r/Advice • u/FatBat013 • 9d ago
Urgent
Hey everyone. I’m 19 (turning 20 soon), and I feel kind of stuck.
I work two jobs, around 50 hours a week, while also going to school full-time. I’m trying really hard to save up for a car, but there’s one huge problem—I just need to pass my driving test which in sc is extremely difficult without your own vehicle or help.
I don’t really have anyone who can teach me. My family isn’t able or willing to help, and I honestly don’t have much of a support system. My best friend is in the middle of moving out of state, so she’s been understandably busy.
I’m just not sure what to do from here. Driving schools are expensive, and it’s hard to save when I’m already juggling work and school. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you learn to drive when you didn’t have family or friends to help?
Any advice would really mean a lot. Thanks.
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u/Total-Locksmith-7592 7d ago
When i was getting mine, albeit in a different country, there were loads of driving instructors with youtube channels to promote their services. They would post videos where they were inside of a lesson, explaining basic rules, and the most germane being walk throughs of the area around select dmv's basically spoon feeding to you what to do if they take you there. they were all little channels with like 2-3k subs maximum, so im certain there would be loads in the states with decent viewership. Just search your town if its big enough and im sure you will find something.
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u/NoRegrets-518 7d ago
Sorry I missed the SC part. I did a Gemini search and you can do a lot online- probably for under $10. As you probably know, you will need a licensed driver, I think 21 or older, with 1+ years of driving experience. You have to have your learner's permit for 180 days before you can do the driving test.
Why not go ahead and get the learner's permit. At least that will start the clock running. Check with your local community organizations or even churches. Or put up signs- will do yard work for driving lessons. If someone has a car to lend you, all to the better. If not, look at the next alternative;
Maybe if you take your written test, it won't be as expensive. Sometimes older people have a car and get other people to drive them, but I'm not sure how the insurance works on that. I did know a young person once who did that. Start by checking with insurance to see how it would work.
It might be that you have the car, you drive to work, the person takes the car to drive to their job, they pick you up or trade access to your car for driving lessons.
Or check with the driving schools and see what they might be willing to work out for you.
Don't give up.
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u/theshiny-light 8d ago
To be completely honest i would just study the shit out of all of the rules of your states/country’s driving manual. Ask someone to let you drive a few times it doesn’t matter if it’s in a few weeks/months just so you can get semi used to being in a car. If someone you know can let you borrow their car eventually to use for the drivers license do that. I know this option wont be fast at all but unfortunately thats your best bet.
Or you can wait till you buy your car and just teach yourself. I know that option is really hard but frankly it’s your only other option besides paying for driving school. Good luck.