Getting a license in your 30's (New York, York: rent, how much, neighborhood) - New York City - (NY) - City-Data Forum

jds2001 · 08-30-2011, 09:42 PM

I'd finally like to get my driver's license, but I have no clue about how to go about it. Reading the DMV website, I need to go to some sort of school first? Probably not a bad idea, but where do I find such a school? How much does it cost? Do they let you borrow the car to take the test (I have no intention of buying a car)?

Sorry if this all seems basic, because, well it is

Henna · 08-30-2011, 09:59 PM

Driving School | Truck | CDL Training | Motorcycle | New York, NY

You will have to assess for yourself whether it's a good school. Might be reviewed on yelp.

Statz2k10 · 08-30-2011, 11:16 PM

Sorry to hijack the thread. But is this common for natives of the boroughs? Not to get a drivers license. I know it's kind of pointless to buy a car but figured in high school you still go through drivers ed etc..

DoomDan515 · 08-30-2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jds2001

I'd finally like to get my driver's license, but I have no clue about how to go about it. Reading the DMV website, I need to go to some sort of school first? Probably not a bad idea, but where do I find such a school? How much does it cost? Do they let you borrow the car to take the test (I have no intention of buying a car)?

Sorry if this all seems basic, because, well it is

I went to a driving school, took lessons, then they scheduled the road test for me. Got my license when I was 19.

paddock_laker · 08-30-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jds2001

I'd finally like to get my driver's license, but I have no clue about how to go about it. Reading the DMV website, I need to go to some sort of school first? Probably not a bad idea, but where do I find such a school? How much does it cost? Do they let you borrow the car to take the test (I have no intention of buying a car)?

Sorry if this all seems basic, because, well it is

I laughed really hard at this, but then I remembered this is NYC! (I'm originally from Wisconsin.)

Back in Wisconsin, you had to provide your own car for the road test, but the driving school had one for the Behind The Wheel lessons. I don't know about here, because so many people here don't have cars. Could you borrow a friend's?

Yeah, you need to go to driving school. I know there's a big one out by the Target in College Point, Queens. No idea how much it would cost, but I think in the neighborhood of $300-$700. (That's a big neighborhood.)

NooYowkur81 · 08-31-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

Sorry to hijack the thread. But is this common for natives of the boroughs? Not to get a drivers license. I know it's kind of pointless to buy a car but figured in high school you still go through drivers ed etc..

Its very common...

Mr. Klato · 08-31-2011, 07:35 AM

I am 26 and i have no driver's permit nor have i ever driven a car.

mc33433 · 08-31-2011, 08:07 AM

I have a driver's license but I've never had a car. I rent cars/ do Zipcar occasionally.

My husband has no driver's license at all.

It's not uncommon. I also know a few who in their 30s took a driving school class and got their license.

bg7 · 08-31-2011, 08:55 AM

I got my driver's license in Europe, didn't bother to take it here until last year when I was 40.
It is no big deal:
1) you download the DMV manual, learn the rules and take the provisional license written test. Its held at DMV offices, just a few multiple choice questions.
2) After 1) get to the local driving school. The driving school provides the cars, and they're all automatic not manual so its a peice of cake. You'll soon pick it up once you get the hang of the car's width and stopping distance. Also, its not really a "school" as such and all that the word implies, you just have a few lessons each week or each month depending on what you can afford until your competency gets good enough.
3) You also have to sit through a 5-hour class of 1970's safety videos (the driving school provides this). You have to pay of course.
4) Once you've done 1) - 3) you book the test. Its just driving a little around the streets, parallel parking, 3-point turn etc. Its a very easy test considering the US is an advanced nation. Go take the test in Germany, England or Japan and its an entirely different kettle of fish. But its reflected in the driving, once you get on the turnpike you'll realize that lane discipline is non-existent, turn signals are non-existent and keeping a stopping distance between you and the next guy is non-existent. Its all about freedom.

FrancieNolan · 08-31-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Statz2k10

Sorry to hijack the thread. But is this common for natives of the boroughs? Not to get a drivers license. I know it's kind of pointless to buy a car but figured in high school you still go through drivers ed etc..

I don't know of any high schools in the burbs or the city that still offer drivers ed. I had to pay for it waaay back in the 1980 on Long Island. I went through a private driving school.

And yeah it is very common for ppl not to learn to drive if they do not need a car and do not own one. especially now that the state issues a non-drivers ID. Manhattan probably has the least drivers. the outer boroughs def have more drivers.