Virginia Beach, known for its expansive coastline, military presence, and vibrant tourism, offers much more than just beaches. It’s the largest city in Virginia by population and a key part of the Hampton Roads metropolitan area. If you’re learning how to drive a manual vehicle, there are numerous parking lots and wide-open spaces around the greater Virginia Beach area to hone your skills in a stress-free environment. These locations are ideal for practicing gear shifts, clutch control, and overall manual driving techniques. Before you hit the road, you might want to check out Virginia Beach’s traffic and parking guidelines to ensure you’re following local rules.
Here are 8 great spots to practice manual driving in and around Virginia Beach.
1. Lynnhaven Mall Parking Lot (Back Lots)
701 Lynnhaven Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23452
Lynnhaven Mall is one of the largest shopping destinations in the area, but its back parking lots are usually quieter during weekdays, especially in the mornings. With plenty of space and smooth pavement, it’s an ideal location for practicing clutch control and shifting gears in a calm environment.
2. Virginia Beach Convention Center
1000 19th St, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
The large parking area at the Virginia Beach Convention Center is a great place to practice driving, particularly when there are no events scheduled. The open lots are spacious and relatively empty on most weekdays, offering a safe space for new drivers to get comfortable with manual controls.
3. Oceanfront Municipal Parking Lot
2100 Parks Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
While this lot is busier in the summer, the Oceanfront Municipal Parking Lot is generally quieter during the off-season or early mornings. It’s a large, open lot with easy access, giving you the perfect opportunity to practice in a more relaxed setting while enjoying the nearby ocean breeze.
4. Town Center of Virginia Beach (Parking Garage)
222 Central Park Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
The parking garages at the Town Center are often empty during non-peak hours. You can find multi-level garages that will help you practice hill starts, clutch control, and maneuvering in tighter spaces, making this a practical spot for manual driving practice.
5. Mount Trashmore Park
310 Edwin Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
This iconic Virginia Beach location is not only a recreational park but also offers parking lots that are generally quiet during the weekdays. The lots here have ample space, allowing for safe practice of shifting, stopping, and starting without any pressure from other drivers.
6. Princess Anne Athletic Complex
4001 Dam Neck Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Located near the Municipal Center, the parking lots at Princess Anne Athletic Complex are vast and typically vacant when no sports events are scheduled. The wide-open spaces here are perfect for practicing gear changes, stopping, and parallel parking in a low-traffic environment.
7. Red Mill Commons Shopping Center
1157 Nimmo Pkwy, Virginia Beach, VA 23456
Red Mill Commons is a busy shopping center, but the back lots are typically quieter, particularly in the mornings and on weekdays. The large, smooth parking lot provides plenty of room to practice, with minimal traffic to interrupt your learning process.
8. First Landing State Park (Parking Area)
2500 Shore Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
Located near the Chesapeake Bay, First Landing State Park is a peaceful, scenic area with a less crowded parking lot during the off-season. You can practice your manual driving skills in a beautiful, quiet environment, surrounded by nature, making it a calming and ideal place to learn.
Conclusion
Learning to drive a manual vehicle is much easier when you have the right environment. Virginia Beach and its surrounding areas provide several quiet, spacious locations that are perfect for refining your skills. If you’re looking to take your driving to the next level and want professional guidance, you can book a lesson with Manual Driving Academy here.
