LPT: If you're teaching someone/learning to drive make sure to practice on the freeway and at night, even if it's scary

Submitted by Jessieface13 t3_z75ghv in LifeProTips

When I was learning to drive my uncle was overly cautious and kept me to the back roads. He made sure to teach me how the car felt at regularly used speeds (25-45 MPH) and taught me about stop signs and lights, all of those super necessary lessons.

Since we kept to surface streets and parking lots I didn't realize I wasn't turning the headlights all the way on, just the fog lights. Also, I may have been comfortable at lower speeds but didn't actually know how fast it feels to go on the freeway.

The first night I drove myself home alone on the freeway I didn't turn my lights all the way on at first because I didn't want to accidentally turn on the brights. I also got spooked and floored it to 90 before realizing I was going way too fast.

As I was getting my bearings a cop drove up next to me, flashed their lights and siren, and sped off. I can't even imagine what would have happened if I had gotten a ticket my first time driving by myself, I am incredibly lucky the cop had more important things to do. When I got home I asked my uncle to give me a nighttime and freeway driving lesson, but neglected to tell him about my close call.

90

Comments

You must log in or register to comment.

Pimp_Daddy_Patty t1_iy4x5tn wrote

Where I live, the beginners license specifically forbids driving on the freeway and after dark.

27

Go_Cart_Mozart t1_iy5k1dz wrote

Even while learning with an adult in the passenger seat?

1

Practical_Awareness t1_iy5ohwj wrote

In England (maybe whole of UK?) you can only go on the motorway with a qualified instructor and in a dual controlled car (so the front passenger also has clutch and brake pedals). Recently changed, used to be that you couldn't go on the motorway until you'd passed your test.

8

Go_Cart_Mozart t1_iy5wt9x wrote

That just seems strange. How else are you supposed to learn?

2

Pimp_Daddy_Patty t1_iy81u2a wrote

There are 2 levels of learners permit in Ontario.

G1 is as stated above, you basically learn to operate the vehicle in traffic and on roads with a posted speed limit of 80 km/h. You also have to have a licensed driver with you at all times.

You then graduate to a G2 where you can drive on freeways and after dark. As far as I remember, any traffic violations knock you down to G1.

1

sith4life88 t1_iy67q2d wrote

In Ontario Canada we have similar rules. Not allowed on a road with a posted limit above 80 km/h with your g1 (basically a learners permit) unless you're with a licensed driving instructor.

1

John_EightThirtyTwo t1_iy8iats wrote

OK, but eventually you'll have to drive in the dark, and drive on the freeway. So the instructions should cover that, right? So the LPT is a good one, isn't it?

1

Pimp_Daddy_Patty t1_iy8mawo wrote

That's basically the intention of the wnd level of our 2 level beginners graduation system.

1

Justme100001 t1_iy553qo wrote

In most European countries you need to go to an official driving school and pass 2 exams (theory and practical)....

6

Jessieface13 OP t1_iy56d6r wrote

It’s way too easy to get a drivers license in America after 18.

Also the person who did my test flat out told me I seemed like I had the hang of it and decided to cut my test short.

5

Justme100001 t1_iy5a52w wrote

Most people I know had to pass the tests several times and the day of the exam is full of stress, an awfull feeling in your stomach that just won't go away....

3

ilovecatfish t1_iy7tbyl wrote

Also you need to have at least 5 or so practise hours at night.

3

grotjam t1_iy4w3wl wrote

This is a LPT, I just wanted to add why it's funny to some people.

I learned to drive in a town of 650 people in Eastern Montana. We had to drive highway for 45 minutes to get to a traffic light, or any traffic signs that weren't the only 3 stop signs we had in town.

So your comment is VERY real, and very applicable to most people...but there are fringe cases where it brings a slight extra exhalation through the nose.

5

whats_that_sid t1_iy4xug0 wrote

Can add to this.

If you're in Australia and in a city, make sure you do some country driving while learning. The roads are much more dangerous, full of pot holes and roos around.

All hazards change and it pays to know what to look for. All it takes is one roo in the middle of the road and you're not gonna be having a good time.

2

redmambo_no6 t1_iy55loh wrote

>roos

Since I’m curious now, what’s it like hitting a kangaroo at speed? Enough to warrant a new car?

2

tonyisadork t1_iy56689 wrote

I imagine it’s like hitting a big deer/buck in the US, no?

2

whats_that_sid t1_iy58dj0 wrote

Depends entirely on the size of it. I was in a land cruiser years ago and we hit a big one front on at 110kmh. It crushed the front in, smashed the windscreen and a portion of the roof above.. new car was needed.

With small ones though, depending what you're driving it's a repair job. Most people here have pick ups with bull bars, hit a small one in those and you're all good..

Where I live roos are extremely common, they get hit daily.

1

yamaha2000us t1_iy66lwl wrote

After a couple of weeks driving, I took my son for 1-2 hour drives around our metropolitan area. We drove on highways and to all of the sporting event and music venues.

I pointedly told him that I can’t stop him from doing anything with the car once he gets his full license. At least I will get a chance to show him how to go to all of those places where he was most likely going to go.

The best one was one time he told me he thinks he drove to Jersey. I asked why he thought so. He said he crossed a bridge with a toll booth. I shrugged…

2

shadman19922 t1_iy6mu7b wrote

I will also add to this. When I was learning driving (before getting license), I always drove on the streets. This was good for the road test. But man, highway driving is something else. I remember my first highway drive being the most nervewracking experience.

2

cookerg t1_iy93zns wrote

My daughter took professional lessons but I don't think they did enough highway time. Also it was probably in a sedan and not our minivan. The first time I was riding with her on the 401 (in daylight), she changed lanes too sharply, and the van rocked aggressively from side to side, scaring us both, but fortunately she didn't panic, and things settled quickly without us veering or rolling.

2

keepthetips t1_iy4rjgc wrote

Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!

Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.

If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.

1

MissNatdah t1_iy59dya wrote

Aren't driving schools meant to take you through this before you can take the test and get your licence?

1

Varkoth t1_iy5bidt wrote

Driving school is not compulsory, at least where I’m at. You can take a written test, get a permit, then take the behind-the-wheel test without ever having to be formally taught.

3

whyowhyowhy123 t1_iy6vnzc wrote

Not a good LPT. Fairly dangerous. Illegal in many states / countries. Follow at own risk.

1

sluggo5622 t1_iy7yc1k wrote

They didn't teach you to drive. They gave you the bare minimum of skills, and let you lose.. Why there isn't a better license system is beyond me, my 8 year old has more experience and understanding of rules of the road, than most people I encounter on a daily basis. The automobile should not be the first thing that you are allowed to drive. And yet in most parts of the world, it's people's first experience operating any type of large equipment, and they just send them out in public. And practice in public... Yes, she rides a motorcycle, and atv, races karts, has driven with mom and myself in a closed area, mowed the lawn on the rider..knows all the hand signals, flags (racing), and signs ... And I come on here and it's learning to drive videos, of people almost rear-ending a cop car...🤦‍♂️ Faith in humanity is low..

0