How do I get a car for my driver's road test so I can get my license?

lizardfuel55 on 25/9/2009 at 02:13

...Embarassing question, but I'm hoping somebody can help me out.

I'm a college student (in Savannah, GA) and I received my learner's permit today. Obviously, this requires me to practice a lot of driving before applying for my road test and driver's license which I aim to do asap.

My college is not in my homestate and I live in the dorms. My friends don't have cars here although I know acquaintances who do (but I would rather know them well enough before asking to use their car). The only other way around this is to take a defensive driving course. There is a driving clinic here that mentions they could give me a car after the course to take my road test in. However, the prices are way steep. I think it was about 200$ for 2 classes. I know insurance is cheaper if a driving course has been taken, but is this worth it, especially at that price? I'm not a new driver btw. I have driven before when I lived outside the US and I'm fully familiar with a car and its operations.

Besides this, the 2 other solutions are to either rent a car or to buy a used car off Craigslist. However, I think rentals don't service people with just learner's permits but to those who already have a driver's license--I'm not sure about this though. But is it legal to ask a friend who has their license (and is over 21) to rent one for me so I could practice in it, seeing that I need supervision anyway? Also, would it be impulsive to buy a used car on just a learner's permit status? I can afford one, but do auto insurance providers like Geico or Progressive insure cars for learner-permit-holders? I think that they only insure cars if the owner has a driver's license and not just a permit. Again, I don't know too much about that.

I'm basically stuck in a rut. Any feedback/suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mingan on 25/9/2009 at 03:17

Steal one. (Yes, this is useful)

Your best bet is to ask a friend who can rent a car. The car company can't know what you're doing with it, so long you don't make sweet love to the trees with it.

Gingerbread Man on 25/9/2009 at 03:24

The "defensive driving course" method is absolutely the preferred way among my people, that much I know. You tend to get a whopping insurance break (I think when I was first licensed / insured I started out in a premium bracket applicable to people who had three or four years claim-free) and -- added to the access to car thing, which would have tripped me up as well if not for the course -- ended up saving me plenty in the slightly-longer-than-short-run.

Um.

In other words, I'd recommend the course / car combo. Especially if you're already a competent driver. As long as you get the classwork right (and there should only be two full-day classes, if it's anything like what I'm familiar with) and don't miss your road test, it'd be $200 very well banked. This is my assertion.

Tocky on 25/9/2009 at 04:40

Quote Posted by Gingerbread Man

among my people

Ah yes, the driveum wellium tribe, a fierce and proud people of the iceous roadeous region.

Too bad you didn't take drivers ed in high school for free lizard. NOW YOU PAY. I got the brass dangly award my year and still drove into a tree. Sometimes you have to find out if you can do sixty around a gravel curve when you are 16.

Glad to be of help.

How did you date BTW?

lizardfuel55 on 25/9/2009 at 04:56

Quote Posted by Tocky

Ever occurred to you that not all countries let kids drive at 16? I was in a country where the legal age for driving was 18, but that's the year I moved to the US.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I guess driver's ed is the way to go... again ><

Tocky on 25/9/2009 at 05:18

You mean other countries don't put you in a car at the top of a mountain road at 12 and give you a taxi license if you make it to the bottom? You said Savannah GA, so no, it didn't occur when I'm being breezy and easy.

Nicker on 25/9/2009 at 07:44

A defensive driving course might actually save your life, not just your operating expenses.

If you take a proper Driver Ed course you will have access to legal wheels (renting under false pretenses, not a good idea). You will learn far better habits than you will from having your friends and relatives coach you. You can usually test in the same car you trained in.

Money well spent.

TBE on 25/9/2009 at 09:12

Well, no rental agency will lease you a car without a license. A learner's permit won't be good enough. This is the time to do good deeds for someone who has a decent small car who may let you use it in the future.

I took my driver's test in a (http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k8/TafferBoyElvis/1986_Parisienne.jpg) 1986 Pontiac Parisienne. More like a U-Boat, in fact. It worked out well for me, as I had driven large cars when I was learning, but a smaller car may be easier for you to negotiate the course and road-test.

An72 on 18/12/2010 at 01:32

Quote Posted by Nicker

A (http://www.schoolofdefensivedriving.com/index.php/Defensive-Driving-Courses/other-texas-defensive-driving-courses.html) Defensive Driving Course will teach safe and accident free driving techniques. The course will teach protection techniques and how to handle road rage and speeding. And will teach safe driving techniques in bad weather and adverse conditions. The course will hone skills in highway driving, night driving, and extreme weather driving. The course will inculcate critical safety issues and teach emergency action too. By taking a defensive driving course you will not have to appear in court. The driving violation charges will be dismissed and a fine will not be assessed.

Queue on 18/12/2010 at 03:03

I got an old van you can have. Just don't let anyone run tests on the stains in the back.