Arsonette
Burmecian that posts a great deal
Posts: 409
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Post by Arsonette on Jun 4, 2009 15:25:42 GMT
So I had my first go driving today with my mum and I have a new nickname "Whiplash Girl" hehe I brake a bit hard apparently Any drivers here got any tips for me or tales to tell?
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Hade
Cheerful, Slightly Damp Burmecian
I have a bendy ruler.
Posts: 333
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Post by Hade on Jun 4, 2009 17:08:21 GMT
I once hit a tree before I acquired my license, and apparently, was ticketed for it.
Good ol' days...
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2009 20:06:43 GMT
I'm not driving yet until after uni when I has the moneys for it x3
yaaay
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Post by Robshi on Jun 4, 2009 22:49:42 GMT
I haven't tried learning to drive either, I can't afford to run a car...
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Post by M&M&M on Jun 5, 2009 1:10:58 GMT
Tips? Tricks? Sure, I recently got my licence myself:
1. Never expect to become a expert anytime soon. it could take weeks to months to truly be confortable around the wheel. I suggest that the best practice is to drive to close locations and come home; like when you do errands or go around looking for small animals to run over for extra points (Hint: Robshis, Eudemics, and Hadrians are worth 1,000 points!)
2. When in doubt when it comes to parking or driving, watch what other drivers too. This was pretty crucial to me when i first started out. I didn't even pass the reverse parking test until i watched the other ppl taking the test successfully do it!
3. A good idea for practice too is to drive in a empty parking lot. The mall lot is perfect for this because of the hugeness. =P
4. If you see a mewish hitchhiker, stop for him and give him your car. Why? Cuz it's one of the rules that's why! Havent you learned that in your British history class?
Thankfully I havent gotten into any accidents yet BUT I did almost crash and I accidently drove in the wrong lane for a few minutes before I realized that the cars in front of me was going the opposite way!
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Hade
Cheerful, Slightly Damp Burmecian
I have a bendy ruler.
Posts: 333
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Post by Hade on Jun 5, 2009 6:06:36 GMT
(Hint: Robshis, Eudemics, and Hadrians are worth 1,000 points!) Hit all three at once and your car will explode. As a tip, all I can say is practice the hell out of it. Go out as much as you can whenever you can. I also got side swiped by an angry businessman with a blue pickup truck...in the middle of a busy intersection...he didn't like me much after that, of course. This happened by a stupid move on my part which I can assure you won't ever replicate in any sort of way, shape, or form.
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Post by drake on Jun 21, 2009 7:31:32 GMT
Don't swerve for animals, whatever you do...
If you havn't gotten the hang of using the feet pedals, use your big toe to move it. It helps. On that note, don't wear solid sole shoes while you're learning, I know a lot of people who wore shoes with wood bottoms or semi-rigid combat boots and the like... Just stick to tennis shoes for a bit.
Sunglasses are a much appreciated tool while the sun is at those wierd positions during sunrise, and sunset, where it goes right into the car interior and blinds you.
Driving at extremely late hours actually has a hypnotic effect on people, not only that but after 2 AM, 90% of the people on the road have had something to drink, cops will pull you over at their discretion, and will be total dickheads. I suggest avoiding the 1-6AM block altogether if you can help it.
Don't freak out, no matter how scary the situation, usually if you can keep a cool head you can think your way through it.
Don't sweat the people behind you. If you need to go a little slower your first few months on the road, noone is going to fault you, just ignore the people behind you. I'm a fairly accomodating person in real life (I know, shocking!) so the hardest thing for me to get over was trying to drive for the people behind me's convenience rather than my own.
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Hermie
Chatty Burmecian
WHATWHENWHEREWHYHOW?!
Posts: 229
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Post by Hermie on Nov 10, 2009 22:34:24 GMT
If you're still wanting help.. Being a certified car whore and trained tutor, as well as someone that does his own repairs, I'll be willing to help. ^^ I got my California license a few months ago, but it was paperwork issues that held me back, not ability. Passed the written test the first time with only one wrong answer, and only 2 points docked from the behind-the-wheel (also passed the first time, in a completely unfamiliar area). Just got my Oregon license yesterday, with only 2 wrong answers on the written test. My stepmom, who almost never trusts anyone else behind the wheel (she's been in too many accidents as a passenger) took a NAP while I was driving home after I got my license. That was a huge compliment.. Here's the lesson plan: First, have someone take you out to a rural area to a lightly-trafficed road, preferrably with some corners. Take some time to learn how to just operate the car. Learn the feel of the pedals, the steering, and the brakes, and how they all work together in motion. Once you can operate the vehicle without thinking about it, then you're ready for traffic. When you're around other cars, you need to know what the car does, so you don't turn too much and hit someone, for example. Start small, with a small town. Once your comfortable with being around other cars and moving smoothly with them, then you're ready to go into the city. Once you get city driving down, you're good to go. Just don't hit the autobahn until you've been driving for at least 5 years. Oh, and if at any point you're feeling too nervous, tell the person you're with, and have them look for a safe place to pull over and switch. A nervous driver is a dangerous driver, as my fiancee learned when her mom was teaching her to drive and dropped her in city traffic right away. After that, she left it to me. Since her California permit isn't valid in Oregon, she's going to need to retake the test, then I'll take her out for more practice. Oh, and the 1300-mile solo roadtrip to orientation at my college was fun. That's a whole story in itself.. lol
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