It’s important for a beginner to stay safe when practicing their driving skills. From this perspective, joining a driving school is the best option. At Driven2Drive, beginners learn to operate the vehicle controls properly and can get comfortable with driving while in the protected and supervised space of the school. In between lessons, learner drivers may want to find a quiet suburban location or parking lot to practice in.
In this article, we round up ideas for places offering space, minimal pedestrian or vehicular traffic, and the opportunity to practice a variety of driving skills. It’s important to note that motorcyclists especially need a safe space to practice and build their skills quickly.
What You Need to Practice Driving in Greater PA
- You must be over 16
- You must carry a learner’s permit
- You must be accompanied by a licensed driver over 21
- The licensed driver must be sitting in the front passenger seat and wearing a seatbelt
- You may not have more passengers than the number of seatbelts in the vehicle.
Top Places to Practice Driving in PA
Driving Schools
A certified driving school is the safest place to practice your driving. You can also practice in quiet locations in your area.
Driven2Drive is the recommended starting point for good driving skills. It is also a great place for driver’s license holders to practice. The learner driver may be taken out on the road at a quiet, safe location by a driving instructor, and they may choose to build their skills by practicing with a licensed driver between lessons.
Choosing Places to Practice
Choose your practice area carefully. Be aware that the locations recommended may be subject to change when there are roadworks in the area or when business hours are extended for late shopping. Always check for pedestrians, especially smaller children who are not always visible behind your car and might run behind you. Also, be aware of skateboarders and cyclists and avoid their practice zones. Parking lots should be free of traffic islands or closed corners where the driver would have to reverse to turn around.
Choose a quiet time to go out and practice at places such as the following:
- A driving school near you like Driven2Drive
- Your local school parking lot
- A large empty grocery store parking lot (when the store is closed or at a quiet time)
- A quiet suburb with fewer cars on the road
- An empty library parking lot
- A large municipal parking lot
In the city of Philadelphia, use the Philadelphia Parking Authority website to find community parking lots. In other areas of Greater Philadelphia, use Google Maps to check out aerial views of any community parking lot near you to see if it is big enough to drive, turn, and get around in comfortably.
Driving in a Loop
Find some street blocks in a quiet suburb where it is possible to drive in a loop (e.g., around two blocks with a long stretch between the corners). This helps the learner driver to practice checking road signs and controlling the vehicle.
Changing Gears
It is best to practice in an area where it is possible to drive and change gears manually up to third or fourth gear (or to get just below the legal speed for a suburb in an automatic). A suburban area is best for this, so choose a long road with a low speed limit.
Three-Point Turn
Practice your three-point turn in a quiet neighborhood cul-de-sac.
Parallel Parking
For parallel parking practice, find a quiet road with marked parking spaces, or use an area provided by Driven2Drive that is specifically set up for parallel parking.
Driven2Drive has designated areas for each of these maneuvers, making it a perfect one-stop shop for practicing your driving and building confidence on the roads.
Places to Learn Motorcycle Driving Near Me
Driving schools like Driven2Drive offer lessons on how to drive a motorcycle. Locations such as the ones listed above will be suitable. Make sure to stay below the legal speed limit at all times and in all places.
The more you practice, the sooner you’ll be ready to take your driving test. We’re here to help you begin the journey. Contact us now on (610) 664-7400 or send us a message to book your first lesson and get prepared to ace your driver’s test.
Driven2Drive is a premier driving school and the leader in Driver’s Education. From our dedicated team of instructors to our innovative state-of-the-art Driving & License Testing Centers, we are committed to instilling safe driving habits for life in a fun and interactive atmosphere.
