It's a bit nuts that most countries (including the UK) allow foreign visitors to drive on their roads without any sort assurance that they've at least had half a glance at what the local rules are and what the various signs mean.
I fully agree. Americans can hire manual cars in the UK even if they've never driven one before despite the fact that we ourselves can't drive manual cars if we did our tests in an automatic. And when I hired a car in Boston I just picked up the car and signed a few things. I had no guidance at all about local traffic rules and no help at all about driving an automatic which I'd never done before.
This is very interesting content Ashley!!! As obviously we know in America to get your licence you just need to be able to start the car and you passed!
@@ianl1052 Nah, we only deport those that want to rape children, which is also popular among those who love things like authoritarianism, power, control over others etc. You know, the types of things common with the EU.
It’s lovely to see two completely different worlds and perspectives come together like that, I thought both instructors were very understanding and respectful towards each other
I took my test in PA in Feb 2020 after having a british license for 18 years. Easy doesn't begin to describe it. The test was parallel park between two cones that you would have to try hard to hit. Follow the road around a 180-degree left turn to exit the parking lot. Make a left onto a "proper" road. Drive 1/4 mile down this road, left back into the parking lot, left again. Drive 1/4 mile back through the parking lot, and pull up on the right in front of the test DMV test center. It took longer in line to pick up my license after the test than the test itself.
I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this but I actually really did. It was very interesting seeing the different driving techniques used in New York compared to over here. Also, I now understand why he said it takes an hour to drive four miles but I don't think it's so much the traffic rather than there being a stop line, double stop line or traffic light every twenty feet!
Agreed! I once made the mistake of taking the direct straight-line urban route to a destination and it was gruelling for that very reason . I took the long way round via the Freeway on the way back in half the time.
Interesting point about waiting at a red light with or without securing the car. In the Netherlands we generally learn in a stick shift and prepare to go to increase traffic flow So if we come up on a red light, we go back to 2nd in case it turns green till we're stopped and we'll select 1st gear. On a hill, we'd put on the parking brake, otherwise we'd just prepare by taking the foot off the brake and letting the clutch come up to the bite or just below and have the a foot ready on the accelerator pedal while we look out the window and in our mirrors. However, the phone addicts tend to come in quickly, select park or something, take out their phone and look down waiting for the brake light ahead to turn off in their peripheral vision, briefly looking up every 5-15 seconds just to make sure, only putting away their phone once their speed is over 5 km/h (3 mph)... but those lifeless souls aside... I think the point of preparing to go is due to the unusual traffic light sequences as well. Traffic lights adapt their sequence to not only car traffic, but also busses, cyclists and pedestrians as well. This reduces the average wait time by quite a few seconds. This combined with most people looking out and being off quickly means great traffic flow. The one thing I miss here in the Netherlands is the yellow preparing for green like in the UK and Germany. However the stupidity of German traffic lights... nevermind
be interested to hear how you think it compares to the UK test in terms of difficulty. from this video it seems really easy, not many complicated traffic systems or narrow areas
Not so sure about the "narrow areas". That road he drove down with parking both sides and a cycle lane looked pretty narrow to me. As for all the traffic lights and stop signs... Personally, I prefer the German method. Traffic from the right has priority unless signs instruct otherwise. When I lived there back in the 80s, there was the added bonus of green wave traffic lights. As long as you stick to the speed limit, it was rare to see a red light.
Hi Ashley, I was wondering if you could make a short video on getting your seat in the correct position. I recently bought a new car and I am struggling to find a comfortable seating position!
Trial and error. I got a new car about three weeks ago and it took me about two weeks to adjust, drive, adjust again until I found the exact position I like and also to just get used to it. A lot of feeling uncomfortable in a new car is just getting used to it.
As others have mentioned it can be a bit of trial and error, this is the sort of thing I do on a test drive to ensure I can get somewhat comfortable and minute adjustments can be made later.
Hang on mo, If it would take the driving school an hour to cover 4 miles because of sitting in traffic, then the learner is also going to be sat in traffic! I would suggest the driving school is in the wrong location! As for dry steering, good luck with that in my 1977 no power steering 2.5 ton landrover! lol
Not really because if it, say, moved more North then those coming from the South would have even longer to drive. They are coming at him from all points of the compass so he's probably fairly central to the 5 boroughs.
Finally someone is highlighting how ridiculous the driving education and licence process is in the US! My man said don't use the parking brake and put the signal on before looking in the mirror.
It's fascinating how many things we would see as bad habits are driving fundamentals over there. I don't even drive and I feel the culture shock. (Although, I did ride a motorcycle as a learner for a while.)
This was a difficult watch for me. Ashley and Chris seemed to clash in several ways, possibly not as bad as I experienced them, but still. Ashley trying to make a video, Chris trying to teach the NY way of driving. Ashley trying to take time to compare to the UK way, Chris maybe not seeing the value of comparing to or mentioning the UK. Ashley being British, Chris being American (2 social cultures colliding). And of course, the NY test passing processes, legal stuff, etc vs the UK's more safety focused (but still a long way off) methods, and 2 well versed driving instructors in each valuing their training/experience in different ways too. And maybe something else I've forgotten but am certainly not enduring a re-watch to find again. I'm not looking forward to part 2 but I'll watch it anyway as the comparison to the UK equivalent is an interesting enough topic for me. Only 49 more training sessions and mock tests to sit as there's no 'US driving test', just state driving tests.
One point I do agree with in America is driving in the middle on a one way street, I think visibility of you being seen, and your own vision is a constant happy medium, and I guess there's opportunity to move left/right to avoid hazards. Very interesting video!
@@ActuallyAwesomeName I'm pretty sure we do here in the UK to be honest. Just usually there's parked vehicles which mean that this isn't fully possible. I watch a instructor based around Newcastle area and he gave someone a serious fault for not being in the middle pretty sure or maybe for not positioning more to the right for taking a right turn at the end of the one way road for example
In New York, you can get anywhere in the city by subway, often faster than by driving. Elsewhere in the country, especially in the suburbs, most driving schools will come get you. And you might want to try a couple of different driving schools -- just one or two lessons from each.
turn your steering when stationary, not only a strain on steering components but can tear the ground below. Power steering allows people to drive like that, its not good. As young as 14, can start to drive in the USA but with conditions and not in all states
It oddly sounds confusing but it makes sense. Now what I would like to know is how the US handles turning left in large junctions. For example we in the UK have been taught to move into the junction and wait for a safe opportunity to proceed with our maneuver
the normal behavior is to barge into the junction and hope there will be a safe opportunity. the proper way is to treat every junction like it has the yellow box, and only enter it if you are sure you can clear it before the lights change.
Thank you for sharing your experience - very interesting. One of my pet hates is sitting behind someone sitting on their brakes dazzling the bejabbers out of me with an ever increasing array of LED laser strength brake lights! I know it ain't a problem to you as you said but it is to me! As for the three - point turn move it looks as if you were going to feed the lock back before completing the forward move, that's what I do - it stems from the days of no power assisted steering, where it is hard to 'dry steer' and it looks like that's a no-no thing to do according to your instructor!
Very few cars in the U.S have a manual transmission so almost everyone will have their foot on the brake pedal. I have driven over 60 years and never even noticed it. Even cars with manual transmission, most drivers do not use the parking brake and the light does not go to yellow before green.
@@warrenSPQRXxl I'm driving in US for over 13yrs and could count on one hand the amount of drivers use the hand break when stopped in traffic. I drive the Dodge Caravan where the parking break is on the floor and use it at all times unless if I'm going to be stopped for 5 or 6 secs. As far as dazzling is concerned I've no problem with cars who use their foot break.
Unfortunately partly due to the increase in automatic and electric vehicles or other vehicles using some kind of hybrid system. There is no easy/proper way to sit in a queue of traffic, etc. without the brake lights on with an automatic - not just people being lazy/inconsiderate. Only a small number of expensive marques have implemented any kind of functionality to do so with a simple process and without other issues like increased wear on the transmission components and the brief flashing of reversing lights if putting the vehicle in and out of park which can confuse and cause concern for other drivers. It actually kind of surprises me it is implemented the way it is with automatics especially given the highway code in the UK but that is the way it is.
With many modern cars, such as the current Toyota hybrids, when the “brake hold” function is in use, the brake lights stay on when stopped somewhere. One should not leave them in N for long, as the batteries cannot be charged, and the “parking brake” (which is an electrically operated pair of rear brakes) is called a “parking brake” intended to be used mainly once the power is switched off. Various other interlocked issues - e.g. the “brake hold” function (which is selected by a separate push button near the parking brake one) is interlocked with the driver’s seat belt buckle. As ever, it’s worth reading the manual for the product in use.
I had to take my test in the California a few years ago when I was working over there after having a UK license for about 15 years. I didn’t bother with lessons and just went straight into the test after asking a few work colleagues some questions and reading up on the rules of the road. I was marked down on one of the theory questions which was a confusion about sidewalk/pavement/road and the lady just laughed. In the practical I hesitated at a four-way intersection which was the only mark down.
Interesting video - made me realise that different countries will teach different driving standards and practices, it's far more than the simplification of "US drivers drive automatics on the right" - looking forward to part 2!
There seem to be stops everywhere - in the UK we tend to have the traffic flowing on the "main road", and the side streets have to stop when they meet the "main road". It seems like everyone is stopping in New York city at junctions (sometimes twice - complete stop for the pedestrian, move forward past the zebra crossing, then complete stop again for cars) - I'd imagine fuel economy must take a hit driving in NY city. In the Uk we tend to have far more "give way" junctions that "stop" junctions.
Having stop signs on all approaches is actually prohibited by the traffic signs manual in the UK. Likewise, placing new Stop signs is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, only on the existing junctions and should be consulted with the Police. And that clearly works, there are only a few of them out there and people therefore take notice.
Four way stop sign intersections are used as a traffic slowing mechanisms and pedestrian protection in residential areas as they are driving in. "Main roads" intended for heavier traffic will have traffic signals often volume controlled as well as limited access roads for longer distance. Remember too that New York City is atypical for much of the U.S.
I think taking the left turn slightly wider is safer. You can see obstacles or people more easily and if you don’t know it’s a one-way street? Sometimes the signs aren’t always clearly visible or there could be an obstruction. Why were there so many parked vehicles very close to the intersections? I see this as a safety issue.
It is great to see the perspective of a professional driving instructor on the other side of the world, and to see their rules, processes and methods. Also, to see your reactions, thoughts and comparison to the UK. I attempted this when in Hawaii in Oahu, emailing a driving instructor to go for a drive with them and learn about how the process works in Hawaii, coming from being an Australian driving educator. Unfortunately, it never happened. Ashley, if you ever come to Melbourne, Australia, please contact me for a lesson together, I would love to do this! 🙏
@Stallzyx correct. But our testing standards, way of teaching, methods, etc, might be of interest to Ashley. I've compared the UK drive test to our drive test here in Victoria, Australia. The UK drive test is much more comprehensive than what we have here.
I have no idea what the costs would be to do it, but I'd love to see someone do a world tour of driver training and mock tests (for videos) and collect a driving licence from every country, state, etc. :)
@markwright3161 If I was paid enough, I would do that 100%! 😆 Regardless, anytime I travel, I do my best to try and get a driving lesson in the country I'm in. 🙏
My dad drove in Florida for the first time ever years ago, he done really well even with a shift stick automatic. Only thing he missed, stopping at the lights for the train, no barrier and we missed the train by a couple of seconds... never done it again.
@@lukesalvidge118 I guess. It's a option. I can either put it in Drive normally, or I can put it in S and change gears manually, if I want. I rarely do, unless it's snowing.
That much signaling would only confuse over here so for me it's OTT, also glad you brought it up about applying the handbrake over here for the added extra safety but with the increase EVs and auto's generally over here to it does seem to being become a thing from the past even though you still should in auto's.
Most modern cars have driver assists these days and will put the parking brake and hazards on by themselves if rear-ended so that reason is kind of fading. There's also a lot of brake auto-holding and stop-start systems. Still a good idea to put it on yourself though.
19:20 classic bit of NYC bicycle red light jumping. To be fair though, a lot of the cross-streets are one-way, so pretty safe to treat red as a give way.
I disagree. It wouldn't be safe for any other vehicle, so the bike doesn't get an exception. It's just he same sort of "rules for thee..." attitude of bikers anywhere else.
Pretty much never use neutral or handbrake while driving an automatic. Even on a steep hill most modern cars have some kind of assist that will prevent the car rolling back when you take your foot off the brake pedal.
Wait, mr Neal...... did i hear you say you find out that dry steering is more than acceptable when doing a 3 point turn? I agree totally with your logic. Better to steer while rolling, less wear on the tires. BUT in case of a 3 point turn it helps a lot to already steer completely to the lock before moving. It makes it much easier to do the 3 point turn. You certainly have done that yourself from time to time, right?
@@dgphi Sir, i totally agree. However, being a truck driver myself and knowing that we have to be able to turn into tight streets with not much room, it ALWAYS helps to turn it to full lock prior to moving the vehicle. That way you use ALL the available room for the actual maneuvre. And the tire wear is negligible. That is if you only apply such when it is beneficial to do so. It's not necessary indeed, but when the street is narrow it does help a lot. And, in a truck with trailer you sometimes dont even have a choice. That is: if you want to actually be able to get into a tight dock or street or what ever.
@@dgphi o, no, i dont totally agree, i think he also meant that it might be acceptable back in the UK as well. But, maybe i misinterpret it. Im dutch, big mistake to make. But didnt have a choice.
This is brilliant for people who are going to the USA. It would have been good for me many years ago when I started going there. I love driving over there roads are huge in Orlando, Florida. Great video. Even now the video taught me things I didn’t know.
Brilliant video Ashley as an ADI myself ive always took an interest in the USA driving test as I have driven in Orlando and its great to see the difference from what we teach in the UK. Could you show what the learner car looks like from the outside as in does it show some kind of "L" plates. Also would be great to have a US instructor come to the UK to do a lesson with yourself.
The US instructors would be pissed off doing a driving test and having to wait at a left turn for a light to go green if there wasn't another road user in sight as far as the eye can see.
@@billyporter1389 Yeah, but they go if there are road users in sight, if there is a crossing they often dont stop, the roads are designed for the drivers convenience to the extent it encourages speeding and they end up often driving into building to the extent they barely report it anymore.
@@dorianleakey On the contrary US drivers have the height of respect for pedestrians. I'm driving in Florida for over 13 yrs and if there's a pedestrian walking across a road every driver stops. It's like the new rule that came out in UK last year. If there's a school bus stopped or about to stop law cars stop for people crossing. They just pass a stopped bus in UK. I drove in UK and Ireland for 25 years and noticed the US show more respect for pedestrians.
I like the 25mph speed limit on a lot of the streets. I think that should be the norm on many more residential roads in the UK, particularly in Liverpool
@@rufusgreenleaf2466 That's simply not the case. The great majority of residential areas still have the default 30mph speed limit. That includes the small estate where I live. It may change over time, but it requires time and money and consultation to introduce a 20 mph limit, so it's still a long way from the majority. The situation is a bit different in Wales where the government there did introduce a 20 mph default in built up areas.
Very interesting video, really good to get a genuine insight into how other countries learn to drive. I passed my UK test 4 years ago first time, however after watching this I'm not so sure I'd have passed first time in New York! Seems very complicated, but that may just be me.
Interesting for me is that in New York you indicate for so many reasons similar to German driving schools. My sympathy is more to the way it's taught in the UK as I feel less confused. The 4 way stop is not bad. I know it from South Africa and there it worked very well.
That was a terrific video. So interesting to compare driving rules etc. The way people park vehicle right upto the pedestrian crossing isn’t clever I thought. Thanks for sharing .
Lots of things they do over there isn't clever, like turning right on a red when people are using the crossing. No common sense when indicating to overtake a parked car, and signal to get back to your side of the road? Pff. Where else are you likely to be driving?
At 19:46 (the left turn you took wide) I had to go back to figure out how you were supposed to know it was one way. All you seem to have is a small black and white sign on the opposite right side of the cross roads saying one way to the left. Not exactly the most conspicuous sign. Did you miss it and not realise it was one way by any chance? I think our blue up arrows make it much more clear but I guess you'd get used to looking in the right places. Edit: There are actually a couple more arrows on the wrong side of lampposts.
@@corruptedcardinal9253 Yes, because UNLIKE the UK, you can only park in the direction of the traffic, thus a one-way street would have cars parked in the same direction on both sides.
A great video, and very interesting. Dry steering is a bit of a mystery, given the increased particulate pollution, but hey, this is the US I guess. Not using the handbrake when stationary? Just an accident waiting to happen in my opinion. Pedestrian watch out! But using the indicators when after completing an overtake? I actually think that is better than the UK's "assumption" method. Lot's of SUVs in NYC. I guess that's the main cause of the rapidly increasing death rate. Hardly any small "city" cars, although I did spot a Smart car. Good video - thanks for sharing.
to us, the occasional dry steer doesn't contribute enough wear and pollution to make a difference. and to us, unnecessarily working the controls multiple times while stopped both increases wear on the components, and increases risk of a mistake that could cause an accident. also, the parking brake provides less braking force than the working brakes, so to us, a rear end collision with just the parking brake on will shunt you forward much more than with your foot on the brake. and as for using the indicators, ashley and I do have something of a debate. his perception is that using the indicators every time can lead to complacency, and poor indicating. my contention is that you make a habit of using the indicators PROPERLY for every maneuver, and use ALL your observations to make sure the maneuver is done properly and safely, and yes, cars are getting smaller, and more people are buying SUVs. many of our drivers still have the perception that bigger is better, despite the disadvantages of driving something unnecessarily big.
@@kenbrown2808 I disagree with the parking brake issue, because if you just use the normal brakes, and get shunted from behind, your foot will come off the gas pedal, and you’ll shoot forward without any brakes at all. That’s why, at least here in the UK, it’s always a good idea to use the parking brake when stationary. Also, if a driver becomes incapacitated while stationary (like having a heart attack for instance) it is also a good idea to use the parking brake. When it comes to SUVs, it’s just completely bonkers. You’re all breathing in extra pollution, more children are being killed, and even drivers of SUVs themselves are more likely to die, because SUVs in the US don’t have to comply with modern safety standards. We have a similar situation developing here in the UK, but at least our SUVs have to comply with modern safety standards. Cars are getting bigger, a lot heavier, and many of them are so big that they cannot fit into a standard parking space; which can be quite comical to witness. Dry steering not worth worrying about? Not sure about that tbh. Much of that extra particulate matter grinds down fine enough to be absorbed through the lungs, and what gets washed into the sea ends up in the fish we eat. So I did find it surprising that dry steering was a “thing”. Absolutely fascinating to read about this bizarre practice though.
@@joules531 this same debate happened in another subthread. when I was younger, I was convoying home with the girl I was seeing at the time. crested a hill to a sea of brake lights, went for a full claws down stop, while she panicked and froze up. I stopped both of us - my foot never came off the brake. to add for your hypothetical heart attack: a driver is statistically more likely to have that heart attack while in motion. fact of the matter is, until the advent of electric parking brakes, the parking brake configuration on the vast majority of cars consisted of a cable pull system pulling on as little as half the friction surface on the rear brakes. this results in a weaker application of the brakes that will do the least good in a real impact collision.
@@kenbrown2808 Drivers are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack in a traffic jam, and there are plenty of tired drivers out there, who may fall asleep while their car is stationary. All very hypothetical, as you say, but for those killed by drivers not applying the hand brake, their termination of life is actually very real. The argument that a hand brake isn’t as powerful as a foot brake has merit, but this is easily solved by keeping your foot on the foot brake and applying the handbrake at the same time. But whatever the argument, the statistics show that deaths in the US are rising dramatically, so maybe at least some of those will be what I call “roll forward deaths”. With all those SUV drivers, holding their vehicles on just the footbrake? That would worry me tbh. But with US death and injury rates as high as they are, there are probably lots of other issues that need addressing too.
@@joules531 I have seen more incidents caused by a driver trusting their parking brake too much, than caused by a driver not using their parking brake at a traffic light.
Assuming that a move is not imminent, I like to use a handbrake and neutral when stopped at traffic signals for the same reason as you, Ashley. Unfortunately, many US cars are fitted with a foot parking brake, as is my 2001 Honda StepWgn which is horrible in use. I like driving in the USA (mostly Florida, whose version of the highway code I downloaded some time ago) but I don't think that I would enjoy NY City. This episode has been quite an eye-opener and I am looking forward to the next episode.
Canadian in Toronto here. I have never even contemplated in my wildest imagination that being dazzled by break lights was even a thing. Simply that red lights mean the brake is applied. I've never found them too bright otherwise. And we are only taught the handbrake is for parking on hills or at least only used for parking. It literally took my breath away when I learned that UK drivers actually use them at red lights. The differences are very interesting.
Hi Ashley, I wonder if you have ever been to say, Columbo in Sri Lanka?, I imagine the same applies to most large Asian cities, when I was here what I saw was the most extraordinary behaviour on the streets with what looked like a chaotic mixture of all sorts of traffic from large buses, heavy goods vehicles, cars vans taxis, three wheel Tuk Tuks, motorcycles scooters mopeds, bicycles bullock carts and wheelbarrows all mixed up going in all directions all within just inches of each other!. One family of five on a small motorbike plus packages in and out of the traffic without a care in the world!.What impressed me most was that in more than twenty five hours of riding on those roads in comfy air conditioned cars I did not see one single crash!, I will admit to seeing a dozen or so wrecks here and there so there are many accidents but given the total traffic density and mixture I came away with the feeling that all drivers wanting to drive here in dismal England should have a day on the streets of Columbo, survive that and you will survive anything. The only time I drove over there was one night on the way back from a nightclub in New England rolling into a small provincial town called Nelson I suddenly had to go all the way round the town square on the 'wrong' side of the road passing not one but three police patrol cars!, all the time absolutely fascinated by the sign indicating the adjacent 'Ped X ing' which kept making me think that suddenly I was in China, oh and of course the double yellow no parking lines are in the middle of the road!. Funny how you do see so much more around you when driving compared to just being a passenger!. Cheers, Richard.
@@SuperVitz If you watch the video you will see that signal first is the right way in America and our way is wrong over there. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages.
When I was in New York, I got a taxi to the airport on the final day as we were leaving the city, another car hit the back of the taxi. The driver stuck his thumb out the window and so did the taxi driver and we both continued on our way. It was bizarre 😅
17:12 selecting neutral in an automatic in the UK when you come to a stop? First I've heard of that being a thing to be honest. I don't think it provides the same benefit as it does in a manual car and I don't think I've ever seen someone do it honestly when I've been passenger
The signage in America (especially in cities) is really dreadful. I could understand Japanese signs better when I couldn't read the words when I drove there than I could those in the US.
This is similar to Spain. Also while they take the test your instructor can ride along in the back so if you fail they know what areas that need the most work. The misses is from there and she had her test is in a busy city centre and they have you do all sorts. - (edit this all takes place with in a driving school. Examiner and Instructor are part of the school) Where as I'm in Ireland. Where you can drive up to the test center on your own (at least when i did it) and even if you fail you drive yourself home again on your own. Also the most difficult maneuver was reverse around a corner. Something you should never actually do. Also I'm not sure if you're aware that we had an amnesty in 1979 where because the waiting list got too long they just dished out the licenses without a test. So we have approx 20K drivers that have a full license but have never passed a test.
Great video, was a very interesting watch to see the way the US does things and how you took to them. Looking forward to the next one. I can't believe they'd fail you for doing 25mph as it would look like 25mph to examiner, I'd assume they means they are looking at a digital speedo on the angle.
I driven in Miami and NYC. Overall it is easy for UK driver, pedestrians cross in one area, signs are not clear and limited. Space is huge, conventions are weird..
Automatics started to predominate here in mid and upper end cars even in the early fifties. Cars here were big with V8 engines that had plenty of power that could overcome the automatic transmissions of that era. Cheap compacts and economy four cylinder imports would still have manuals in the 60s, but, as fewer and fewer learned on a manual, the demand decreased accordingly. I think many women preferred automatics too. Now it is hard to buy a manual transmission car. My Buick SUV has a ten speed automatic with various modes, and the computer can change gears better than I. The driving conditions in this video are NOT typical for much of the U.S. In a 45 mile commute I made for many years there was one yield and one stop sign.
@@warrenSPQRXxl Thanks for the reply - i think it’s really interesting how the UK and US are so different in that respect. Of course, electric vehicles are set to change all that. No need for a ‘stick shift’ in one of those :-)
Interesting to see the taught lack of handbrake discipline. It pretty much confirms my suspicion as to why you see so many US videos of driverless rolling vehicles.
I always find when driving in LA it feels like go karting, still can't get my head around going through a red though. I suppose that is a good hesitation to have haha
The rule about turning right on a red differing in other parts of the USA could catch a lot of UK motorists out so I am glad about motoring in the UK but like you Ash I have also driven in a lot of other countries.
@@billyporter1389 Not to sure about your comment do you mean a left filter sometimes but that does require stopping traffic from other directions by the lights themselves over here but in the USA Ash was on about turning right in perhaps say Orlando you can make the turn on red if nothing is coming from your left but in NY it's only allowable if it instructs you you can otherwise no right hand turn is allowed.
I'm a bit late to watch this but not sure if it was an editing choice or if you didn't know how to fix each mic only being heard in one side of headphones. Do fill left with right if left is missing, and fill right with left if right is missing, if you edit with Premeire Pro :) It's an audio effect you apply. I've had to listen to the whole video with just one ear side because it's disorientating for me having it back and forth in different sides - edit: actually towards the end I ended up dealing with it as it was a bit painful trying to only have one side of headphones on lol
I have the feeling that applying your handbrake and going into Neutral every time you stop is something very specific to the UK (not even specific to Europe). And doing it in an automatic is even weirder. On cars with start-stop systems, that system is disabled if you go into neutral (in my experience). There are also some cars with an auto-hold function for the brakes, allowing you to rest your foot in a traffic jam, which suggests to me that car manufacturers expect you to keep your foot on the brake and in Drive when you stop.
The manual for the last few automatics I've owned states specifically not to put the vehicle into neutral as a normal thing - only to recover from a stall situation or other engine malfunction while in motion and likewise not to go in and out of drive when at queues, etc. due to the increased wear on transmission components.
With cars fitted with “brake hold”, such as the current Toyota hybrids (I run a Yaris), there is no need to keep one’s foot on the brake - it displays “HOLD” in front of you, and they are released as soon as you move the accelerator pedal, so it’s a rapid start when you want it too. Spot the risk if you do it too soon! The other feature with T hybrids is that is not desirable to use the N setting, as battery charging is disconnected. If you do it in a long traffic jam, it might warn you if it's a bit low, but not sure. Left in drive mode, it automatically starts and stops the engine as required.
Good vid *You* keep safe too Ashley! What is actually quite disturbing about driving in the United States is that the steering wheels are on the *wrong* side of their cars! No wonder there are so many accidents over there! 😊 🚗 🇺🇲
What I'd prefer to see, if possible, would be for you to take the training like an actual student for an hour or so, enough to try to cover a bit of everything, then take a mock test like a student and upload that unedited. That would then be followed with an Analysis video highlighting everything that's different to the UK and how it's better or worse from a safety standpoint, and how the different countries/states view safety and how their teaching methods tie into that standpoint. And this would be a really cool series (I think anyway), where we can see a raw example of how drivers are trained in each state and in other countries around the world in a way that's easily comparable, instead of this back and forth making a messy video of conflicting personalities, professions/professional experience, social cultures/nationalities (or however you could describe that better), etc. Germany is another one I'd like to see, although there's a lot to their training and test(s) from what I've heard so that could be expensive and very time consuming, and probably has complicated public filming stuff caught up in it. Obviously this is a very long term series to fit around trips around the world, even just to cover all the US states, and it would require another NY one for the fair comparability. I love the idea, but this format was extremely difficult to watch for me. If you can just agree to take lessons and a mock test like a student I fell it would reduce the tension a lot. You'd be doing the training and mock test as a UK instructor reviewing the experience from a UK instructor's point of view, and it would be cool if it could inspire other country's/state's instructors to do their own 'world tours' to do the same from their perspective.
I think without going through government departments to organise it it would be impossible to do as you need to be a resident of the country most times with an address. I had a hard time and had to bend/break the law to own a car when I was living in the US as had no permanent residence to licence the car. (skipping from motel to motel)
@@paulphillips8855 Wouldn't that just be to take an actual test though? I'm sure instructors everywhere else outside of the UK know what is required in the test so could do a mock test in place of doing an actual test after some training, much like many instructors do here in the UK. If the term mock test is what is throwing you, by that I mean another lesson with the instructor but where the instructor doesn't give any instruction other than what an examiner would give on test while on a potential test route. The instructor would instead make notes on their driving and summarise what they did well and what they didn't do as well on while left to drive themselves, abd whether or not they did enough to theoretically pass a test in that drive/lesson without instruction. Even if he got around the resident requirement, he couldn't film the actual test anywhere anyway, so would have to rely on an instructor to produce a 'reconstruction' of the actual test for filming purposes. Driving instruction is a business at the end of the day in most places, if not all. I don't think any would be opposed to being paid for a few hours of lessons by a full licence holder (be them local or permitted to drive a rental there as a tourist), and being asked to assess their driving in the last hour or so of training.
Perfect timing for the video for me as we’re off to visit friends in Wisconsin next month. Not been over since 2017 due to Covid, so I reckon I’m going to be a bit rusty. I’ve started doing some home work already, so this is great content at just the right time. Good idea about booking a driving lesson, I might do the same, as you say it must be interesting to see how they do things over there. Interestingly our friend has never driven over here, it’s too crazy and narrow apparently.
the speed thing is insane.... over here in Germany there is some leeway. if you happen to go up to 4-5 over momentarily and quickly correct back down to the speed limit, you'll be perfectly fine. not constantly going 5 over, obviously and not going over on multiple occasions, but just exceeding the limit once you'll be fine. and we most certainly do not do the handbrake thing here either. you _have to_ drive on the middle when in a one way? that's absurd?! people may wanna pass me... of course you go on the right side of the road when in a one way street up until that point where an intersection and your intentions require you to move to the middle or left side...
Great vid kid. It would really interesting to see driving instruction in other countries too. Particularly those who, seem to our eyes, have very few rules at all. Thanks for posting.
l have, a car and a motorcycle.....you need to swallow Valium first...its every man for himself. ''driving the wrong way'' is common place... karma is what gets them through the day
Did you know it was a one way road you turned into Ash as I only caught the sign for it LHS after you made the turn at 19.45 wheras over here it would indicate on entry both side that it's one way facing the road you coming off which to be int the USA there is a lack off understanding about direct line of vision to make signage as easy to see as possible.
@@kempo_95 Yes I know but it's not facing the road you turn into it from as over here, it's only one parrellel to the road so to see it you would have to catch it as you made the turn either with your peripheral vision (not ideal as it could be missed) or by looking directly to the side as you enter before it dissapears above the roof of the car if he had hit the centre of the road straight away perhaps.
@@kempo_95 Maybe a bit perdantic here but your correct after reviewing the vid one to the right and the one I was talking about on the left did not see at first that it was printed on both sides of the sign but wording partially obscured by the traffic light post itself would not have been allowed over here obviously. If you spotted this first time well done.
The signs on the junction, and the fact that the cars are all parked in the same direction on both sides (yes, the UK allows parking either direction, but we don't).
Has he agreed to come over and do an exchange visit with you and you teach him in the UK, now that would be amusing seeing Ashleys face as he dry steers the GTI
"Dry steering" never heard it called that. My instructor used to go mad if you did that and he's probably saved me thousands in tyre costs over the years.
Yup, go easy on your steering components if you want them to last a long time without play. Dry steering wears the steering rack/track rods as mentioned above
The UK roads are all over the place. A lot of it is widened, tarmaced old horse route and tracks. Where I live, the city is 2000 years old and we still have some of the cobbled streets from the 1500's. The main In ner city roads here follow the same route as the old roman ones. Some of the buildings basements even have old roman pillars still in them. I drive a HGV and in some rural areas I have to use roads where both sides of the truck are brushing the hedgerows.
I'm doing the inverse in a few months. Born in Liverpool but I moved to California before I got a license. Ashley, any tips on acclimatising to being on the other side of the car and road? I did it just fine 2 years ago, but it's been a while and I will be driving straight from the airport this time. It's definitely a weird feeling when you get in and feel like you have a while half a car hanging off your offside, like you're in a motorbike sidecar.
"Dazzling people with your break light." I've never in my life heard of that one, amazing. I drive automatics for private and work, and I ALWAYS sit on on that break pedal, I'd never think of dazzling anyone, and I've never had an issue in regards of it. Should note I live in Sweden so maybe things are treated differently.
Driven in America for the last 30 years when visiting family in Detroit, they can drive from 14 years old, I find it more relaxing driving in the US than the UK, but drive in Florida OMG we have a 2 second gap in the UK, and I think Floridians have half a second gap.
14:39 I noticed the cyclist didn't stop and the cycle lane doesn't have a stop line. Does this mean it's OK for the cyclist not to stop? Moments later a moped does the same, would this also be OK? 23:27 Just like the UK cyclist jumps the lights :(
This is great, I am relocating to the US next week for 3 -4 years so will be resitting a test. I have driven out there before and didn't find it too bad, the test looks a doddle though!
Driving in the USA is for the most part easy. Most roads are very wide and straight and there is little to no roundabouts. Driving there is a lot more easier then in Europe.
the "dazzled by brake lights" concept is one that I've noticed and as a yank, I find a bit amusing. I guess the best way to explain it is, to use the "tell a story" concept - if you turn off your brake lights, here, you're telling the same story you'd tell by creeping forward: namely that you are starting to go. as far as the "dry steering" it's another illustration of the contrast between UK and UK schools of thought on wear on the vehicle: the US seems to have a lot more of an attitude that the vehicle is built to be used. the only real thing we look at UK driving technique, and think, "you're gonna wear it out prematurely" is the parking brake. most people don't purposely dry steer - but if it makes the maneuver easier, we do it without a second thought. on the all way stop: some states set a mandatory minimum stop time, but in mine, it is only required to come to a stop, and the best practice for an all way stop it to treat it a little bit like a mini overabout. as soon as the car before you is clear of your path, you should proceed. this means if the car ahead will never cross your path, you proceed at the same time they do.
Also, we in the US use all-weather tires, which don't wear as fast as summer tires, as the UK tends to use those because they don't (usually) the kind of winter weather we do.
Great video, this was really interesting to see how they do it in USA, looking forward to seeing more, also interesting to see all the scenery and differeant types of cars around as your driving
I find learning what other countries do very interesting and can't understand why you wouldn't, because learning is learning and maybe we could learn certain things from other nations and them from us or at least the different reason for the different trains of thought , great video , loved it , thank you Ash.. scares me to even think of driving on the other side of the road, but got to try one day
I bet Ashley's wife was cheesed off, holiday in New York and she ends up in a driving lesson.
Romantic 💘
It would be interesting to see the reverse of this. I feel an American instructor would struggle a lot more driving in the UK
He would probably fail in my country.
@@Asto508 which country ?🤔
@@pedro0609 Ze Land
@@Asto508and you all gonna fail in my country - INDIA 😂
@@saheer4386 You have driving tests in India? srsly?
It's a bit nuts that most countries (including the UK) allow foreign visitors to drive on their roads without any sort assurance that they've at least had half a glance at what the local rules are and what the various signs mean.
I fully agree. Americans can hire manual cars in the UK even if they've never driven one before despite the fact that we ourselves can't drive manual cars if we did our tests in an automatic. And when I hired a car in Boston I just picked up the car and signed a few things. I had no guidance at all about local traffic rules and no help at all about driving an automatic which I'd never done before.
I like how Ashley takes a step back to question and assess decisions, the other instructor seemed quite process-driven.
I like Ashley his method. He is calm and in control while driving.
He also knows that Ashley has a lot of experience, which will change how you approach the teaching.
This is very interesting content Ashley!!! As obviously we know in America to get your licence you just need to be able to start the car and you passed!
I'm told that only applies if you're driving a German car or Dodge pickup.
Its not content its a video
What a barrel of laughs he was. I get the impression he couldn't care less what we do over here. Interesting video though.
Reminded my of the secondhand car salesman that Jeremy Clarkson tries to negotiate with in the Top Gear USA special
ditto, guy couldn't give a rats
Why would he unless he was planning to come here (which would be unlikely because he might be afraid of being deported to Rwanda.
@@ianl1052 Nah, we only deport those that want to rape children, which is also popular among those who love things like authoritarianism, power, control over others etc. You know, the types of things common with the EU.
@@ianl1052 yeah I can understand the compulsion to say how we do it but can also understand why he’s not interested.
It’s lovely to see two completely different worlds and perspectives come together like that, I thought both instructors were very understanding and respectful towards each other
Seems like a lot of bad driving habits are being taught at that school…
I took my test in PA in Feb 2020 after having a british license for 18 years. Easy doesn't begin to describe it. The test was parallel park between two cones that you would have to try hard to hit. Follow the road around a 180-degree left turn to exit the parking lot. Make a left onto a "proper" road. Drive 1/4 mile down this road, left back into the parking lot, left again. Drive 1/4 mile back through the parking lot, and pull up on the right in front of the test DMV test center. It took longer in line to pick up my license after the test than the test itself.
Yep they give out licences like sweets over there
I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this but I actually really did. It was very interesting seeing the different driving techniques used in New York compared to over here.
Also, I now understand why he said it takes an hour to drive four miles but I don't think it's so much the traffic rather than there being a stop line, double stop line or traffic light every twenty feet!
in most cities, here, it is normal to allow an hour to get anywhere. one point to make: there was virtually no traffic on that route he took.
@@kenbrown2808 mate what are u on about it doesn't take an hour to go 4 miles anywhere
@@baldyshere You never driven uptown in Manhattan in rush hour then.
@jaycee330 exactly. Though, normally, people are commuting 30-40 miles
Agreed! I once made the mistake of taking the direct straight-line urban route to a destination and it was gruelling for that very reason . I took the long way round via the Freeway on the way back in half the time.
I love how your wife just sits in the back seat and enjoys NYC:)
Interesting point about waiting at a red light with or without securing the car. In the Netherlands we generally learn in a stick shift and prepare to go to increase traffic flow
So if we come up on a red light, we go back to 2nd in case it turns green till we're stopped and we'll select 1st gear. On a hill, we'd put on the parking brake, otherwise we'd just prepare by taking the foot off the brake and letting the clutch come up to the bite or just below and have the a foot ready on the accelerator pedal while we look out the window and in our mirrors. However, the phone addicts tend to come in quickly, select park or something, take out their phone and look down waiting for the brake light ahead to turn off in their peripheral vision, briefly looking up every 5-15 seconds just to make sure, only putting away their phone once their speed is over 5 km/h (3 mph)... but those lifeless souls aside...
I think the point of preparing to go is due to the unusual traffic light sequences as well. Traffic lights adapt their sequence to not only car traffic, but also busses, cyclists and pedestrians as well. This reduces the average wait time by quite a few seconds. This combined with most people looking out and being off quickly means great traffic flow. The one thing I miss here in the Netherlands is the yellow preparing for green like in the UK and Germany. However the stupidity of German traffic lights... nevermind
be interested to hear how you think it compares to the UK test in terms of difficulty. from this video it seems really easy, not many complicated traffic systems or narrow areas
They need some mini-roundabouts to up their game.
@@richardclarke9966 Mini roundabouts? Surely you mean overbouts 😉
@@smilerbob That's the one! 😅
@@richardclarke9966
Their solution is lots of 2 and 4 way stops and traffic lights every few yards.
Not so sure about the "narrow areas". That road he drove down with parking both sides and a cycle lane looked pretty narrow to me. As for all the traffic lights and stop signs...
Personally, I prefer the German method. Traffic from the right has priority unless signs instruct otherwise. When I lived there back in the 80s, there was the added bonus of green wave traffic lights. As long as you stick to the speed limit, it was rare to see a red light.
Hi Ashley, I was wondering if you could make a short video on getting your seat in the correct position. I recently bought a new car and I am struggling to find a comfortable seating position!
typically this is explained in the manual for your specific car model. Have you checked that?
Trial and error. I got a new car about three weeks ago and it took me about two weeks to adjust, drive, adjust again until I found the exact position I like and also to just get used to it. A lot of feeling uncomfortable in a new car is just getting used to it.
Ashley has covered this in his videos with Erin's driving lessons
As others have mentioned it can be a bit of trial and error, this is the sort of thing I do on a test drive to ensure I can get somewhat comfortable and minute adjustments can be made later.
the best way to find seating position by making sure gas pedal reach the floor when speedometer pointer almost running out of numbers🤪🤪🤪🤪
Hang on mo, If it would take the driving school an hour to cover 4 miles because of sitting in traffic, then the learner is also going to be sat in traffic! I would suggest the driving school is in the wrong location! As for dry steering, good luck with that in my 1977 no power steering 2.5 ton landrover! lol
Not really because if it, say, moved more North then those coming from the South would have even longer to drive. They are coming at him from all points of the compass so he's probably fairly central to the 5 boroughs.
I expect many of the students would go by subway
4 miles an hour is literally walking pace
@@cornishalps9870 Good Lord! Are you suggesting Americans actually walk??? No - of course you weren't. Silly me!
@@zaphod4245Always good to grab something to eat before a driving lesson. Better than McDs!
Finally someone is highlighting how ridiculous the driving education and licence process is in the US! My man said don't use the parking brake and put the signal on before looking in the mirror.
It's fascinating how many things we would see as bad habits are driving fundamentals over there. I don't even drive and I feel the culture shock. (Although, I did ride a motorcycle as a learner for a while.)
Kind of felt like he took everything as a personal insult when you were comparing how we drive, for example hand brake, neutral at traffic lights
This was a difficult watch for me. Ashley and Chris seemed to clash in several ways, possibly not as bad as I experienced them, but still. Ashley trying to make a video, Chris trying to teach the NY way of driving. Ashley trying to take time to compare to the UK way, Chris maybe not seeing the value of comparing to or mentioning the UK. Ashley being British, Chris being American (2 social cultures colliding). And of course, the NY test passing processes, legal stuff, etc vs the UK's more safety focused (but still a long way off) methods, and 2 well versed driving instructors in each valuing their training/experience in different ways too. And maybe something else I've forgotten but am certainly not enduring a re-watch to find again.
I'm not looking forward to part 2 but I'll watch it anyway as the comparison to the UK equivalent is an interesting enough topic for me. Only 49 more training sessions and mock tests to sit as there's no 'US driving test', just state driving tests.
One point I do agree with in America is driving in the middle on a one way street, I think visibility of you being seen, and your own vision is a constant happy medium, and I guess there's opportunity to move left/right to avoid hazards. Very interesting video!
We do that too in Germany. Didn't know that you guys don't.
@@ActuallyAwesomeName I'm pretty sure we do here in the UK to be honest. Just usually there's parked vehicles which mean that this isn't fully possible. I watch a instructor based around Newcastle area and he gave someone a serious fault for not being in the middle pretty sure or maybe for not positioning more to the right for taking a right turn at the end of the one way road for example
In New York, you can get anywhere in the city by subway, often faster than by driving.
Elsewhere in the country, especially in the suburbs, most driving schools will come get you.
And you might want to try a couple of different driving schools -- just one or two lessons from each.
turn your steering when stationary, not only a strain on steering components but can tear the ground below. Power steering allows people to drive like that, its not good. As young as 14, can start to drive in the USA but with conditions and not in all states
It oddly sounds confusing but it makes sense.
Now what I would like to know is how the US handles turning left in large junctions. For example we in the UK have been taught to move into the junction and wait for a safe opportunity to proceed with our maneuver
the normal behavior is to barge into the junction and hope there will be a safe opportunity. the proper way is to treat every junction like it has the yellow box, and only enter it if you are sure you can clear it before the lights change.
Great video I would love to see if you could get a US instructor into the UK.
Now that would be hilarious. Chris no doubt will be a likely candidate.
Thank you for sharing your experience - very interesting. One of my pet hates is sitting behind someone sitting on their brakes dazzling the bejabbers out of me with an ever increasing array of LED laser strength brake lights! I know it ain't a problem to you as you said but it is to me! As for the three - point turn move it looks as if you were going to feed the lock back before completing the forward move, that's what I do - it stems from the days of no power assisted steering, where it is hard to 'dry steer' and it looks like that's a no-no thing to do according to your instructor!
Very few cars in the U.S have a manual transmission so almost everyone will have their foot on the brake pedal. I have driven over 60 years and never even noticed it. Even cars with manual transmission, most drivers do not use the parking brake and the light does not go to yellow before green.
@@warrenSPQRXxl I'm driving in US for over 13yrs and could count on one hand the amount of drivers use the hand break when stopped in traffic. I drive the Dodge Caravan where the parking break is on the floor and use it at all times unless if I'm going to be stopped for 5 or 6 secs.
As far as dazzling is concerned I've no problem with cars who use their foot break.
Unfortunately partly due to the increase in automatic and electric vehicles or other vehicles using some kind of hybrid system. There is no easy/proper way to sit in a queue of traffic, etc. without the brake lights on with an automatic - not just people being lazy/inconsiderate.
Only a small number of expensive marques have implemented any kind of functionality to do so with a simple process and without other issues like increased wear on the transmission components and the brief flashing of reversing lights if putting the vehicle in and out of park which can confuse and cause concern for other drivers.
It actually kind of surprises me it is implemented the way it is with automatics especially given the highway code in the UK but that is the way it is.
With many modern cars, such as the current Toyota hybrids, when the “brake hold” function is in use, the brake lights stay on when stopped somewhere. One should not leave them in N for long, as the batteries cannot be charged, and the “parking brake” (which is an electrically operated pair of rear brakes) is called a “parking brake” intended to be used mainly once the power is switched off. Various other interlocked issues - e.g. the “brake hold” function (which is selected by a separate push button near the parking brake one) is interlocked with the driver’s seat belt buckle.
As ever, it’s worth reading the manual for the product in use.
I had to take my test in the California a few years ago when I was working over there after having a UK license for about 15 years. I didn’t bother with lessons and just went straight into the test after asking a few work colleagues some questions and reading up on the rules of the road. I was marked down on one of the theory questions which was a confusion about sidewalk/pavement/road and the lady just laughed. In the practical I hesitated at a four-way intersection which was the only mark down.
I took my test while living in Chicago in 1997, it was so easy then, I wonder if it’s changed much.
That was *far* more interesting than I thought it was going to be.
Interesting video - made me realise that different countries will teach different driving standards and practices, it's far more than the simplification of "US drivers drive automatics on the right" - looking forward to part 2!
There seem to be stops everywhere - in the UK we tend to have the traffic flowing on the "main road", and the side streets have to stop when they meet the "main road". It seems like everyone is stopping in New York city at junctions (sometimes twice - complete stop for the pedestrian, move forward past the zebra crossing, then complete stop again for cars) - I'd imagine fuel economy must take a hit driving in NY city. In the Uk we tend to have far more "give way" junctions that "stop" junctions.
are they called zebra crossings in NYC?
I also noticed the cycle lane was on the outside of the cars - which means cars can still park on a road with a cycle lane - really interesting.
Having stop signs on all approaches is actually prohibited by the traffic signs manual in the UK. Likewise, placing new Stop signs is only allowed in exceptional circumstances, only on the existing junctions and should be consulted with the Police. And that clearly works, there are only a few of them out there and people therefore take notice.
Four way stop sign intersections are used as a traffic slowing mechanisms and pedestrian protection in residential areas as they are driving in. "Main roads" intended for heavier traffic will have traffic signals often volume controlled as well as limited access roads for longer distance. Remember too that New York City is atypical for much of the U.S.
@@paulgriffiths531 No.
I think taking the left turn slightly wider is safer. You can see obstacles or people more easily and if you don’t know it’s a one-way street? Sometimes the signs aren’t always clearly visible or there could be an obstruction.
Why were there so many parked vehicles very close to the intersections? I see this as a safety issue.
It is great to see the perspective of a professional driving instructor on the other side of the world, and to see their rules, processes and methods. Also, to see your reactions, thoughts and comparison to the UK. I attempted this when in Hawaii in Oahu, emailing a driving instructor to go for a drive with them and learn about how the process works in Hawaii, coming from being an Australian driving educator. Unfortunately, it never happened. Ashley, if you ever come to Melbourne, Australia, please contact me for a lesson together, I would love to do this! 🙏
would be cool to see but aren't you guys right hand drive over there too?
@Stallzyx correct. But our testing standards, way of teaching, methods, etc, might be of interest to Ashley.
I've compared the UK drive test to our drive test here in Victoria, Australia. The UK drive test is much more comprehensive than what we have here.
I have no idea what the costs would be to do it, but I'd love to see someone do a world tour of driver training and mock tests (for videos) and collect a driving licence from every country, state, etc. :)
@markwright3161 If I was paid enough, I would do that 100%! 😆 Regardless, anytime I travel, I do my best to try and get a driving lesson in the country I'm in. 🙏
Automatic gearboxes, as far as I know, do not like being put on "P" too often. That's the reason for just holding the brake pedal.
My Ioniq Electric has a 'hold' (I think Ashley's Model 3 does too) that keeps the brake light on when stopped.
@@FFVoyager Yep, Mercedes holds it too.
My dad drove in Florida for the first time ever years ago, he done really well even with a shift stick automatic. Only thing he missed, stopping at the lights for the train, no barrier and we missed the train by a couple of seconds... never done it again.
A stick shift Automatic? What does that mean?
@@lukesalvidge118 An automatic, with a 6 gear speed control, like in a Toyota Avalon.
@@jaycee330 is that like a semi automatic?
@@lukesalvidge118 I guess. It's a option. I can either put it in Drive normally, or I can put it in S and change gears manually, if I want. I rarely do, unless it's snowing.
@@jaycee330 ohhhh, manual mode! Apologies I do know what that is
That much signaling would only confuse over here so for me it's OTT, also glad you brought it up about applying the handbrake over here for the added extra safety but with the increase EVs and auto's generally over here to it does seem to being become a thing from the past even though you still should in auto's.
Most modern cars have driver assists these days and will put the parking brake and hazards on by themselves if rear-ended so that reason is kind of fading. There's also a lot of brake auto-holding and stop-start systems. Still a good idea to put it on yourself though.
19:20 classic bit of NYC bicycle red light jumping. To be fair though, a lot of the cross-streets are one-way, so pretty safe to treat red as a give way.
I disagree. It wouldn't be safe for any other vehicle, so the bike doesn't get an exception. It's just he same sort of "rules for thee..." attitude of bikers anywhere else.
@@jaycee330 The 'Idaho stop' has allowed cyclists to run red lights for years. It actually decreased collisions involving cyclists.
Pretty much never use neutral or handbrake while driving an automatic. Even on a steep hill most modern cars have some kind of assist that will prevent the car rolling back when you take your foot off the brake pedal.
Wait, mr Neal...... did i hear you say you find out that dry steering is more than acceptable when doing a 3 point turn?
I agree totally with your logic. Better to steer while rolling, less wear on the tires.
BUT in case of a 3 point turn it helps a lot to already steer completely to the lock before moving. It makes it much easier to do the 3 point turn.
You certainly have done that yourself from time to time, right?
He meant it's more than acceptable in NY. I don't think it's necessary. You can quickly get to full lock when just moving slowly.
@@dgphi Sir, i totally agree.
However, being a truck driver myself and knowing that we have to be able to turn into tight streets with not much room, it ALWAYS helps to turn it to full lock prior to moving the vehicle.
That way you use ALL the available room for the actual maneuvre.
And the tire wear is negligible.
That is if you only apply such when it is beneficial to do so.
It's not necessary indeed, but when the street is narrow it does help a lot.
And, in a truck with trailer you sometimes dont even have a choice. That is: if you want to actually be able to get into a tight dock or street or what ever.
@@dgphi o, no, i dont totally agree, i think he also meant that it might be acceptable back in the UK as well.
But, maybe i misinterpret it.
Im dutch, big mistake to make. But didnt have a choice.
This is brilliant for people who are going to the USA. It would have been good for me many years ago when I started going there. I love driving over there roads are huge in Orlando, Florida. Great video. Even now the video taught me things I didn’t know.
Brilliant video Ashley as an ADI myself ive always took an interest in the USA driving test as I have driven in Orlando and its great to see the difference from what we teach in the UK. Could you show what the learner car looks like from the outside as in does it show some kind of "L" plates. Also would be great to have a US instructor come to the UK to do a lesson with yourself.
The US instructors would be pissed off doing a driving test and having to wait at a left turn for a light to go green if there wasn't another road user in sight as far as the eye can see.
@@billyporter1389 Yes but first of all they would have to wait years for a driving test in the first place.
@@billyporter1389 Yeah, but they go if there are road users in sight, if there is a crossing they often dont stop, the roads are designed for the drivers convenience to the extent it encourages speeding and they end up often driving into building to the extent they barely report it anymore.
@@dorianleakey On the contrary US drivers have the height of respect for pedestrians. I'm driving in Florida for over 13 yrs and if there's a pedestrian walking across a road every driver stops. It's like the new rule that came out in UK last year. If there's a school bus stopped or about to stop law cars stop for people crossing. They just pass a stopped bus in UK.
I drove in UK and Ireland for 25 years and noticed the US show more respect for pedestrians.
@@billyporter1389 Maybe its regional.
Thanks for this great video,I'm going to get my New York driver's licence later in the summer and am from Scotland
Signal BEFORE checking your mirrors????? This contradicts everything you are taught in UK! Can't wait for the next episode!!
Yep, the general rule in the US is SMOG (Signal, Mirror, Over shoulder check, Go).
I like the 25mph speed limit on a lot of the streets. I think that should be the norm on many more residential roads in the UK, particularly in Liverpool
20mph speed limits in towns and villages are quickly becoming normal in Oxfordshire.
@@TheEulerID Residential areas tend to be 20mph in almost all locations of the UK
@@rufusgreenleaf2466 That's simply not the case. The great majority of residential areas still have the default 30mph speed limit. That includes the small estate where I live. It may change over time, but it requires time and money and consultation to introduce a 20 mph limit, so it's still a long way from the majority. The situation is a bit different in Wales where the government there did introduce a 20 mph default in built up areas.
Very interesting video, really good to get a genuine insight into how other countries learn to drive. I passed my UK test 4 years ago first time, however after watching this I'm not so sure I'd have passed first time in New York! Seems very complicated, but that may just be me.
Interesting for me is that in New York you indicate for so many reasons similar to German driving schools. My sympathy is more to the way it's taught in the UK as I feel less confused. The 4 way stop is not bad. I know it from South Africa and there it worked very well.
That was a terrific video. So interesting to compare driving rules etc. The way people park vehicle right upto the pedestrian crossing isn’t clever I thought. Thanks for sharing .
Lots of things they do over there isn't clever, like turning right on a red when people are using the crossing.
No common sense when indicating to overtake a parked car, and signal to get back to your side of the road? Pff. Where else are you likely to be driving?
At 19:46 (the left turn you took wide) I had to go back to figure out how you were supposed to know it was one way. All you seem to have is a small black and white sign on the opposite right side of the cross roads saying one way to the left. Not exactly the most conspicuous sign. Did you miss it and not realise it was one way by any chance? I think our blue up arrows make it much more clear but I guess you'd get used to looking in the right places.
Edit: There are actually a couple more arrows on the wrong side of lampposts.
You could also use the direction of the parked cars to gauge whether it's a one or two way road.
@@corruptedcardinal9253 Yes, because UNLIKE the UK, you can only park in the direction of the traffic, thus a one-way street would have cars parked in the same direction on both sides.
A great video, and very interesting.
Dry steering is a bit of a mystery, given the increased particulate pollution, but hey, this is the US I guess.
Not using the handbrake when stationary? Just an accident waiting to happen in my opinion. Pedestrian watch out!
But using the indicators when after completing an overtake? I actually think that is better than the UK's "assumption" method.
Lot's of SUVs in NYC. I guess that's the main cause of the rapidly increasing death rate. Hardly any small "city" cars, although I did spot a Smart car.
Good video - thanks for sharing.
to us, the occasional dry steer doesn't contribute enough wear and pollution to make a difference.
and to us, unnecessarily working the controls multiple times while stopped both increases wear on the components, and increases risk of a mistake that could cause an accident. also, the parking brake provides less braking force than the working brakes, so to us, a rear end collision with just the parking brake on will shunt you forward much more than with your foot on the brake.
and as for using the indicators, ashley and I do have something of a debate. his perception is that using the indicators every time can lead to complacency, and poor indicating. my contention is that you make a habit of using the indicators PROPERLY for every maneuver, and use ALL your observations to make sure the maneuver is done properly and safely,
and yes, cars are getting smaller, and more people are buying SUVs. many of our drivers still have the perception that bigger is better, despite the disadvantages of driving something unnecessarily big.
@@kenbrown2808 I disagree with the parking brake issue, because if you just use the normal brakes, and get shunted from behind, your foot will come off the gas pedal, and you’ll shoot forward without any brakes at all. That’s why, at least here in the UK, it’s always a good idea to use the parking brake when stationary. Also, if a driver becomes incapacitated while stationary (like having a heart attack for instance) it is also a good idea to use the parking brake.
When it comes to SUVs, it’s just completely bonkers. You’re all breathing in extra pollution, more children are being killed, and even drivers of SUVs themselves are more likely to die, because SUVs in the US don’t have to comply with modern safety standards.
We have a similar situation developing here in the UK, but at least our SUVs have to comply with modern safety standards. Cars are getting bigger, a lot heavier, and many of them are so big that they cannot fit into a standard parking space; which can be quite comical to witness.
Dry steering not worth worrying about? Not sure about that tbh. Much of that extra particulate matter grinds down fine enough to be absorbed through the lungs, and what gets washed into the sea ends up in the fish we eat. So I did find it surprising that dry steering was a “thing”. Absolutely fascinating to read about this bizarre practice though.
@@joules531 this same debate happened in another subthread. when I was younger, I was convoying home with the girl I was seeing at the time. crested a hill to a sea of brake lights, went for a full claws down stop, while she panicked and froze up. I stopped both of us - my foot never came off the brake.
to add for your hypothetical heart attack: a driver is statistically more likely to have that heart attack while in motion.
fact of the matter is, until the advent of electric parking brakes, the parking brake configuration on the vast majority of cars consisted of a cable pull system pulling on as little as half the friction surface on the rear brakes. this results in a weaker application of the brakes that will do the least good in a real impact collision.
@@kenbrown2808 Drivers are three times more likely to suffer a heart attack in a traffic jam, and there are plenty of tired drivers out there, who may fall asleep while their car is stationary.
All very hypothetical, as you say, but for those killed by drivers not applying the hand brake, their termination of life is actually very real.
The argument that a hand brake isn’t as powerful as a foot brake has merit, but this is easily solved by keeping your foot on the foot brake and applying the handbrake at the same time.
But whatever the argument, the statistics show that deaths in the US are rising dramatically, so maybe at least some of those will be what I call “roll forward deaths”.
With all those SUV drivers, holding their vehicles on just the footbrake? That would worry me tbh. But with US death and injury rates as high as they are, there are probably lots of other issues that need addressing too.
@@joules531 I have seen more incidents caused by a driver trusting their parking brake too much, than caused by a driver not using their parking brake at a traffic light.
Assuming that a move is not imminent, I like to use a handbrake and neutral when stopped at traffic signals for the same reason as you, Ashley. Unfortunately, many US cars are fitted with a foot parking brake, as is my 2001 Honda StepWgn which is horrible in use.
I like driving in the USA (mostly Florida, whose version of the highway code I downloaded some time ago) but I don't think that I would enjoy NY City. This episode has been quite an eye-opener and I am looking forward to the next episode.
Canadian in Toronto here. I have never even contemplated in my wildest imagination that being dazzled by break lights was even a thing. Simply that red lights mean the brake is applied. I've never found them too bright otherwise. And we are only taught the handbrake is for parking on hills or at least only used for parking. It literally took my breath away when I learned that UK drivers actually use them at red lights. The differences are very interesting.
That's only to pass the test. 😂 90% of UK drivers don't use their handbrake whilst stopped at traffic lights unless they're on a hill or something.
@@TheIceMurder2 ahhh ok makes sense
When I learned to drive in the late 1970's I went to the driving school (BSM) to meet the instructor for my lessons in the Mini Metro
Hi Ashley, I wonder if you have ever been to say, Columbo in Sri Lanka?, I imagine the same applies to most large Asian cities, when I was here what I saw was the most extraordinary behaviour on the streets with what looked like a chaotic mixture of all sorts of traffic from large buses, heavy goods vehicles, cars vans taxis, three wheel Tuk Tuks, motorcycles scooters mopeds, bicycles bullock carts and wheelbarrows all mixed up going in all directions all within just inches of each other!. One family of five on a small motorbike plus packages in and out of the traffic without a care in the world!.What impressed me most was that in more than twenty five hours of riding on those roads in comfy air conditioned cars I did not see one single crash!, I will admit to seeing a dozen or so wrecks here and there so there are many accidents but given the total traffic density and mixture I came away with the feeling that all drivers wanting to drive here in dismal England should have a day on the streets of Columbo, survive that and you will survive anything.
The only time I drove over there was one night on the way back from a nightclub in New England rolling into a small provincial town called Nelson I suddenly had to go all the way round the town square on the 'wrong' side of the road passing not one but three police patrol cars!, all the time absolutely fascinated by the sign indicating the adjacent 'Ped X ing' which kept making me think that suddenly I was in China, oh and of course the double yellow no parking lines are in the middle of the road!. Funny how you do see so much more around you when driving compared to just being a passenger!.
Cheers, Richard.
Signal comes first. I always thought that was a better way of doing it and often do it that way round here in UK.
Oh dear, that's not right.
@@SuperVitz If you watch the video you will see that signal first is the right way in America and our way is wrong over there. Both ways have their advantages and disadvantages.
When I was in New York, I got a taxi to the airport on the final day as we were leaving the city, another car hit the back of the taxi. The driver stuck his thumb out the window and so did the taxi driver and we both continued on our way. It was bizarre 😅
17:12 selecting neutral in an automatic in the UK when you come to a stop? First I've heard of that being a thing to be honest. I don't think it provides the same benefit as it does in a manual car and I don't think I've ever seen someone do it honestly when I've been passenger
What a brilliant vid, I can't wait to see pt2. It's great to see the difference over the pond
19:50 I completely missed the 'one way' road signs, it took me a few seconds to realise why Chris was saying that you turned wide.
The signage in America (especially in cities) is really dreadful. I could understand Japanese signs better when I couldn't read the words when I drove there than I could those in the US.
This is similar to Spain. Also while they take the test your instructor can ride along in the back so if you fail they know what areas that need the most work. The misses is from there and she had her test is in a busy city centre and they have you do all sorts. - (edit this all takes place with in a driving school. Examiner and Instructor are part of the school)
Where as I'm in Ireland. Where you can drive up to the test center on your own (at least when i did it) and even if you fail you drive yourself home again on your own. Also the most difficult maneuver was reverse around a corner. Something you should never actually do. Also I'm not sure if you're aware that we had an amnesty in 1979 where because the waiting list got too long they just dished out the licenses without a test. So we have approx 20K drivers that have a full license but have never passed a test.
Great video, was a very interesting watch to see the way the US does things and how you took to them. Looking forward to the next one.
I can't believe they'd fail you for doing 25mph as it would look like 25mph to examiner, I'd assume they means they are looking at a digital speedo on the angle.
Imagine driving 25 mph for your whole life
That would be fast for me as a Londoner
Wow. That WOULD be fast. Lucky to get up to walking pace in Wigan at busy times.
17:21 I kept thinking he said ‘hell’ instead of hill 😂
12:08 - it's all over Europe like that as well. You signal and then you start looking around.
I driven in Miami and NYC. Overall it is easy for UK driver, pedestrians cross in one area, signs are not clear and limited. Space is huge, conventions are weird..
And now we see why Americans prefer automatics. How much stopping and starting was there?!
Automatics started to predominate here in mid and upper end cars even in the early fifties. Cars here were big with V8 engines that had plenty of power that could overcome the automatic transmissions of that era. Cheap compacts and economy four cylinder imports would still have manuals in the 60s, but, as fewer and fewer learned on a manual, the demand decreased accordingly. I think many women preferred automatics too. Now it is hard to buy a manual transmission car. My Buick SUV has a ten speed automatic with various modes, and the computer can change gears better than I. The driving conditions in this video are NOT typical for much of the U.S. In a 45 mile commute I made for many years there was one yield and one stop sign.
@@warrenSPQRXxl Thanks for the reply - i think it’s really interesting how the UK and US are so different in that respect. Of course, electric vehicles are set to change all that. No need for a ‘stick shift’ in one of those :-)
@@warrenSPQRXxl Exactly, it's like comparing driving in London with Wiltshire.
I like those cycle lanes. Bikers get the benefit of flowing, well maintained road and the cars are able to park next to the pavement
Interesting to see the taught lack of handbrake discipline. It pretty much confirms my suspicion as to why you see so many US videos of driverless rolling vehicles.
I always find when driving in LA it feels like go karting, still can't get my head around going through a red though. I suppose that is a good hesitation to have haha
In the into it says part 2 but in the title name it says part 1
The rule about turning right on a red differing in other parts of the USA could catch a lot of UK motorists out so I am glad about motoring in the UK but like you Ash I have also driven in a lot of other countries.
I can see nothing that makes a No Turn On Red sign difficult to understand. It's similar to a left Yield sign in UK.
@@billyporter1389 Not to sure about your comment do you mean a left filter sometimes but that does require stopping traffic from other directions by the lights themselves over here but in the USA Ash was on about turning right in perhaps say Orlando you can make the turn on red if nothing is coming from your left but in NY it's only allowable if it instructs you you can otherwise no right hand turn is allowed.
I'm a bit late to watch this but not sure if it was an editing choice or if you didn't know how to fix each mic only being heard in one side of headphones. Do fill left with right if left is missing, and fill right with left if right is missing, if you edit with Premeire Pro :) It's an audio effect you apply.
I've had to listen to the whole video with just one ear side because it's disorientating for me having it back and forth in different sides - edit: actually towards the end I ended up dealing with it as it was a bit painful trying to only have one side of headphones on lol
I have the feeling that applying your handbrake and going into Neutral every time you stop is something very specific to the UK (not even specific to Europe). And doing it in an automatic is even weirder. On cars with start-stop systems, that system is disabled if you go into neutral (in my experience). There are also some cars with an auto-hold function for the brakes, allowing you to rest your foot in a traffic jam, which suggests to me that car manufacturers expect you to keep your foot on the brake and in Drive when you stop.
The manual for the last few automatics I've owned states specifically not to put the vehicle into neutral as a normal thing - only to recover from a stall situation or other engine malfunction while in motion and likewise not to go in and out of drive when at queues, etc. due to the increased wear on transmission components.
With cars fitted with “brake hold”, such as the current Toyota hybrids (I run a Yaris), there is no need to keep one’s foot on the brake - it displays “HOLD” in front of you, and they are released as soon as you move the accelerator pedal, so it’s a rapid start when you want it too. Spot the risk if you do it too soon!
The other feature with T hybrids is that is not desirable to use the N setting, as battery charging is disconnected. If you do it in a long traffic jam, it might warn you if it's a bit low, but not sure. Left in drive mode, it automatically starts and stops the engine as required.
Good vid *You* keep safe too Ashley! What is actually quite disturbing about driving in the United States is that the steering wheels are on the *wrong* side of their cars! No wonder there are so many accidents over there! 😊 🚗 🇺🇲
It's to suit the wrong side of the road.
@@billyporter1389I _think_ @sanchoodell6780 might have been having a joke. Just a hunch 🤣
Get on the right side of the road ya pelican!
@@chrisatye So was I. 👍
@@MarkHewitt1978 Ha ha. You're from "the land down under"!
Thank you for the video Ashley love watching your travels and driving in different places . Have a fab time in New York.
What I'd prefer to see, if possible, would be for you to take the training like an actual student for an hour or so, enough to try to cover a bit of everything, then take a mock test like a student and upload that unedited. That would then be followed with an Analysis video highlighting everything that's different to the UK and how it's better or worse from a safety standpoint, and how the different countries/states view safety and how their teaching methods tie into that standpoint. And this would be a really cool series (I think anyway), where we can see a raw example of how drivers are trained in each state and in other countries around the world in a way that's easily comparable, instead of this back and forth making a messy video of conflicting personalities, professions/professional experience, social cultures/nationalities (or however you could describe that better), etc.
Germany is another one I'd like to see, although there's a lot to their training and test(s) from what I've heard so that could be expensive and very time consuming, and probably has complicated public filming stuff caught up in it.
Obviously this is a very long term series to fit around trips around the world, even just to cover all the US states, and it would require another NY one for the fair comparability. I love the idea, but this format was extremely difficult to watch for me. If you can just agree to take lessons and a mock test like a student I fell it would reduce the tension a lot. You'd be doing the training and mock test as a UK instructor reviewing the experience from a UK instructor's point of view, and it would be cool if it could inspire other country's/state's instructors to do their own 'world tours' to do the same from their perspective.
I think without going through government departments to organise it it would be impossible to do as you need to be a resident of the country most times with an address. I had a hard time and had to bend/break the law to own a car when I was living in the US as had no permanent residence to licence the car. (skipping from motel to motel)
@@paulphillips8855 Wouldn't that just be to take an actual test though? I'm sure instructors everywhere else outside of the UK know what is required in the test so could do a mock test in place of doing an actual test after some training, much like many instructors do here in the UK. If the term mock test is what is throwing you, by that I mean another lesson with the instructor but where the instructor doesn't give any instruction other than what an examiner would give on test while on a potential test route. The instructor would instead make notes on their driving and summarise what they did well and what they didn't do as well on while left to drive themselves, abd whether or not they did enough to theoretically pass a test in that drive/lesson without instruction.
Even if he got around the resident requirement, he couldn't film the actual test anywhere anyway, so would have to rely on an instructor to produce a 'reconstruction' of the actual test for filming purposes.
Driving instruction is a business at the end of the day in most places, if not all. I don't think any would be opposed to being paid for a few hours of lessons by a full licence holder (be them local or permitted to drive a rental there as a tourist), and being asked to assess their driving in the last hour or so of training.
@@markwright3161 didn't bother reading the essay but apologies I had skipped the word mock
You put "part 2" in the intro im a little confused?
Sorry 😂
Perfect timing for the video for me as we’re off to visit friends in Wisconsin next month. Not been over since 2017 due to Covid, so I reckon I’m going to be a bit rusty. I’ve started doing some home work already, so this is great content at just the right time. Good idea about booking a driving lesson, I might do the same, as you say it must be interesting to see how they do things over there. Interestingly our friend has never driven over here, it’s too crazy and narrow apparently.
the speed thing is insane.... over here in Germany there is some leeway. if you happen to go up to 4-5 over momentarily and quickly correct back down to the speed limit, you'll be perfectly fine. not constantly going 5 over, obviously and not going over on multiple occasions, but just exceeding the limit once you'll be fine.
and we most certainly do not do the handbrake thing here either.
you _have to_ drive on the middle when in a one way? that's absurd?! people may wanna pass me... of course you go on the right side of the road when in a one way street up until that point where an intersection and your intentions require you to move to the middle or left side...
Crazy seeing how cars are parked close to the crossings. Can barely see if someone wants to cross.
Great vid kid. It would really interesting to see driving instruction in other countries too. Particularly those who, seem to our eyes, have very few rules at all. Thanks for posting.
You seen DGN's 'test' in India? Purpose-built test track - very interesting
I suggest you don't try driving in India :-)
l have, a car and a motorcycle.....you need to swallow Valium first...its every man for himself. ''driving the wrong way'' is common place... karma is what gets them through the day
Look up Passy on TH-cam, he drives bangers in Africa and their roads are a free for all.
Did you know it was a one way road you turned into Ash as I only caught the sign for it LHS after you made the turn at 19.45 wheras over here it would indicate on entry both side that it's one way facing the road you coming off which to be int the USA there is a lack off understanding about direct line of vision to make signage as easy to see as possible.
There's a sign on the traffic lights at that junction, so he could see it. But I doubt Ashley saw that.
@@kempo_95 Yes I know but it's not facing the road you turn into it from as over here, it's only one parrellel to the road so to see it you would have to catch it as you made the turn either with your peripheral vision (not ideal as it could be missed) or by looking directly to the side as you enter before it dissapears above the roof of the car if he had hit the centre of the road straight away perhaps.
@@rustydusty2992 you can see it when you are driving towards the light, no?
@@kempo_95 Maybe a bit perdantic here but your correct after reviewing the vid one to the right and the one I was talking about on the left did not see at first that it was printed on both sides of the sign but wording partially obscured by the traffic light post itself would not have been allowed over here obviously. If you spotted this first time well done.
The signs on the junction, and the fact that the cars are all parked in the same direction on both sides (yes, the UK allows parking either direction, but we don't).
Has he agreed to come over and do an exchange visit with you and you teach him in the UK, now that would be amusing seeing Ashleys face as he dry steers the GTI
"Dry steering" never heard it called that. My instructor used to go mad if you did that and he's probably saved me thousands in tyre costs over the years.
It's the wheel bearings that it ruins not the tyres.
@@trabant3060 Probably the whole steering assembly in the long term? No power steering in my early days so it was an energy saving technique!
@@trabant3060 I think it's the track/drag rod ends that pay the price, I think the pot holes probably do more harm to the bearings.
Yup, go easy on your steering components if you want them to last a long time without play. Dry steering wears the steering rack/track rods as mentioned above
I was told the roads in Uk were more complicated and narrow and thats why our tests are more challanging.
The UK roads are all over the place. A lot of it is widened, tarmaced old horse route and tracks.
Where I live, the city is 2000 years old and we still have some of the cobbled streets from the 1500's. The main In ner city roads here follow the same route as the old roman ones.
Some of the buildings basements even have old roman pillars still in them.
I drive a HGV and in some rural areas I have to use roads where both sides of the truck are brushing the hedgerows.
I'm doing the inverse in a few months. Born in Liverpool but I moved to California before I got a license. Ashley, any tips on acclimatising to being on the other side of the car and road? I did it just fine 2 years ago, but it's been a while and I will be driving straight from the airport this time.
It's definitely a weird feeling when you get in and feel like you have a while half a car hanging off your offside, like you're in a motorbike sidecar.
"Dazzling people with your break light." I've never in my life heard of that one, amazing. I drive automatics for private and work, and I ALWAYS sit on on that break pedal, I'd never think of dazzling anyone, and I've never had an issue in regards of it. Should note I live in Sweden so maybe things are treated differently.
Driven in America for the last 30 years when visiting family in Detroit, they can drive from 14 years old, I find it more relaxing driving in the US than the UK, but drive in Florida OMG we have a 2 second gap in the UK, and I think Floridians have half a second gap.
I want to see Ashley driving in Delhi India. Great Video BTW. NY is a totally different place than the rest of the USA.
14:39 I noticed the cyclist didn't stop and the cycle lane doesn't have a stop line. Does this mean it's OK for the cyclist not to stop? Moments later a moped does the same, would this also be OK?
23:27 Just like the UK cyclist jumps the lights :(
This is great, I am relocating to the US next week for 3 -4 years so will be resitting a test. I have driven out there before and didn't find it too bad, the test looks a doddle though!
Driving in the USA is for the most part easy. Most roads are very wide and straight and there is little to no roundabouts. Driving there is a lot more easier then in Europe.
Great video and series, really insightful. I was a driver in the US back in 2010 and must have made all the mistakes you made an more!
the "dazzled by brake lights" concept is one that I've noticed and as a yank, I find a bit amusing. I guess the best way to explain it is, to use the "tell a story" concept - if you turn off your brake lights, here, you're telling the same story you'd tell by creeping forward: namely that you are starting to go.
as far as the "dry steering" it's another illustration of the contrast between UK and UK schools of thought on wear on the vehicle: the US seems to have a lot more of an attitude that the vehicle is built to be used. the only real thing we look at UK driving technique, and think, "you're gonna wear it out prematurely" is the parking brake. most people don't purposely dry steer - but if it makes the maneuver easier, we do it without a second thought.
on the all way stop: some states set a mandatory minimum stop time, but in mine, it is only required to come to a stop, and the best practice for an all way stop it to treat it a little bit like a mini overabout. as soon as the car before you is clear of your path, you should proceed. this means if the car ahead will never cross your path, you proceed at the same time they do.
Also, we in the US use all-weather tires, which don't wear as fast as summer tires, as the UK tends to use those because they don't (usually) the kind of winter weather we do.
@@jaycee330 all weather tires wear faster than "summer" tires, but often have deeper tread to deal with the winter weather.
Love for you to take a test on an American roundabout, especially a multi lane roundabout like the 7 lane bollocks in Chesterfield.
This is a great idea for a video/series, really interesting!
I guess it must be a Toyota thing; my hybrid has a wiggly slot for the gear stick, too. My late grandfather's Fords had straight slots
It is a Toyota thing, my Avalon does that too. All the gears are notched.
Am I correct in saying that the instructor said you cannot go faster than 25 mph on the actual driving test? That seems insane to me, even for NYC
Great video, this was really interesting to see how they do it in USA, looking forward to seeing more, also interesting to see all the scenery and differeant types of cars around as your driving
Title says part 1... The video intro says part 2?
Just commented that lol
In reality, Liz was chauffeuring Ashley everywhere until he had a few lessons.😂
I find learning what other countries do very interesting and can't understand why you wouldn't, because learning is learning and maybe we could learn certain things from other nations and them from us or at least the different reason for the different trains of thought , great video , loved it , thank you Ash.. scares me to even think of driving on the other side of the road, but got to try one day