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Getting your driver's license is an important milestone in anyone's life. Once you earn your license, you become a driver, which is a huge leap. As your Kia dealer in Maryland, we'd like to give you some advice on how to make getting your license easier. Check out these tips to getting your Maryland driver’s license! Practice Driving is a skill, and all skills improve with practice. When you first sit behind the wheel of a car, it seems very strange and confusing. There seem to be so many things that need to be remembered. As you practice, everything becomes clear. Your movements become more fluid and faster, and you'll automatically start to feel more confident. more The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) requires that you wait a certain amount of time between getting your learner's permit and applying for your license. This gives you plenty of time to practice, and you'll also be able to experience a variety of weather conditions. Don't Panic Everyone you know who drives was once in the same position as you. When you think of it that way, it certainly should help you feel more relaxed. It's also important to remember that the steps toward your driver's license have all been designed to make subconscious learning easier. When you're studying for your learner's permit, for example, you'll already have that knowledge available when you take your driver's license. You have plenty of time to gain your driver's license, so time isn't a factor. When eligible, be sure to take your test when you feel comfortable taking it. Ask Questions After you gain your learner's permit, you have to complete hours of a driver's education course. During this course, ask your instructor as many questions as possible. You'll also be driving with parents or friends, so seize every opportunity to ask them anything you don't understand. Something you read in the manual may only make sense to you if you see it practically demonstrated. Some people may shy away from asking questions, but you can learn from asking questions. When you're preparing for your driver's license, it's essential to ask about anything you don't understand. Your family and friends are here to help you, and they're all looking forward to your success. Come Pick Out Your New Car in Lanham, MD! We're sure these tips will help you on your quest for your driver's license. Once you gain your license, you'll need a car. Come in and view our amazing selection of new Kia models at DARCARS Lanham Kia. Want to get into a new 2023 Kia? Find out about 2023 Kia vehicles here!

Taking a road trip is a great way to enjoy all that Maryland and elsewhere have to offer. The best way to fully enjoy the journey is by being prepared (part of which includes stopping by your nearest Kia dealer beforehand for a quick maintenance check-up). Here are some tips to make sure your road trip is the grand adventure that you want it to be. 1. Decide on a Route There are always several different routes that can be taken to reach your final destination, so it's important to decide which path you're generally going to follow. Are you the type to try and get to the destination as quickly as possible, or would you rather take a more scenic route and take lots of stops to see other sights? Asking any passengers for their input is important too, as well as making sure that everyone knows what to expect. more 2. Pack Some Emergency Supplies Unfortunately, it's impossible to plan for every possible scenario, but it always pays off to be prepared. Make sure that you have an emergency kit in your Kia! There are plenty of lists online that recommend supplies, the basics almost always including a blanket, extra water, and duct tape. 3. Prepare Some Snacks and Water Bringing along plenty of everyone's favorite snacks will ensure that you can have a smooth trip. For longer drives especially, healthier snacks such as fruit slices, veggies, and granola bars are recommended for an extra energy boost. No one wants to be dehydrated, especially not while trying to enjoy a road trip, so keeping plenty of water close at hand is essential. Have everyone bring along a reusable water bottle that can be refilled as needed. A cooler with extra water is also recommended, especially for hotter locations! 4. Double-Check That You Have the Essentials There are a handful of essential items alongside an emergency kit and snacks that you always want to make sure to bring along on your journey. Sunglasses are important for the driver since the sun can be difficult to deal with while trying to focus on driving for longer periods of time. Make sure to also check that all cell phone chargers, power banks, and adaptors are working and easily accessible. 5. Stop by a Kia Dealer Car-related emergencies are the last things that anyone wants to deal with while on a road trip, so getting a car check-up before hitting the road is smart to make sure that your vehicle has been thoroughly inspected by a team of auto service professionals. This will ensure that your tires have the right amount of pressure in them, as well as plenty of oil and wiper fluid, just in case. Get Your Car Serviced in Lanham, MD Ahead of Your Road Trip Listening to all of these suggestions should help make sure that you're ready to hit the road and make memories that will last forever. Before your next trip, drop by our Kia dealership for the best pre-trip servicing available. Schedule maintenance here!

There's no worse feeling after you've gone into town with your friends for a concert or for a slice of pizza than coming out and seeing a ticket stuck up under your windshield wiper. But how can you avoid them? Not to worry, your local Kia dealer has some tips for you to avoid parking tickets. Check them out here! 3 Smart Tips from Your Maryland Kia Dealer for Avoiding Parking Tickets 1. Keep an Eye Out for Signs One of the main reasons why people get tickets is just the fact that they didn't see any parking sign! This is especially true in urban areas with a lot of trees, as branches and leaves might block them from view. So, when you see a spot open, double check that there aren't any signs around that prohibit parking. And if you do see a sign, pay special attention to the hours posted. more One bonus tip is to take pictures of any illegible or worn-out signs that you see on the road where you're parking. That way, if you are ticketed, you'll have some evidence to use in your defense that there wasn't proper signage. 2. Make Your Receipt Visible When you park at a metered spot and pay, you'll get a little slip of paper that serves as your receipt. But you shouldn't keep this with you while you're walking around town! You need to put this in a place in your car where the parking officer can see it easily. A good spot for this is on top of your dashboard just under the windshield. If you put it anywhere else, you risk it not being seen. Also, make sure that the information on the receipt is correct before walking away. It should have your license plate number on it, as well as the number of the parking spot you've left your car in. If either of those numbers are entered incorrectly, the parking officer isn't going to know and may give you a ticket. Double check! 3. Set an Alarm When you go out with your friends or family, you're going to have a lot of fun! And as they say, time flies when you're having fun. One hour might turn into two or three, and before you know it you've gone over your parking time limit! An easy way to avoid this is to set an alarm for 15 minutes before your time runs out to give you enough time to put more minutes on the meter or move. Need to Find a Kia Dealership in Lanham, MD? From new Kia vehicles to used cars for all varieties, we have a wide inventory of cars for sale available at our Kia dealership. If you’re looking for a car dealership in Lanham, MD to shop Kia models and more, visit us today. Want to learn about other driving tips, like parallel parking, or get details about the latest Kia cars? Be sure to check out more of our blog or contact DARCARS Lanham Kia, and our friendly and knowledgeable staff can help familiarize you!