving for almost a decade at this point.
But the important thing is you’re comfortable and confident when you’re driving. If you don’t feel confident making a turn at 10 mph, then don’t. But also don’t be afraid to push yourself every now and then so you don’t get stuck in your progression, and can grow as a driver.
Being a confident driver takes time, and it varies based on the person. So don’t feel bad if it takes you a while. Just keep at it and you’ll get there.
Insufferable_Entity@reddit
You drive in the manner that is safe, comfortable and appropriate for you and the vehicle your driving. As long as you are safe and not causing a road hazard for others.
How much to slow for a turn is an experience based skill. Until your super comfortable with a vehicle. Do what feels safe.
I can push my empty Toyota RAV4 fast and hard through some tight freeway ramps. A smaller and better tuned car can do faster and tighter turns than my RAV. If i drove a big truck or a Uhaul for example as fast through an off ramp. It would flip or skid out. I drive like a Grandma when hauling people/stuff so it shifts (complains) less. My family doesn't appreciate how fast I can corner with them in the car.
You need more experience from the sounds of it. Yes there is always a possibility of an incident, but as long as you pay attention. You can avoid alot of problems. That said, you would probably benefit from more time behind the wheel. Experience only comes with time. If you can afford the gas. Go out for a leisurely cruise around lower traffic areas. Try cornering through an intersection a LITTLE harder sometimes to get a better feel for it. Test this in an abandoned parking lot if you are too nervous on the road to push it.
I have learned the hard way many times. The one lesson that always repeats. Patience is rarely the wrong answer when driving. Even if the guy behind you is honking. Almost every incident I have had since I got my license at 16 could have been prevented. All I had to do was wait for more space. You can always turn around if you miss a turn too.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
It’s the truck is the only thing I can drive and it’s super wide and my brother said that since there was cars behind me that I can’t go that slow for a hummturn but if I went faster it would’ve probably flipped so idk
Insufferable_Entity@reddit
It is the responsibility of the vehicles behind you not to rear end you. Drive the truck more. You will get to a point where it doesn't bother you as much.
unwilling_viewer@reddit
You say your brother drives a big big truck? Almost without fail big big trucks are shit to drive. Your brother also sounds like a bit of a dick.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
He’s not a dick and I didn’t mean to make him sound like that but he’s just telling me calmly
It’s a tundra that I’ve been driving and I barley parallel parked it during test lol
jrileyy229@reddit
Go rent an ATV for a day an putt around. That will help you build the physical relationship of what's going on in your brain. Especially in a big truck, you can't see anything underneath you.
On an ATV you can actually see the wheels/tires pivoting, see the suspension compression, you'll feel and see a lot more of what is going on under you.
Most ATV rental places will have a flat field or a big open area for beginners to learn how to ride.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
We don’t have anywhere by us where you can rent an ATV and if we do, it’s actually about an hour and a half away, which is kind of weird because we’re a pretty big city where I’m at, but we also have horrible public transit
Also, we would have to straighten up by the ATV like there’s not really rental places anywhere
jrileyy229@reddit
Straighten up by the ATV? What the heck does that mean?
1.5hr away is not far... It's not like you're doing that every day. Get in the truck with your brother, and make it a Saturday or Sunday event.
You're going to be driving for the rest of your life. You haven't gotten the hang of it in 10 months.... It seems silly to not spend one day doing something that is both fun and educational and not very expensive.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I meant we would have to like buy it right out. We can’t just rent one. I appreciate the advice but I’m just saying that would cost us almost like $1000.
jrileyy229@reddit
Most places you can rent a small beginner ATV for $100 for an hour. Not sure where you got a grand from.. I never said to buy one.
Then Go do go-karts... Same deal, same concept
CVK327@reddit
In most places, you get your permit to start driving without a road test.
jrileyy229@reddit
He or she did not say permit, they said license.
Boxer_Yu@reddit
Sometimes it can be the car and not the driver. Ever considered a smaller car to help ease your way into driving? I started with my dads truck and moms suv and they felt like gigantic bricks. When i got into my first car it definitely felt like a go-kart than theirs and getting into my current car (which is more smaller than the first car, but is MUCH more capable in handling) make that seem like a brick too.
That extra space with compact vehicles have more maneuverability that you cant demand from a truck.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I want to do a smaller car, but my mom’s afraid to let me drive hers because she has really bad anxiety like me, but also my brother says that I need to iron in his truck so then I can literally do anything and kind of tells me that if I’m not gonna learn in one because it’s troubling, I shouldn’t try another
Fishinabowl11@reddit
Probably like one very early Sunday morning in a mall parking lot with my dad and then surface streets the next couple times out, and interstates shortly after that.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
How did you feel comfortable or able to?
I can do my neighborhood ok but been struggling for months
XuWiiii@reddit
Well I started at 7 so it took a while.
Old-guy64@reddit
One day when I was 14, I asked my dad if I could back out of the driveway. I did that for a couple of months.
Then I asked if I could go on and take it to the corner of our quiet little street.
Quietly upping the distance till I got my permit.
I was on the freeway, albeit with very little traffic, for over a year before getting my license.
But my dad was always heading for the passenger seat when once I had my permit.
Take it one day, and one street at a time. Comfort only comes with time and miles.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
I have been doing it for 10mo the though and only on busy road once otherwise in my neighborhood
SailingSpark@reddit
When I got my permit, my mother picked me up from school and let me drive to a doctor's appointment I had.
That was also the one and only time a child ran out in front of the car without looking.
Rare-Bet-870@reddit
I started learning to drive when I was eight in a parking lot. However like as soon as I got my own truck i started driving everywhere
mr_lockwork@reddit
My first real drive was from Memphis to Chicago with my grandfather "mentoring" me (sleeping in the passenger seat). My family has a very "trial by fire" mentality when it comes to learning things.
rjlawrencejr@reddit
Zero. The first time my father let me take the wheel I drove on a major street in Los Angeles. I was 15.
It was a Saturday morning so traffic was lighter. But I never did the parking lot or back streets thing.
ljohnstone@reddit
My situation was rather unique in that I lived at a Boy Scout camp and I was allowed to drive the camp pickup when I was 13. When I got my learners permit, I became personal chauffeur for both of my parents, and there was no excuse, even homework, that I could use to get out of driving them all over the place. So I had a lot of experience by the time I got my license.
CVK327@reddit
Started with a few laps in the school parking lot, then did some in my neighborhood that always had very little traffic. I'd say probably day 2-3 I started going on "real" roads.
BRICH999@reddit
I turned 15.5(legal age to start learning to drive in NH) while on a cruise with my parents. On the flight back to boston, my parents got a lil drunk. They asked if I wanted to drive home. Before that I had only moved cars in the driveway.
My first time driving was moms manual bmw 3 series driving out of boston with not sober parents. But we all survived
RepulsiveAnswer4202@reddit
I went straight to public roads, my first time driving was 30 mph on a curvy country back road (15y/o). I had a knack for it so once I got my permit my mom let me drive us just about everywhere. I couldn't get enough so I was practically begging to drive any time we went somewhere. So for me I spent maybe 30 minutes driving before hitting rural highways and county roads. A few hours behind the wheel before going through small towns, and maybe a day behind the wheel before a major metro area.
I grew up In a split home so half my driving was rural country and the other half was in a large city with lots of highways. I benefitted from starting early and learning the basics in rural areas which allowed me to focus more on the traffic and roads when I started driving in the cities more. By 18 i was at a point where I was confident driving anywhere.
I learned alot through failure too, drifting back roads resulted in putting a car in the ditch, speeding tickets, a fair share of near misses, most notably jumped a 02 Ford focus on a massive country hill going about 65. Bout lost it probs would have died lol. You just gotta get out and do it. Only had one real accident.
Your not doing favors by driving a large vehicle, but it will make it much easier when you get a smaller car. Just fake the confidence till you are confident. Keep your speed down and you'll survive most accidents. Insurance exists for a reason. Don't be afraid of driving, just harness the fear and turn it into awareness. Worst case you die..
DudeWhereIsMyDuduk@reddit
Maybe after the second or third time behind the wheel.
mbrc-137@reddit
EnoughEstate7483@reddit
The day I passed the road test and became fully licensed.
Big_Pea3882@reddit (OP)
Our road test is pretty much in a parking lot but like a very complicated connected parking lot 😭
jolsiphur@reddit
You're really not that late to the party. I was in my 30s when I got my license and a car for the first time.
As for your actual question, the real answer is to spend as much time in those places as it takes for you to feel comfortable on the road. Unfortunately, that's all there is to it.
I only spent a bit of time in a parking lot until I figured out how to make a car move, turn, and how much pressure was required on the brakes or gas to get the desired speeds.
The best advice for being a safe driver is two fold: you don't have to be courteous, you should be predictable, and treat every other car on the road like they are capable of making the dumbest choices possible (because sometimes, they do).