Looking for places to practice driving? For safety reasons and efficiency in your quest to learn how to drive, choosing the right place to practice driving is paramount. And that begins with asking where can I practice driving?

When choosing a spot for safe driving practice, there are various factors that you should consider to ensure both your safety and those around you. As a learning driver, you should practice in areas that are empty and with no traffic so that you can learn safely and build up confidence when behind the wheel. Empty parking or lots will ensure the safety and safety of others. You can also focus on learning with few distractions.

You should read my post on can you practice driving without a permit before moving forward.

Choose an area that has less traffic and an area familiar to you as well. This will make your driving practice relatively easy.

  • Empty parking lots
  • Empty land spaces
  • Private property

Empty parking lots

Getting behind the wheel can be intimidating and scary. Building your confidence while at it is a gradual process up until you can venture out on the highways where there is a lot more traffic.

Practicing at an empty parking lot is not only safe, but it allows you to concentrate on driving. Empty parking lots are ideal for new teen or adult drivers. However, although safe, it does not provide the ideal scenario and challenges you face on the road.

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Empty land spaces

Just like empty parking lots, big empty land spaces are also ideal when practicing how to drive. These spaces are quite common in the rural USA compared to the city. You can comfortably learn how to drive without worrying about hitting people or crashing into other cars or buildings. However, just like parking lots, they are limiting in practice.

In order to be a competent driver, you must know how to safely drive among other drivers. An empty lot will not help improve your skills on the real roads. You will have to gradually advance to other driving settings that provide you with challenges that you face on the roads. Where you will have to apply road signs knowledge and follow traffic.

Private property

Private property can be at home, the church grounds, the local DMV parking lot, or a company’s parking lot. You can ask for permission from the owners or security of said properties to allow you to practice driving. Just ensure you have permission to practice there because if you don’t, then you would be trespassing. Private properties are ideal for new learners since they are safer than the road. It is not guaranteed that the owner will allow you to practice driving on their property.

Read what happens if you get caught driving with a permit here.

  • In-Use car parks
  • Neighborhood roads and streets
  • Rural and countryside roads
  • Small town roads
  • City Roads
  • Driving school
  • Freeway

In-Use car parks

Now that you have mastered and gained confidence behind the wheel practicing on empty spaces, it is time to take on a new challenge and take up a bit of a risk. I use parking lots that have both pedestrians and vehicles.

You will have a chance to practice and watch out for both. In-use parking lots have a speed limit. Therefore, the risk of collision is minimal. This will help you slowly build up confidence on the road. It is not as hectic as the highway, but with the speed limit and minimal traffic, you can slowly be conscious of your surroundings and how to react on the road.

Although the risk of crashing into people or other cars is minimal, this is not to say that it cannot happen. You need to be very careful.

Neighborhood roads and streets

Suburban and neighborhood roads can be a bit challenging. However, they are ideal when learning how to drive. The streets provide a real-world driving setting. The streets are ideal because the speed limit set in such areas is relatively low hence safer.

The person learning how to drive can apply their knowledge from traffic signs to traffic rules hence improving their driving skills. However, it does not come without its risks. Considering that suburban streets have a bit more pedestrians and cars, the river requires to be more careful to prevent any accidents.

Rural and countryside roads

Rural and countryside roads tend to have less traffic compared to city roads and freeways. The roads are also wide and clear. This gives the learner to practice their driving with less risk.

The river is also able to gain confidence in driving on the road with oncoming traffic without being overwhelmed. The speed limit in rural areas is not low compared to suburban streets.

It can therefore be challenging to the driver and also increase the risk of an accident. Extra care is required when practicing on such roads.

Small town roads

Small town roads are an introduction to real-world driving. Small town roads, although not as busy and hectic as big city roads, they too can be quite busy. They also provide the driver with the ideal driving setting where the driver learns to watch out for pedestrians, traffic, roundabouts, turns, and parking as well.

The roads allow the learning driver to apply their knowledge on an actual read with traffic and pedestrians. The risk of being involved in an accident on small tow roads is high than other places we have discussed this far. This is because there is more traffic and pedestrians. The driver has to be more alert, focused, and extra careful.

City Roads

City roads are a lot busy with more traffic and pedestrians. Before venturing on city roads and streets the driver must be confident behind the wheel, has the ability to anticipate and react to their surroundings.

Practicing in the city streets and roads will improve your skills and it poses real driving challenges which allow the learning driver to earn and apply their knowledge on different scenarios on the read. It is easy to get involved in an accident in the city. The driver should always be extra cautious while driving.

Driving school

If you are learning how to drive and attending a driving school, the school may have a training ground. The training grounds are much safer while learning how to drive, more also you are provided with a qualified driving instructor. The instruction will not allow you to drive on the roads until you are ready. The downside to practicing at a driving school is that the lessons can be expensive and time of practice is limited.

Here’s the best DMV-approved online driver’s training programs for you.

Freeway

Freeway and interstates are the last places a person learning how to drive would choose to practice driving. However, the freeway is one of the better choices to continue improving your driving skills. If you have mastered how to drive and are confident while driving, then you can start practicing on the freeway and interstates. It is wise to note that the minimum speed limit in most state freeways is 40mph. That means that driving below that speed limit is a violation of traffic laws. Therefore, most cars will be driving very fast. Speed on the freeway may increase the risk of an accident. Only practice on the freeway if you are ready.

To start driving, you must possess a valid driving license. To get a driving license, you must learn how to drive and pass all the tests, including the driving practice test and the theory test. The practice test is administered by the DMV to ensure that you can safely drive while the theory tests whether you know all the United States traffic laws and traffic signs.

You need a learners permit that allows you to practice driving with a licensed driver outside your driving school. The permit is issued after taking an Instructional Permit test. This permit is not a driving license. You also need a registered and insured motor vehicle.

Safety is always important when driving. Whether you are learning to drive or you have been driving for years, road safety is paramount. Below are safety precautions when learning how to drive:

  • Stay alert and keep your eyes on the road. Avoid any distractions like talking on the phone, texting, or anything that breaks your concentration and focus on the road. Ensure you are paying attention to the road and surroundings.
  • Follow traffic signs and signals. Be sure to follow traffic signals or signs that have been put on the road.
  • Never make assumptions on the road. Some people make the mistake of assuming what is going to happen. For instance, you can assume a driver is seeing you coming, and they will give way or stop. These are wrong and can be dangerous.
  • Always obey the traffic laws. Violation of traffic laws may lead to suspension of your permit. Ensure you follow state traffic laws, including speed limits.
  • Use car turning lights and headlights. Remember to use your turning light indicators when turning or changing lanes. Also, turn your headlights on when necessary.
  • Always have your seat belt on. Ensure that you have your seatbelt on to keep you safe in case of an accident.
  • Adjust the mirrors. Ensure both the rearview mirrors and side mirrors are adjusted accordingly, giving you a clear line of vision.
  • Practice with a licensed driver. Ensure there is a licensed driver on the passenger seat. The driver will help guide you.
  • Practice patience on the road. Be patient on the road and respect other drivers.

Find out can you drink non alcoholic beer while driving here.

Wrap Up

There you have it, the best places to practice driving. Whichever spot you choose to practice your driving skills, consider your safety and that of others. Choose a place that allows you to be efficient while practicing.

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