Drivers Ed
Jun 15, 2021 16:17:33 #
When I was teaching my sons, I took four pieces of 4-inch plastic pipe, about 4 feet tall to the school parking lot. There I set them on end creating a "box" about four feet longer than the car. They had to parallel park without knocking over the pipes. Rule One, They had to get out and reset the pipes every time they knocked it over.
Jun 15, 2021 17:29:36 #
whatdat wrote:
I remember three on the tree, but not 3 on the floor. Maybe I’m too young at 77.
Ah, three on the tree, I had forgotten about those.
Jun 15, 2021 17:46:13 #
RowdyRay
Loc: MN
Yep, my oldest grandson has his permit and doing behind the wheel over the summer. Think his test is in August? May be driving to school this fall.
Man, time flies!
Man, time flies!
Jun 15, 2021 21:01:24 #
I have two daughters who I trained for their drivers tests, Both daughters were short. At the time we had one front seat (remember those ), and each girl pulled the seat up as much as they could. Being tall I sat in the front passenger seat so that I had to look through my knees. Couldn't reach the brake if necessary. Thankfully my son was also tall.
Jun 15, 2021 21:01:38 #
I have two daughters who I trained for their drivers tests, Both daughters were short. At the time we had one front seat (remember those ), and each girl pulled the seat up as much as they could. Being tall I sat in the front passenger seat so that I had to look through my knees. Couldn't reach the brake if necessary. Thankfully my son was also tall.
Jun 16, 2021 01:13:14 #
drucker
Loc: Oregon
Reading the comments brought back a lot of memories. This last weekend we celebrated our youngest grandson's high school "drive thorough" graduation followed a little later in the day by a parade through town.
We watched the grandkids struggling to learn to drive and remembered when our kids were learning to drive -- along with a couple of fender benders. I fully remember their amazement when I told them that I didn't even remember learning to drive!
I grew up on a farm and it was just "normal" to learn how the tractors and pickups were operated from a very early age -- usually when you could both push the clutch to the floor AND see over the dashboard. The tractor came a little earlier because there was a hand clutch. We were in the country and we never got out of first gear or even "granny." The only times I really remember having to specifically practice was backing the pickup and also backing two- and four-wheeled trailers with the tractor. Other than that it was a slow continual advance in distance or difficulty of what I needed to do with the vehicle. Strict attention was given to safety and following the rules and that applied to working with animals too!
I specifically remember one day during wheat harvest when I had ridden to the field with my grandfather who was driving our recently purchased dual-axle grain truck. When we finished leveling out the load of wheat, he climbed into the passenger seat and said, "Take 'er out'a here." My only "instruction" had been my own questions about the gearing and two-speed transmission. He just said, "It's no different than the other truck just more gears -- just take it slow and easy," and then did a quick review of the gear sequence. I knew full well that I was in the middle of a very sandy field with a full load and a good chance of getting stuck. Upon getting to the road without incident, I asked, "What would you have done if I'd gotten stuck? His answer, "Same thing as if I'd gotten stuck. Let YOU walk to the house to get the tractor and chain!"
About a week later, I turned 14 and went in to take my test for a "Farm Permit" that was available to those who resided on a farm. It allowed driving on farm related activities by the most direct route either alone or with a licensed adult. I passed the written part and then was asked if I wanted to take the driving test or get a learner's permit. I decided to go ahead -- the worst I could do was fail. I passed the test and drove home. Over the next week I drove the dual-axle truck a couple of times on the 18-mile trip to the grain elevator with my aunt as "co-pilot" -- she was the usual driver hauling loads during harvest. Then one afternoon we had the big truck loaded ready to go and she wasn't back yet, so they sent me alone. When I got back just before supper and my mom realized that I'd gone alone, she about had a heart attack.
I don't remember being concerned about going alone, but when I remember my kids and grandkids at that age, I kind of shake my head an wonder.
We watched the grandkids struggling to learn to drive and remembered when our kids were learning to drive -- along with a couple of fender benders. I fully remember their amazement when I told them that I didn't even remember learning to drive!
I grew up on a farm and it was just "normal" to learn how the tractors and pickups were operated from a very early age -- usually when you could both push the clutch to the floor AND see over the dashboard. The tractor came a little earlier because there was a hand clutch. We were in the country and we never got out of first gear or even "granny." The only times I really remember having to specifically practice was backing the pickup and also backing two- and four-wheeled trailers with the tractor. Other than that it was a slow continual advance in distance or difficulty of what I needed to do with the vehicle. Strict attention was given to safety and following the rules and that applied to working with animals too!
I specifically remember one day during wheat harvest when I had ridden to the field with my grandfather who was driving our recently purchased dual-axle grain truck. When we finished leveling out the load of wheat, he climbed into the passenger seat and said, "Take 'er out'a here." My only "instruction" had been my own questions about the gearing and two-speed transmission. He just said, "It's no different than the other truck just more gears -- just take it slow and easy," and then did a quick review of the gear sequence. I knew full well that I was in the middle of a very sandy field with a full load and a good chance of getting stuck. Upon getting to the road without incident, I asked, "What would you have done if I'd gotten stuck? His answer, "Same thing as if I'd gotten stuck. Let YOU walk to the house to get the tractor and chain!"
About a week later, I turned 14 and went in to take my test for a "Farm Permit" that was available to those who resided on a farm. It allowed driving on farm related activities by the most direct route either alone or with a licensed adult. I passed the written part and then was asked if I wanted to take the driving test or get a learner's permit. I decided to go ahead -- the worst I could do was fail. I passed the test and drove home. Over the next week I drove the dual-axle truck a couple of times on the 18-mile trip to the grain elevator with my aunt as "co-pilot" -- she was the usual driver hauling loads during harvest. Then one afternoon we had the big truck loaded ready to go and she wasn't back yet, so they sent me alone. When I got back just before supper and my mom realized that I'd gone alone, she about had a heart attack.
I don't remember being concerned about going alone, but when I remember my kids and grandkids at that age, I kind of shake my head an wonder.
Jun 16, 2021 23:18:28 #
I was over by the granddaughter for lunch last week after she got out of drivers ed, she is a 3rd degree black belt in TaeKwonDo and a junior instructor at the martial arts school she has attended since she was 5 years old. With her mom in the passenger seat, the granddaughter later drove to martial arts; I followed directly behind in my vehicle. It was a one of a kind experience for me knowing our granddaughter was piloting the car immediately in front of me.
Both our daughters took drivers ed while in high school. I did not teach them to drive; I left that to professional educators.
The current drivers ed class is being run by the high school the granddaughter attends; there are 35 students enrolled in that class and only 5 are girls. Have heard these classes can become quite competitive. The head instructor for the course is a former police officer, interesting!
Both our daughters took drivers ed while in high school. I did not teach them to drive; I left that to professional educators.
The current drivers ed class is being run by the high school the granddaughter attends; there are 35 students enrolled in that class and only 5 are girls. Have heard these classes can become quite competitive. The head instructor for the course is a former police officer, interesting!
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