r/HIckoryNC • u/jenfromnc • 2d ago

Driving area for new permitted driver?

anyone have any suggestions for an area for a newly permitted driver to practice that might be a little straighter/slower/less scary for mom while we learn the basics of staying between the lines and the brakes? I’d also love a big empty parking lot location if anyone has a suggestion.

thanks!

7 Upvotes

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10

u/thewhitepeach 2d ago

I used the CVCC parking lot on weekends when I was learning to drive. Always pretty vacant and has many sections with different layouts. As far as slower areas, maybe Brookford area. 35 speed limits, curves and stop signs, but roads are not too narrow for a beginner.

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u/jenfromnc 2d ago

OH CVCC is a great idea! Lots of weirdness in there to navigate around when no one is there. thank you!! Will look up Brookford too, I am not sure where that is. Thank you!

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u/Quick_Parsley_5505 2d ago

Don’t go to brookford. Cops are on a power trip over there.

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u/thewhitepeach 2d ago

So brookford is very close to CVCC. Leave there going up Catawba valley blvd toward target. Keep going straight past Shurtape. You have now entered Brookford. Small residential community but they have their own police force (of like 2 people) so speeding is a no no in that area. Not many roads to take but almost all of them spit you out onto hwy 127 or hwy 70. And it has a 4 way stop that is a great learning opportunity since NO ONE seems to know what to do there! Haha! Safe travels to you and your new driver!

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u/BladeRunnerKitty 2d ago

Crawdads, Xcel fitness parking lot and that road leading there is less crowded

1

u/carbon770 8h ago

I second this. As someone who frequents the aviation walk, I see many people using the crawdads parking lot for practice.

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u/MentallyChaotik 2d ago

Either CVCC for practice with roundabouts or you could go to Valley Hills mall after 6pm for night driving + turning and navigating no stop zones that have a stop sign required for the entering lane

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u/828NCGuy 2d ago

Find a fallow, slightly overgrown field. Get out of the car and guide the young driver to maneuver between closer and closer sets of young trees and such. If they rub the car, game over....keep practicing. If they eventually refuse to try a set that is too close to make it through --then they "win." They have spatial awareness of the vehicle. And know that they are the driver--proven responsible enough to ignore unruly passengers.

As for a "road course," try a multi-building office park on a weekend or evening. That'll give experience with lanes and parking. Bonus if you can go after a big storm--especially snow. Downed limbs to avoid, and a chance to practice both avoiding and recovering from skids...

Finally, sign up for the driving program offered at Charlotte Motor Speedway (and other places), B.R.A.K.E.S I think it is called. Awesome experience led by pro drivers.

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u/Ibanez-Jackson 1d ago

Around the airport and the crawdads parking lot

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u/PineapplePza766 1d ago

Yeah no… maybe the crawdads parking lot but any further past the stadium or a wrong turn is gonna end up on 70 or a steep ass windy road with hills

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u/webefine5025 1d ago

We used the Hickory High School parking lot

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u/Business_Quality3884 1d ago

I taught my daughter at valley hills mall parking lot on early Sunday mornings.