r/driving Aug 01 '26

Left-Lane Camping, Zipper Merging, and the Speed Limit

40 Upvotes

Left-lane camping is annoying (unless you're in a city, where it usually doesn't count), zipper merging works in theory (but is rarely effectively executed en-masse), and the speed limit isn't ideal for some people (just try not to be everybody else's problem). That should about cover it.

I'm making this post in an attempt to show people that these topics are already heavily discussed here, but please feel free to express your frustrations below or in your own special post.

Thanks for checking out r/driving.

Relax.


r/driving 20h ago

Right-hand traffic (🇺🇸🇨🇳🇧🇷) Am I in the wrong here?

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491 Upvotes

I have a constant issue at this specific off ramp. After I turn right, my destination is on the left, so I wait for the light in the middle lane, so I can stay in my lane and not have to worry about switching.

Atleast once a week (at a minimum), someone takes the far right lane so they can turn immediately, then try to force their way into the left lane by cutting me off. I've had quite a few close calls, and been honked at, flipped off, yelled at, etc.

This seems obvious to me, but after so many people flipping out, im wondering if im missing something? I'm thinking about switching to the far right lane either way, because one of these days there's going to be an accident.


r/driving 1h ago

I don’t want to have a car

Upvotes

I swear, I should mention I drive for a living, there is no other place that people lose their minds than on the road. Seriously, one mistake can literally set someone off and make them lose their minds. If you road rage you are a loser. Full stop. I’ve seen enough of it and I’m not even talking about my driving but just what I’ve observed on the road.


r/driving 1h ago

Need Advice how do you not hate people on the road

Upvotes

i just dont understand it. like i wanna become a bus warrior. with the left lane camping, the lack of signals, the tailgating, the constant barrage of people getting on the freeway right before your exit, people just creating a WALL on the road, driving side by side. it's painful LOL.

i wanna chew on my fingers till they become nubs. I try to remember everyone's just trying to get somewhere safely. I try to listen to nice music and keep the AC on to keep cool and calm. The only thing i can control on the road is myself. but omg does anyone have better advice like i cannot take it


r/driving 4h ago

19F, struggling to learn how to drive because of brain fog

8 Upvotes

I’m 19F and still don’t have my license. I’ve been practicing driving for about 3 years, but I genuinely struggle to remember the steps involved in driving. I forget things like the steps for parallel parking, when to check my mirrors/blind spots, and I have trouble keeping track of my speed while also paying attention to everything else. I forget basic traffic rules. I try hard to lock in and focus but I make so many mistakes. I'm tired and yawning constantly behind the wheel. I eat enough, sleep enough, take iron pills, take vitamins, exercise, got my thyroid checked, but my brain is so foggy.

My dad has given me countless lessons but eventually gave up and told me to fix my brain fog first. I also tried a professional driving instructor, but it didn’t help much.

People, especially my brother, constantly call me a loser for not being able to drive at 19, and it’s really starting to affect my confidence. Like I now really hate driving and I'm about to give up.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this? How did you overcome it and eventually learn to drive?

Edit: I care about safety a shit ton and I try my best to be attentive on the road and know the safety rules. I have driven to another city one hour there and one hour back before with my dad in the passenger and although I did drive safe it was only cause my dad was giving cues (i remember towards the very end of the drive a wave of fatigue hit me so intense I was gonna run the stop sign if it weren't for my dad yelling at me to stop). It also doesn't help that my dad yells at me a lot cause he has anger issues


r/driving 25m ago

Need Advice New driver slightly confused (multi-lane roundabouts, USA)

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Upvotes

Hey! Learning driver here, long story short my brother and I had a conversation about some different situations and who would be at-fault for them before this came up

In this situation, the red car (red line) and blue car (blue line) both enter this roundabout at the same time, and both end up taking the same exit; colliding into each other in the process. My question is, who would be deemed at fault here? It’s been my understanding that people in the outside lane upon entering can go right, or straight, while people on the inside lane can make a left, or U-Turn, making the red car at fault here. However, they insist the lane markings funnel you to where you’re supposed to exit naturally and that the road markings allowed for the red car to remain in the circle despite the initial right/straight arrow, making the blue car at fault.

Just looking for some clarification so I can avoid getting this mixed up in the future, thanks!


r/driving 4h ago

Venting left lane campers nightmare: Sweden

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4 Upvotes

Sweden has 2700 kilometers of 3 lane road design with alternating 2+1 lanes. Extra lane ends and begins every 2 miles with predictable regularity. Can not cross into oncoming traffic intentionally or by accident, because of steel cable fence. Were you planning to kick back and relax with cruise control? Nope! Sweden now has 2.2 traffic deaths per 100,000 compared to ~13 in US.


r/driving 2h ago

Losing confidence

2 Upvotes

Hey guys, today I was pulling into a parking spot and misjudged the space so I ended up scratching a car while the owner was getting out. We exchanged info and went on our way. They mentioned having their insurance cover it so my premium will increase 😭

I know young drivers tend to make mistakes but I felt like I was being too careless and this discouraged me to keep driving. My parents pay for my insurance so I’m way more cautious about driving. How do I not beat myself up over this?


r/driving 5h ago

Cities pilot ‘rest in red’ program that rewards good drivers with green lights

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3 Upvotes

r/driving 1d ago

People who “wait” for me to back out of my driveway do more harm than good

110 Upvotes

I live on a somewhat busy road. It’s busy for a town this size but it’s not crazy busy, and the speed limit is 25.

Backing out of my driveway the southbound lane is closest and the northbound lane across the street. Most of the time when I am backing out I am backing across the southbound lane and into the northbound lane.

People see me backing out and like to be “polite” and stop in the southbound (closest) lane. This does me no good because I still have to wait for a pause in traffic in the northbound lane. (They usually don’t give me enough room anyway because they stop so close to my driveway.)

When I finally get a break in traffic in the NB lane the car in the SB lane decides they waited long enough and start going again. Now there is a pile up of cars behind them, cars that would already be clear if they weren’t stuck behind the jerk who decided to “wait” for me.

Usually by the time the SB lane is clear the NB lane has traffic in it. I usually don’t have trouble backing out unless someone decides to “wait” and throw off the rhythm.

In general I can’t stand people who give up their legal right of way; four way stop signs, illegal left turns, etc. If it is your “go” please take it. I can manage to get by on my own and I don’t want your help.


r/driving 8m ago

Speeding Excuses

Upvotes

The thre most common excuses I see here for speeding:

  1. "I am an excellend driver and know how to co ntrol my vehicle"

  2. Modern cars have better handling and grip than the older cars around when they set speed limits.

  3. Roads are designed for much higher speeds than they are limited to.

Given those three excuses, how come nearly every day when driving to work at the speed limit and the road enters a sweeping curve (where I easily stay in my lane), do the speeders ripping past me enter my lane? Theey are inches from my mirror, and often I see them either nail the brakes or jerk back over into thier lane. (Seen a couple actually overdo it and end up in the ditch between the lanes of traffic.


r/driving 18h ago

Venting Why am I so terrible at driving

26 Upvotes

for context, im a 15 y/o Asian girl and i was so excited to drive at the start of the year. so excited to the point where i volunteered to wash my parent’s car and deep clean the inside. as an Asian girl, my friends have of course made jokes about the stereotype that Asian women can’t drive. as i keep driving (I got my permit in January) my dad of course has to sit with me and i just feel so belittled and he always makes fun of how terrible i am at driving after and constantly yells at me. my mom refuses to take me on highways or freeways (even though i am very capable, i am done with drivers ed and finished the knowledge test i just need my skills test) because of what my dad says. it sucks to feel like no one believes in me, not even my friends, my parents, and which has led to ultimately myself. I just want to get my license and get this all over with. my 16th is in October, and my dad keeps telling me i need to drive, but why would i want to when all he does is yell at me for 3 hours? i wish I wasn’t a terrible driver and i wish i had the room to grow.


r/driving 4h ago

Need Advice Got honked at, is it my fault?

1 Upvotes

I am a new driver and have only had my license for about a month. I was driving to drop off a friend when someone beside me started drifting/teeter-tottering over the line into my lane without signaling.

I slowed down to let them go ahead because I thought they wanted to merge into my lane or pass me. However, they slowed down too, which left us driving window-to-window/side-by-side. They then honked at me for slowing down.

I rarely honk because I am never sure when it is appropriate. Was slowing down to let them go ahead the wrong thing to do? Should I have honked when they were drifting toward my lane, or should I have continued forward normally?

EDIT: clarified my unclear writing


r/driving 1d ago

Do you drive with your lights on in this weather?

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181 Upvotes

Is there a traffic rule for this? I always make sure my car’s lights on when the weather is grim or it’s still sunrise or early sunset especially during winter, so MY vehicle is visible for pedestrians and other road users. Just curious to know who else does that and why as I see so many drivers not doing that.


r/driving 1h ago

Need Advice 2 Years With a Learner’s Permit… Am I Actually Ready to Drive? 🚗😂

Upvotes

I’ve had my learner’s permit for two years now. I’ve only driven a real car twice on my own and once with someone else. After that, I didn’t drive a real car again for the next two years.

However, I’ve spent a lot of time driving on simulators like Assetto Corsa and Forza Horizon.

In three days, I’m taking my driving test so I can hopefully buy my first car and finally retire my simulator setup 😂.

So my question is: Am I actually ready to drive in real life, or am I not?

I’ll update this post and let you know whether I pass my driving test or not!


r/driving 1h ago

Теряю концентрацию что делать ?

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Upvotes

На экзамене по вождению, когда я сажусь за руль, пропадает концентрация, я пропускаю знаки, разметку, перекрёстки. Подскажите, что делать?


r/driving 1h ago

Need Advice How do you not get in your head during the driving test?

Upvotes

I have my test in a couple days and im pretty nervous. I failed the first time with parking, I made a mistake and it freaked me out a bit leading to a lot more mistakes😅 theres a lot of pressure to pass this since college is starting and I need to drive myself, but all of that pressure is just making me more nervous! Ive been practicing, looking up videos, making sure I know what theyre looking for but I still dont feel confident. I know I can drive well, I just need tips on how to do that infront of an instructor


r/driving 5h ago

People who didn't drive regularly until your 20s or 30s or who never really were taught by anyone growing up(like paid for a few lessons and took the test and were on your own), how much did you initially doubt whether or not you could be a good driver?

2 Upvotes

Out of curiosity because I have always heard people say when they drove later than "typical", that they felt they were more prone to being bad or dangerous on the road, which makes sense of course. Some have said that you're at a major disadvantage because you didn't have people to really teach you the rules of the road. So just from your experience, how did you navigate everything?


r/driving 3h ago

Need Advice buses (derogatory)

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0 Upvotes

relatively new CA driver here with my artistic rendition of a scenario that's new to me. what do you do when the light is green, the bus is gigantic, and said bus is parked rightttt at the front of the lane ?

my car is small enough to narrowly skirt past it. i know i should probably signal and change lanes, but how am i supposed to do that both before passing the bus and after i'm out of the intersection if the space behind it is so small ?


r/driving 5h ago

Only in Northern VA

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1 Upvotes

r/driving 11h ago

Need Advice fear of driving

2 Upvotes

hi
i'm almost 27 yrs old, and I don't yet have my drivers license. i've been able to skirt around it barely until now but lately i've had to finally practice with my permit and i've come a long way, I can drive on regular roads (I live in a smaller city surrounded by more suburban areas) and I understand the basic rules of the road. I just have a fear of getting on the highway and don't understand how someone can make that jump. I don't understand how teenagers are able to drive and be safe and yet the evidence all points to the fact it's more than safe and doable. it seems so dangerous and I feel even worse about crowded city streets like in Boston (close to where I live). I feel like I sound crazy but I don't understand how accidents or even small bump-ins aren't happening all the time. i've not had any sort of close call and i'm very competent and careful on the road but I still fear this.

my fear is impacting my life so negatively and I want to move and be able to work a job I can drive to. I feel such shame around it and I feel so silly being this old without a license and it just is gonna keep impacting me worse so how do I make steps to alleviate this and get my license? should I take drivers ed? what do I really need to do to be confident and cool and collected on the road?


r/driving 4h ago

Right-hand traffic (🇺🇸🇨🇳🇧🇷) Am I in the wrong?

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0 Upvotes

Should I have let the truck go in front of me? I thought I was in the right but he looked mad at me


r/driving 18h ago

Venting feeling discouraged about my driving lessons

6 Upvotes

I’ve been doing driving lessons on and off since i was 18 due to lack of money and now i’m almost 23 and i’ve been doing driving lessons since the middle of july after not driving for over a year. my older sister started doing driving lessons after me. after 5 lessons her driving instructor already told her she was ready to book the actual test in september.

i thought my driving instructor was bad so i decided to switch over to the driving instructor my sister has been doing lessons with. i already did 9 lessons with the other instructor and i just did my 6th lesson today with the instructor my sister has been doing lessons with which means ive done 15 lessons in total since july. my sister is on lesson 9 and has been doing 1 lesson per week for the last 3 weeks while i’ve done 6 lessons with him and 15 lessons in total and he still wants me to do 2 lessons per week with him.

not to mention i have way more driving experience than my sister on the main road. i did 4 lessons with this other driving instructor on the side street when i was 18, did about 18 lessons on the main road with this other instructor, 3 lessons with another instructor on the side streets (took over a year off) then did another 9 with him again on the side streets as he was refusing to take me out on the main road, and now i’ve done another 6 lessons on the main road. my sister did a one hour lesson on the main road many years ago, did 20 hours of lessons with my mom on the side streets, and did 9 lessons as of recently with another instructor and she was already good by lesson 5.

it just feels so discouraging and i feel like i should just give up. it’s so expensive and stressful and i don’t even have enough money to get myself a car after i pass so what’s the point of all this? but if i don’t get it my mom will be upset with me and call me a loser and failure of a daughter.


r/driving 17h ago

Need Advice Any tips on determining distance between my car and a parked car’s back bumper?

4 Upvotes

For a little bit of background, I’m a relatively new driver and I drive a compact SUV.
I can never tell how much distance is between my car and the car in front of me when parking. It’s especially evident when I park and cut right when I parallel park. I have to walk in and out constantly and I feel so stupid and embarrassed because 90% of the time there’s a huge space in front of me. It also brings me a lot of anxiety whenever I pull out because I still think I have no space in front of me despite already looking beforehand. I break out in a sweat every time and honestly, I avoid places where I have to parallel park because of how much anxiety it brings me.

I know this is a stupid issue will be solved as I drive more and get used to my car, but I would just like some advice as I just feel so stupid.


r/driving 10h ago

TP test

1 Upvotes

hi does anyone have an instructor suggestion for my TP test. I am registered in SSDC under private account