Driving school

Post Reply New Topic

Hello everyone!

Today was my first day at driving school, and I must say... I hated it. First of all I do not even feel that I'm ready to drive yet but my parents are forcing me to learn. I felt somewhat comfortable when my dad was beginning to teach me but now he and my mother are forcing me to take driving school! I hate being taught by someone I don't know. And who has absolutely no experience with any disabilities. I hate being in a cold classroom with a bunch of other kids that I don't even know. I hate that the instructor expects me to listen to her lessons while writing tons of notes (which I just can't process at the same time). I even asked my mom if she could at least find me a driving school with instructors who are familiar with disabilities but she said that they simply "don't exist". And on top of that I have anxiety about my motor skills while driving as well. I just can't multitask and pay attention to so many things at once! And I seem to have major depth perception issues. I could go on but I'm just too exhausted to white much more... Does anyone have any advice for me? Or tips on how I can show my parents that maybe we should look into other options? Thanks in advance for your help!

Dillon

i know the struggle. i am 30 years old and have never had my license. if you feel like it's too much, explain to your mom that you don't feel that you can go through with it. if you do not get your license it is not all that horrible.

If you do not have your permit:
get a drivers ed handbook and just read that. you can take practice tests online to prepare you for the real test that you will take at the dmv. then you can go to the dmv to take the test to get your permit, (this is what i plan to do/am doing). once you get your permit, maybe you can get your dad to ride with you as you drive around town or in parking lots. (this is also what i plan to do, with a family friend) then when you feel comfortable enough you can go to the dmv to get your real license. there is no real need for driving school. if the prospect of it all makes you feel uncomfortable and unable to learn, then there is no point in it.

Firstly I want to thank you for your comment!

Unfortunately I had a talk with my mom just a few moments ago which ended in her getting quite mad at me and telling me that I HAVE to learn to drive soon because she can't be my "taxi" anymore. I just don't understand... I barely ever ask her to drive me anywhere and I've clearly explained to her that driving still makes me very uncomfortable and that I don't feel I am ready. She doesn't seem to be taking my feelings on the matter into account and I don't know what to do about it I already have my G1 (studying for that was a breeze) But this whole driving school thing is really not my cup of tea! I don't know how to cope with it.

that really sucks. your mom should be more understanding. since your dad was the one who helped you learn, could he intervene and maybe advocate for you?

There are private driver-education instructors where you learn one-on-one, but they are pricy. When you complete your driver license, you could also offer yourself as a driving instructor for people with disabilities. You could instruct according to the students' needs and abilities, not simply release an avalanche of verbal and written factoids. Seriously, consider it.

Just do the bear minimum when your in the school. If you have problems taking notes then don't take notes.

Aye, this.

One problem that so many schools (and so many parents) make is that they seem to have this idea that there's only one way for people to learn stuff, and that that way involves sitting through lectures and taking notes. Hint, that's... often not the case. And not just for those on the spectrum, it's often not the case for NTs, too.

I went through Driver's Ed back in high school, which was even worse than getting it done at a seperate facility (all the fun of lectures and taking notes PLUS the constant presence of the bullying jerks I hated so much! What fun!), but I got through it by... doing barely freaking anything. You dont need to be lectured to learn how to drive. Pay attention when you're in a car. Look at all the different signs you pass by as the ride continues, think about what each one means. And what various lane markings mean. And stuff like that. You can learn alot by riding in a car, that you might have trouble learning by someone just talking at you.


And when it comes to the actual driving, what you DONT want to do is try to pay attention to 5 bazillion things at once.

You should be watching just a few specific things:

1. The road itself. Yes, this should be obvious, but you'd be surprised how often people very honestly seem to forget this. You can see NTs do this ALL THE DAMN TIME, where they'll be talking at a passenger, and then of course that baffling need for eye-contact kicks in, and for a moment, they turn and glance at the passenger, taking their eyes off the road for a bit. That's a no-no. Just watch the damn road. Your passenger isnt going anywhere.

2. Other cars. Obviously, you want to know where everyone is to prevent issues. Particularly watch for them at intersections, or when changing lanes.

3. Your mirrors. This actually could be considered part of #2 since the point of the mirrors is to spot the other cars.

And finally, number 4: signs and markings. Which, I suppose could be called part of #1, since that's essentially what they are.

And that's it. Do those things, dont speed or drive like a maniac, and you'll be fine.

One thing that really, REALLY helps though, if you're able to do it: stick to country roads as much as possible. The more backwater and middle-of-freaking-nowhere the area is, the easier it is to drive through it. Areas like that are also great for getting the hang of the act of driving itself. It can also help to simply drive around an empty parking lot when getting a feel for the car; my parents had me do this one a whole bunch before letting me onto actual roads, and it helped alot.

Also, most of the rules of the road are... well, rather common sense things, nothing hugely complicated. Stop signs obviously mean to STOP, and are placed in positions where it makes sense to do so. Speed limits are similar, you'll get lower ones in residential zones and such, and higher ones in long roads with not much on them, or freeways. You get a feel for how all of the different rules and signs work as you go.


Either way though, good luck, and dont give up on it.