Every “tweenager” knows the milestones they have to look forward to as they progress toward adulthood: 16, 18 and 21. Few, however, consider perhaps the scariest and arguably most exciting age marker: turning 15 and a half, and legally getting behind the wheel for the first time. What begins as studying the rules of the road on a screen, then cramming for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) learner’s permit test, quickly becomes something much more tangible. Inexperienced drivers get behind the wheel for the first time, navigating their nerves and the unpredictability of driving on real streets and highways.
Many students at this school approach learning how to drive the same way they approach choosing their freshman classes, excited but a bit apprehensive. But once they are behind the wheel, the experience often proves more challenging than expected. While earning the right to drive represents independence, in order to do so safely, Falcons must move beyond simply knowing the rules. They need to learn how to apply them in real, unpredictable situations before becoming confident drivers.
For driving instructor Joe Oshiro of Express Driving School, those nerves are something he sees when a student first sits in the driver’s seat. With more than a decade of experience teaching behind-the-wheel training, Oshiro has worked with students across multiple grade levels at this school. He often recognizes connections between different students he teaches which reflects how widespread his instruction is within the community. When the final bell rings, Oshiro and his 2025 Toyota Camry are often a block from campus, where he waits to begin lessons as students transition from their school day to time behind the wheel.
Oshiro’s path to becoming a driving instructor was not something he originally planned.
“I was working a fulltime job in a different industry and wanted to make additional income,” Oshiro said. “As luck would have it, my friend’s wife owned a driving school at the time and offered me a part-time driving instructor position. At first I declined because it was too scary for me.”
After reconsidering the opportunity, Oshiro decided to take a chance on something new.
“After considering the offer, I decided that since it was extended to me, I should at least give it a try,” Oshiro said. “I completed all the training and tests and started teaching part-time, and I discovered the immense satisfaction of teaching and helping others acquire a new skill.”
Over time, that experience shifted into something more meaningful.
“It was incredibly rewarding to watch a student gain confidence in themselves, face their fears and progress as a new driver,” Oshiro said. “From that point I made the bold decision to shift careers and started teaching full time.”
In those first moments of a lesson, Oshiro is focused on getting to know each student and helping them settle their nerves.
“I’m trying to read their energy,” Oshiro said. “Are they terrified? Overconfident? Trembling? My main goal in those first five minutes is just getting them to breathe. And, I’m hoping they remember which pedal is for braking and accelerating before we start moving.”
That early stage of learning is often where students struggle the most. For many, the challenge is not just understanding how a car works, but learning how to control it smoothly and consistently.
“In the beginning it’s probably lane control and braking smoothly,” Oshiro said. “Beginners tend to stare right at the hood of the car or the bumper of the car immediately in front of them, which makes their steering jerky and their braking late.”
For Kira Gordon (10), the transition from learning to actually driving came with nerves, especially when facing more challenging situations.
“The first time I drove, I drove on the freeway and the freeway was definitely really scary for the first couple months,” Gordon said.
Giovanna Katherine Ribeiro Greenbaum (10) experienced similar stress. Before getting behind the wheel, she described feeling unsure of even the most basic controls.
“Before my first time actually driving I had a lot of nerves …I didn’t even know which was the gas or brake but overall I couldn’t wait to start driving,” Greenbaum said.
Mistakes during early experiences can make driving feel overwhelming, especially in high-pressure situations.
“My first time on the freeway I was changing lanes and I checked my blind spot … I [accidently] veered the wheel the other way and swerved onto the other lane,” Greenbaum said. “I ended up getting honked and got super close to the other car.”
Both students emphasized that improvement comes with time and repetition.
“I got past that moment by continuing to practice,” Greenbaum said. “I knew I wouldn’t make the same mistake again because it had happened before and now I could fix my mistake.”
Even beyond basic control, Oshiro pointed out that one of the most difficult aspects of driving is learning how to handle other people on the road.
“[The hard part is] dealing with other drivers and their driving styles,” Oshiro said. “During a driving test one of my students was approaching a stop sign and made a complete stop, which is what they were supposed to do. But the driver in the car behind my student was in a rush and honked impatiently each time my student made a full stop. I see this as well while teaching. Some drivers are always in a rush and tend to be aggressive, so I try to help my students learn how to deal with these types of drivers.”
As students continue practicing, consistency becomes one of the most important indicators of improvement.
“There is a huge difference between students who practice everyday compared to those that can only practice on the weekends,” Oshiro said.” “The difference is really day and night.”
For many students, building that consistency takes time. Gordon described how repeated experience, especially on the freeway, helped her grow more comfortable.
“A couple months ago I drove all the way from San Diego up to Santa Ana on the freeway…I feel like doing that and driving for like an hour and 20 minutes straight on the freeway really helped me feel more comfortable on the freeway,” Gordon said. “Driving is all just practice and the freeway is the only thing that I wasn’t super confident about but after I drove up there and I drove that leg of the trip back, I felt super confident.”
Even with progress, certain situations remain challenging. Gordon pointed out to tight parking garages and crowded areas, while Greenbaum noted, “The hardest part of driving has been parking, and parallel parking is the worst. There never feels like there is enough space and I always end up taking forever to get into the spot.”
“My most stressful moment while driving is in the Highlands or One Paseo parking garages,” Gordon said. “Both places are just so small and people are always walking around and most people aren’t nice and they don’t let you go.”
After students complete the required hours of instruction and practice and have had their learner’s permit for at least six months, students can start to schedule tests at local DMVs such as Poway, Clairemont or San Marcos. During the test, examiners evaluate skills including lane control, awareness of surroundings, smooth braking, proper signaling and the ability to make safe decisions in real traffic conditions.
Both Gordon and Greenbaum are scheduled to take their driving tests later this year, respectively on May 13 and April 29, marking the final step in the process they have been working toward for months. As students progress, lessons begin to mirror real testing conditions. Oshiro often takes his students to the DMV location where they plan to take their driving test, giving them the opportunity to become familiar with the surrounding roads, traffic patterns and common challenges. Practicing in these areas helps students prepare for specific elements of the test, including unprotected left turns, school zones, speed control and navigating busy intersections.
Despite the challenges inherent in learning how to drive, moments of confidence begin to stand out.
“When I was driving with my mom and first put music on the speaker I felt like I finally got it and it was the most comfortable driving I have been so far,” Greenbaum said.
Learning to drive is not just about earning independence, but also about developing awareness, responsibility and confidence in unpredictable situations.
For Oshiro, the moments when students finally “get it” is what makes teaching worthwhile.
“That precise moment is what brings me so much joy as a teacher and motivates me to continue helping others,” Oshiro said. “You can physically see their shoulders drop away from their ears. They stop gripping the steering wheel like it owes them money. They start anticipating traffic instead of just reacting to it. Being a part of that transformation is an amazing experience.”
