I'm scared I'll get lost when I start driving by myself?

Question

I'm 15, should be getting my permit soon. I have a very poor sence of dirrection, for example: I went to a very small elementry school and got lost there a few times, I switched to a larger middle school and got lost there, once for a very long time and ended up in some creepy dead end stairwell, then I switched to a much larger high school and go lost there a few times also and walked around with a map for the first week of school, I even had to pull it out a few times douring week 2, not to say I didn't get lost anyway. I once had a terrible nightmirror that I was lost in my school and there were all these dead end hallways with cliffs and elictric wires and I missed the bus and had to hike home through the woods. I don't even know the name of the street right across from mine and I'v lived here for over a decade. I don't know how I can possibly handle driving places. I feel like I'm always confused. How will I not get lost. Please, no mean comments. =(

Answer 1

Hi there. I'm 45 years old and I've had driving jobs for 17 years. No mean comments from me. I have some suggestions. Firstly I'll say that your feelings are normal. Most of the people I've known were nervous to drive on their own at first. Just don't stress over it. You need to get a map. If you don't know how to read one, get somebody that can read one to show you how. Maps are easy once you learn. Getting lost is nothing to worry about. I've moved quite a few times to different cities. I found the best way to learn a new area is get lost and drive til you find something familiar. The most important thing is don't panic.

Answer 2

Well, I have no sense of direction and I've been driving for 32 years or so. When I was in Chicago, I memorized most of the big North-South and East-West highways and just kept driving until I ran into one.

Or, if it's early in the morning or afternoon, I can tell which direction it is - but it's really not much help. If I knew were it was - I wouldn't be lost.

Just go with the flow and leave really early for appointments.

I guess with the GPS you could program in where you live and at least get home. I don't know. It's still cheaper to ask somebody.
And, don't give me more than about 3 turns - because that's the most I can remember.

Answer 3

When I first moved to Florida (from another state), I got a map of my new city. I highlighted my cousin's house and two attractions. I found EVERYTHING from there. And that was before computers!

Get yourself a map of your hometown. Mark off the places you know. Try to trace routes that you know (from home to school or the grocery store, for example). Take a notebook and make notes when you ride along with your parents.

You won't be driving by yourself with a permit anyway, so you'll have a parent or other older person around for support.

I think being lost inside of buildings is a different thing, because I can drive around very well (and did pretty good when I was learning the area too) but I still get lost inside the mall! (LOL!)

Take little steps and learn short routes one at a time. Then branch out. You will get the hang of it.

Answer 4

Whenever you're in a car start paying attention to where you are going. Then by time you drive, you'll have a head start. Watch landmarks and names of big streets. As a passenger it's easy to zone out and not pay attention. Also see if your city streets are arranged any way. Like where do the numbered streets start from and what direction do they run? Then if you are lost and see a numbered road 10th street you know you are 10 blocks away from x landmark and you know what direction you are going. Also my downtown has all names of presidents, so if I see a president street name, I know roughly where I am.

Answer 5

Allow yourself plenty of time to get someplace and always have a street map of your city with you. I used to get lost a lot too and now I sometimes do it just for fun....there is a certain subdivision that is fun to get lost in (I purposely don't look at the street signs) and I like to test myself on how long it takes to get back to the main road...lol. The important thing to remember is to stay alert and be careful when driving. Eventually you'll get used to getting where you need to go but I suggest you try driving all over the place just to get a sense of it and not limit yourself just to the familiar routes. Have fun and good luck.

Answer 6

My daughter has no sense of direction either. She's in her 20's and still doesn't drive because of it. While growing up she always was reading in the car instead of looking at her surroundings. I think that may have something to do with it. My advice to you is every time you are a passenger in a car look at the streets you are taking to get to your destination. The more you watch, the easier it will be for you to find your way. If at all possible, sit in the front seat as much as possible because that way you see what the driver sees. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

I am directionaly impaired like you. For XMas i recommend asking for a GPS system for whichever vechincle you drive, plus i always use MAPQUEST.COM, and on yahoo theirs a site to. I always print out directions to and from whereever i go till i learn the route. Its okay just remember whenever you feel scared just calm down and think it will be okay. Even if you get lost- have a phone for emergancies to call home or something, or at least have change to make a call if need be. Dont worry i was lost on my first day of college for 4 hours - i never found my way their but the school eventually sent someone to find me...lol...so i go you beat. PS: get your dad to teach you how to change a tire.

Answer 8

start off easy, like driving to school or driving to the gas station. also have a parent or a good friend with you at all times until you get comforatable. it will start to come natural once you drive the same routes every day. also, try to pay attention when you are riding in the car as a passenger, turn off the music so you can concentrate. good luck.

Answer 9

Then you really need to learn how to read a map. Study how roads are numbered so you'll know which ones go north and south and east and west. If you can't or don't want to then you will definately need to get a navigation system for your car.

Answer 10

Just remember street names and landmarks, that's what I do. But I'm really good at directions, I never get lost.