<p>I am eligible to take the driving test in 2 and a half weeks now. The only time I’ve driven a car was with my friend yesterday in a parking lot practicing turning, parking, and blinker signals. It was harder than I thought!
I heard the VA driving test is pretty easy, but I also want to be prepared to my own standard because I find driving to be kinda scary (dangerous).
Do you think if I could practice 15 hours a week for the next two weeks I could be prepared to an adequate level?</p>
<p>You should be fine…but I think rather than practicing X amount of hours, practice EVERY DAY. You want to get to the point that it’s second nature. Otherwise you’ll make simple mistakes, even if the test is easy.</p>
<p>The answer to your question: NO. 30 hours is NOT enough for you to become a safe driver. Our state mandates at least 50 hours of supervised driving experience, of which 10 hours should be driving in the dark (it is different, trust me). What is the big rush?</p>
<p>the big rush is that i put off getting my permit for 3 years lol. I’d rather just get done with the whole “getting my license” part and then learn at my own pace.</p>
<p>[Crashproof</a> Your Kids! Homepage](<a href=“crashproofyourkids.com”>http://www.crashproofyourkids.com/)</p>
<p>thanks for the link zapfino.
Having not been able to drive while almost all of my friends have been able to, I definitely recognize that driving is a privilege. believe me, I will be taking it slow. I don’t see why I should exclude myself from getting my license as soon as possible, though.</p>
<p>I hate to sound rude, but… Please don’t drive in PA anytime soon. We have enough bad drivers on the road. I don’t want someone “learning at their own pace” with no supervised driver in the car on roads anywhere near me. The whole point of having a permit is to “learn at your own pace” with someone in the car who can teach you what to do when this comes up or what to do in this situation, etc. Obviously there is more learning even after you get your license, but I wouldn’t say 30 hours is enough supervised driving for anyone. I probably drove at least 100 hours in the 2 months that I had my permit. I drove EVERYWHERE to get as much experience possible with someone by my side to tell me if I was doing something wrong. My younger sister on the other hand did about 50 hours in her 6 months that she had her permit (PA has changed their laws - there was never a minimum of hours necessary when I got mine and we had to keep it at least 1 month back then. Now they require 50 documented (i believe) hours and at least 6 months.) Knock on wood she’s had 2 at fault accidents and I’ve had zero… now I hope I didn’t jinx us into any future issues.</p>
<p>You should also find out what is on your test. The big thing up here is parallel parking. You have to be within 6 inches of the curb in like 3 turns and the spot isn’t exactly very large.</p>
<p>Once you have your driving down pat, it’s learning how to react to other peoples bonehead driving mistakes.</p>
<p>In some states you can find special defensive driving courses like this one offered at state universities, community colleges, or by the state police:
[OSU-OKC</a> Precision Driving Training Center](<a href=“http://www.osuokc.edu/pdt/]OSU-OKC”>Precision Driving Training | Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City)</p>
<p>It seems like it would be a great confidence builder as well as teaching some very useful skills. I’m not sure if completing a similar course wuld give you a break on insurance. Anyway, you should see if there’s a similar course in your state.</p>
<p>I’m a little unclear…</p>
<p>DoinSchool, have you taken Driver’s Ed? If not, I would recommend it, even if you are not legally required to (you might get a discount on your insurance if you do).</p>
<p>Also, are you aiming for a learner’s permit or a full license?</p>
<p>Please do not rush this and risk your life and that of others. Any bozo can probably learn to operate a vehicle on short order and pick up ‘common sense’; however, learning to drive defensively and with empirically proven safety habits is an entirely different matter.</p>
<p>In our neck of the woods, you need to document 60 hours behind the wheel over the course of 12 months before you can take the test. Taking an in-class course and professional driving lessons are highly recommended; so much so, that if you do not take professional lessons, you need to wait 18 months before you can take your driving test.</p>
<p>NO. NO. NO.</p>
<p>You will NOT be fine. Perhaps to pass the test… who knows?</p>
<p>But to put yourself and others at risk, without adequate training and experience?</p>
<p>You need practice on the road with an experienced driver. You need to practice on little neighborhood streets with ZERO traffic until you can handle a car extremely well. You then need to practice on slightly busier streets, learning how to merge, turn in traffic, judge distances between you and cars in front of/behind and beside you.</p>
<p>You need practice, then, on busy streets. Then on highways. You need practice in all kinds of weather. You need practice in broad daylight, in the dark and (perhaps the most dangerous) when the sun is setting and the glare can be significant.</p>
<p>When my S got his driver’s license, he had to drive with a learner’s permit for a number of months, and log 35+ hours with an over-21 year old driver, including in various conditions. BEFORE he could take the test. He then could not have under-21 year-old passengers in the car for another 3 months, after he received his license.</p>
<p>It was not uncommon for teens (especially male) to fail on the first try. Even if well-prepared as above (this was not your state, so who knows?) That is quite a good thing, as it helps teens realize how much is involved.</p>
<p>If your training is as limited as you have/plan… it will be a good thing for you and for others if you fail the test. I don’t say this to be harsh. It could save your life or the lives of others.</p>
<p>Depending on your age, you may find insurance impossible to afford if you have not had Drivers’ Ed, and even then it will not be cheap.</p>
<p>As a VA resident, I especially agree with most of the above responses! Also, you don’t state if you met the minimum requirements for a license in VA, which are (assuming that you are under age 19):</p>
<ul>
<li>You must complete a state-approved driver education program</li>
<li>Pass a written knowledge test and a skills road test and</li>
<li>Hold a learner’s permit for at least 9 months before receiving a full driver’s license.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>The reason they want you to have a permit for at least 9 months is that you should be practicing all that time. If you’ve had your permit that long, why haven’t you been, if you don’t mind my asking? Please - for your own safety, as well as the others on the road - take the time to learn and become comfortable before you get your license.</p>
<p>It doesn’t take overly long to get 50-60 supervised driving hours.</p>
<p>Do you live in a populated area, or do you have empty roads?</p>
<p>The way traffic is around here, parents practically have to beg their kids to get their license…even the kids know it’s not particularly fun. </p>
<p>Good luck to you. I know it feels pressing, but don’t rush.</p>
<p>I’m guessing the OP is 19+, because he waited 3 years to get his permit? What are the requirements for a 19+ new licensee in Va, my2sunz? (crossing fingers that he can’t just hop in and take the test with minimal prep 
)</p>
<p>Hey guys, don’t think I’m not heeding your advice. I’ve found it very helpful, and I appreciate the concern.</p>
<p>I will be turning 19, which means I will only have to have owned a permit for one month.</p>
<p>I haven’t been practicing because my friends are all 18/19, and my dad has been busy. I’ve only had my permit for a few months now. </p>
<p>I realize some of you will probably disagree with this, but I am going to try my best to learn in the next 2 weeks. If I fill that I have a decent shot of passing the driving test, I am going to go for it. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to drive around all willy nilly, I will be practicing a lot, especially by driving around friends and getting their advice (which is now impossible for me, because the friend has to be 21.)</p>
<p>^ Oh great, the blind leading the blind.</p>
<p>You just do not know what you don’t know. I hope you fail the test- not that I wish badly for you but that I worry about people’s safety. This just seems incredibly irresponsible of you.</p>
<p>Do you understand that having my license will make it easier for me to learn how to drive? For example, I would be able to drive myself to a popular driving program that is about 5 miles from my house.
It’s really hard for me to get around places, as it is, and it’s very limiting. I rarely ever get a ride from my dad.</p>
<p>I actually do understand your dilemma. I think you need to put in absolutely as many hours as you possibly can in the next two weeks. Take a driving course or even two driving courses. If you do get your license recognize that you aren’t a safe driver yet and have someone in the car with you and continue practicing.</p>
<p>Right, but not enough apparently to motivate you for 3 years? I don’t buy it. If you were getting yourself around the past 3 years to school, work, friends for THREE YEARS, why not to the driving school during this time? Why the sudden impatience? Why not a school that picks up, as most do? I can imagine you can find a way to take real driving lessons before trying to con your way to a license to drive alone.</p>
<p>Who is going to pay for your insurance?</p>