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I've been living in NYC for the last 12 years and I haven't driven a car since I moved here but I'm getting married and moving "home" to Dallas later this year. Lot to think about and to get done with that kind of move but the thing that has me worried is driving again. My boyfriend has a car but I haven't driven it. He's offered but I just don't want to get behind the wheel.
Should I take a driving course to force myself to get driving again? See a therapist? Stay in NYC so I don't have to drive?
I know I know. First world problems.
I think taking a short driving course could be a good idea. I imagine there are some in NYC that specialize in refresher classes, since you are not alone in your situation in NYC. If you do take a course, make sure you find out if the school is using new or new-ish cars. The last thing you need is to be driving around an old car, because there's lots of new technology to learn in the new ones.
Check Yelp for driving schools that offer refresher lessons. You don't need to start from scratch.
Then after you take a few lessons, go rent a car for a day and drive around. Get the full insurance package so you don't have to worry about damage. This way you're more in control vs. driving your bf's car.
Some new things (depending on how old the last car you drove was)
pairing your cell phone with the car's audio system
using a keyless start
locking/unlocking the car with the remote
backup camera
operating the sideview mirrors with a button
Lane assist technology
Not all of these would be new -- but they were new to me after having a 1999 Tacoma for many years and then transitioning to a 2017 car.
If you don't have to, and been doing just fine without having to all this time, then why worry about it. Continue with what having been working for you for the past 10 years.
The OP is moving from NYC which has plenty of public transportation options to Dallas which I'm sure has some but not to the same extent. Not driving would leave the OP homebound much of the time.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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Besides the cars having a lot more technology now, the biggest changes in a large metro area are:
1. A lot more traffic
2. You have to be a lot more alert in anticipating trouble because of people distracted while talking/texting on cell phones (despite the laws)
Some new things (depending on how old the last car you drove was)
pairing your cell phone with the car's audio system
using a keyless start
locking/unlocking the car with the remote
backup camera
operating the sideview mirrors with a button
Lane assist technology
Not all of these would be new -- but they were new to me after having a 1999 Tacoma for many years and then transitioning to a 2017 car.
This ^^^
Quote:
Originally Posted by JGMotorsport64
Driving is the same.
Your reflexes and skills aren’t. Just gotta ease back into it.
And this ^^^
OP, you'll be fine. Once you get the car started......new 'technology'
Take your time. Like riding a bicycle. Just takes a little practice to get sharp again.
Blinker switches are a little different. You'll figure it out. Also in a lot of cases you leave your 'key' in your pocket. Be sure to step on the brake when you hit the start button.
Of course. I'm from Texas and I spent a few years in California before moving to NYC. I've driven as much as anyone and I've never had an accident or anything like that. I just fell into non-driving mode and I never thought I'd be going back.
The OP is moving from NYC which has plenty of public transportation options to Dallas which I'm sure has some but not to the same extent. Not driving would leave the OP homebound much of the time.
That's right. I'm not only going from not driving to driving. I'll be driving everywhere, a big change from walking a couple blocks to the subway. We plan on starting a family and we've already bought a house. Hopefully in a year I'll be stuck in traffic with a little one.
I think taking a short driving course could be a good idea. I imagine there are some in NYC that specialize in refresher classes, since you are not alone in your situation in NYC. If you do take a course, make sure you find out if the school is using new or new-ish cars. The last thing you need is to be driving around an old car, because there's lots of new technology to learn in the new ones.
Check Yelp for driving schools that offer refresher lessons. You don't need to start from scratch.
Then after you take a few lessons, go rent a car for a day and drive around. Get the full insurance package so you don't have to worry about damage. This way you're more in control vs. driving your bf's car.
Some new things (depending on how old the last car you drove was)
pairing your cell phone with the car's audio system
using a keyless start
locking/unlocking the car with the remote
backup camera
operating the sideview mirrors with a button
Lane assist technology
Not all of these would be new -- but they were new to me after having a 1999 Tacoma for many years and then transitioning to a 2017 car.
You've just scratched the surface. My wife's 2018 Subaru Outback has all the above plus adaptive cruise control with full stop/start, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, lane departure warning, pedestrian/obstacle detection with automatic emergency braking and backing up obstacle detection with automatic emergency braking. Almost none of this would have been available on a mass production vehicle 10 years ago.
locking/unlocking the car with the remote
operating the sideview mirrors with a button
Lol no. I had a 2004 Lexus SUV. It even had AC and power windows!
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