(Photo by Van Sterenberg)

By Vasilisa Nesterenko | Staff Writer

Driving is a huge part of American life. Coming from Russia, where many places are walkable and public transportation is widely available, I never imagined how crucial driving would be for me.

Eventually, that day came. Tired of three-hour bus rides and constantly asking friends for rides, I decided to learn how to drive. This is my story of conquering the roads of Hawaiʻi in my Nissan Versa Note. It is not just about learning a new skill but adapting to a completely new culture.

Permit

The first step of any driving journey is the permit test. As of 2026, it can be taken either online or at the DMV with an appointment. The test fee is only $12, and even a complete beginner can pass after a couple of days of studying.

I didn’t expect the test to be that easy and ended up spending months preparing for it. If I were getting my driver’s license in Russia, I would have to pass two complicated tests on road rules before even being allowed to drive with an instructor. And the road test itself is also far more demanding: Only about 11% of candidates pass on the first try, compared to roughly 30-35% in the U.S.

But in America driving is about freedom, and access to this freedom is intentionally easier.

Learning how to drive

My first time parking. Photo by Van Sterenberg

It was much more challenging to learn how to drive. Before I got my permit, I had never operated any vehicle, not even a golf cart or a go-kart. It was completely new to me. Even the mechanics of the gas and brake pedals seemed complicated, as I used to think you were supposed to press the gas with one leg and the brake with the other. Good thing I never tried a manual car.

I wasn’t the best student at all. Almost every possible mistake happened: drifting into the opposite lane, struggling with steering, failing to center the car, and braking at the very last moment. Now there’s a dent on the left side of my car as a reminder of those early driving experiences.

But I was lucky to have one of the best driving teachers, my fiancé. In four months of daily practice, I gained all the basic driving skills. Learning how to drive with someone close to you is probably one of the best ways to test a relationship, and I’m happy that we passed this test.

YouTube was a good source of information for me as I worked on my driving skills. YouTube channels like Clearview Driving (UK-based driving lessons with real students), JimmyDrives (entertaining content focused on cars and safe driving habits), Zutobi Drivers Ed (short, practical videos for the U.S. road test), and Aloha Townet (recordings of Hawaiʻi road test routes) helped me prepare. But the key to success is patience, both for those who teach how to drive and for those who are being taught.

Learning how to drive became a journey toward resilience. Keeping going when it was hard, and sometimes arguing with loved ones, was the price of sharing the driving lifestyle with other Americans.

Road test

The road test day arrived, marking the biggest challenge every new driver faces. I still remember the sleepless night before the test, driving in traffic to the DMV in Kapahulu and almost crashing twice because of nerves.

When I finally arrived at the DMV, I saw many people like me standing in line. We all came from different backgrounds, but we were united by the same fear and excitement. Then my turn came. I started my car, stopped for four seconds at the first stop sign as recommended, and turned onto the main street too sharply, so that my examiner had to grab the handle. I whispered, “I’m sorry,” and we moved on.

But even the smallest obstacle can overwhelm an inexperienced driver. Not long after, I hesitated during an unprotected left turn, and someone honked at me for not going when I had the chance. The whole ride started to feel like torture. At the end of the route, I casually turned right on red, stopping beforehand and making sure it was safe. I had done this many times before and didn’t doubt it, until my examiner said, “Turning right on red with a prohibiting sign is an automatic fail.” I felt defeated that day.

Two weeks later, I tried again, this time in Waianae. I lost 30 points, when 25 is the cutoff for passing. I did much better than the first time, but I probably still wasn’t ready.

Finally, my third try was successful. I had an extremely polite and patient examiner, and maybe a little bit of divine help. I didn’t believe in my success until I heard the words, “You passed the road test. Congratulations.”

Driving gave me a freedom I once could only dream of and allowed me to feel like I truly fit in. Now I share the beauty of the driving lifestyle with others, and I hope people on the road will be more patient with a little Nissan Versa Note that might cut them off in traffic.

What I learned the hard way:

  1. Don’t overstudy for the permit test. It’s not rocket science. About one week of daily studying is enough to pass.
  2. Schedule your road test early. A good time to do this is right after you get your permit, since appointments fill up quickly.
  3. Choose your road test location wisely. There are five DMV locations on Oʻahu where you can take a road test, and they have significant differences in pass rates. For example, about 64% of test takers pass in Waianae, while only 48% pass in Wahiawā.
  4. Timing matters. Avoid scheduling your road test during rush hours, when there are more cars, bikes, and bright sun in your eyes. Late morning to early afternoon, roughly 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is the best window.
  5. Don’t waste money on driving ed if it’s not required. I paid $68 for a one-hour practice lesson and didn’t learn anything new, aside from personal stories from my instructor.
  6. Patience is key. Operating a 3,000-pound vehicle is hard at first, and that’s okay. Time, practice are all it takes to become a confident driver.