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LOOK OUT!! I'm a driver now!

The TVClubHouse: Archives: 2004 January - Arpil: LOOK OUT!! I'm a driver now! users admin

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Fabnsab

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 1:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, not only is today my 30th birthday but it is the first day that I will drive in a car to work by myself.

I got my license for the first time 3 weeks ago and I got a car yesterday. I haven't driven since my driving test so you can imagine how nervous I am. The car drives well and I feel comfortable in it but I am having anxiety attacks about it.

I always said that I would go to Europe and get my license by the time I turned 30 and I accomplished both!

It feels weird to hold a car key and walk to my own car and get in by myself. The only times I have ever been alone in a car was when I waited in it for someone else to run into the store or something! I don't even know how to turn the windshield wipers off. Something like this makes an intelligent person feel downright dense!

Any other late bloomers out there with any advice on how to get over the initial anxiety? Does it ever get easier?

PS- any Clevelanders...stay off the road if you know whats good for you! :)

Monkeyboy

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 1:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yay!!! congrats Fabnsab!!!! Im a terrible driver, and ive been driving since i was 16, i probably shouldnt have gotten my license when i did and i probably hold the record for the most fender benders and parking/speeding tickets in the world.

My advice is to not eat/talk on the phone/smoke while youre driving and to keep your window down in case you need to use "hand signals" .

But congratulations and i know that driving for the first time is scary, but give it a few weeks and it'll all come together!

Herckleperckle

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 4:09 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Happy 30th Birthday, Fab!




And congratulations on getting your driver's license and new car!

Just a bit of advice from me (things you already know, I'm sure):

1. Don't let anyone intimidate you into doing something stupid. Take your time and ignore anyone who is rude or impatient.

2. Stay with the flow of traffic in terms of speed and you'll be safe and ticket-free.

3. However, if you feel like taking it slower, then do so. Just stay out of the passing lane whenever possible and ALWAYS use your signals if you are changing lanes or turning. If people want to go around you, let them.

4. Think defensive driving, especially in bad weather--listen to the weather report, allow a cushion of time for your planned arrival, and allow plenty of room between yourself and the car ahead for braking safely--should an emergency ahead require you to stop suddenly.

As Monkeyboy said, pay attention and stay focused and you'll be a pro in no time!

Good luck!!



Whoami

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 4:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Happy 30th! Congrats and watch out for those Units!

cop

I know how you feel though. I was in my 30's before I finally got a license. And 40 before I got a car of my own. It is wierd to walk to your car all by yourself and get in and drive. But you will get used to it! And you will very much appreciate that car!

LOL...I'm reminded of one of the times I rented a Van for a family outing. I drove the van to sis's house, and then (coward that I am) she drove it the rest of the way. As we got ready to call it a night, I was getting ready to leave her house, and walked right up to the passenger door! OOPS! Um, I'm the one who had to drive it home!

Spygirl

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 8:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congrats and good luck!!! :)

Colordeagua

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I didn't drive (and therefore get my first car) until I was 33. It does get easier with time and experience. A lot will come naturally after a while. But always keep your mind on your driving.

A week ago Monday I was hit! My car is most likely totaled. Still waiting for official word from adjustor. Haven't gotten a rental yet, so haven't been behind the wheel since. A little nervous about it. Almost like starting over?

Anyways -- what kind of car did you get? I HAD a '97 Honda Civic EX coupe. It was still in excellent condition, low miles. Plan on replacing it with virtually same thing. Honda for sure -- good, reliable car. Not looking forwards to the car-buying process thing. Ugh!

Not1worry

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:35 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm not a good driver either. I know that I have to pay a lot of attention, since I don't seem to have good reaction time. I've been driving since I was 16 as well. Even drove in Italy for 2 years, which was a nightmare. Herc gave good advice about not letting other drivers rush you or intimidate you.

Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I think it's great that you are driving.

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
>taking notes for insurance companies<

Bandit

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
C

...and congratulations! I'm sure you're going to be a great driver. And it will get easier for you. Just try not to use the finger too much!

C

Jan

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 1:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congratulations and happy belated birthday, Fabs!

I haven't driven in about 10 years and so can imagine how nervous you must feel.Just stay focused on what you are doing and you should be fine. My problem is I get lost in thoughts and forget what I am doing..not good when you are on the road!

Dahli

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 3:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Fabs! way to go... I was 27 and remember the first time I drove ALONE I pulled into my driveway after dropping off the person who took me to the test I realized I had driven all the way home with no headlights on...!! It does get easier but I still 20 some years later I'll be driving along and just revel in the fact I'm DRIVING! I still love and appreciate the feeling since I thought at one time it'd never happen Congratulations and Happy Birthday!

Juju2bigdog

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wow. I had no idea there were so many people who delay getting their drivers licenses. I thought it was an American rite of passage that you had to bug the snot out of your parents to let you drive the very minute you turned 16. Maybe these are Canadians?

Herckleperckle

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:48 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju, I had my license at 16, after taking and passing Driver's Ed in school.

But, in the first week of driving, I made a stupid, pressure-related mistake that resulted in my first accident.

I had dropped a friend off in a parking lot and some guys behind me in a souped-up car revved their engine over and over while there was no break in traffic to pull out. I got nervous and pulled out anyway--there was no way the poor old couple could stop, but luckily, everyone was crawling, so the accident wasn't too bad. But Duh--how stupid can you get? It was my inexperience and immaturity that made me feel as if they must know something I didn't! They took off out of a different exit. I never mentioned them to the cops because it was really my own fault.

That's why my first piece of advice to Fab was what it was.

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
>still taking notes for insurance companies, especially Aetna<

Legalboxer

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
wont even begin to comment with rosie lurking

Herckleperckle

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 9:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Rosie!!!!!!

Uh,oh, Legal, you have a story to tell????

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Apprentice was a repeat of last week so look out -- Rosie is lurking........................

Come on. Tell your story Legal.

Legalboxer

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
NOT a chance! :)

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Juju you are so correct. My dad had to take off of work to take me for my license exactly on my 16th birthday. He then handed me the keys to the car and said have fun. And boy did I!

That license was an absolute must. My kids were the same way.

Come on Legal. Tell your story.

>reminder to self not to let them know I am lurking and taking notes here<

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh before Dad would even let me drive, I had to learn how to change the oil, check other junk under the hood and he even made me change a tire.

He did not, however,have to give me any instructions for playing the music as loud as possible.

Suitsmefine

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Congrats, FAB!!!! You should be very proud!
My Mom was 45 when she got her license (just3 years before me)....until then she had just backed up and down our driveway to wait on the school bus with us and get the mail in the rain...I swear the woman drives better in reverse than drive!!! LOL

Rosie

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Suits that is a great story. "Drives better in reverse...................."

Fabnsab

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:54 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks for all the good wishes...It was a stressful day to be sure. I was a nervous wreck this morning but I got into the groove quickly.

I had to pick hubby up from school on the whole other side of town- the side that gets snow very badly! It was ok but I did get tired of driving rather quickly.

I got a 94 Oldsmobile Achieva, with 59,000 miles on it. We bought it from my inlaws and it didn't have a scratch on it-until yesterday. They got into an accident bringing it to us. They're ok but its not as beautiful as it was. Oh well.

Whoami

Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 11:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Well, your inlaws probably did you a favor then. You don't have to worry about scratching a car that's already scratched!

Herckleperckle

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Yay, Fab!!!



If you did it one day, the next will be easier, and the next even more so. Just don't do what lots of teens do---get lax because they know it all and think they are invincible. Stay vigilant for the unexpected, including goofy people and occasional stray animals.

Tabbyking

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 12:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
how cute, fabs! my daughter got her license on dec 23. she was 16 on dec 4. is your insurance as high for a new driver as for a kid new driver? she pays $1,340 a year and that's on our cheapest car for 4,000 allowable miles a year. basically, 30 cents a mile before gas and registration and all the other crap that comes with having a car!
congratulations, though!
in california, almost everyone gets a license while in their teens, but when i lived in nyc and boston, many people did not get their licenses until they were in their late 20's or early 30's. they had great public transportation and no one wanted to shovel out a car or pay a luxury tax or have to drive with other bostonians or new yorkers! bostonians are worse, by the way. much worse.

Melfie1222

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 1:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
boring insurance talk here.... at least in my state, rates do not take into account how long you have been licensed (Yay! fabnsab!!)... its mostly your age, your driving record, where you live, your car, and your *ahem* credit and past claims.

Happy driving Fabnsab! I loved the first road trip I took on my own.

Fabnsab

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 9:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Trust me, I am not taking any chances. I drive the speed limit EXACTLY and the other cars are hating me soooo much. I just put my radio on for the first time today but I still can't take either hand off the wheel. I look like an old lady driving.

My husband brushes off my car for me. He is the sweetest.

I think I got a good deal on insurance. From what I hear, after 25, your rates go down.

I live a 5 minute bus ride or cab ride downtown where I always worked so I didn't feel the need for one. I just started working in a restaurant in a burb with no busses and it is while hubby is at work so he couldn't drive me so I had no choice but to drive.

I am liking it. I feel very grown up now. Thats good considering i am 30 now!

Its funny when your 16yr old busboys are giving you pointers and you had the same instructor they did!

Tabby, congrats to your daughter! And to all of you who are late-in-life drivers too!!!

Halfunit

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:07 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

Quote:

Fabnsab
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 10:29 pm
------------------------------------------------

the side that gets snow very badly




Rotfl... lived on that side for 27 years...:)

Calamity

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Happy belated Birthday Fabnsab!!!

I was 17 when I got my license. Took drivers ed at 16 but my parents made me wait a year before allowing me to take the driving test. I remember finishing the maneuverability portion (got 100% :) ) and looking up to see a crowd of guys watching me. I am still grateful that I didn't notice them during the test or I'm sure I would have gotten too nervous and hit something, lol.

And lucky you, getting your license just in time for the snow! (I can commiserate - I'm in Ohio too and also have a January birthday).

Landi

Thursday, January 15, 2004 - 10:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
i waited till i was 18 to get my driver's license. even though i graduated from high school at 16. i always took BART (see "right now" thread to understand what BART is) also i had a little run in with driver's ed car in high school...

see the driver's ed teacher thought since you had a permit that your parents were letting you start to drive. and my mother thought that was what driver's ed was for. so my first day in the driver's ed car was my very first day behind the wheel. welllllll i had a widdle accident... i ran the driver's ed car into the back of the driver's ed trailer. totaled the car. made the front page of the paper. (this was the ONLY class in school that i failed and caused me to NOT be the valedictorian - instead i was the salutatorian) became the laughing stock of the entire school. so i saved my money to have private lessons after i graduated. when i finally took the driver's license test i passed with 100% i have never been at fault for any accident SINCE i've had my license. (i have been side swiped twice!) and i've never had a ticket

i congratulate you Fabnsab! it takes a lot of courage to drive. you are doing wonderfully!


Neko

Sunday, January 18, 2004 - 12:40 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I got my license in June of 03. I was 17 then (Still am for 18 days ^_^), and the only reason I didn't get it when I was 16 was the fact I didn't have the time or money for the driver's ed.

It was funny. My first time behind the wheel was with my driving instructor. He just sat in the passenger seat and said, "Drive."

Freaked me out.

I did fine, but I had no clue what buttons and levers were what on his car and he wasn't planning on telling me. LOL

Congrats on getting your license!!