New Drivers.
 

The opinion that new car drivers should be limited to driving a car with limited horsepower for two years after they pass their test seems to be gathering support.

Well it won’t stop those who do not even bother to try and gain a license to drive but it might be of some use for the law abiding.

In the two wheeled world a learner is limited to a bike or scooter of 125cc. But even then a new rider has to pass a CBT before even being allowed on the roads at all.

Costing about £75 a new rider is taught basic Highway Code and how to ride the machine in a private environment and then a tour, under supervision, around the streets to hopefully show that the rider is competent enough to be let loose on the roads.

When the new rider passes the Driving (Riding) Test s/he is further limited by engine capacity for a period of time. I think that it is 250cc for two years. By then it is assumed that the rider is competent to handle a bike of any engine capacity.

Could something similar be an advantage to new ‘car drivers’?

Re: New Drivers.
 

total bollox , how is a young lad who get of his arse after training to be a plumber or whatever supposed to get his tools around a 1000cc car

is upport the 6 points in 2 years and you retake your test but to be honest it shuold be anyone who gets 6 points in a 2 year period shoud have to retake their test

bad driving is not just limited to new drivers

besides liek butty says theres plenty of people out there with no licence what so ever

Re: New Drivers.
 

Very true Chav and if for some reason I for example built up those points no matter how good I might think I am there has to be some doubt about competence (in driving), though it might be an unfair system if fines and points from speeding tickets where included after all that is so blatently just a cash building exercise.

The honest drivers are easier to keep track of with a licence and full set of documents for their vehicle so it costs less to target them than the rogue drivers. I think the time of the police outside Asda the other day would have been better spent checking peoples documents rather than doing an eye-sight test, I bet more people are injured by the illegal drivers with no insurance or M.O.T. than someone with weak eye-sight, (no, this doesn't mean I think it's alright for a blind man to drive a car :D).

Re: New Drivers.
 

In theory limiting new driver to cars with a small sized engine is a good idea. However, what about a new driver in thier 40's/50's? In my opinion they would be penalised by this. What then? Should this only apply to new drivers under a certain age? If so where do you stop? Should they be then told what type & colour of car to buy? I think it all comes down to common sense. One thing that i think should be compulsory on the driving test, is, the "Pass Plus" scheme. For those people who aren't aware of what this is ..... Pass Plus is a scheme aimed at younger drivers, who, after passing thier test can opt to take an extra few lessons with a driving instructor, these lessons include night driving & motorway driving. After completing the Pass Plus the driver is eligible for a reduction on the car insurance with most companies.

Re: New Drivers.
 

I think its a difficult one, the problem is you will get some new drivers who are genuinly good, and others who are just utter idiots. Its getting a balance between controlling the idiots while not completly ruining the driving experience for those who will take to the roads seriously.

While rambling, although slightly off topic, what is it with these boy racers with the noisey exhausts, if I go for an MOT and my car was that noisey I would fail and need to replace the parts. However they MAKE there cars that noisey!

Re: New Drivers.
 

The exhausts are made to sound that loud, a lot of the drivers think that by fitting one of these, it will dramatically improve the performance of the vehicle.

Re: New Drivers.
 

Fitting one of those decreases their performance because it de-tunes the exhaust to the engine, I think entwisi did a good explanation about this in another thread. If I can find it I'll put a link in here.
:D

Found it, (that didn't take long), click here

Re: New Drivers.
 

I bet not many of the "noisy exhaust club" have informed their insurance of the modification. If they have not then their insurance is void. At the last Area Council meeting I went too our local beat bobby mentioned this. He said if cars are racing around dangerously and have such modifications to inform him of the registration number. He would then pay them a visit and check they are properly insured. If not he would "do them" for no insurance. He explained that catching them driving dangerously is often difficult to prove but checking the insurance is easy and just as effective in dealing with them.

Re: New Drivers.
 

No need. I know how they work thanks. Thats why i said that they think that they'll improve the performance. I know that they actually do the opposite unless used inconjunction with a highly tuned engine.

:)

Re: New Drivers.
 

Having an inch long hole just in front of my cat does not seem to have affected performance on mine too much.

I am expecting it to be a little better when I cut the cat out and replace it with a straight piece of pipe though.

Can I chuck the old cat into my grey bin or should I put it with the tin cans?

Re: New Drivers.
 

Not a prob' it might help someone else, (walks away muttering to himself, "you try to help folk and they just throw it back at you!, no point trying with some folk, whitter, moan groan, grumble, etc, etc,..........."):D

Re: New Drivers.
 

lol. I'm going to read it anyway. Thanks

:)

Re: New Drivers.
 

Quote:

total bollox , how is a young lad who get of his arse after training to be a plumber or whatever supposed to get his tools around a 1000cc car

No problem at all chav1. But the limit should not be based on capacity but brake horsepower.

My previous Vauxhall Corsa 1.1 was capable of 90 mph. Of course its acceleration was measured on a calendar rather than a stopwatch but then you can’t have everything.

Quote:

is upport the 6 points in 2 years and you retake your test but to be honest it shuold be anyone who gets 6 points in a 2 year period shoud have to retake their test

That’s an interesting suggestion chav1 but I doubt if you will get many drivers to agree with you. Two mistakes and a test is a bit harsh. I might be persuaded to accept a three strikes and you’re out policy though. However I would agree that when a driver is banned from driving THEY SHOULD HAVE TO RETAKE THE TEST.

I agree that bad driving is not limited to new drivers. In fact I would go so far as to suggest that in the first few months after passing the test a new driver is probably the safest on the road until they learn bad habits from other idiots.

Re: New Drivers.
 

With the points staying on your licence for 4/5 years (not sure exactly). Under your suggestion you would have to take a re-test if you were banned for an accumulation of points. Thats only 1 offence every 9 - 12 months. I was banned for 6 month for this reason. I picked up 14 points (all for speeding) over 4 years. 1 of my offences would have been spent a couple of months later. I got all my points either on an open road or on the motorway. I never exceeded the speed limit in built up area's & especially not near schools.

Re: New Drivers.
 

There is a big difference between capable and being able to do 90 mph. A 1.1 Corsa might manage 90 but it is far from capable while doing it :D

I doubt it. They are usually very nervous and sometimes even scared to be on the road. Many have very little experience after only a few hours of lessons. Maybe 1 hour a week for six months. Many of them think they can stick their foot down after passing because there is no instructor with them to tell them to slow down.