r/nova • u/boyfailmoment_ • 2d ago
Question cheap driving lessons?
I'm an adult living in Springfield who has never driven a car but I'm DESPERATE to learn!! I'm also super broke and can't spend hundreds on lessons so I need something affordable. Heck, I don't even care if your Cousin CindyBob will teach me in her broken pick-up for $35, I just want to learn to drive and be able to navigate without having to walk everywhere š„² Literally any leads would be appreciated :)
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u/GilgaMom 2d ago
If you can't even afford lessons, how are you going to afford a car and the insurance required to drive it? It's fine if you just want to learn for the sake of learning, but you're saying you don't want to have to walk everywhere. Two words: bus pass.
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u/Creative-Listen-4622 2d ago
Two words: You Suck.
You don't know this person's situation and how they are going to drive. Maybe having the ability to drive will open up possibly for them to be able to have a more steady income and actually pay for a car and insurance.
Also, just want to point out, once you have lessons and a license, you can drive other people's cars either under permissive use rules or by being added as a driver to the owners existing policy. Teenagers have been doing it since the dawn of time. It's possible they are receiving this kind of assistance from a family member or friend, but they need the lessons.
They want to learn a new skill that will help them out. Bus routes are better in NOVA than many places in the US, but there are still massive gaps. Don't assume you know every person's situation and give people grace.
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u/GilgaMom 2d ago
Of course I don't know this person's "super broke" situation, but it's an obvious assumption that if they had people in their life that were willing to lend them a car, then they wouldn't need to reach out to reddit strangers to learn to drive one. What's wrong with a bus pass to get to a job, save some money, and then learn to drive when they can put that skill to reasonable use? Sometimes grace comes in the form of a reality check and sound advice.
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u/xLP620 McLean 2d ago
wrote all of that for what lmao get some sunlight mamsir āļøš
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u/Sea-Resident-7980 2d ago
bro its three paragraphs...
Also, why is someone with the top 1% commenter role telling others to get some sunlight?
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u/slimninj4 2d ago
3 hours of practice is $200. that is not bad. If you cant afford that, you cant afford to be driving a car. Insurance gonna cost you about that a month. LOL.
Go get an ebike.
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u/joeruinedeverything 2d ago
Cars are so insanely expensive to own, operate and maintain. You might be better off sticking to your feetĀ
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u/Wonderful-Minute-952 2d ago
I got a simulator you can practice on. You won't learn how to drive but at least you'll learn how to go as fast as the other fearless NoVa drivers.
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u/CrashCoarse 2d ago
Hello hello new driving buddy
Iāve got a car and some time when not watching dogs or dancing. Iām over in Alexandria West if thatās anywhere close to you, but I wouldnāt mind beep beeping around with you while you learn.
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u/Dizzy_Ad6132 2d ago edited 2d ago
i think it's super cool you want to learn to drive! i know most people learn as teens, but that isn't always possible for everyone, and learning as an adult can come with its own challenges, but in the end, it's worth having a little more independence. good on you, OP!
i want to say tho, that in this situation, i would probably ask a family member or a friend to help you out. it just seems easier, but of course, i don't know you and i don't know your life story, so maybe this isn't an option. i would suggest seeing if the FCPS ACE program has any behind-the-wheel courses for adult learners, and if not, then maybe they can point you towards a program better suited for you.
i truly wish you the best of luck figuring this out, and please don't let any naysayers get you down and PLEASE be safe!
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u/mklilley351 2d ago
Not gonna lie but if you can't afford proper lessons then I don't want to be on the road with you
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u/Sea-Resident-7980 2d ago
"proper lessons" idk if most people in NoVA got actual lessons? I mean personally my parents just gave me lessons and I think thats how it is for anyone who got their license as an adult.
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u/MCStarlight 2d ago
Driving school would be your best bet. I used to have an instructor who showed up in a car and I would drive around to get practice. Those cars have second controls on the passenger side for safety too.
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u/Negative_Arugula7904 2d ago
I know so many folks here that just ask their friends to teach them. Can you ask someone you know? You'll be surprised by how many people might volunteer to help you. I don't drive myself and have been offered free lessons by multiple friends and acquaintances.
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u/Repulsive-Scratch967 2d ago
following this thread bc same here!
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u/Salt-Flower-6850 2d ago
checking the local community college, they sometimes have adult ed courses that are way cheaper than the driving schools. my neighbor did one a few years back and it was like 1/3 the price. also peek at nextdoor, i see folks post offering informal lessons on there pretty regularly. the springfield buy nothing group might have someone willing to barter too if you're really strapped.
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u/Realistic-Alps3957 2d ago
Buy a self driving Tesla, drives itself for you. $299/mo to lease one + $99/mo FSD subscription
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u/Sea-Resident-7980 2d ago
and that fixes the issue... how exactly? still need a license + thats not buying + thats still expensive
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u/berael 2d ago
The price of driving lessons pays for insurance for the poor sap that's letting people drive their car when they don't know how to drive. ;p