Learning to drive as an adult was one of the most rewarding and, might I add, nerve-wracking experiences of my life. I had always thought driving was something I could pick up in my teens like everyone else, but I never got to it. It wasn’t until much later, in my late 20s to be precise, that I found myself facing the reality of not having a driver’s license and realizing it was time to change that.
So, if you are a grownup like me considering adult driving lessons, let me share what I learned along the way and guide you through the process of getting a learner’s permit, ultimately, your license, and why taking adult driving lessons can be one of the best investments in yourself.
Why I Decided To Take Adult Driving Lessons?
For years, I had managed to get by without a car, relying on public transportation, rides from friends and family, or just plain walking. However, as my career grew and family responsibilities increased, not having a license and being unable to drive a vehicle became real limitations.
More than that, though, I wanted the freedom to go wherever, whenever, without depending on anyone else. Let me tell you, trying to convince others to take me places is not an easy thing. My initial fears and anxiety around driving had held me back, but adult driving lessons turned out to be the perfect solution.
Why Should You Consider Adult Driving Lessons?
Many people are unable to learn to drive in their teens. While some are like me and have a fear of driving, others are unable to do so due to their life circumstances, financial limitations, or others.
But just because you were unable to do so in your teenage years does not mean you cannot do it when you are an adult. Here I have some of the best reasons why you should consider adult driving lessons:
- Increased Flexibility and Independence: Learning how to drive can open up many opportunities for you, including job options, social events, and the ability to travel without relying on others. Just imagine wanting to go somewhere and simply getting in your reliable car and driving away. No need to ask for favors from someone to drive you.
- Overcoming Fear or Anxiety: Driving anxiety is real, and it is the same for both young and adult learners. While it is still easy for youngsters to try new things, adults do get held back by their high level of reasoning. However, what’s best about driving lessons for adults is that they offer a safe, supportive environment to work through those fears.
- Career or Family Demands: Some jobs require a driver’s license, and not-to-forget family responsibilities often demand reliable transportation. You cannot always ask others to help you out. Thus, it’s better to become your own savior.
- Updating Driving Skills: One of the greatest things is that adult driving lessons are not only for people who do not know how to drive. Even the experienced drivers can benefit from them. They can polish their driving skills by taking lessons that focus on recent traffic laws, driving technologies, and safety skills.
How Adult Driving Lessons Helped Me?
While I may seem all confident and superior while writing this blog, I’ll admit, I was nervous about getting behind the wheel for the first time. I tried to put it off for as long as I could, but I could not do it any longer.
But now I am glad I signed up for those manual driving lessons, as they are designed with adult learners in mind. Unlike traditional lessons that might focus on younger, less experienced drivers, adult lessons are customized to accommodate the unique needs of adults.
Here’s what made this new experience so helpful for me:
- Customized Learning Pace: Unlike teens, adults often need a bit more time and patience to feel comfortable behind the wheel. My instructor understood that completely and adjusted the lessons to fit my pace, which really eased my anxiety. And you can expect the same. Your lessons too are going to be tailored to progress at a comfortable pace.
- Focused Lessons for My Specific Needs: I had a lot of specific fears, like driving on highways and parallel parking. My instructor was able to zero in on these areas, giving me confidence in situations that initially seemed overwhelming. So, if you are an adult with driving anxiety or specific challenges like me, do no worry, as you will be guided well enough to overcome them.
- Flexible Scheduling: Balancing work and personal life makes it challenging to fit lessons in, but most adult driving schools offer flexible scheduling, which was a huge help. It means you can brush up on a new skill and easily accommodate your busy life.
- Practice in Real-World Conditions: Another reason how adult driving lessons helped me was that many of my learning lessons took place in real traffic, giving me the chance to practice in varied driving conditions under the guidance of an instructor. With you also getting the chance to drive in the real world while you learn will ensure you do well when you finally become a licensed driver.
- Review of Mistakes and Progress: After each session, the instructor would provide me feedback, offering me insight into areas needing improvement and reinforcing areas of strength. Getting in-depth details on what you are doing wrong and how you can correct it can aid you dearly in learning how to drive a car.
The Benefits Of Adult Driving Lessons
Taking adult driving lessons made all the difference for me, and the advantages were immediate. So, if you do not know how to drive, do not hesitate, as you will enjoy some of the key benefits of taking behind-the-wheel driving lessons for adults.
Increased Confidence
Driving anxiety is real, and it’s not something that just goes away overnight. But with my instructor’s support, I started building confidence little by little, even in challenging driving conditions.
So, if you are feeling all sweaty with the thought of getting behind the wheel, you are not alone. With the help of adult-focused lessons, you will gradually face the challenging situations, such as merging, freeway driving, and night driving, building your confidence step by step.
Safety Awareness
My lessons emphasized defensive driving, which was key to helping me feel safer and more prepared for unpredictable situations on the road. You can highly benefit from lessons focused on accident prevention and defensive driving techniques. This can make a big difference in confidence and overall safety on the road.
Updates on Traffic Laws
Since I hadn’t paid much attention to traffic laws for years, the driving lessons provided a much-needed refresher. This made me feel more aware and in control. With changing traffic laws, as an adult (whether you know driving or not), we all can use lessons as a refresher on current best practices and legal requirements, which might have changed since we last drove or were taught.
Understanding Car Technology
My instructor even showed me how to use some of the modern features in cars, like lane assist and automatic braking. Knowing how these worked made me feel much more comfortable in the car. The fact is that if you know how to drive, adjusting to these changes is easy; however, for a newbie adult, it might take time. Thus, opting for professional driving lessons is the best idea. They teach you with patience and cover the effective use of modern car tools.
Steps I Took To Get My Learner’s Permit
Deciding to finally learn to drive as a grownup was all great for me. But before I could get serious about taking lessons, I needed to get my learner’s permit. You can not just decide you want to drive and jump into how to get a car with no credit or cosigner. First, you need to learn, and for that, you need a learner’s permit.
Here’s the process I went through, which might be useful if you’re in the same position:
- Checked Your State Requirements: Each state has its own rules for obtaining a permit, so I started by visiting my DMV’s website to confirm age requirements, fees, and documents needed. You can also visit your state’s DMV in person or browse their website to get all the basic information.
- Gathered Documents: I collected my ID, Social Security card, and a couple of utility bills for proof of residence. Double-checking the list saved me from making multiple trips. You should always make sure you have all the documents and in the necessary order to save yourself from the hassle.
- Completed a Driver’s Education Course: My state required a short course on road rules and safety. Thankfully, I could complete it online. You also check if your state requires any such thing, and if they do, find a good place to get certified.
- Studied for the Knowledge Test: I downloaded my state’s driver’s manual and took online practice tests, which were a lifesaver for preparing for the written test. You may think you know everything about traffic laws, but trust me, a little reading can go a long way.
- Passed the Vision and Knowledge Tests: On test day, I took the vision test, passed the knowledge test, and paid a small fee to get my permit. To ensure you get your permit, you need to pass in all the tests.
- Started Practicing: With my permit in hand, I could finally start practicing with my instructor and, eventually, with licensed friends and family members. Thus, as soon as you have that learner’s permit in your hands, you can choose for general or private driving lessons for adults.
Why Is There A Need For A Learner’s Permit?
A learner’s permit is crucial because it allows new drivers, from young teens to grownups like you, to practice driving on the road under the supervision of a licensed professional or individuals, helping you gain experience and knowledge before they are eligible to take a driving test and obtain a full driver’s license.
Getting a learner’s permit is a crucial first step in the licensing process, enabling supervised practice while you learn road rules and maneuvers.
If you cannot get this, you can never attain a driver’s license and become a fully independent driver.
My Journey To Getting a Driver’s License
After getting my learner’s permit, I continued with my lessons and practiced as much as possible. I was not sure about asking any of my family and friends to give me free driving lessons for adults, so I opted for professional assistance.
Here is how I worked toward getting my full license, and you can follow these steps to get yours as well:
Met Practice Requirements
My state required a certain number of practice hours, which I logged with my instructor and family members (on a rare occasion). This was where I saw real progress in my skills.
So, if you choose professional help and on any given day your instructor cannot make it, do not cancel the practice. Have one of your close ones supervise your session during that time.
Scheduled the Road Test
When I felt ready, I scheduled the road test at the DMV. Knowing what to expect, I practiced the key maneuvers, especially parallel parking, three-point turns, merging, and navigating traffic signals.
Make sure before you get yourself a date for the road test, you are ready. Failing can cost you, as in the US there is a waiting period to reapply for a driving test after failing. Though this varies by state, you can expect to wait a few days to a couple of weeks. Some states even require a longer wait if you fail multiple times.
Focused on Defensive Driving
My instructor taught me to drive defensively by checking mirrors frequently, maintaining safe distances, and being mindful of my surroundings. These are the skills that made all the difference on test day.
Sure, modern vehicles come with advanced technology, like the Ford Blue Cruise, but you are not allowed to use them during your test. Thus, you need to pay more attention to your defensive driving, as you will be checked even for how you use car mirrors to check the surroundings on your vehicle.
Showed Up Prepared
On the day of the test, I brought my documents, my learner’s permit, and a car that met the DMV’s safety requirements. I was nervous, but having everything organized helped me stay calm.
Make sure you have all the necessary documents in one place. You forget even one; you will not be giving that test. I saw that happening to one of the people on my test day, and I thanked my star for having everything I needed on me.
Passed the Road Test and Got My License
After the test, which I passed, I received a temporary license until my permanent one arrived in the mail. Finally holding that license was an incredibly proud moment.
Trust me, once you have that legal document in your hand, you feel more confident in your skills and can drive anything from a sports sedan to a 7-seater luxury SUV and others.
Tips From My Experience For Getting The Most Out Of Your Lessons
As a fellow adult who took driving lessons much later than they were expected, I understand how overwhelming and scary this entire thing can be. However, once you achieve your goal, you will see it was all worth it.
So, if you are a grownup just starting out to learn how to drive, here are a few things I learned along the way:
- Take It One Step at a Time
Learning to drive can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into steps makes it much more manageable. Start by getting a learner’s permit, practicing either with the help of a professional instructor or your family and friends and taking the test when you think you are ready (also take into account what your instructor has to say).
- Practice Outside of Lessons
You should not limit your practice with your driving instructor. Practicing with other people you know who own a driver’s license helped me reinforce what I learned in my lessons and build confidence. Doing so will help you work hard on your skills.
- Be Open with Your Instructor
If you’re anxious or have specific fears, let your instructor know. Mine was incredibly supportive and helped me overcome each challenge. If that is not the case with yours, find yourself a new one. You should be able to talk with your instructors about the issues you are facing because they are the ones supposed to help you overcome them.
- Stay Positive and Be Patient
Learning to drive isn’t easy, especially as an adult, but I found that patience, persistence, and a positive attitude helped me get over the bumps. It does not matter how long it takes; you should not give up. Do not compare your learning pace with others. Just give in your 100%, and you will have that driving license in no time.
Choosing The Right Driving School
As a working adult, life gets busier with each passing day. So, it is totally understandable if you are unable to get any family member or a friend to help you out with your driving.
The best thing you can do in such a scenario is find a driving school that can teach you. However, you cannot just pick any school at random. There are certain things that you must consider when selecting a driving school for adult lessons:
- Qualified Instructors: Make sure the school employs certified, experienced instructors with a patient and encouraging teaching style.
- Lesson Flexibility: Opt for schools that offer flexible scheduling, lesson customization, and fair pricing. You need to find a school that allows you to reschedule your lessons in case you have work or personal commitments.
- Reviews and Recommendations: Look up reviews, ask for recommendations, and verify that the school has a good reputation for helping adults succeed in driving.
Top 5 Driving School Chains In USA
Now that you are all set on getting that driver’s license and finally getting your adult life behind the wheel, here I have some of the top driving school chains in the United States.
All these schools are known for their extensive reach, comprehensive training programs, their commitment to quality instruction, flexibility in scheduling, and support in building confident drivers, and I think they can help you achieve your goal.
- DriversEd: This online and in-person driving school operates nationwide, offering teen and adult courses, behind-the-wheel lessons, and resources for learners. They are widely recognized for their user-friendly online driver’s education programs.
- Safeway Driving School: With over 50 years of experience, Safeway Driving School is a popular choice in multiple states. They focus on both teen and adult education, emphasizing safety and responsible driving.
- Top Driver: Serving mainly the Midwest, Top Driver has graduated over 320,000 students. They offer flexible programs for teens, adults, and corporate training, with modern education centers and tailored lesson plans.
- AA Driving School: Available in several states, AA Driving School specializes in personalized instruction with flexible schedules, including defensive driving courses and preparation for DMV tests.
- The Next Street: Primarily located in Connecticut, The Next Street provides a streamlined approach to driving education with customizable packages, weekend classes, and support for passing the driver’s test.
Each of these schools has unique offerings, so it’s a good idea to choose one based on your location and specific learning needs.
Getting my driver’s license as an adult felt like a huge accomplishment. It’s not just about the license; it’s about independence, confidence, freedom, and empowering yourself with a lifelong skill. If you’re thinking about adult driving lessons, know that it’s never too late, and the rewards are worth every moment spent learning. All you need to do is get your learner’s permit and then have either a known person with a valid driver’s license or a professional teach you how to drive, brush up your skills, and finally take the test.
