• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

On a scale of 1-10, how well would you rate yourself at driving?

Nozem

Member
The stats disagree though, the Netherlands is 95% manual and has a lower casualty rate than the US and it's one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

That's mostly because we don't hand out driver licenses like candy. So yeah, drivers in the Netherlands have actually learned how to drive.
 

JettDash

Junior Member
That's mostly because we don't hand out driver licenses like candy. So yeah, drivers in the Netherlands have actually learned how to drive.

LOL it is so easy to get a driver's license in the US. You would have to be the worst driver in the world to not pass eventually. I got mine on the day I turned 16, and I just had to pass an easy written test and like two miles of driving near where the DMV is.
 
Driving in Germany i feel average. About 6-7.
I sometimes get confused in new hectic city environments i havent encountered before.


Driving in the US made me feel like i was the only capable person on the road. Driving automatic took some time to get used to tough.
 

JettDash

Junior Member
I don't see what the point of having a manual is unless you just like it. Autos on modern cars are very good and it is one less thing to think about.

And yes, I do know how to drive a stick.
 
A 5 I guess. I never had an accident in my 10 years behind the wheel, but driving in the city really stresses me out. I'm nervous and constantly second guess everything ...
 
I consider my "driving rating" to be a combination of two separate measures. One is the "degree of asshole-ness", the other is driving skill.

I use my blinkers, I don't tailgate, I don't use my phone, and I don't overtake in a dangerous manner. On this measure I consider myself to be better than most other drivers on the road.

With regards to driving skill, I have less experience and training than most other drivers...

3/10
 

TBiddy

Member
I did not say that, but it certainly takes a bit more effort and skill in comparison with the go-kart automatics people seem to love overseas. Plus, it's super duper fun.

There's next to no skill involved in driving with a stick. As soon as you know what the clutch does, you're good to go.

After driving with a stick for 15 years, I don't consider it neither fun nor something that takes an effort.
 
I'm a pretty fucking good driver. Sometimes I think about how it would've been cool to get into stunt driving, but I'm long past an age where I'd do that kind of thing.
 

Hyun Sai

Member
The best driving skill is to anticipate stuff other drivers do. Once your mind is set on that, you're pretty much at least a 9.
 
The best driving skill is to anticipate stuff other drivers do. Once your mind is set on that, you're pretty much at least a 9.

Always think for the idiots around you. Saved me a car last week, when a truck next to me changed to my lane without noticing that I was next to him.
 
The topic title doesn't specify safe driving, so I am gonna go with a 9.

I was actually a bit of a street racer in my younger days. Eventually I stopped being an idiot and did more autocross.

In terms of safe driving...probably quite a bit lower!
I am too aggressive because I mostly drove in northern FL surrounded by mobile Florida man (and woman) and even worse....tourists!
Felt like trying to survive in Mario kart at times. I was lucky and actually dodged several accidents over the years.

The only accident I ever had was of my own doing when I fucked up a drift and tagged a bush pitting a ding in my fender.
 

Hjod

Banned
I drive calmly, follow the flow of traffic even of that means speeding a bit in the higher tier zones, like 10km over the limit maybe. I can park anywhere, parallel or not. I've been parallel parking for years because of where I live.

The true test of how good of a driver you are is reversing with a trailer attached to your car.
 

Kill3r7

Member
Probably a 7 or 8. Generally safe driver but for the fact that I lack patience and I am a gap driver on the highway.
 

Sec0nd

Member
6 I guess. Got my license for less than a year now. Don't really feel that comfortable with parking in crowded or busy areas. I always make sure I'm at some remote place to park at my own pace. That kind of sucks but I'll get there.
 

cromofo

Member
10/10

I reckon I should've entered a racing career. I race on the dirt roads from time to time.

One of the only things I'm good at lol.
 
Gonna say a 9 purely on the basis of having controlled a blowout and an unexpected spin on sheet ice on a bendy country road. No involvement in any accidents in 10 years of driving. I'm pretty easy going on the road too, even if the other driver is making a hassle of themselves.
 

Water

Member
In regular traffic I'd say I'm a 7/10. I'm good at handling a car, diligent in checking my mirrors and whatnot and don't take risks, but I haven't owned a car in about ten years, get absentminded easily and am not the best at reading other traffic. Having a discussion while driving isn't good for me, I'll drive past where I was supposed to turn etc. One thing I'm good at safety-wise is noticing when I'm tired or distracted, and being proactive in switching drivers or stopping for a break when necessary.

In controlling the car in difficult situations I'm 8/10. Used to poor visibility, sliding around on ice, working the clutch and handbrake when starting from a parking spot on an icy slope without stalling or tire slip. I learned to drive in icy Finnish conditions with an old RWD with no ABS, a fucked up weight distribution, easy-to-stall engine and of course manual. Every car I've ever driven after that one has felt super easy to handle.

Never had a crash despite some close calls (total brake failure going downhill, had to pass someone via the grass verge next to the road in order to not crash, etc). Also once drove 200km in Lapland during what the news retroactively called the worst snowstorm of the year, though that was with a good new car.
 
I'd rate myself a 8/10.

Driving a tiny ass Miata, I've been driving it as if it's a motorcycle... aka assume everyone's texting and no one can see you on the road.

For example, instead of braking when the car ahead of me does, I brake when the car ahead of that car does, that way it'll give time for the tailgating idiot behind me to smash his brakes and not kill me. This should be common sense tbh but people are too damn impatient in traffic so I assume everyone's an idiot on the road.

That said I do drive like an asshole, but mostly out of necessity coz Dallas drivers suck. If you don't drive like a dick around here, you can't change lanes, miss exits, all that mess.
 

kswiston

Member
Maybe a 6. I have been in 1 accident the first month I had my license, but no accidents or tickets since then (17 years).

All of you 9/10 and 10/10 types better be pro racers and stunt drivers or you are full of shit.
 
I've yet to write a car off and I used to do a lot of miles, so I'm not too bad, but I'm no racing driver either. I'd say I'm a bang average 5/10.
 

Raptomex

Member
I would say a 9. I'm a defensive driver, follow the speed limits, signal, but I hate parallel parking so I don't do it.
 

Dinokill

Member
Being over the speed limit doesn't make you a bad driver. 99% of garbage drivers I see on the road are going under the speed limit doing stupid shit.
 

Flo_Evans

Member
Are we rating ourselves on being a "good" driver (following rules) or a "good" driver (avoiding accidents) or a "good" driver (fast) or a "good" driver (can do tricks like drifting) ???
 

Stinkles

Clothed, sober, cooperative
Objectively a 6 or 7/10. I'll finish fourth on a track day or event. I haven't had a self caused accident in 25 years of driving in Europe, Asia and the US. I signal every turn even on empty streets at two am. I parallel park on San Francisco streets. I've driven a Ford Anglia and a Lamborghini Diablo VT.


Compared to people on my commute? 12/10.
 

DirtyLarry

Member
9.5 / 10

My dad was a (local) truck driver and starting at about the age of 4 I would go out with him for the entire day and that lasted for many, many years. I learned how to read a map about the same time I learned how to read. As a result I have always had an excellent sense of direction.

He also would always reiterate the rules of the road, etc. etc.

So I knew how to drive way before I could actually drive. Once I could drive, I just felt extremely confident and comfortable doing so. Which I think is a huge part of it all.

I also am born and raised in New Jersey, where apparently people believe driving like a complete asshole is a prerequisite.
 

JeTmAn81

Member
I give myself a 9 for just being a safe reliable driver. No at fault accidents in 20 years of driving (and my 1 accident was in my HS parking lot!), 1 speeding ticket from this area where the speed limit fluctuated rapidly and it was difficult to keep up with.
 

Saganator

Member
Eh... I need to break it down

Awareness of others: 9.5 - noone is perfect but I'm very aware of my surroundings, driving or not.

Courtesy to other drivers: 8.5 - I try extra hard to, not cause someone to brake for me, I move over to give people merging a lane, always use my signal, I don't take my sweet ass time to make a left turn. I try to be as predictable as possible.

Following speed limit: 6 - I'm usually 5-10mph over, I haven't had a speeding ticket in over 10 years

Distractions: 8 - never text and drive, I'll do phone calls on speaker, though. Never eat and drive.

Ass riding: 7 - Unless the person is driving below the speed limit, I try to leave at least a car length or two between, depending on speed and traffic

Never been in an accident. My only speeding ticket was in Nevada going 90 in a 75, missed the reduced speed limit sign as I got closer to one of those tiny towns where speeding ticket revenue is like their only income. My dad was a truck driver and taught me a lot about driving when I was little.
 

Falchion

Member
In terms of my driving safety, probably like a 6 because I usually go 10+ over the speedlimit everywhere. If we're just talking driving skill though I'm a 9 or 10. Never been in a wreck that was my fault, had plenty of rain / snow experience, and I've avoided several accidents thanks to quick reflexes and road awareness.

Also shout out to all you smart and aware drivers who always look in your blind spot before changing lanes. I ride a motorcycle and the amount of cars that just swerve into your lane without looking is breathtaking. You all literally save my life by being smart.
 

Nafai1123

Banned
On the public streets, daily driver level = 10

On the racing level = 7

Excellent at racing line, weight balance management, good at controlling oversteer, trail-braking etc. Not so great at heel-toe.
 
Some interesting stats:

9537-fo20a7kisk1.png


11 Countries With the Best Drivers in the World
The countries with the best and worst drivers in the world

Indonesia should've been number 1
from the bottom.
 

Ryaaan14

Banned
10/10

U wanna be in a car w me. I'm safe as fuck and efficient.

Two second following distance is key. I get super uncomfortable riding w ppl who tailgate.
 
Top Bottom