driving for the first time

[Ali and boyz]

have been going to Florida now for years and have never driven. my DH does all the driving. my dad asked today if they could all go down to Kennedy Space Centre but my mum isn't keen.

I thought about staying behind with her and say taking her to a Mall and letting the 'men' go on their own but it would mean putting me down as second driver on the car my dad is hiring. I don't know if could manage to drive over there.

I would love to try but frightened of the traffic and how could I get my head round the lights

 

[Deedee]

Is your mom a good navigator? i think this is a big help having someone who knows where they are going sitting beside you. They are like another set of eyes for you incase anything happens or you are unsure of something.

 

[Ali and boyz]

Is your mom a good navigator? i think this is a big help having someone who knows where they are going sitting beside you. They are like another set of eyes for you incase anything happens or you are unsure of something.

my sense of direction is really good I just can't figure out the lights + I have never driven an automatic before

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Ali,
autos are the most easiest thing in the world to drive.
Right pedal=go
Big left pedal=Stop

 

[Ali and boyz]

Ali,
autos are the most easiest thing in the world to drive.
Right pedal=go
Big left pedal=Stop

any help how I master the lights its knowing when you can turn on a red etc that get me confused

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

any help how I master the lights its knowing when you can turn on a red etc that get me confused

Sorry Ali, could not get a link to the web site for a while.
To be serious, basically you can turn right at any red stop light with a few exceptions. these will have a 2No Turn on red" sign above the lights (Entrance/exit to Lake Buena Vista across from crossroads has one) and the only other thing to make sure is that no traffic is coming down on you (just like at home really)
The most difficult are 2 way, 3 way and 4 way stops. With these the way you enter/exit is your place in line and arrival at the stop, i.e. first there goes across first, second to the stop, second etc..but there aren't many of those.
As its all laid back its much easier to drive in than the UK.
One tip if unsure of where to position the car, crossing roads turning right etc, the same as in the UK, the centre line should be outside your (the drivers) window. If not, your on the wrong side of the road!

 

[Soprano]

Its easy-peasy. My wife is not a "brave" driver but took to driving an automatic in Florida without much effort or any problems. I know there was a "bad driving" thread a while ago, but I dismissed a lot of what was said when you compare driving in the UK. She wanted to take the car home after the holiday!

It is very laid back. Your confidence will grown after about 5 mintes behind the wheel. By the time you return home, you'll wonder why you got so worried.

 

[Ali and boyz]

you've all convinced me will get the TA to add me on

 

[jns]

I am the same as you DH dose all the driving even thought every year he puts my name on the insurance too

drove round the hotel car park once , but froze when I went to go out on the road
but at home I would do far more driving then him

but last year when I was in Tenerife I hired a car myself and had over 500 miles on it at the end of the holiday

so maybe some day I will get there

put your name down any way
and if the worst comes to the worst take a Taxi

heard of someone taking a driving lesson here in an auto car before they went , just to get the basic

 

[castanea1985]

Please don't worry about it!! Driving in the US is far easier than here!
If you're driving an automatic, don't use your left leg - just use your right, in the same way as you do here! That's it!!!
On my DH's first trip to the US, we flew into Toronto (friends live in Niagara on the Lake) and drove to Naples, Fl and back. We shared the driving, and I had to drive through Atlanta in rush hour, so he could video the sign to Augusta!!Lol! (big golf fans!!)
You'll be fine!!
Tracy

 

[Ali and boyz]

my Dad has an automatic here so i might ask him for a couple of shots before July otherwise I will have to tie down my left leg

 

[Netty]

My dh also does all the driving when we go on our hols to florida, but this year i have put myself down as a 2nd driver as i really want to have a go! Last year i drove from our villa just up the road and found it quite easy,so this year i want to just drive to where ever, the only problem i think i would have is at the traffic lights as they seem to go from green to red pretty fast,and i can see my self screeching the brakes..

 

[castanea1985]

One year my DH forgot to bring his driving licence.. so I had to do all the driving for the full two weeks!! ... and put up with him being a 'back seat' driver!!Lol!!!

 

[Ali and boyz]

My dh also does all the driving when we go on our hols to florida, but this year i have put myself down as a 2nd driver as i really want to have a go! Last year i drove from our villa just up the road and found it quite easy,so this year i want to just drive to where ever, the only problem i think i would have is at the traffic lights as they seem to go from green to red pretty fast,and i can see my self screeching the brakes..

Its the lights that worry me Netty

 

[Ali and boyz]

My dh also does all the driving when we go on our hols to florida, but this year i have put myself down as a 2nd driver as i really want to have a go! Last year i drove from our villa just up the road and found it quite easy,so this year i want to just drive to where ever, the only problem i think i would have is at the traffic lights as they seem to go from green to red pretty fast,and i can see my self screeching the brakes..

Just noticed your countdown I will try and not crash into you

 

[Netty]

Just noticed your countdown I will try and not crash into you

Ali I'm sure we'll both be fine at driving!