/hob/ - Hobbies

I have a car, but I don't know how to drive it, I thought I would learn soon.

>>68029
>Do you have a driver's licence?
Yep.
>If so, how did you managed to obtain it?
My parents paid for two courses (I failed the exam after the first one). It was fairly difficult, but it's not rocket science either.
My first driving teacher was the cheapest one I could find and he was pretty shitty. Only after failing the exam I started to look for higher quality ones and that helped a lot. Who knew that not being screamed and shouted at helps with learning?
Anyway, unlike you OP, I was doing it in a big city and I think it helped me a lot; I wouldn't have an opportunity to learn in practice how to deal with huge, multi-lane roads or trams otherwise.
>In Eastern Europe, it's pretty hard to get one, a long and painful journey.
Yep, that's where I am from.
>My motivation was (…)
In my family I was the first person to learn how to drive. It helped us a lot, but at the same time my situation was an opposite to yours: my parents were depending on me to drive them around and that's really bothersome at times. Often there are situations when I'm waiting for hours for my mother because she had some shopping to do. Since she keeps promising me that she'll learn to drive herself but never actual does anything about it, it made me really resent her, from my POV she was blatantly lying and manipulating me for years. Rather than becoming more independent, I now am forced to stay closer to them, as they need my help.
>It's my single greatest achievement and I'm pretty proud of it.
Yeah, it's a good skill to have. Sometimes I regret getting it, but in the long it's a really good choice. Good for you, Anon. Have you went on any cool road trips lately?

>>68029
>Do you have a driver's licence?
Yes, for like 13 years or so.
>If so, how did you managed to obtain it?
I took the exam five times that year.
>In Eastern Europe, it's pretty hard to get one, a long and painful journey.
It is. All officers with whom I took the exams were arrested sometime later for bribery.
>I also had to wageslave to be able to pay for the training, it's not cheap around here.
The more you should be proud about it.
>My motivation was
I wasn't interested in driving in HS, but it is a skill that almost all employers demand. My parents offered to pay so I figured why not. Truth is I'm still shit even today, zero spatial awareness most of the time. I actually avoided to drive for a couple of years after I scratched the side mirror of the company car, never told them. Last year my mother got into car crash and had her licence suspended for six months. Then my father had his leg amputated so I was the only driver around. It was difficult.
>A way to make yourself more independent
This is what's all about. Freedom to go anywhere, anytime.
>(Pic related is not my car)
Nice. Suzukies are reliable.

>>68030
>I thought I would learn soon.
Do it! It is anxiety inducing at first, but when it clicks… purest feeling.

>>68035
>My first driving teacher was the cheapest one I could find and he was pretty shitty.
My first one was absent minded like me. The second one was on coke I shit you not. He got out of the car one time and started running beside giving me directions. When we were out of town he told me to cut the crap and gas it. 150 km/h. He told me I have good vibes after. Strange guy.

I was essentially forced to get my license by my parents. It sure does beat public transport and walking. Ride sharing services quickly add up and wouldn't really be an option for me.

I do like driving when it's on QUIET roads that are well maintained, lit up during the night and are in an area I'm familiar with. Sadly most of the roads in my city are a nightmare. We pretend to be a first world country but we are 2nd world for sure. A couple years ago I was going the speed limit of 50 kmh and ran right over a big speed bump that wasn't lit up or had any reflective paint on it. Ended up costing me about 1k USD to fix the broken car parts. Council just LOL'd at me when I complained.

All things considered I do like driving for work. I don't think I'd ever be taking a scenic night drive out anywhere unless I lived in a really beautiful area.

Haven't had to deal with breaking down and being stranded yet either, another thing I'm worried about. Even with the call out service it can take like 10 hours for someone to come get you on busy times, so I don't drive far. I will always spend the money on a train + uber instead for less stress

>>68029
I'm currently trying to get one, I feel like the driving part itself is easy but the exams are ruthless and I'm chronically ill so if I get sick that's at least a month down the drain where I can't drive at all.
I allegedly drive anyways sometimes, and I like it a lot.

>>68029
I am average at driving, but not so good at parking. I started driving when I was 16-ish and got my licence when I turned 18, the test was kinda hard, although what made that test a bit easy was that they gave me like 1.5x the space for parallel parking which you don't get in real life, ever.

Although I will tell you what I struggle with: not remembering who is in my blindspots as you can't see them in any mirrors, sometimes I feel like I am staring at my mirrors for too long and I risk rear ending cars in front of me as I suddenly see. And I struggle a bit with parallel parking without cameras in a tight space.

There is one thing that I have realised about this whole planet, which is that if you don't have a car you're severely handicapped and restricted to only a few spaces in this planet. And public transport sadly attracts the scum of the humanity. I don't know why people only shit on USA for it, I am not an American but NOWHERE in the world can you travel freely without a car.

If you don't live in a major city, literally anywhere even Japan, you're screwed. There is literally no solution to this problem if you, for some reason can't drive. And the truth is I understand that it would be extremely expensive for the government to have public transport in areas with low population and low population density. And even then most people in major developed cities own cars.

I don't understand why this isn't a major issue when it probably affects millions of people and make them dependent on others or simply trap them inside their house akin to house arrest. I wish that self-driving cars become a reality to the point that you don't really need a licence to be in one, it would hugely increase the mobility of people who can't drive. But if we're being real that is something that is going to take at least 200 years to happen. If it ever happens that is.

The other alternative for people who can't drive is to buy motorcycles, mopeds, or vespa-like scooters.

>>68035
I guess people are a bit harsh on those people who can't drive, the thing is what looks easy to you, can be very hard for someone else, I had this thing in school where I flunked 11th grade and I was the only one. Other people thought that it is because I didn't work hard, even though I did, I just can't remember any information.

Good on you though for not giving into resentment and helping your parents, I am sure they appreciate it, and I hope you remain close to your family as they can be very helpful when you're feeling lonely.

But seriously though I am surprised how most people think that if someone does not drive then they are simply lazy, maybe they just CAN'T drive, and don't wanna risk people's lives on the roads.

If there was a true alternatives to car, which there isn't and I can't think of one either, then a lot of bad drivers who know they are bad drivers won't drive and road would be safe. But since DLs are required for jobs, it forces people to practically drive :/

>>69274
>not remembering who is in my blindspots as you can't see them in any mirrors
can you see your doors in your side mirrors?
if you can, angle the mirrors more outwards so that you see less of the doors
that way your blindspots will be smaller and you won't need to turn your head around so much, just a quick glance

>>69275
I will try doing that as well although I am worried that I will miss something close to the car. And during the my past arrangement of mirrors, doors maybe occupied less than one percent.

Although I will give what you say a shot. It might take some getting used to but hopefully it will eliminate bigger blind spots.