Aspies For Freedom

Im 28, got my license at age 17. Though I started Drivers-Ed at age 16 it took me a whole freakin YEAR to get my license. Since I got it in June of 1996, my parents said I couldnt drive outside of the West Seattle district for a while. So on my 18th b-day I took my dads car out on the freeway for the 1st time. I didnt drive all that much unilt I got into my 20s. The first few years after getting my license my sister said that I "didnt exude confidence". But When I finally had access to the hand-me-down car from my folks I started driving all the time. Now my sister freaks out at how aggressive I am behind the wheel. So Ive been driving for 10 years now and by golly I LOVE IT.
When you're behind the wheel you feel a sense of power and control-since afterall you ARE in control

The only two classes that I did poorly in were PE and Driver's Ed.  I was a hazard on the road until in my 20s -- totaled 2 cars and wrecked 2 others that could be repaired.  I understand that the executive function part of the brain undergoes a major maturation in the early 20s, so maybe that's the magic that occurred.  I've not had a problem since. I probably should not have had a license until then.

When I am driving I always expect the worst case scenario from everybody else on the roads, which means I never follow too closely and always make sure someone is going to stop, turn off etc. Basically think of everybody else on the roads as being idiots and prepare for them to do stupid things on the roads. It seems to work for me.

It took me ages to learn to drive actually. There are a lot of things to think about at once when you're learning. I know when I got to a certain stage in my driving, I did the illegal thing and drove around the backstreets of where I lived in an old rusty car by myself. It was the only way I got comfortable enough to do my test.

I dont drive a car for the simple reason that im afraid I would end up in a place very faare away.

hihi

Yes, one must learn a whole other set of rules in order to know when to break the first set of rules.  Like pretty much everything else in life.

Glad it's going well for her. I went on my first long trip yesterday: I drove 505 mile (813 km) total. My previous record was something like 150 mile in a day. My husband was impressed; he said that when he first got his license he would be exhausted after 200 mile. And he didn't have chronic sleep deprivation due to having a baby. If my husband had gotten off work earlier I probably would easily have driven the last 50 miles to my in-laws house as well, but at 2am I was getting too tired (I had been up since 6am).

Anyway, it's good that this was easy, because (yes, you can call me crazy) I signed up for trucking school. So in a month and a half from now I'm hopefully licensed to drive anything but tanks. And hopefully able to earn a living, because my husband's salary is absolutely horrible. So then he can quit his job and stay home with the baby and finally fix up the house.

I finished truck driving school on Friday (got my CDL on Thursday a week before that, with the doubles/triples and tanker endorsements... still waiting for my background check so I can get HazMat).

Wish me luck in getting a job... having trouble deciding what company I want to work for... busy filling out job applications etc... Anyway, gotta go.

I haven't had any problems with driving yet. I drive to school every day and sometimes run various errands for my parents.

I do notice that I am not very good with informational directions. I haven't memorized the names of streets, especially the generic numbered ones around my house like SW 93 Street type names. I usually seem to know my directions by visual ques and other landmarks. It seems to work amazingly well though for me and I have no problems with navigation until I have to give someone directions.

DYSPRAXIA and DRIVING:

I also have never really been able to drive, even though passed within 3 months of learning. I also know would be so easy to blame yet again my aspergers, but I know its because of my associated condition Dyspraxia, which NT's can also have.

Are you having trouble driving, this could be something to consider.
To be able to steer a car and drive, you need to concentrate, judge distance, use both hands and feet together and remember how to carry out a sequence of tasks all at the same time, which for some of us can be very daunting. It is hardly surprising that many of us who have dyspraxia decide that driving a car is beyond our capabilities. However, social pressures and work commitments may compel us to at least give driving a try. For more on Dyspraxia go to http://www.dyspraxia.org.nz

Some extra infomation from Dyspraxia Foundation
Driving Tips

    * Try to learn in an automatic car. Less co-ordination is needed and there is less to think about.
    * When taking the test, ask for extra time to complete the written section if you think you need it.
    * Have extra wing mirrors fitted for easier parking and reversing.
    * Larger, higher-mounted steering wheels are easier to use.
    * Mark the right side of the steering wheel with a sticker to help you to remember which side is right
       and which is left.
    * Plan and prepare your journey as much as possible before you set out. Write down the directions and
       clip them to the dashboard.
    * If you have map reading problems, reverse maps can help and/or computer navigation systems.
    * Take frequent breaks if you find concentration difficult.

I got a job driving a truck (48 states), but my first trainer's English sucked (he's from Somalia) and my second trainer was running me to death (making me drive even though I told him my eyes were falling shut due to exhaustion). I'm getting my third trainer today or tomorrow.

I would be panic attacking too and it wouldn't be anything personal. I am just that way with people I am sure of in the way of driving skills such as new drivers. I don't like driving much either. Somehow by the grace of god, I managed to drive from Upstate New York to FL with our belongings.

It took 3 practical exams, thousands of kilometers of driving experience and a lot of minor accidents before I could call myself a decent driver.

The only advice I can give, is that you find someone who's an excellent drivers to give you tips and that you just keep on practicing. Practice makes perfect!