Driving experiences in Louisiana - USA

Driving in USA was much different from driving in Canada But mostly that earlier experience made me feel more confident about my driving.

Getting driving license from Louisiana (where i am living now) was hassle free. With our indian driving experience lets us get american driving license easily. All we have to do is first clear a written test and then take a drive test. thats it we get a license with no restrictions.



Previous driving experience in any country counts specially international driving permit. Indian or any other country driving license will also do.

Canada and US driving rules are mostly same. Biggest difference is all the numbers are in miles in USA and Canada and most of the world uses Kilometers.
Its cautiously driving for a few days is whats important and eventually you will get used to it.

A recent scary incident.

Recently tried my hand on a 12 seater van while driving to Miami. At first it all seemed same as a car, real trouble started when i was overtaking a huge lorry at 70+ miles an hour speed. It could be just one of the defective van steering that we hired or may be all of them are like that. You need to constantly keep adjusting the steering wheel to keep it accurately on the road where you want. I was overtaking the lorry in on a bent road and hardly had enough room to. Van was shaking and i was literally scared & scared everyone to before taking good control of it. Also it always rained when i drove, which made it all more difficult to drive.



You can checkout this van and all other cars i drove on my wikipedia page of My & the cars i drove But soon i was one of the very confident drivers who drove that van in the night at 75+ miles constantly for hours together crossing 4 US states Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Diving had never been so pleasurable, I love US highways.

Crossing worlds longest bridge - Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is the longest bridge in the world. Its built on lake Pontchartrain thats between New Orleans(South shore) and covington(North shore).

Some facts

spanning 23.9 miles from Metairie on the South Shore.

Speed limit 70 miles per hour.



We did not notice the first time we crossed it in the midnight. But now its a feast to the eyes every time we cross it. At the same time its a bridge where we have to drive very carefully as only 2 high speed lanes are the on each side.

Driving experience in canada.

I had to completely unlearn my indian driving habits and start afresh. Most important one was driving on the opposite side of the road and lot of driving rules which must be followed so that others wont honk at you.

Here are some of the driving behaviours that we learnt over a period of time from others who shared the roads with us in the past.

we use to pass through pedastrains even if they are crossing (it was also a confusion and scary for pedestrains). And this is nothing new & is very common.

Cover all valid lanes by pushing your vehicle where ever it fits (thats how all bikes fit in between all lanes of cars)

Not bothered about speed limits as you will never exceed them because

1. Sufficient traffic on the road does not let you speed up but follow them.

2. Roads have enough speed breakers & Traffic signals to see that you do not reach good speed.

3. Curves and people crossing the roads

Right hand drive (Driving on left side of roads)

And over here the driving is 180 degree different.

Pedestrains get the highest preference to cross the roads.

Change the lanes with precaution and proper signaling.

Speed limit violations get you fines delivered right at your door steps :p Roads are good enough to go at 200Kms speed anywhere so you got to control it as the signs tell you.

Left hand driving of vehicles. Initially for a few days its scary to see vehicles crossing in opposite directions.

Learning driving in canada
Previous driving experience will definitely give you confidence. Do not think of driving from the first day itself. Here are few tips to get you started.

1. If possible get local driving license. You need to go through proper formal training for this. In Canada it costs up to$40 a class of an hour.
2. Take your time to see the traffic behaviour and signals.
3. Read through Drivers handbook for complete listing of traffic rules & driving instructions. Some of the rules change from state to state (applicable to US also) so be watchful.
4. Do not drive if you do not have valid license. International driving Permit will also do as long as it is valid and in English or French language.
5. Do not drive without insurance. It is illegal to drive without insurance, fines are up to $2500.
6. Do not think of driving on highways if you are not very comfortable to drive at high speeds of 100-120Kms.



Finally
Its a great feeling to drive on good roads with greenery all around. I enjoyed every bit of driving on Chrystler Sebring 2007 model. Respect all rules of traffic, have fun and enjoy a wonderful drive.