RPC Motoring Topic

[Master]

So, after a bit of a motoring conversation on Skype, we decided to give it a shot to the wider community. So, discuss your exploits on motoring vehicles, be that learning to drive, driving in general, or maybe even just about the nice looking beast of a machine you saw once down the road.

Pretty self-explanatory, no?

[OCG]

Heh, I failed driving test many times and I really want to end that in 2014. I am fan of Japanse vehicles like Suzuki, Honda and Toyota (Vehicles of other countries are good too, but I am not a big fan of them and would only buy Japanese car for myself). Car that I own is Suzuki Swift from 1997. This is how it looks like but mine is different colored: http://en.suzukiclub.cz/graphics/owners ... 086584.jpg

What can I say, I like older stuff
Considering I don't have licence, I drive really rarely and only if urgent, but then again, even if I get licence in 2014, I don't see myself driving that much since I don't really have need to.

[Adsolution]

Ah yes. Currently with my N, I'm nine months from obtaining my full licence. I'm driving a red 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe, leased by the family's construction company; I'm allowed to drive it whenever the company isn't using it.


The driving age is sixteen here, and I started pretty much then, as soon as I could. Supposedly, BC is one of the most difficult places to obtain a licence, not that it's particularly 'difficult', just annoyingly extensive. It comes in three steps:

- First, you have to take an 86-hour course on driving safety and theory (it takes about 3-4 months), in which you receive a test afterward. A minimum of 80 is required to pass the test, and if you fail, you can take it again the next day at extra cost. Passing this test provides you with a red magnetic 'L' (for Learner) that you stick on the back of your car, and it allows you now to drive, but with an instructor or driver over the age of 25 who has had their Class 5 (see step three) for at least five years accompanying you. You keep this for one year. - You don't need to wait until you're sixteen to take this class, for note, though most people do, as you can't take the test until you're sixteen.

- One year later, after having taken the minimum 16 hours of in-car lessons as well as an additional 72 hours with a supervisor, you can take your 'N' test, which is a 45-minute in-car exam. Three minor slip-ups (such as forgetting to check your blind spot) or one major slip-up (such as forgetting a turning signal or not stopping fully at a stop sign) result in an instant fail. Luckily, I managed to pass it on my first try, whereas almost everyone fails it at least once; if you fail, you can re-take it two months later at extra charge. This gives you a green magnetic 'N' (for New or Novice) to stick on the back of your car. It allows you to drive by yourself, but with only one passenger outside of family, not during night-time hours, and not outside the province. You keep this for two years, and if you receive three strikes (parking violations/tickets), you have to do the entire two years over again.

- Two years later, you can take your 'Class 5' test, which is for your full licence. 'Classes' determine your privilege, with a higher class meaning a higher privilege. Motorcycles and trucks, for instance, are Class 6, whereas heavy machinery and emergency vehicles are Class 7. They require extra lessons and tests.


Fortunately here, they teach you only on automatics. I'm in support of this because, while you may not know how to drive a manual, it forces you to eventually own an automatic (if you plan on owning/leasing a car), and if we only buy automatics, manuals will swiftly drop off of the face of the planet. Manuals are pointless; automatics both eliminate the room for human error and free up one of your hands, and I despise the 'manuals mastr raec' mindset. Yeah, you know how to use one, you must be more skilled, but that's irrelevant to the point so shut the fuck up you pointless hard-worker.

[OCG]

I think it's nice to know both ways but I agree that Automatic is better.

[Xenon]

That's really intense, Ad! Fortunately the licensing laws around here are far more relaxed, and I was able to obtain a full driver licence at 18 from passing two exams (theory/practical namely). Well, I was actually driving at 17 but while holding a provisional licence - this means you can only drive while in the company of someone with 3 years experience or more, but at least you don't have to have any pre-existing qualifications or certificates.

As for the machines themselves, I've owned a small French hatchback (which was a constant source of problems) and I currently own a mk5 VW Golf. My father owns an old Accord and I occasionally drive that as well.

[Hunchman801]

My poor car was destroyed in an accident in front of my parents' house before I could get a chance to move it to London (had to go through some paperwork for the parking licence) and for now I took the decision not to buy a new one, for a start because I wouldn't particularly fancy driving on the wrong side of the road (bad habit to get if you want to drive in almost any civilised country in the world) and I wouldn't use it that much in the end.
Whenever I move to an area where I need or want a car I'm probably going for a Porsche Cayman or maybe even a Porsche 911 (second-hand of course) if that happens much later, though it's gonna be hell to get insured with that, so the Cayman probably is a better option.

As for automatics, I love these but I still find it baffling that you can get a licence by learning only on these, some people just like manual better (and for good reasons too) and a driver should be able to drive any car in my opinion.

[Adsolution]

My poor car was destroyed in an accident in front of my parents' house before I could get a chance to move it to London

Ah yes, I remember this. You showed pictures too, if I recall correctly?

[DesLife]

Can't stand automatics. I actually quite enjoy manual.

[MrBadGuy]

Uh so I forgot to bring my paper licence to my theory test, so I still don't have a full licence.

I did however drive my "too-drunk-to-drive" friend from one town to another and back once, which was dumb as nobs since I could have been put in prison, but if I say so myself I think it made me a better driver.

Also manual transmission rules!

[Snagglebee]

Well I recently registered in a driving school and I am learning manual, but will be also allowed to drive automatic cars. I personally prefer automatic because makes life easier. The lessons gernerally is not that easy but not that hard, with a lot of training I should be able to pass the theoretical test, which will take place in several weeks.

[OCG]

Good luck Omar!

[Adsolution]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

[Snagglebee]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

That is my opinion, but everyone in my age has to learn to drive manual . As long as I can stick with automatic afterwards I really don't care.

[OCG]

So only if you start taking lessons when older they let you choose and in Germany under 18 you must use manual?

[timoo]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

Please write more constructive messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

[Adsolution]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

Please write more constructive messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Please construct more written messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

[timoo]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

Please write more constructive messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Please construct more written messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Please do not report me or I'll be sad and I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

[Master]

And then there shall be paperwork, woeful, tiresome paperwork.

[Adsolution]

Manual is pointless and sucky!

Please write more constructive messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Please construct more written messages or I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Please do not report me or I'll be sad and I'll have to report you to a member of staff.

Okay.

[MrBadGuy]

Automatic cars are like go-carts, no fun to drive in my opinion. Plus manual gives you more control and uses less petrol/diesel.