Good place to practice driving (college, licensed, car)

[Pacifico]

I agree. The Rose Bowl parking lot areas. Pasadena.

[Elle Oh Elle]

Most of my classmates used freeways or emptier parking lots, but it gets tricky depending where you go. Some areas are more crowded than others.

They also had a system in which they practiced "trips" (ex. bringing their mothers to the market, bringing friends to the beach, etc.) and pretty soon it became easy.

[Samoi137]

Someone will go with you? I also first learned on parking lots. But I also took driver's ed in high school. I like the idea of the 101 at rush hour. You won't be going too fast, and you'll learn hand signals from other drivers (well, one-digit signals, at least).

[leeters84]

Originally Posted by Harrier

I don't understand why you would want to find a "good, desololate place to learn" unless you plan to be living and driving in that desolate place. If you are going to drive on Los Angeles area streets and freeways - you need to practice by driving on them - in traffic.

You will want to find a good driving academy/instructor - and get lots of practice driving on streets in traffic. If you just want to tool around without the risk of an accident - I suppose you could go to any mall parking lot around dawn - but you won't learn very much.

Yes, I understand that I will need to practice in traffic. First I need to learn the basics like signalling and such and to get comfortable handling a car. I'd rather not crash the car before I even have a license. I've only driven very briefly in a parking lot twice and I was having a bit of trouble figuring out how much I needed to turn the wheel and also forgetting to return the wheel to its original position. It makes sense to me to get comfortable with that kind of stuff before I actually drive on the road. I'd be doing it for your sake and mine

[leeters84]

Originally Posted by Samoi137

Someone will go with you? I also first learned on parking lots. But I also took driver's ed in high school. I like the idea of the 101 at rush hour. You won't be going too fast, and you'll learn hand signals from other drivers (well, one-digit signals, at least).

Yes, my boyfriend will be with me. I am a NYC native so there was no need for me to learn how to drive. Now, at 28, that I am living in a place where it'd be really helpful I probably should do it as much I don't want to. I think I'll check out the Rose Bowl stadium first as a few people have suggested. Thanks.

[leeters84]

Thank you all very much for your suggestions. I will practice in the Rose Bowl parking lot and then take it to the streets when I feel comfortable enough. Thanks again!

[harhar]

I learned how to drive in industrial areas on the weekends. You get to practice on real streets with very little traffic.

From there you can move on to main streets in the early morning, and then just practice practice practice.

[leeters84]

Originally Posted by harhar

I learned how to drive in industrial areas on the weekends. You get to practice on real streets with very little traffic.

From there you can move on to main streets in the early morning, and then just practice practice practice.

That's a great idea! Thanks.

[buzzkillb]

Originally Posted by oomph

The Rose Bowl in Pasadena has some huge parking lots. Many people learn there It is about 15 miles from you.

That's where I learned. And then learned how to drive stick on inclines at the Glendale Galleria at 5am.

[greggd1]

Originally Posted by leeters84

Yes, I understand that I will need to practice in traffic. First I need to learn the basics like signalling and such and to get comfortable handling a car. I'd rather not crash the car before I even have a license. I've only driven very briefly in a parking lot twice and I was having a bit of trouble figuring out how much I needed to turn the wheel and also forgetting to return the wheel to its original position. It makes sense to me to get comfortable with that kind of stuff before I actually drive on the road. I'd be doing it for your sake and mine

Forget about the rosebowl parking lot. Very close to Sherman oaks are some perfect streets for real life practice with no vehicles.

On a sunday go to some dead end streets in the industrial sections of the valley. There are some great streets that are totally empty on Sundays. You can practice everything on one street, use their parking lots in addition to the street and learn exit, entry, turning, parking etc.

Slowly Drive backwards through an empty parking lot and you will get a real good feel for how the steering works on your car. seriously, forward is cake to backward and if you do this early you will always remember and be excellent at backing up a car.