French roads are ruled primarily by manual transmission cars. If you only know how to drive automatic; then the availability of cars to rent or purchase are significantly slimmed down.
Several years ago when I vacationed in France, the car rental agency only had a Mercedes – forcing me to pay top dollar for the privilege of driving. Have to admit, it was nice cruising along the Mediterranean in that girl!
Now that I moved to the countryside of France, I no longer can rely on the ease of public transportation to get around and do not want to pay a premium for an automatic. All I have is my husband’s manual car. There is no point in us having two cars since we both work at home. This means, I must finally learn how to drive stick. I have been driving since I was 16 so the idea of going to school again for driving seems a bit silly at this age.
After my patient husband gave me two lessons, we decided it might be quicker to get professional help. I almost mastered the dirt country road, making us both nervous about moving it up to a regular road. Today was my first lesson from a driving school. And what a lesson! I drove on the main roads and only stalled out twice when stopping/going at traffic lights. After only 2 to 3 more, I will be able to drive with a bit more confidence.
Now I just need to figure out what to do about exchanging my Florida drivers license for a French drivers license. If your state has an agreement with France, as Florida does, then within a year after living in France you must exchange it for a French license. If you wait over a year, then you must get the French license the hard way.
What is the hard way? You will have to pass a multiple-choice test, go to a French driving school and then take a road test. Oh, driving schools cost hundreds of euros. I found one in Caen that was 600 euros, so about 850 dollars. Even if you know how to drive and your driver’s license is valid in the USA, you still have to go through the full course.
I have full intention of doing this the easy way. Taking 3 to 4 hours of driving practice is much nicer than the 20 required for obtaining a license. Then finally, I can drive like all the other French mammas.
I can also finally hit all those fun yard sales every Sunday morning. Dragging my husband out of bed for them is getting harder and harder, hahaha. Poor man!
Credit Image: Nelson Minar on Flickr.com
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