NYC Driving School recommendations?

October 3, 2006 12:24 PM

NYC Driving School recommendations?

My fiancee has a valid out-of-state license (Illinois), and can drive, but isn't comfortable doing it, especially here in NYC, because she hasn't driven in around 15 years. We don't own a car, but are thinking about getting one, and this is a condition for doing so.

Any recommendations for a program? Bonus points if they offer some sort of short "refresher" course in lieu of a from-scratch course.

posted by mkultra to travel & transportation (3 comments total)

This company taught me to drive. They were very good, and have a refresher course too.
posted by dshargel at 1:33 PM on October 3, 2006

Basically, all the driving schools offer a 5-hour preliscencing course which is required for a NY state card, which is required if her license is out of date. Otherwise I believe the course is optional. I have taken 2 of the 5 hour courses, and generally find them useless. link link Many, if not most driving schools, offer a "package" where they will give you the 5 hour course, plus X hours of supervised road time, and they'll take you to the test site and let you use their car. (again, none of this is required if her IL license is valid.) In both cases I was not impressed with the instruction.

I would recommend reading the NY State rules and regs book and then renting a car for a weekend and practicing in the boros (good way to explore) and then gingerly going into Manhatty, preferably Sunday morning, when there's not much traffic. It's far less daunting on the w/ends. But you should put some face time into traffic - it's really the best way to warm up.

Also, I'd avoid the nearby expressways (esp. the BQE between B and Q) until you/she feels confident on the roads. They're tall, fast, crowded and bumpy.
posted by DenOfSizer at 2:05 PM on October 3, 2006

I second Grand Prix in dshargel's link. I would also recommend against Big Apple Driving School (if it comes up).
posted by thumpasor at 3:29 PM on October 3, 2006