maybe learning to drive is enough of a challenge?

November 7, 2007 4:12 PM

Would I be crazy to take driving lessons/learn to drive during the winter (ie in the snow)?

Ok, so it seems like winter is rapidly approaching here in Montreal, Quebec, which means the snow can't be far behind. I would like to get a start on practicing for my road test but I'm wondering if it might be better to wait until the spring when road conditions will be back to normal and easier to navigate.

How much sense does it make to learn to drive in the winter? Is it crazy? I don't have a lot of experience behind the wheel but I also don't have and anxiety about learning to drive either.

Obviously living here in Canada I'm going to have to get used to driving in the snow eventually so maybe learning to drive in winter conditions could be to an advantage?

oh, I would be taking lessons through a private company using there car...

ok thanks!

posted by hector horace to Travel & Transportation (13 answers total)

You said it yourself: You're going to have to get used to driving in the snow eventually. Would you rather confront it with an instructor at your side now, or all by yourself a year from now?
posted by gum at 4:15 PM on November 7, 2007

The heavy snowfall typically starts in December - I don't know if you can put off your lessons until then.

I don't think any school will provide lessons in the middle of a storm itself, and besides, I figure you need to book your sessions in advance.

The next best type of conditions would be those after a snowstorm, where there is still a ton of snow on the ground. You will need to be able to navigate through narrower streets since all the snow is piled up everywhere. I don't know if any school will teach you how to get a stuck car out of a snow bank though.

Or maybe you will want to practice on those particularly icy days, where you will need to learn how to "pump the brake" (that is, repeatedly pressing on the brake up and down, rather than holding it down; this prevents the wheels from locking and thus skidding).

Check it out with the driving school, maybe they can give you some advice!

But take your exam in the spring! Why make it any harder than it already is!

Good luck and drive safe!
posted by bitteroldman at 4:25 PM on November 7, 2007

I learned to drive in Ontario in January and it was fine. I find parallel parking easier with a huge snowbank hiding the curb, and it's definitely a good idea to get used to ABS brakes (or pumping...).
posted by piper4 at 4:34 PM on November 7, 2007

When I was learning to drive, due to circumstances I did most of it at night and/or in the rain. This meant that when I finally got out onto the roads by myself, I felt pretty confident about visibility and handling issues that some people I know had hardly encountered. I am sure that driving with a experienced person next to will be very helpful.
posted by tomble at 4:37 PM on November 7, 2007

If you're going to drive in the snow, learn to drive in the snow. You'll be a better driver for it.
posted by foobario at 4:40 PM on November 7, 2007

Obviously living here in Canada I'm going to have to get used to driving in the snow eventually so maybe learning to drive in winter conditions could be to an advantage?

Yes.
posted by ambrosia at 4:57 PM on November 7, 2007

Yep, I learned to drive in Eastern Ontario during the winter, and I think it was definitely a good idea. I was an extra-cautious driver come summertime, but that doesn't hurt.


I live in Montreal, too, and I'd be more scared about learning to drive here than most other places. You're going to be an awesome driver.
posted by ITheCosmos at 5:01 PM on November 7, 2007

Nthing everyone else; learn to drive in the snow. Better to have an expert at your side in bad conditions than in ideal when you don't really need them.

First chance you get after a big snowfall, find a huge empty parking lot and get yourself going sideways. Seriously, the fastest way to get over a fear of driving in slick conditions is to have some fun (and learn how to regain control of the car as well.)
posted by quin at 5:35 PM on November 7, 2007

I learned in winter in New Brunswick and I found it to be a distinct advantage. For one thing I was never intimidated by it like others are.

If you can take at least one lesson from a driver's ed company to learn brake-and-avoid techniques. Young Drivers does a particularly fun session that involves acting out various accident scenarios with pylons and learning how to deal with them.

(I must say... Despite that stupid term, remember that "pumping the brakes" shouldn't mean jamming them on and off... just depress them gently; once you feel the wheels have locked, release; then depress again, etc etc until you come to a stop. The whole thing should be gentle, not violent like many people do it. When you're jamming them on and off you're automatically locking-releasing-locking-releasing them, which is completely inefficient and ineffective.)
posted by loiseau at 5:47 PM on November 7, 2007

I learned to drive in the dead of winter and it sort of threw me into a trial by fire (ice) of driving. It gave me skills and confidence I probably wouldn't have developed learning to drive in ideal conditions. Don't be afraid of purposely putting yourself into an out of control condition (safely away from cars in a parking lot or whatever) so you don't have to figure out how you'll react and how to get out of it for the first time while you're skidding off of a highway at 60+ mph.
posted by knowles at 6:26 PM on November 7, 2007

I learned to drive in the snow my first time behind the wheel. I also slid into another car and damaged its rear-view mirror. I'd suggest practicing in the snow, but not on the first day. Ease into it.
posted by dhammond at 7:24 PM on November 7, 2007

Lucky you to have an instructor at your side as you learn to drive in the snow! Go for it - you'll do fine!

Do they still teach kids to steer into spinouts?
posted by Lynsey at 10:24 AM on November 8, 2007

Well, I think the poster above about having an instructor at your side is right. Better to learn with him, than alone!
posted by Chia_Earth at 2:47 PM on November 8, 2007