Places to practice driving (close in DC)

[Anonymous]

Looking for places with calmer roads to practice. We live in downtown DC and that’s a little too scary for starting out. We have tried some upper NW neighborhoods but would love suggestions!!

[Anonymous]

River Terrace neighborhood. Take Benning across the river, take an immediate right onto Anacostia Ave. Super calm streets.

[Anonymous]

Cemeteries. Really.

[Anonymous]

It might be a little far for you but Ft Hunt Park on the GW Parkway in Alexandria is great - that's where I took my teenagers to learn to drive. The road is a circle that goes around the park and the speed limit is about 20 mph. Parts of the road are one way and there is a section that has traffic going both directions. The road is a little over a mile in length. There are always bikers and walkers sharing the road so its not completely "hazard free" but its a great first road to get onto after you've navigated a parking lot.

[Anonymous]

head out to reston VA on the weekends. Lots of office buildings and parking lots. which generally aren't in use on the weekends. so you get to practice some driving with no other cars around.

especially right off sunrise valley drive
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Reston,+VA/@38.9471043,-77.3451168,562m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x89b64047261665e5:0x63dfafe8a871ae9f!8m2!3d38.9586307!4d-77.3570028

I know its not close to DC, but... it also allows you some highway time. take 267 out to the air port. Its free. and drive around the "long term parking" lots. has roads, stops signes, ect..

[Anonymous]

I like the area above St Johns, also upper beach drive in MC off rush hour. There are also quiet streets in Brookland over by that seminary south of Michigan Ave

[Anonymous]

Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

I'd rather recommend early in the morning on a weekend than late at night where tired or drunk drivers/cyclist/pedestrians are more prevalent.

[Anonymous]

Lots of office buildings and parking lots which generally aren't in use on the weekends. so you get to practice some driving with no other cars around.

This. My first time practicing was at NIH, which you obviously can’t do anymore. But any big office park would do. Or the parking lots at RFK? And Westwood Shopping Center on Westbard in close-in Bethesda has a gigantic parking lot which is nowhere close to full ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

DC, Va., and Md. learners permits all forbid driving after sunset .

[Anonymous]

The parking lot at Carter Barron up off 16th Street. It’s practically a junior class meeting for Jackson-Reed HS on Sunday afternoon. 😁

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

DC, Va., and Md. learners permits all forbid driving after sunset .

This is not even remotely true. In fact, Virginia mandates a certain number of nighttime practice hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

DC, Va., and Md. learners permits all forbid driving after sunset .

HAHAAHA. In Maryland you need to have a minimum of 10 hours of night driving with your permit to get your license.

[Anonymous]

In the parking lot of the National Basilica and the surrounding area

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Later in the evening (like after 10pm) in any residential neighborhood.

DC, Va., and Md. learners permits all forbid driving after sunset .

Not true in DC. DC learners permits are allowed to drive until 9 pm and DC recommends 10 hours practice driving after dark.