I have a problem...Should I or should I not,?

Question

I'm 19 now and am in college.

I still dont know how to drive and my father has been "teaching" me since I was 16, but he's very impatient,loud and other wise rude. Even for a driver's instructor ( which, by the way he's not certified, he just happens to think he knows).I cant stand being in a car with him, and hate drivers lessons with him.
I have this opportunity to do driver's ed at my college , I was thinking about doing it while Im up here just because , well, it might be better to learn from a professional than anyone else. I was thinking of learning on my own and not sharing it with my dad cause im kinda scared of him. In the end, once I learn how to drive, it really doesnt matter how mad he feels,I'll still know how to drive.And driving is that thing that will pay for itself again and agian, so its worth my money. Im 19 and in college, I should be old enough to make some decision by myself right?
anyway, yes my sityuation is crazy, dont judge, just please help me.
=D
thnx!!

Answer 1

You need to take the wheel in this situation (literally). Like you said - you're 19. Don't let your dad intimidate you anymore! Learning to drive is one of the most rewarding experiences ever - it shouldn't be spoiled by an overbearing parent. Go ahead and take the lesson. He'll probably be surprised to see that you took the initiative to learn to drive on your own and will begin to see that you are a young woman, not a child.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hey, I have been there! I asked my Dad to teach me how to drive a stick shift. We headed around the block. He yelled and screamed the whole way, without teaching me what standard H meant. That's one of the things he kept yelling, it's an H. At the end of the 4th trip, I pulled in the driveway and got out, saying I could not stand his yelling anymore. Lord, my ears rang in the compact car. Unfortunately, I never learned to drive a stick.
If your Dad can't teach you, get someone else, even if you have to pay money. Just make sure the school is legitamate, there was a scam awhile back, people were paying money for no lessons.
You need to know how to drive, there are emergency situations where you might have to know, someday you will have kids, and then, you have to know for their safety.

Answer 3

Yup, fathers are scary - you got that right. Anyway, if I were you I would try to find a non-offensive way of telling him that you would like to take the driving class. Tell, him that you love him and appreciate his help but you don't want to be so dependent on your parents and would like to try driving school on your own. Make it sound like it's not something you really want to do but something you think you should do to take a step in the right direction - the direction of independence. Explain to him that he won't be around forever to help you and that you need to start learning to make your own way through life to prepare for that eventuality. If you don't think that will work, your solution is a good one - but I would feel guilty about it and only use it as a last resort. I really hope you get things worked out - driving is a necessary skill in today's society. Good luck!!!

Answer 4

Take the course. It's hard enough to learn to drive without someone yelling at you. A professional driving instructor will be more patient and will provide more information to help you. If you are able to get your license after the course, your Dad should be happy for you. We can always hope anyway. Good luck.

Answer 5

A driver's ed certification will give you a discount on car insurance as well. Definitely get a professional to teach you, you probably know far more than you think and it should go smoothly.
19 is an adult, assuming you are paying your own way in life, you may make whatever decisions you wish.

Answer 6

It is better to take the certified drivers' course. They know how to train you best for certain situations and how to drive defensively so that you are the safest driver you can be.
After all, when we drive, everyone else's LIVES are our responsibility.
Don't feel embarrassed, lots of kids can't learn from their dads. It's a classic and common situation.

Answer 7

Hey, I'm a Dad. If my daughter (she's 4 now) couldnlt learn from me, and had the opportunity to learn while at college... I'd expect her to take it. I can imagine that your father is probably as exasperated and afraid (of "losing" you - increased independance) as you are. It's a pain in his behind to "teach" you. He'd probably (deep down) rather you learn from someone else anyway. That it's from a professional and while you're in college is a plus. Go for it! Remember also that you're "Daddy's Girl." It hurts us to see you grow up and move away from us. Understand that we want you to, but we miss the younger, more helpless, depending on Daddy - the Hero, that you were.

Answer 8

Since you've been "learning" since you were 16, has it occurred to you that you might not have the aptitude to learn how to drive? This is a possibility. However, if you are determined, by all means take the course. That way you will know for once and for all.

Answer 9

You should take advantage of the opportunity of learning to drive with a instructor. I too tried to learn with my father and it was a big mistake he made me so nervous and on edge that I would get everything wrong. In the end I turned to a instructor it was great to learn from someone who I didn't have a personal connection with.

Answer 10

Do it. I didn't learn to drive until I was in my 30's because like you my father couldn't teach me. After that 2 husbands couldn't teach me. I hired a professional and had my license in 6 hours.
I was money well spent. No one need be judging you on this.