My First Car!!!

LoveBlue said:
Which reminds me of a story I've heard (don't know if it was true or a joke) of a guy driving a motorhome and got into an accident. He put it in cruise control then went back to get a drink or something. :o
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That was me, but it wasn't my fault....the DOT workers did not put fresh paint stripes on the road, so the autopilot could not follow the stripes, and I ended up in the swamp. Plus, this was back in the '70's, computers were not exactly that smart....
 
ladysolitary85 said:
As far as payments go we got pretty lucky. we're paying $239 a month for the 02 Camry (she is a used car but also certified) car and insurance will be $82 a month, that's full coverage! so that didn't scare us so bad....
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That insurance cost seems a bit high. Is it because you live in CA?
 
Reba said:
That insurance cost seems a bit high. Is it because you live in CA?
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Seems reasonable to me for a teenager.

Up here in the NE area, we pay dearly for insurance. Adding my teen daughter to the policy is going to bump our yearly costs an extra $2K. Ouch.
 
green427 said:
Seems reasonable to me for a teenager.

Up here in the NE area, we pay dearly for insurance. Adding my teen daughter to the policy is going to bump our yearly costs an extra $2K. Ouch.
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I feel your pain.
 
Reba said:
But she's 28 years old.
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Reba is right I'm 28 My girlfriend is 33 (technically this car is in her and her mom's name, I'm helping with payments) so the insurance is base off of her not me... yet. I'm working on getting my license (not that I did anything terrible to get it taken away, I just never went through getting past a driver's permit). When I was a teenager I was pretty much drilled to believing "I'm deaf and shouldn't be driving because its just not safe enough for me" by my family so zero support there. I tried going to a driving school back then and had a really bad instructor on her phone the entire time. I never went through the driven test.... I know this sounds rather stupid and childish but I've been afraid to take the driven test, mainly because of the past "you can't" crap or the fear of the person testing me speaking too quitely for me to hear, or wont do hand motions.

I'm still sensitive about it, but I'm trying really hard to get past my fears and take charge in trying again.
 
ladysolitary85 said:
Reba is right I'm 28 My girlfriend is 33 (technically this car is in her and her mom's name, I'm helping with payments) so the insurance is base off of her not me... yet. I'm working on getting my license (not that I did anything terrible to get it taken away, I just never went through getting past a driver's permit). When I was a teenager I was pretty much drilled to believing "I'm deaf and shouldn't be driving because its just not safe enough for me" by my family so zero support there. I tried going to a driving school back then and had a really bad instructor on her phone the entire time. I never went through the driven test.... I know this sounds rather stupid and childish but I've been afraid to take the driven test, mainly because of the past "you can't" crap or the fear of the person testing me speaking too quitely for me to hear, or wont do hand motions.

I'm still sensitive about it, but I'm trying really hard to get past my fears and take charge in trying again.
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My apologies, I thought you were much younger, then again, when you are middle-aged like I am, anyone younger looks like a kid....:lol:

I know...it sucks when hearing people say "you can't" and you spend years proving them wrong. Now that you are in California, should be able to find a nice, wide, flat open area to practice. Go-karts are a great way to get some drifting experience too.
 
ladysolitary85 said:
I'm still sensitive about it, but I'm trying really hard to get past my fears and take charge in trying again.
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Well if it helps any I'm 33 years old and been driving since 15 years old with only 1 accident and that was a 5mph bump into a trailer. I even ride a motorcycle (see avatar) and never crashed in my 45,000 miles riding. The main issue is to be always aware of your surroundings with your eyes since you can't use your ears obviously to listen for cars. Take it easy and have fun with it. See if there's some big empty parking lot nearby and do some practice drives.

You can do it! :rockon:
 
Thanks guys :D it means a lot! I'm just studying the handbook (I passed the written before without looking at the handbook but I'm just wanting to be safe, new laws are prolly in the tests anyways) So after I'm done reading that I will try to take the written test.

My girlfriend gave me the spare key to the car so in a sense to feel that this new car is also mine. But also help encourage me that once I get my permit I can drive this car.

Slightly nervous to be practicing on our new car... but I know its under full coverage and most likely we will be trying out empty parking lots, country roads for a bit.

The thing that I'm concerned about is... the driven test... I've never done it what was you guy's experience through it? Was the person testing you understanding? Did they use hand signals?
 
LS85, its pretty much like learning to ride bicycle. Once learn, its lifetime freedom. Trust me, you will taste the real freedom of driving and you will soon realize that you would deeply regret for not learn to drive.
 
Sounds like you have a permit so don't get worked up about the test. Take every opertunity you can to drive and your confidense will grow. Many people fail their first test but you just take it again, no big deal just moe practice.
 
ladysolitary85 said:
The thing that I'm concerned about is... the driven test... I've never done it what was you guy's experience through it? Was the person testing you understanding? Did they use hand signals?
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Welcome to the States, where our driving training is pathetic. We teach our people parking skills, not driving skills. The driving test is mostly parking skills, believe it or not....

I would recommend you sign up for driving lessons, in some states the test is waived if you take the course.

My driving instructor was so nervous when I first got behind the wheel, as he had never worked with a deaf person before. He was more nervous than I was.

I told him I read lips and it would be better if he just pointed in the direction he wanted me to go. After the first 10 miles, he asked me if I had already driven before, and I said no.....so, by the second week, he was reading the newspaper while I drove....:lol:

You have every right to pick a different instructor that works well with you.

It ain't much to be concerned about...after all, take a look at some of the people around you....if they can drive, so can you!!!
 
In Illinois, I did quite well in my high school driving class so I didn't have to take the driven portion of test at Illinois Secretary of State.

Keep in mind that this was back in 1993. I'm sure that rules have changed now. I still do have to take the written portion of test if I go in to renew my driving license. I passed my written test with a flying color so I had no problem with new license.

I would suggest to take in notes when driving with other people. I'm sure you can learn a thing or 2. You'll be fine. If I can pass it, so can anyone.
 
ladysolitary85 said:
The thing that I'm concerned about is... the driven test... I've never done it what was you guy's experience through it? Was the person testing you understanding? Did they use hand signals?
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The driving test depends on what state you're in. Some states are a piece of cake, basically if you can start the car, press the brake and gas you pass. But some states you have to do parallel parking, drifting, get the car on 2 wheels just to pass.

If you have the money for it definitely sign up for a driving course, it'll make it much easier for you not to mention you'll get an insurance discount. And some states if you pass the driving course it waivers the driving test so all you have to do is show up with the certificate and you'll get your official license.

If money's too tight, then go to the DMV and get the driver's manual there, they usually tell you exactly how the driving test will go. With that information practice on a parking lot with an experienced driver. Pretend that you are taking the test and keep at it until you "pass" that way when it comes time for the real thing you'll know exactly what to do.

Most important of all, have FUN with it and if you feel stressed out park the car and rest up for another day. You can't drive well if you're freaking out, it's best to at least evaluate your driving session and take notes on where you failed and where you succeeded.
 
dereksbicycles said:
In Illinois, I did quite well in my high school driving class so I didn't have to take the driven portion of test at Illinois Secretary of State.

Keep in mind that this was back in 1993. I'm sure that rules have changed now. I still do have to take the written portion of test if I go in to renew my driving license. I passed my written test with a flying color so I had no problem with new license.

I would suggest to take in notes when driving with other people. I'm sure you can learn a thing or 2. You'll be fine. If I can pass it, so can anyone.
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Where do you get the part I added the bold to? I am also in Illinois and have renewed by mail!
 
Jane B. said:
Where do you get the part I added the bold to? I am also in Illinois and have renewed by mail!
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Good question. I'm in Chicago area. I don't know if law is different for Chicago and southern IL area.

I'm not sure how the renewal via mail work? Just sent in mail to renew it? I had to take test. Interesting....
 
dereksbicycles said:
Good question. I'm in Chicago area. I don't know if law is different for Chicago and southern IL area.

I'm not sure how the renewal via mail work? Just sent in mail to renew it? I had to take test. Interesting....
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Form came in the mail with option to renew in person or by mail. As I remember it, you did have to do the eye test and new photo if you went in and got a new license with physical card. If done by mail, the form was signed, check enclosed, sent in and they sent back a sticker that goes on your current license. It says "CERTIFICATE OF EXTENSION License expires four (4) years from expiration date on the face of license. Jesse White Illinois Secretary of State."
 
My first car was a '83 Honda Civic wagon with 5 speed manual. It had 206k miles on it when I got it.
 
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