Practice driving with USA licence and learner permit

catmack

Hi all, not sure if I have this in right area. I am just about to give up on getting a full Irish license. I had to return to Ireland in 2012. My mom required 24/7 care, so getting out was not easy and I could not find one instructor with automatic car to start the long process. I tried manual 9 lessons, hated it. I could not find automatic instruction until March of this year. It is a different auto CVT I think than I had in States. But an automatic. I finished EDT, but really one hour a week is not enough to pasos the strict road test. FFS I drove over thirty years in Upstate NY this instructor makes me wonder who the hell was driving. I have spent a fortune and don't feel I am getting anywhere. I need to practice, I thought of renting a car for several weeks, thinking this may get me up to speed for road test that will happen when they call, one examiner sheesh, I am looking at Feb next year and a renewal of permit if I don't get a cancellation appt. I am worried that I will have a problem renting a car being here over a year. Although I believe that only want my USA license and credit card. I just feel stumped, why has driving here become such a headache. Any ideas, this guy objects at my every move.

Atlantic Dawn

Get another driving instructor. What part of the country are you in?

catmack

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Get another driving instructor. What part of the country are you in?

Kerry, one hour a week is not enough. He is only automatic car. He is good in a lot of ways, he says if I could just get practice I would be fantastic. I can't afford this drip drip approach.

Del2005

Renting a car will mean driving without insurance since you are resident here, your US license isn't valid here anymore so if anything happens any insurance you paid for will be void.

No offence but if you've been driving 30 years how is it difficult to pass our test? I know it's harder than the test in the US but for an experienced driver a few lessons should have you acclimatised to driving on the wrong side. Maybe instead of doing 1 lesson a week call the RSA and look for a cancellation and then do several lessons in a row.

catmack

Del2005 wrote: »

Renting a car will mean driving without insurance since you are resident here, your US license isn't valid here anymore so if anything happens any insurance you paid for will be void.

No offence but if you've been driving 30 years how is it difficult to pass our test? I know it's harder than the test in the US but for an experienced driver a few lessons should have you acclimatised to driving on the wrong side. Maybe instead of doing 1 lesson a week call the RSA and look for a cancellation and then do several lessons in a row.

I am not sure what is the issue. USA test is not easy inmo. I find it very different here, roads so narrow, signs unclear. I am not acclimatising at all. I have one person with an automatic period.

CeilingFly

Buy a cheap automatic car. You have provisional licence. Just have a full licence holder in the car with you when you drive.
Then you can choose any instructor and use your car for the lessons.

My guess is you'd get test first time as its not that difficult and waiting times are only 6-8 weeks.

catmack

yes, I am thinking about that thank you. I don't know perhaps I have made myself very paranoid,this person makes me question everything I do and it is discouraging. Road test is scheduled out now to Feb next year. One examiner in town, will look into this but not sure about how much they'll ask for insurance, and how i'd even buy the car alone. thanks for your input.

catmack

yes, perhaps several lessons in a row, i honestly don't know if I am a **** driver or what with this man. I had a great driving record in USA and my insurance was premium for 50 a month

catmack

thank you, I will look into this, and it would help with the different driving instructors and such.

catmack

perhaps he has winded me up to think the test would be awful, I don't know, is he looking for money, I don't know.

job seeker

catmack wrote: »

perhaps he has winded me up to think the test would be awful, I don't know, is he looking for money, I don't know.

Hi OP,
When I was learning to drive back in 2013. I was the same. The driving instructor had me very nervous and no driving lessons went well. I passed first time. So it's not impossible.

As suggested get a cheap car and practice. I also suggest you change driving instructors as well. As your current instructor doesn't seem to making it easy for you. Best of luck.

Pugzilla

Standard of driving in the US is atrocious, even compared to Ireland, so no surprise that you're finding it hard to pass the test.

catmack

Pugzilla wrote: »

Standard of driving in the US is atrocious, even compared to Ireland, so no surprise that you're finding it hard to pass the test.

Now that is a joke, thanks for the laugh. I have not even taken the test .

Pugzilla

catmack wrote: »

Now that is a joke, thanks for the laugh. I have not even taken the test .

Majority of yanks can't drive manual, driving test in most states is a joke, says it all really.

biko

Pugzilla, don't post in this thread again.

OP, maybe change instructor/school?

dennyk

Finding a different instructor might be your best bet, if yours is really not working for you. However, you should also keep in mind that your driving standard may actually not be up to snuff; you haven't taken lessons or done a test in over thirty years, and it's very easy to develop a lot of bad habits over such a long period of time. There were definitely some things I had to work on coming here after driving in the US for many years. It's actually harder to unlearn decades of habit than it is to learn the right way of doing things from the start as a complete newbie. Your instructor is there to instruct you, so don't be offended just because they are correcting you; that's what you're paying 'em to do. And definitely don't be going into your lessons with the attitude that you already know everything; you won't have a good relationship with any instructor in that case.

Buying your own car would make things easier; it would expand your options for driving lessons, as most instructors will be happy to let you use your own vehicle provided your standard of driving is good enough that they don't feel the need to have dual controls (which it likely is, since you are an experienced driver). It would also allow you to be able to take the test in a car you've had a lot of practice in. You *can* get insured on a learner's permit, it's just going to be very expensive.

Practicing will be an issue for you, as you've been here over a year, so technically your US license is no longer valid to allow you to drive here and so you are subject to the restrictions of your Irish learner's permit. Odds are slim to none that you'd get done by the Garda for driving alone on your US license, as they aren't going to bother investigating to see how long you've been here (unless you manage to really piss 'em off somehow), but if you should end up in an accident and insurance companies start digging into it looking for an excuse to deny a claim, you'll likely find yourself in a pickle. Have you any friends or other relatives here who could act as your accompanying driver and/or be a named driver on your insurance policy if you bought your own car? That may reduce your insurance rates with some insurers, and it would allow you to practice legally with them accompanying you.

catmack

Thanks for your advice, I am right on with you in all aspects, I however, have never approached a lesson with a know it all attitude, I understand driving on the left in another country after driving for so long in the States would be quite hard for me, it is like turning everything on its head. I have told my instructor that I am approaching this as a new driver, which I am in another country. I was hoping that my experience of driving in the States would help, but doesn't seem to in my case. What does not help me is I am so unfamiliar with my environment. In any event, I am alone, no relatives, friends per se, I was pretty much with my mother 24/7 caring for her, for five years so it limited me in a great many ways. Thanks for the advice, especially about driving alone. I hear it all the time, they don't check, etc etc, but I just can't do things that way. So, perhaps, I will look into the car purchase and figure out the person to drive with me. By the way, how does that "named driver" work?? Never heard of that. Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

dennyk

Named drivers are basically a second driver listed as being covered by your insurance when driving your car. Some insurance companies will lower the rate for a novice or learner driver if they have an experienced named driver on their policy, with the assumption that the more experienced driver will be driving the car some of the time and thus there's less risk. Usually the named driver has to live at your same address, though, so if you aren't living with any other family except your mom (who I'm assuming doesn't drive), then it might not be an option for you, unfortunately.

Unfortunately the insurance cost is something you're going to have to deal with at some point regardless; it is a little less expensive with a full license, but not much until you've built up several years of no-claims history. When you go looking for a car, try to get one that's less than ten years old if you can afford it, with as small an engine as possible.

It does sound like you may just have a poor instructor; that does happen. Not sure whereabouts you live, but there are a number of larger driving schools that offer automatics, so you might be able to find an alternative if you hunt around. If you're kind of out in the middle of nowhere, though, your only option to switch instructors might be to buy your own car, get insurance, and use it for lessons instead of the school's car. (Or bite the bullet and learn to drive stick, I suppose, though of course that'll add complexity to the whole process... It would expand your selection of cars when you eventually go to buy one, though.)

If you can't find anyone who can practice with you, I'd suggest booking some extra lessons in the week or two leading up to your test, at least, including one the day of if you can. You might get a bit rusty in the meantime without much practice, but at least that way you'll have everything fresh in your head come test day.

catmack

I appreciate your time, thank you. I am thinking that you are right about buying a car, been playing around with insurance quote for a 2014 ford fiesta, it makes no difference putting my neighbor in as a named driver about 100 euros, and I really wouldn't ask her anyway. My mom died, that is after taking care of her for the last five years. So, that is how I got into this predicament of being in back in Ireland, but had to be done though no doubt. I put in various scenarios full license, provisional license, you are right doesn't make a huge difference. Renting a car for a month is 1800 lol, my first thought, could rent on my usa license but we went down that road. So, now I have to figure out how to test drive it, I can get the insurance, suppose I could ask an instructor, man this is getting complicated. Again, thanks for your help as you can see I need a good soul like yourself to give some advice.

Galbin

I am sorry for the loss of your mother. I helped care for my late mother too. I hope you are coping okay.

As for the driving, the sad truth is that knowing how to drive is different from passing the irish test. Plus, our roads are narrow here relative to the US. Then the test itself is marked very harshly. Add in the absolutely insane cost of insurance for a learner (who needs the practice to be able to have the standard necessary), and you have a system that works against those who wish to drive and do not have access to a qualified driver and/or a shared car.

catmack

Thanks for your support on my mother issue, it was a hard one, perhaps the hardest I have faced. In any event, after long and hard thought, I am just putting this aside for now, the EDT lessons are good indefinitely so that is good. If things change and I get a person to drive with me, I will take it up again. I just can't justify spending a chunk of money on a decent car, and a 2200 insurance topper, along with all the other expenses of car ownership, especially since I do not work and it would sit in the driveway alot. It just is not worth it, the roads are too narrow you are right there. I hear about fatalities every day here, so being unfamiliar with my roads would be quite stressful. So, sometimes there is a blessing in a no. If it were meant to be I would not have all the obstacles I have encountered. So, I can take a lot of cabs for 2200 in a year, and riding my bicycle is good for my health. Thanks for your input. I can now just heal after my long journey of caring for my mom, hope you fared well with your care journey too.

Galbin

catmack wrote: »

Thanks for your support on my mother issue, it was a hard one, perhaps the hardest I have faced. In any event, after long and hard thought, I am just putting this aside for now, the EDT lessons are good indefinitely so that is good. If things change and I get a person to drive with me, I will take it up again. I just can't justify spending a chunk of money on a decent car, and a 2200 insurance topper, along with all the other expenses of car ownership, especially since I do not work and it would sit in the driveway alot. It just is not worth it, the roads are too narrow you are right there. I hear about fatalities every day here, so being unfamiliar with my roads would be quite stressful. So, sometimes there is a blessing in a no. If it were meant to be I would not have all the obstacles I have encountered. So, I can take a lot of cabs for 2200 in a year, and riding my bicycle is good for my health. Thanks for your input. I can now just heal after my long journey of caring for my mom, hope you fared well with your care journey too.

Yes, due to the aforementioned reasons it can take years to pass your test.* So, if you don't need it for work or to get around, don't put yourself through the stress. Just today my friend told me that learning to drive was one of the worst experiences of her life!

I miss my mother every single day and always will, as she was my best friend. However, at least I have absolutely no regrets. I never wish I spent more time with her, as I indeed spent plenty and deliberately lived near her even before she became seriously ill. When did your mother die?

*In order to pass the test, the car needs to be an extension of your body, and you also need to know every single trick in the book re: exactly what *they* want in the test. If you do not have daily access to a car along with daily practice, it could take years to get a licence. You need to practice long enough to be able to sit the test+ 3/4 month wait once you have booked the test + repeat tests. This adds up to one year minimum for some, while others could take three years or more to get there. In the meantime, you pay insane amounts of money for lessons, driving test fees, learner insurance etc. Many cannot afford that. It's not like other countries where you can decide to learn to drive, and then have your licence within six months.

catmack

Galbin wrote: »

Yes, due to the aforementioned reasons it can take years to pass your test.* So, if you don't need it for work or to get around, don't put yourself through the stress. Just today my friend told me that learning to drive was one of the worst experiences of her life!

I miss my mother every single day and always will, as she was my best friend. However, at least I have absolutely no regrets. I never wish I spent more time with her, as I indeed spent plenty and deliberately lived near her even before she became seriously ill. When did your mother die?

*In order to pass the test, the car needs to be an extension of your body, and you also need to know every single trick in the book re: exactly what *they* want in the test. If you do not have daily access to a car along with daily practice, it could take years to get a licence. You need to practice long enough to be able to sit the test+ 3/4 month wait once you have booked the test + repeat tests. This adds up to one year minimum for some, while others could take three years or more to get there. In the meantime, you pay insane amounts of money for lessons, driving test fees, learner insurance etc. Many cannot afford that. It's not like other countries where you can decide to learn to drive, and then have your licence within six months.

I left USA in 2012, gave up all I knew, gave away tons of things, hurt selling my car a lot. My mom died November 2016, she had Alzheimer's. So I will move forward and play the cards I have been dealt. Thanks

Galbin

catmack wrote: »

I left USA in 2012, gave up all I knew, gave away tons of things, hurt selling my car a lot. My mom died November 2016, she had Alzheimer's. So I will move forward and play the cards I have been dealt. Thanks

Oh my, that is very recent! IME, the first year was the rawest and most hideous part of the grieving process. And you have other situations to deal with too, as you have been through caring, immigration, and bereavement all in a short period of time. I hope you at least have some support. Feel free to pm me if you want to chat off the forum.

catmack

Galbin wrote: »

Oh my, that is very recent! IME, the first year was the rawest and most hideous part of the grieving process. And you have other situations to deal with too, as you have been through caring, immigration, and bereavement all in a short period of time. I hope you at least have some support. Feel free to pm me if you want to chat off the forum.

Thank you, I was born in Ireland but we moved to England, then USA. I came back here to take care of her, knew no one, had no support. joined a carers group online. That helped, had my cousin in Australia. basically it was a journey of the soul if you can understand what I mean. But am stronger than ever, and believe me the fire was hot. Brought my 12 year old cat with me and he died, so it was a major emotional cluster of pain. So, thought driving would help me, but it has caused more pain and money than its worth. Thanks for your kindness.

Galbin

catmack wrote: »

Thank you, I was born in Ireland but we moved to England, then USA. I came back here to take care of her, knew no one, had no support. joined a carers group online. That helped, had my cousin in Australia. basically it was a journey of the soul if you can understand what I mean. But am stronger than ever, and believe me the fire was hot. Brought my 12 year old cat with me and he died, so it was a major emotional cluster of pain. So, thought driving would help me, but it has caused more pain and money than its worth. Thanks for your kindness.

And you lost your cat too; oh my ! So sorry for everything you have been through. Like you, I thought learning to drive would be a positive step for my situation (unemployed and need to drive in my sector). However, in this country, it's wise to have everything going well in your life before you start. It's a super tough test, and the testers aren't even nice. They are also just looking to fail you. Nobody needs that kind of stress and upset if they are already going through a tough time.