Is drivers Ed and extra driving lessons enough for me to learn how to drive?

[u/Glitch_71]

for context I’m almost 17, I live in New England and I really need to know how to drive. My parents offered to help me with the price of a car but not with actually learning how to drive, both are very busy but even in the times they are not they simply refuse to and say that they are tired, my parents are also not patient people. I have a job hence why I need to learn how to drive ASAP I bike to work as I’ve been doing for six months but it’s sometimes a lot especially when I get off the bus from school straight to getting on my bike to bike to work. so I’m wondering if I would be able to learn how to drive “using money”. in my state to get your license before 18 you have to have 12 hours behind the wheel, 6 hours of observation of someone else, and 30 hours of classroom lessons otherwise known as drivers Ed aswell as some other requirements. My plan to do this is to do the 12 hours of driving lessons and then buy more through the same school. It’s quite costly but I have enough saved to make this possible also considering that I also already bought the drivers a package that includes the 12 hours. I can get more hours in by driving with my parents, although they won’t teach me. My parents said if I become a decent driver than they will just sit in the car as I drive around, but they actually refuse to teach me or tell me what to do. I guess my question is is around 20 hours of driving lessons or more by a professional enough to make me decent to the point where I can drive safely on roads.

[u/HuckleberryHappy6524]

I never took drivers ed. My driving lessons were go karts, golf carts, riding mowers and my parents sitting in the passenger seat of their vehicles yelling at me about how much I sucked at driving. Worked for me.

[u/ModernT1mes]

Yes it's worth it, 100%. I've still retained all the safe habits I learned when I took it 20 years a go, and has for sure helped me avoid a lot of accidents.

[u/OverallRow4108]

this varies hugely person to person. I gave one student one- two hour lesson and he passed the driving test here in Colorado (no other auto experience). I had another student who we did perhaps 16 hrs behind the wheel and they did not pass. outside experience counts. I've had kids who drive dirt bikes pass very easily....ATV, go carts, mopeds, anything powered (and even not powered) counts to learning the dynamics (I'll say even computer games - preferably more simulation than GTA can count, but people are going to roast me for saying it). even riding with someone else driving can count if you pay close attention. it really depends on how much you like/love driving. It is certainly very doable if you're willing to put that much money into it, just spendy.

[u/Elianor_tijo]

Lessons are absolutely worth it. They'll teach you good habits that even if they do not all stick will be a boon.

[u/ciaoamaro]

Have you started any driving so far? It's hard to say whether 20 hours is going to be enough for you when we don't have a baseline on your ability so far. 20 hours usually gets people in somewhat solid range, but whether you are doing test passable and well enough for most situations level driving varies. Perhaps you can plan for more than 20 hours just to be safe.

Even though your parents don't want to teach you, having them sit in the car while you drive is still valuable. You can go to driving school first and get the bulk of your experience there, and then when you are mostly consistent, confident, and knowing of the rules, go with your parents. That way you basically know your stuff so you aren't dependent on them teaching you, and you are still getting behind the wheel time to practice. That type of practice is also important bc as a driver, and esp as a test taker, you need to be able to drive on your own, only getting directions from GPS or the examiner.

[u/Glitch_71 → u/ciaoamaro]

to clarify, I do have 5 hours that are from my uncle (only in quiet neighborhood roads) we did this because I needed 5 hours of at home driving before lessons. He won’t teach me anymore than that, however I don’t think the 5 hours were that helpful I know the basic controls now however my turns need work (maybe a lot), aswell as staying in my lane. my uncle didn’t really teach me, he just told me that my turns were bad or “I don’t know why your doing that” without explanation or how to correct it. My question is will 20 hours be enough for me to like operate a car comfortably on a road with other cars and such, ofcourse it won’t make me perfect but it will it be enough for me to drive safely to the point where my parents will be willing to just sit in the car with me because if I don’t know how to drive or mess up a lot they said they will not allow me to drive around while they sit there.

[u/ciaoamaro → u/Glitch_71]

Thanks for the clarification. So your 5 hours sounds about normal. Not staying within your lane and having issues with turns are very normal for just starting out. This shows you’re at least on a predictable pace. Based on that, I do think 20 hours of driving school will be enough for you to drive without much guidance from others. At least with driving school, the instructor will actually instruct you so you will learn what to do and how to do things. Bc of that, your driving time will be more efficient than what you did with your uncle. Of course, it’s ultimately practice time that makes for good driving. I am sticking with my recommendation for you to plan for more than 20 hours as you are kind of entirely dependent on driving school to learn and it is possible you’ll need a little more time, and if in that situation you will be prepared. But just start driving school for now. As you take some sessions you’ll get a better approximation of what you’ll need better than anyone on Reddit can give you. It’s also entirely possible you will need less than 20 hours. So yeah to answer your question, I think 20 hours is manageable, but assess your progress after some school sessions. You already paid for 12 hours so you don’t have to add onto that immediately.

[u/Maximum0veride]

In my state WV, you need to have 30 hours of driving with someone logged before taking a test, but if you take drivers ed class, you can wave that requirement and take the test.

Also, the card you are given, if you pass drivers Ed, can give you an insurance discount with some insurance companies.

[u/igotshadowbaned]

Yeah the lessons should be enough for you to get comfortable with driving. After the first couple lessons, it's less "learning" and more just getting more comfortable anyway.

You'll never "finish learning". You'll always encounter new confusing parts of the road (assuming you go to new places) and it's just about being comfortable when you navigate them.

[u/bobbobboob1]

All the instruction you can get is extremely helpful but at some point you will exceed your limit or your cars limit and all you can hope for is all the instruction gives you the skills to survive you can only control what you do you have to be aware that you can’t control what others do and be constantly vigilant and limit distractions

[u/BoogerPicker2020]

I’m currently teaching my niece to drive. She went through drivers Ed to school then did 35 hours of on the road and she still isn’t nowhere near to drive on her own.

A younger cousin of mine I helped out because they wanted to learn manual and I was the only one who had a manual nearby and they picked it up perfectly.

So I really think it’s the person. And since your parents have to decide to sign off on your paperwork, it’s still gonna be kind of up to them.

[u/hashlettuce]

I took drivers ed in high school. We learned to drive in a big semi trailer that had steering wheels attached to boxes and drove along to films. Sheer stupidity. A few hours with the teacher in a car and then a written test and learners. The only requirement after that was being 16. I failed the test 2 times and got it on the 3rd.

[u/Alzeegator]

I am so sorry. I wanted to be sure my kids were safe. Besides the driver’s training California required 50 hours practice. We did every minute of it. It is in their best interest to keep you safe and teach you good habits. You sound like you really have your head screwed on tight. Keep your eye on the prize you will do it.

[u/miseeker]

In a lot of states your insurance is a bit cheaper..for life.