You're absolutely right- I should at least have the option to legally drive even though I have little to no desire to exercise that right in NYC.
Also- whenever I read about women in Saudi Arabia fighting for the right to drive I feel guilty about abdicating my right to drive. But- just because I have the right to do something doesn't mean I have to, so that wasn't the only reason I decided to do this.
Achievement- yes! I have taken a whole lot of exams, super hard ones, and I can tell you right now that the road test is my most difficult exam ever and once I pass it it'll be the one I'm most proud of. I took the CFA exam a week ago, after studying for 6 weeks. I get the results in January and honestly getting the verification that I passed (most likely outcome) won't be a big deal for me but driving certainly is.
Also- whenever I read about women in Saudi Arabia fighting for the right to drive I feel guilty about abdicating my right to drive. But- just because I have the right to do something doesn't mean I have to, so that wasn't the only reason I decided to do this.
Achievement- yes! I have taken a whole lot of exams, super hard ones, and I can tell you right now that the road test is my most difficult exam ever and once I pass it it'll be the one I'm most proud of. I took the CFA exam a week ago, after studying for 6 weeks. I get the results in January and honestly getting the verification that I passed (most likely outcome) won't be a big deal for me but driving certainly is.
However, knowing how to and being able to legally drive is most certainly not.
I would not choose to drive, daily, in many places around the country, especially if there are other viable options. However, the ability to drive if necessary, or the option to drive especially on a road trip or places away from the press of traffic is a good thing.
That all being said, driving does get easier and less anxiety producing the more that you do it, especially the more that you get used to a particular vehicle. When you get a good feel for where your vehicle is in relation to the road and the obstacles around you, the more comfortable and confident you will get. That is also not to say that some anxiety will never be present... there are often situations on the road that make me feel anxious, especially as you only have control of your own vehicle. However, that feeling tends to make a person a more careful and observant driver.
Keep at it. You'll be happy with the achievement and the option in the future to drive if you want/or need to.
I would not choose to drive, daily, in many places around the country, especially if there are other viable options. However, the ability to drive if necessary, or the option to drive especially on a road trip or places away from the press of traffic is a good thing.
That all being said, driving does get easier and less anxiety producing the more that you do it, especially the more that you get used to a particular vehicle. When you get a good feel for where your vehicle is in relation to the road and the obstacles around you, the more comfortable and confident you will get. That is also not to say that some anxiety will never be present... there are often situations on the road that make me feel anxious, especially as you only have control of your own vehicle. However, that feeling tends to make a person a more careful and observant driver.
Keep at it. You'll be happy with the achievement and the option in the future to drive if you want/or need to.
NSSP: Driving
- 13/12/2011 05:15:41 PM
1639 Views
I'm tempted to take this opportunity to poke fun at New Yorkers.
- 13/12/2011 05:20:14 PM
1136 Views
Re: I'm tempted to take this opportunity to poke fun at New Yorkers.
- 13/12/2011 09:58:55 PM
1068 Views
Re: I'm tempted to take this opportunity to poke fun at New Yorkers.
- 13/12/2011 10:37:47 PM
1058 Views
Re: I'm tempted to take this opportunity to poke fun at New Yorkers.
- 13/12/2011 10:50:38 PM
1146 Views
*NM*
I failed my first test.
- 13/12/2011 05:49:58 PM
1257 Views
I had to take the driving test 3 time before I passed (posted at the wrong place 
)
- 13/12/2011 11:43:44 PM
1185 Views
)
- 13/12/2011 11:43:44 PM
1185 Views
13 yrs old.
- 13/12/2011 06:02:22 PM
1272 Views
Seriously? Why? At 13 you should have had some awareness of the danger you were posing to others
- 13/12/2011 10:27:59 PM
1167 Views
Re: Seriously? Why? At 13 you should have had some awareness of the danger you were posing to others
- 13/12/2011 10:37:41 PM
1010 Views
Probably just a difference in perspective. Kids sneaking a vehicle for a jor ride is pretty common.
- 15/12/2011 03:51:30 AM
1150 Views
It must be harder to overcome that natural fear in NYC.
- 13/12/2011 06:44:28 PM
1121 Views
Driving IS overrated.
- 13/12/2011 07:01:02 PM
1105 Views
Re: Driving IS overrated.
- 13/12/2011 10:43:09 PM
949 Views
Isn't it traditional to fail your first test? Or is that just around here?
- 13/12/2011 08:14:01 PM
1111 Views
I wouldn't think so
- 13/12/2011 08:25:36 PM
998 Views
It's rare to pass on the first try here. (according to driving instructor)
- 13/12/2011 09:44:39 PM
1178 Views
I know Texas talked about doing away with it because the failure rate was so low
- 14/12/2011 03:15:11 AM
1077 Views
I wonder how many people that have been driving for years and years would fail if they had to take
- 14/12/2011 12:03:55 AM
1141 Views
Oh I think most people with years' worth of driving experience be fine.
- 14/12/2011 12:27:09 AM
1268 Views
I was even rather nervous about taking lessons and failed my first
- 14/12/2011 08:30:25 AM
1224 Views
I love driving.
- 14/12/2011 03:24:59 PM
1145 Views
Me, too.
- 18/12/2011 04:31:29 AM
1050 Views
Re: Me, three.
- 18/12/2011 07:37:55 PM
1113 Views
Did you ever attend a driving school? *NM*
- 14/12/2011 05:29:33 PM
502 Views
I don't think so.
- 15/12/2011 05:22:09 AM
1164 Views
Yes, you did.
- 15/12/2011 04:44:48 PM
1067 Views
That's not a sign.
- 14/12/2011 05:29:36 PM
1113 Views
Whoa.
- 15/12/2011 07:21:52 AM
1148 Views
Fewer cars on the road. Fewer double-parked cars. *NM*
- 15/12/2011 06:25:21 PM
437 Views
Also, you can tell when there's someone around the corner, because of the headlights.
- 19/12/2011 04:18:26 PM
1097 Views
Oooh, that's a good point.
- 19/12/2011 05:17:16 PM
1222 Views
It's more pronounced and important in the countryside where there are no streetlights.
- 19/12/2011 05:51:25 PM
1206 Views
In the country there are deer
- 20/12/2011 05:53:17 AM
1086 Views
Oh yeah, forgot about those. We don't have that many left, and only up in the Highlands. *NM*
- 20/12/2011 10:18:41 AM
621 Views
Driving tests are far harder in the Netherlands, from what I understand
- 14/12/2011 05:34:38 PM
1025 Views
don't worry i fluffed my practical test up today
- 14/12/2011 08:24:56 PM
1129 Views
I'm older than you 
and there's no way I would have willingly gotten behind the wheel at 17.
- 15/12/2011 05:12:29 AM
1044 Views
and there's no way I would have willingly gotten behind the wheel at 17.
- 15/12/2011 05:12:29 AM
1044 Views
I found driving nervewracking until I got to do it by myself. NZ has a great system, IMO.
- 15/12/2011 01:48:19 PM
972 Views
Amusing (to me) comparison to sex risks.
- 17/12/2011 05:50:16 PM
1143 Views
- 17/12/2011 05:50:16 PM
1143 Views
Re: Amusing (to me) comparison to sex risks.
- 17/12/2011 06:07:51 PM
1174 Views
- 17/12/2011 06:07:51 PM
1174 Views
No. But it is true that my risk aversion coefficient is too high.
- 17/12/2011 06:49:33 PM
956 Views
Isn't learning to drive in NYC sort of like
- 18/12/2011 04:21:47 AM
1069 Views
Don't worry about it it. I'm sure you'll get over it eventually.
- 18/12/2011 09:58:59 AM
1094 Views