I have driven a car now

[mb]

I say take definitely take it if it will lower your insurance rates.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
You can get a permit BEFORE you take the Driver's Ed class? That's scary if true.

Of course, how else do they expect you to practice driving to take the test at the DMV? There are restrictions on the permit, usually need a parent or someone over age 25 to accompany you when you are driving.

Drivers ed is incredibly boring/useless but you get a huge insurance break so definitely take the class.

Um, how about IN DRIVER'S ED? THAT is where you first get behind the wheel in North Carolina. You take the class, then you drive with the instructor.
THEN you can get your permit and drive with your parents.

THEN when you're 16, you can go take the written test, the driving test, and get your license.

Why is it so strange to get a permit, then be allowed to learn how to drive?

In NYS, you take the permit test at the DMV (must be 16 or older). If you get 16/20 or higher (and no more than 3 sign questions wrong), you get a permit. You are only allowed to drive with a parent or someone over 21 (driving instructor). Additionally, you may only drive between the hours of 7AM and 9PM. No driving within NYC unless the car is equipped with dual brake pedals (like a Drivers' Ed car).

You may only get your license at 17 if you take Drivers' Ed and have at least 20 hours behind the wheel with someone like a parent.

 

[CrazyLazy]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
You can get a permit BEFORE you take the Driver's Ed class? That's scary if true.

Of course, how else do they expect you to practice driving to take the test at the DMV? There are restrictions on the permit, usually need a parent or someone over age 25 to accompany you when you are driving.

Drivers ed is incredibly boring/useless but you get a huge insurance break so definitely take the class.

Um, how about IN DRIVER'S ED? THAT is where you first get behind the wheel in North Carolina. You take the class, then you drive with the instructor.
THEN you can get your permit and drive with your parents.

THEN when you're 16, you can go take the written test, the driving test, and get your license.

Not everyone can afford/needs drivers ed. As long as you a responsible adult in the car with the new driver they aren't going to do anything stupid.

 

[SampSon]

On a side note, my uncle took me out in a car to learn out to drive a couple times.
He was drunk as a sailor everytime.
I guess I learned some great swerving tactics

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
You can get a permit BEFORE you take the Driver's Ed class? That's scary if true.

Of course, how else do they expect you to practice driving to take the test at the DMV? There are restrictions on the permit, usually need a parent or someone over age 25 to accompany you when you are driving.

Drivers ed is incredibly boring/useless but you get a huge insurance break so definitely take the class.

Um, how about IN DRIVER'S ED? THAT is where you first get behind the wheel in North Carolina. You take the class, then you drive with the instructor.
THEN you can get your permit and drive with your parents.

THEN when you're 16, you can go take the written test, the driving test, and get your license.

Not everyone can afford/needs drivers ed. As long as you a responsible adult in the car with the new driver they aren't going to do anything stupid.

It's free until you're 18. And it's required. And yes, EVERYONE needs to take it.

 

[nanette1985]

Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

 

[boomerang]

Tell your Dad you'd like to take a performance driving class or school after you get your license.

Bunch of them here.

Or tell him you'd like to take it in addition to the driving school he wants you to take. You'll learn lots of good things that you can apply driving nearly everyday. Especially when it's wet or when you get that occasional snow.

It's great fun, and it may reduce your insurance premiums too. Maybe I should say the premiums your Dad will be paying. This may be the reason he wants you to take the school now.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
You can get a permit BEFORE you take the Driver's Ed class? That's scary if true.

Of course, how else do they expect you to practice driving to take the test at the DMV? There are restrictions on the permit, usually need a parent or someone over age 25 to accompany you when you are driving.

Drivers ed is incredibly boring/useless but you get a huge insurance break so definitely take the class.

Um, how about IN DRIVER'S ED? THAT is where you first get behind the wheel in North Carolina. You take the class, then you drive with the instructor.
THEN you can get your permit and drive with your parents.

THEN when you're 16, you can go take the written test, the driving test, and get your license.

Not everyone can afford/needs drivers ed. As long as you a responsible adult in the car with the new driver they aren't going to do anything stupid.

It's free until you're 18. And it's required. And yes, EVERYONE needs to take it.

I thought that depended on the state. Here in MA, I took driver's ed because it reduced my insurance rates.

 

[spidey07]

Going to driving school will be one of the best things you can do. You're not prepared to drive 4000 pound weapon yet so go get training.

 

[nerp]

Take the class for the insurance discount.

And remember, as careful as you are, you're INEXPERIENCED. I know you will feel in control. that's the problem. It takes a few scares until you realize you're NEVER in control. You will fail to look in mirrors, know how to merge fluidly in complex situations and properly maintain proper distance for a few years until you actually get some actual road experience under your belt. You're going to get comfortable behind the wheel WAY TOO SOON and the statistics don't lie: you are more likely to crash and die in the next five years than in any other time in your life.

I know it sucks when older dudes tell you this crap. I was there. But at 16, you're just not as in control as you think.

 

[TuxDave]

Originally posted by: BrownTown
I never went to driving school (nor did anyone I know), me and my dad just drove around in a big parking lot at first and then small streets and so on. Sound likes this whole "driving school" crap is just another excuse for parents trying to duck their parental responsibilities.

For me, adding myself to the car insurance was cheaper if I went to driving school. My parents let me practice a ton with them but they made it a point that in addition to that, I need to go to driving school. It wasn't mutually exclusive.

 

[CrazyLazy]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: CrazyLazy

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
You can get a permit BEFORE you take the Driver's Ed class? That's scary if true.

Of course, how else do they expect you to practice driving to take the test at the DMV? There are restrictions on the permit, usually need a parent or someone over age 25 to accompany you when you are driving.

Drivers ed is incredibly boring/useless but you get a huge insurance break so definitely take the class.

Um, how about IN DRIVER'S ED? THAT is where you first get behind the wheel in North Carolina. You take the class, then you drive with the instructor.
THEN you can get your permit and drive with your parents.

THEN when you're 16, you can go take the written test, the driving test, and get your license.

Not everyone can afford/needs drivers ed. As long as you a responsible adult in the car with the new driver they aren't going to do anything stupid.

It's free until you're 18. And it's required. And yes, EVERYONE needs to take it.

It certainly wasn't free for me. When I took it myself/my parents had to shell out a pretty substantial chunk of change to take the class, there was no free version offered. We did make it back in saved insurance $ though.

At least in my state you are not required to take drivers ed unless you want to get your license before you turn 18 years old. We also don't need any sort of permit before you can drive on road, you just have to be older than 15.5 years and have an adult driver over the age of 25 with you. This is a totally reasonable.

 

[Shadow Conception]

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

Fair enough.

Remind me, who is going to be paying for the car, insurance, gas, and maintenance on it?

 

[CasioTech]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy

Originally posted by: CasioTech
you don't need that, just take your test. It's a piece of cake, they'll give anyone a DL.

Have you forgotten that you share the road with these kids?

OP... take the class. The life you save may be your own.

what I noticed, and I'm not lying, is that WOMEN cut me off, speed, tail gate, don't show signals. ARE ALWAYS IN A HURRY TO GO NOWHERE. Or maybe they're craving a chocolate cream pie real bad..


also when kids start driving, they drive way slower and pay lots more attention.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

when it was something as important as getting a DL or not I'm pretty sure I listened. It would really suck if you skipped the class and they decided the insurance was just too much to add your name

Originally posted by: CasioTech
also when kids start driving, they drive way slower and pay lots more attention.

what world do you live in? 😕

 

[Shadow Conception]

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

Fair enough.

Remind me, who is going to be paying for the car, insurance, gas, and maintenance on it?

They're also paying for my housing, food, clothes, entertainment, and a million other things. Most parents do the same. Yet still, they face resistance! And besides, it's not the money spent that ties a family together. At least, I hope it's not.

Reason I'd prefer not to take the course is, well, because nobody else I know is doing it. Because of this, I'm getting the impression that it's sort of unneeded. I feel as if my parents just don't have any faith or confidence in me by forcing me to take this thing immediately. Not only that, but they don't even trust me with their car, even with themselves seated beside me.

After watching me play racing games for ten years, my mom's under the impression that I'll speed every chance I get and drive like an F1 maniac. Which, in fact, I'd be scared as hell to do.

 

[nageov3t]

driver's ed is worth it, if for nothing else than learning how to parallel park and the fact that they can tell you what to expect -- little things that no one really does when they're driving but that the DMV will fail you for (like coming to a full and complete stop and waiting at a stop sign, even if you can clearly see in every direction straight to the horizon that there are no other cars or people anywhere around you.

 

[spidey07]

Shadow, take this to heart.

Later on you will be SO happy you took lessons and you're parents were so smart to force you to do so. I whined when my folks made me take it, later on I was SO thankful that they did - it helped me avoid many accidents. You are just not trained to operate such a vehicle properly without training. Hell, look at the training required just to drive a forklift to get your license in that and they only go 15 mph.

Take the lessons, you'll thank your folks later. Why it isn't mandatory to get your license or a mandatory class in high school confuses me to no end.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Kudos to your Dad for getting you some proper training.

Don't be an ass and think you already know everything you need to know. Go in with an open mind and learn. The things you will learn at this stage will stay with you for a lifetime. Without training you'll learn poor habits and that crap will stay with you for a lifetime and you'll just be another asshole on the road who doesn't know how to drive.

There are so many things you'll learn from how to adjust your mirrors to checking your blind spots to learning how to anticipate things and avoid them. You will learn none of this if you are self taught and you'll be more of a liability on the road.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

Fair enough.

Remind me, who is going to be paying for the car, insurance, gas, and maintenance on it?

They're also paying for my housing, food, clothes, entertainment, and a million other things. Most parents do the same. Yet still, they face resistance! And besides, it's not the money spent that ties a family together. At least, I hope it's not.

Reason I'd prefer not to take the course is, well, because nobody else I know is doing it. Because of this, I'm getting the impression that it's sort of unneeded. I feel as if my parents just don't have any faith or confidence in me by forcing me to take this thing immediately. Not only that, but they don't even trust me with their car, even with themselves seated beside me.

After watching me play racing games for ten years, my mom's under the impression that I'll speed every chance I get and drive like an F1 maniac. Which, in fact, I'd be scared as hell to do.

Driving is a privilege, not a right. They are legally required to pay for food, clothing, and shelter. There is nothing that requires them to pay for you to gallivant around town.

The Driver Improvement Clinics give the following message:

When you attend a driver improvement clinic, you?ll learn defensive driving techniques that can help you avoid and prevent crashes. These eight-hour classroom sessions are offered at sites around the state. Check your area for the site closest to you.

So I can pretty much guarantee you he'll be saving 10% or more on the cost to insure your ass. When I started out, my insurance was $1800 every 6 months. So he'd be saving himself $360/year paying for your insurance.

On top of that, even though you may think you're cautious on the road after taking Driver's Education and getting your license, you're still completely oblivious to the road around you. Defensive Driving (what it's called around these parts) helps you identify and react to situations that you may not pick up yourself.

But hey, if you're too cool to go to Defensive Driving, by all means stand fast against your father on this one. When he decides he's not going to pay for his ungrateful son to drive, well at least you'll have stood up for yourself.

 

[Modelworks]

I have seen some really good schools that everyone who drives should attend. They teach things more than just how to park . Things like what to do when a tire blows, when someone cuts you off, or if the car starts to slide on ice.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: BigJ

Originally posted by: Shadow Conception

Originally posted by: princess ida
Listen to your parents. Until you move out and are self-supporting.

You listened to every single word of your parents until you moved out? 😛

Fair enough.

Remind me, who is going to be paying for the car, insurance, gas, and maintenance on it?

They're also paying for my housing, food, clothes, entertainment, and a million other things. Most parents do the same. Yet still, they face resistance! And besides, it's not the money spent that ties a family together. At least, I hope it's not.

Reason I'd prefer not to take the course is, well, because nobody else I know is doing it. Because of this, I'm getting the impression that it's sort of unneeded. I feel as if my parents just don't have any faith or confidence in me by forcing me to take this thing immediately. Not only that, but they don't even trust me with their car, even with themselves seated beside me.

After watching me play racing games for ten years, my mom's under the impression that I'll speed every chance I get and drive like an F1 maniac. Which, in fact, I'd be scared as hell to do.

Your perception of reality is skewed. The fact is that your friend's parents just don't give a crap or they don't want to spend the money. Be glad that your parents love you enough to want to get you decent training on how to operate a motor vehicle. The life you save may be yours...or your girlfriend riding with you...or mine as a fellow motorist.

Honestly, I think it's too easy to get a driver's license in this country. We have some of the most rude, ignorant drivers on the planet IMO.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: SampSon
The driving school completion likely qualifies you (or your parents the policy holders) for an insurance discount.
It also allows you to get practice in a real car, on real streets, without your parents teaching you.
The driving school you may be going to is likely geared towards first time drivers, and not traffic law breakers.

This.

Just do the class, it can save your parents a ton of money and you'll get you some experience. As a new driver you're going to be over confident, it's not an insult, it's just how it is. Slow down and take some time to get as much experience as possible.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You know it's funny, I've been driving for decades and decided a few years ago to get my motorcycle endorsement. I took the MSF course, which was invaluable, I got my license and have been riding a few years now and now I'm looking into taking some advanced riding courses and doing some track days. I am a pretty good rider but some track days would definitely push me far beyond what I'm willing to risk on the roads I ride daily and probably benefit me on the road 10 fold.

You never know it all and you can always learn more. I say take this course and let it be your beginning to learning how to drive. The more professional instruction you can get the better.