I did and it's still required in all Australian states - although I've heard it's sometimes waived in bad weather. Instructors don't like getting wet, so they don't want to open the door to check distance from curb. Like Spunky Senior above, I used to be much better at it than I am now, and I've never been able to back a trailer.
This post was edited by Slartibartfast at September 4, 2018 8:35 PM MDT
My father-in-law, an ex-trucker, tells me the same thing - but he also says you either got it or you don't, it's a knack that no amount of teaching can give you. He could back a fully loaded semi around corners in a single movement.
There's a lot of truth in that. Its the shorter wheel-based trailers that are the pain-in-the-rear. U-Hauls, boat trailers ... by the time you can see that they're crooked, it's too late!
I originally got my license near my family's weekend/vacation home in a rural area of Massachusetts and did not have to do that. But I was born, raised, and live in NYC, where parallel parking is a vital skill. I learned how over the years and I don't think it's that difficult. It's a matter of seeing angles plus depth perception.
I don't own a car, but I have in the past. When I want or need to drive, I get one by the hour from Zipcar for local use or I rent from Avis or Hertz for vacations.
Good idea. I've never lived in a big town and have commuted 45 miles each way to avoid it (L.A.area). Since I was sixteen I've always had a car. Wouldn't know how to act without one. :)
If you lived in a place where car ownership was not expedient or necessary, you probably would do as I do: car sharing and rentals and taking lots of rides on or in buses, subways, taxis, and Uber cars. You also might do more walking. New York is crowded, but also incredibly easy in which to get around by not driving. And with the savings from not owning a car - no loan payments, insurance, maintenance, or parking - one can spend lots of money on taxis, car rentals et al and still come out way ahead.
This post was edited by Stu Spelling Bee at September 4, 2018 10:30 AM MDT
Sounds great, but sorry. NYC: 302 sq. mi.(land) with 8.5 million people = 5 people per square foot. "Crowded" :)
This post was edited by Benedict Arnold at September 11, 2018 11:44 PM MDT
Exactly what I said - it's crowded, but very easy to get around by not driving. I can travel by walking, bus, or taxi and then the subway from my house in Brooklyn to midtown Manhattan in 30-40 minutes for as little as one transit fare of $2.75.
my2cents 