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We all learned to drive in slightly different ways. Many got their learner’s permit when they turned 16 while mom and dad spent time coaching from the passenger’s seat. Later, a driver’s education program had likely had them navigating orange cones at low speed in a high school parking lot. While that guidance taught many young drivers crucial lessons on how to become a good driver, the cost, education and tests necessary to get a license can vary greatly in other countries.

Driving in the Land of the Rising Sun

In densely populated countries like Japan, for example, getting a driver’s license can be an extremely costly process that also takes a considerable amount of time. You can start the process by enrolling somewhere like the Koyama Driving School. The school will simplify the process, but taking the class can also cost you close to 400,000 yen (about $4,800 USD). However, you can save more than half of that money by going through the process yourself.

If you decide that enrolling in a driving school is too expensive, you’ll start by getting your provisional driver’s license, which is like a learner’s permit in the United States. That means you’ll go to a test center to take written and practical tests, which a comprehensive driving course would allow you to bypass. After you pass those tests, you’ll need to practice driving with someone who has a full driver’s license.

Once you’ve jumped through these hoops, you’ll need to take a full theory test, followed by a practical road test with an examiner from a driving test center. Finally, you’ll be able to get your full driver’s license after you take a first aid course and a final driving theory course at a driving school. The process in Japan is certainly more costly and time consuming than it is in America, but Japan isn’t the only country that requires a stringent examination.

If You Want to Drive the Autobahn, You’ll Have to Study

When you think of driving in Germany, you might imagine yourself pushing the limits of an exotic sports car on the autobahn. But the fact is that when it comes to getting your license, Germany is one of the toughest countries in the world. Parents send their kids to a Fahrschule (driving school) in Germany, which guides them through the process.

After prospective drivers have completed driving school and a required first aid course, there’s a written test on traffic laws. Don’t worry, there’s a book to study from, Fahren lernen Lehrbuch, which lists all the possible questions and answers. The book is a vital part of the process, since the test has a high rate of failure. Just like the SATs, you’ll need to buckle down to make sure you get a good test score. If you fail three times, you have to go back to driving school and start all over.

To Get Licensed in India, You’ll Need a Guide

If you plan to drive in India, the first thing you’ll need to do is get your learner’s license (permit), which is a required step to getting your permanent license. You’ll start by going to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), where you’ll need to bring a number of documents with you. These include proof of age and residence, a declaration of medical fitness and two passport-sized photos. You’ll also pay a fee of about 60 rupees ($1.15 USD).

Not unlike the DMV in America, submitting this information at the RTO can be a time-consuming task. Some applicants say you can expect to spend a couple hours waiting in line to get your paperwork verified. Once that’s done, you’ll take a written learner’s test. If you pass, the RTO will issue your learner’s license, which is valid for six months. After you’ve got your learner’s license, you can enroll in a driving school, many of which charge you based on the type of car you wish to drive. Most driving schools provide eight lessons, which last about 15 minutes per day at a cost of roughly 2,700 to 3,000 rupees.

Once you’re versed in the rules of the road and have had your learner’s license at least 30 days, you’ll head back to the RTO and pay 390 rupees to take a driving test. If you pass, you’ll get your permanent driver’s license.

Regardless of where or how you learned to drive, we should all strive to keep the roads safe. The next time you get behind the wheel, remember that no matter how frustrating your last experience was at the DMV, it could be even more challenging in other parts of the world.

It would be crazy to hit the ski slopes without the proper apparel or sky dive without a parachute, right? The funny thing is that people do something just as risky when they head out on a motorcycle with little or no protective gear. They arm themselves with just a thin layer of clothing, no head protection and inappropriate footwear. Instead of limiting enjoyment, proper gear can actually add to your riding comfort and of course, prolong your life.

As tempting as it might be to wear minimal or no gear at all while out on a motorcycle--especially in warmer weather--it’s a bad idea. Motorcyclists are exposed to all kinds of road debris. Anything hard that falls off of a truck or blows in from open spaces ends up on our roads. Those items get kicked up by passing vehicles, often headed straight at motorcyclists. If you are wearing protective gear, the impact of a stray rock, a stinging insect or something more sinister like sliding across asphalt, is much less than it would be if not protected.

And, your gear also keeps you from getting too much sun exposure by facilitating your body’s natural process of sweat evaporation to prevent heat exhaustion. In hot weather, the answer is to wear more gear, expose less of your skin to the sun and wind, and allow your body’s built-in cooling system to work its magic. It doesn’t take very long for a rider to experience heat-related illness, especially if they have not hydrated well that day.

Statistics vary widely on how much protective gear actually helps riders, but the simple fact is that having protective gear on increases your odds of walking away from a crash with fewer, less-serious injuries. And, instead of being distracted by riding conditions, protective gear can aid concentration on defensive riding skills.

Today’s motorcycle riding gear is state-of-the-art and made from light-weight materials designed to take the brunt of anything that comes your way. In addition to leather products, bikers can now get gear made of Kevlar, ballistic nylon or a hybrid of leather and nylon. The best riding gear comes with body armor--thick pads sewn into the elbows, shoulders, kidney area, spine, knees, and in some cases, hips.

What is considered the minimum amount of safe motorcycle gear?

Most experts would suggest a heavy jacket made from cow hide, Kevlar or ballistic nylon, riding pants or chaps made from cow hide or nylon, full-finger riding gloves, over-the-ankle leather boots, eye protection, and a DOT-certified helmet. Also important are ear plugs, sunscreen and drinking water. While these last three items are not what most people would consider standard protective gear, they are important to your safety.

Some people ride their motorcycle with very little between themselves and a sea of hard, sharp, fast-moving objects. This is not recommended. Proper motorcycle safety gear is there as a buffer between you and the environment in which you ride. Without a protective steel cage, your best chance at emerging from a motorcycle accident with minimal injuries is to fully gear up every time you ride.

Pick up some quality gear and ride easy knowing that you’ve improved your odds out there.

Check out the Allstate Motorcycle Facebook page for more on motorcycles.

We’ve all had days like this. Mine started on a day when I had to get my teenage son to an early lacrosse practice, our beloved puppy to the vet to be “fixed” and then me on the 8:17 train into the city for a 9 a.m. meeting.

We were scrambling to load puppy, lacrosse equipment and a meeting presentation into the car, when we realized we had forgotten a crucial item – my son’s helmet. Both son and I darted back into the house to snag the helmet. As we re-entered the garage where the car sat running with puppy inside, we witnessed our pooch jumping up at the car window, tail wagging, delighted to see us – just as her paw hit the lock button inside our Honda CRV.

It was in that moment that the world screeched to a halt. Something clicked (other than the lock) and I went into crisis mode. After futile attempts to convince the puppy to unlock the door, I noticed the little white sticker in the window … 1 800-ALLSTATE.  I had signed up for Good Hands Roadside! I grabbed my son’s cell phone. (Mine was in the car with puppy – helpful). I called the number.

Next, I called a friend to come get my son. My friend and Good Hands Roadside arrived at the same time, pronto. Hello lockout service I love you! We were “in” in no time. So worth the $50 service fee and so glad I had already set up my profile and registered my credit card number to save time. Friend took son and helmet to lacrosse practice. I took puppy to vet, missed train but opted to make the drive into the city … and made it to the meeting with literally 10 seconds to spare.

I guess they weren’t kidding when they said help any time, anywhere, for any one.  I’m a big fan of Good Hands Roadside now!

(P.S. - I have since had another copy of our lost spare key made even though they are not cheap.)

Have your own lockout nightmare? Share below.

In the premiere episode of our video series "The UnReal Adventures of Ted & Traci," we highlight a common problem faced by many drivers: too much to do and too little time.

Traci is trying to juggle a busy schedule, and while driving to pick up her daughter Maddie, she realizes she won't have time for her yoga class. In a moment of (misguided) inspiration, she tries to multitask during her commute, resulting in a clear case of distracted driving and a car in need or repairs.

Check out all the episodes of this web series (new episodes added weekly:

Trailer - The UnReal Adventures of Ted & Traci

Episode 2 - Up in Smoke

Transcription: "'Om’ on the Road”

[Traci while driving]:

Noon Already!

I have so much to do before I get Maddie at the sitter.

I have to drop off Ted’s dry cleaning, buy groceries and get a haircut.

There’s no way I’ll make it to my yoga class.

Unless …

Plank …

Downward-facing dog…

Warrior two …car

Wheel …

<< Sound effect: CRASH >>

[Traci on crashed car]:     

Ohh, not so Namaste.

Exercise Smart Judgment

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Many consider a motorcycle helmet to be the single most important piece of riding gear you’ll ever purchase, and, regardless of your state’s laws, you may want to consider wearing it every time you ride your motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet is specially designed to reduce injury in the event of a crash, but like any other piece of specialized equipment, it only works when used correctly.

Surprisingly, many motorcyclists on the road are wearing incorrectly fitted helmets. Not only will an improperly sized helmet affect the comfort of your ride, but a helmet that is too large or too small may be ineffective in doing what a helmet is designed to do: save you from serious injury in the event of a crash. Only a properly sized, properly fitted and properly worn helmet will be able to perform as intended, so make sure to follow these steps when buying your next helmet.

1. Measure your head
   Using a cloth measuring tape, measure your head around its largest circumference, about one inch above your eyebrows and just above your ears. Take several measurements to get an average. Write down this number and take it with you when you go to try on helmets. Use this number as a starting point only as every helmet is shaped differently and not all manufacturers’ size guides match.
2. Try on the helmet
   Once at the retailer, select a helmet based on the size recommendation for your head measurements. If your head size falls exactly between two sizes, start with the larger of the two. Place the helmet on your head and securely tighten the strap.
3. The visual check
   Using a mirror, ensure that your eyes are the center of the visor opening. The edge of the forehead padding should be just above your eyebrows. Look for gaps between the cheek pads and your cheeks, the side pads and your temples, and feel the back of the helmet to make sure it’s in contact with the back of your neck.
4. Move the helmet
   A properly sized helmet will fit snug enough to cause your skin to move with the helmet. A helmet that is too loose may come off in the event of a crash, but a helmet that is too tight may cause increasing discomfort as it is worn. Grab the helmet with a hand on either side and attempt to rotate the helmet side to side. With your thumbs, attempt to lift the helmet straight up off of your head. If the helmet moves easily during either test, it is too large. Try to push the chin bar to your chin. The front of the helmet should not touch your nose or chin. Finally, place your thumbs at the back of the helmet and attempt to roll the helmet forward off of your head. If the helmet comes off, try one size smaller. 
5. Wear the helmet
   Once you’ve determined the proper size of your helmet, fasten it securely and wear it around the store. Note any excessive tightness or increasing discomfort. Take this time to familiarize yourself with the features of the helmet such as the locations of the vent switches. After 30 minutes, remove your helmet and look for any red marks on your face and head that may indicate pressure points.

Once you’re satisfied with the comfort and style of your helmet, make your purchase, confident that your new, properly fitted helmet will provide you with all the protection for which it was designed.