I'm of to see my aunt in St Albert on Friday and intend renting a car and going off for a few days drive, through Alberta perhaps British Colombia and down to the US.
I have in mind something like a 10 day trip, intending to do about 300 miles a day, as the starting point, which I'll modify according to weather conditions and how I actually feel once on the road.
I'll spend the first few days with my aunt first so as to drive with her and get used to things before venturing out on my own, armed with maps and TomTom, now fitted with a North America SD card!
One thing that surprised me in testing the TomTom with a prepared 'navigate' is that from St Albert to Boston MA, 2693 miles it takes 67 turns, the drop in the ocean 52 miles to Bracknell from East Barnet takes 23 turns
![Shocked :shock:](./images/smilies/icon_eek.gif)
Anyway I digress.
I've been studying the Basic Licence Driver's Handbook (Province of Alberta) and somewhat think their graded licence system of class 7 learner, up to class 1 artics, makes a lot of sense.
It's on this page: http://transportation.alberta.ca/531.htm
Basic Licence Driver's Handbook PDF
Cars are class 5 and it appears that once you pass the basic car test you are then a probationer for 2 years after which you can then take the advanced test and become a full class 5. Until you are full class 5 you can't sit with another learner or drive between certain nigh time hours, there are stricter alcohol rules and they have a points systems similar to ours where as a probationer the point at which you loose your licence for too many points is lower than for a non probationer, although they only suspend it not revoke it as here.
Reading the steering section though they advise hand over hand to get lock on, and letting the wheel go for lock off
![Neutral :|](./images/smilies/icon_neutral.gif)
When turning a corner, use a hand-over-hand method of steering. When straightening out after a turn, let the steering wheel slide back into position by loosening your grip, or use the hand-over-hand method to recover your steering.
I hope to have plenty of fun.
Any tips will be gratefully received.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Pete