Learning to drive in your 30's

[abk96]

Yes I said 30's. I am in the process of learning how to drive and I have my driver's test coming up in a few weeks.

Has anyone out there gotten their license this late in the game? I'm feeling a lot less nervous behind the wheel. I'm just nervous about the test.

Has anyone taken the road test lately? Any pointers to help me?

 

[aprilgail2]

Heck that is young LOL...my dad died when he was 55 and my mom did not know how to drive..we sent her at 55 years old to a driving school to finally get her license so she could be a bit more independant (plus my borther and I were tired of having to drive her everyplace!). She won't drive far but at least she can get to stores, church and the Dr!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I did it at 34. And 8 months pregnant! I don't even know you but I am proud of you 'cause I know how hard it is. It's such a mental block to get over to just do it. You will be so glad you did it!!!

Just take deep breaths and remember your training. I did fine but my 3 point turn was more like 4 points. The state trooper that tested me just asked if I knew why it wasn't perfect and I told him and that was it. I would recommend you find out the general route the testers take you and then try to cruise around that neighborhood so you are a little familiar.

Good luck and pm me when you pass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[abk96]

I'm glad to hear that from both of you. Thanks for the encouragement. I'll definitely let you know when I pass. *knock wood*

 

[Ms Marigny]

DH didn't get his license until he was 33- he didn't see the need because he could either bike or use public transportation in this city (or use me as his chauffer, lol). But, by the time he was 33, he thought it was time to get one. He said that he was surprised to see many other people his age or older in driving class, he was glad he wasn't the only one! As far as the test goes, he said he just had to remind himself to relax and focus on what he was doing (he was very nervous) and remember what he learned in class. He passed his test just fine, and said afterward that he wondered why he waited so long to do it! Now he loves to drive!
Good Luck!

 

[lunchmomd]

I got my license the day before my 31st birthday. Growing up just outside of Boston, having a car was tooo expensive. Plus, I was a big chicken. But having two kids, I decided that if there was an emergency, I really should be able to drive. Did great on my road test until the officer told me to take the next left, and I took the next right! He asked me if I was sure I knew my left from my right, then passed me anyway!

 

[Luv'sTink]

Good for you!

 

[AuntieM03]

Good for you. I was nineteen when I got mine, but all my friends had theirs at 16. Both myself and a friends daughter failed our 1st try for the same thing. Making a left turn back into the DMV there was a car coming towards me with their right turn signal on. I thought they were turning into the first driveway, but they were going straight. I turned in front of them. Although the car was far enough away that they did not have to put on their brakes it was still an automatic fail. So just make sure to drive defensively.

 

[flipturngirl]

Just take a deep breath before you step behind the wheel. Remember that there are alot of idiots on the road who have the liscenses that should not have them. I just had my test in May and past. Here are some pointers:

Drive the speed limit
Watch the speed limit signs
When you pull back into the parking lot make sure that you have enough room to park in the parking lot straight. I backed up 2 times and almost failed because of that.

Just take your time and remember that the person giving you the test had to go through this too.

Have fun and be excited that you are getting the liscence to drive!

 

[Curious]

No advice, but best wishes abk96. You can do it. I got mine in my teens, but I will have to do it all over again (long story) in my 30s.

 

[Spoodleink]

My Grandmother got her license in her early 70's she never felt the need for it until after my grandfather had a stroke and ould drive anymore. She passed the test her first time.

Just relax and dont over think it.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Friend of mine from Ireland took her test at 28.

Around here, they don't even make you turn left. She made four right-hand turns, as did two of my boys, did a wuss version of parallel parking, and got her papers.

Goot Luck on your test!!!!

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

A new buyer had come to work for our company about 15 years ago. She was in her 40's at the time and didn't know how to drive. She was always a bus ride away from her previous employer, but our company is about a 45 minute drive from her home. She had to learn how to drive because her husband would not be able to drive her and pick her up at that distance.

 

[abk96]

Thanks everybody for the great stories and advice. It really, really, helps a lot!!

My test isn't for another 3 weeks. I couldn't believe how booked up they are. I guess it will give me more time to practice.

Today we went to the test center after hours and I practiced parallel parking a bit. I think I did pretty good.

The only thing that is worrying me is the pressure that I have to pass because my kids won't be able to get to school if I don't. I just have to think positively.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I was in the same boat as you. And I know how nervous you are, believe me. Just visualize yourself driving in familiar places. It will help relax you. And keep in mind that they will probably know how nervous you are as an older (relative term, of course!) driver and they may be lenient with you. The testers are used to seeing cocky 16 year olds go in there and assume they will get the license. They don't want to see those kids get on the road and be jerks! But a nice sweet mom...who's gonna fail you!? And if for some reason you mess up, just schedule another test right away and know that it'll work out. You can only do your best! Good luck!

 

[Oh Kay!]

Hi! I got my license at age 32 because of the same reason--we had moved, and I had to drive my kids to school. You've gotten a lot of good advices. Just relax, and take it easy. Good luck!

 

[jumoo044]

I don't know about your area, but around here I think they are a lot tougher on the teenagers taking the road test. Just about all of them that I've heard about fail the first time.
But if you're a little bit older, they are more leinient. My mother was in her 40's, didn't do perfectly, but still passed. My neice was 23, didn't parallel park very well, but she passed, too.
By the way, how many times do people actually parallel park in real life? I have had my license for 25+ years, and I don't think I have parallel parked once since I took the test!
I'm sure you'll do great!!!

 

[kellyg403]

I don't know about your area, but around here I think they are a lot tougher on the teenagers taking the road test. Just about all of them that I've heard about fail the first time.
But if you're a little bit older, they are more leinient. My mother was in her 40's, didn't do perfectly, but still passed. My neice was 23, didn't parallel park very well, but she passed, too.
By the way, how many times do people actually parallel park in real life? I have had my license for 25+ years, and I don't think I have parallel parked once since I took the test!
I'm sure you'll do great!!!

Wish that were true here in NC! I inadvertantly let my license expire for 1 whole year...driving the WHOLE time until I wrote a check at the grocery store and the clerk mentioned it. Well..long story short I had to do everything over. I failed! They gave me a learner's permit! I had been driving for over 25 years! My 20 year old son had to drive me places....I finally passed the next time but it will go down as the most embarrassing thing in the world. I had to call him to go to the grocery store. He would say "Mom, you drove illegally for a year and NOW you want to play by the rules?" Well, now I knew. Before I was blissfully ignorant.

OP...just relax and as others suggested try to find the route they will use and drive it. The written test, just focus. The nerves are what got me.

Kelly

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I got my license at 36. I grew up in Queens where you can take busses and trains everywhere or just plain walk.


We moved to the suburbs where i still managed with dh helping me.

it wasn't until DD was 5 and needed to go to school, sports etc.
that i finally decided i needed.

however, a day before the road test I had a accident!

i drove my mothers car for the test and passed
which everyone got a joke out of!


i'm not a big driver today, just locally.

 

[grlpwrd]

Well, I grew up in Hawaii where I was driven around by family or just took the bus...

I took driver's ed in high school 3 times and yet only got my license when I turned 21. I wanted my license because I wanted to drive my dd around and didn't want to stay stuck at home or in case of emergency. I did it for her... I failed the driving test twice, but on my third try I did it. Hmmm, it must have been a "3" thing.

My mom must have been my example, but she still hasn't got her's yet. Yet she does have her permit. My aunt was in her 60s when she first got hers.

Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. lol I have been driving for over 18 years and I have never got a ticket - ever. I am just a slow learner, but a safe slow learner.

Be sure to practice and yes, relax!