What kind of car do you drive? - Page 17

krisk · 07-22-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alisa

Here in the US (or at least in California) you do not need to pass the test with a manual transmission to drive one.

A side note on the large SUVs: I was getting some business done at our Department of Motor Vehicles one day and since there was a fair amount to do I spent some time chatting with the lady taking care of me. She told me that people rarely take their driving exam in an SUV. They are almost always done in regular cars. She said she (and many of her coworkers) wished that there was a requirement to take the test in one if you were going to drive one. Unfortunately people feel like they're so much safer in them due to the size and don't realize that most don't drive like a normal car.

not only does all of the above not matter, it doesn't matter when you graduate to RVs. I had a 32 foot RV and was not required to get any special license for it. fortunately I'm a pretty decent driver and had been licensed up to 5 ton trucks when I was in the Army, but no one knew that. there are a lot of different things you need to do and think about when driving such a beast. my ex only put about 1k of miles on it and he was also a pretty good driver, but he put every scratch on it. side swiping things is VERY easy to do in those (among other things).

as far as I know in most US states you are only required different licenses for motorcycles and multiple axled vehicles. trailers, up to travel trailers, horse trailers, etc don't even require anything special.

yvanleterrible · 07-22-2009, 12:20 PM

Here someone with a car permit can not ride a motorcycle and can drive vehicles up to 6 tons then an other permit class is needed for trucks, an other for company vehicles, an other for machinery and one for busses and one for tractor trailers.

HarryT · 07-22-2009, 12:27 PM

It's pretty similar here, Yvan. If you have a full car licence, you can ride motorbikes up to 125cc, but you have to have "L Plates" which means you're not allowed on motorways, etc. You need to pass a separate bike test in order to ride larger motorbikes (which I have done). There are also separate licence categories for large trucks, commercial vehicles, etc.

yvanleterrible · 07-22-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

It's pretty similar here, Yvan. If you have a full car licence, you can ride motorbikes up to 125cc, but you have to have "L Plates" which means you're not allowed on motorways, etc. You need to pass a separate bike test in order to ride larger motorbikes (which I have done). There are also separate licence categories for large trucks, commercial vehicles, etc.

Hmm, yes. I think that makes them pretty good systems. But we still have the previously discussed gray area about transmissions. It matters more to driving schools than the transport ministry and surprisingly not at all to insurance brokers.

HarryT · 07-22-2009, 12:41 PM

I think personally, I have to say, that to require training in using a manual transmission is an excellent idea. Someone who knows how to drive a manual car can very easily drive an automatic, but the opposite is not true - if you've never driven a manual car you can't just get into one and drive away, and until you learn how to use the clutch properly (which takes hours of practice) you're a danger to other road users.

Just my personal view, of course

.

CommanderROR · 07-22-2009, 12:44 PM

I drive a Golf...

And I use manual transmission...automatic is not that popular in germany.

yvanleterrible · 07-22-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I think personally, I have to say, that to require training in using a manual transmission is an excellent idea. Someone who knows how to drive a manual car can very easily drive an automatic, but the opposite is not true - if you've never driven a manual car you can't just get into one and drive away, and until you learn how to use the clutch properly (which takes hours of practice) you're a danger to other road users.

Just my personal view, of course

.

Oh, not just yours, I agree fully. I've been driving for almost 40 years and the idea of a stop sign at the top of a steep incline still stirs up dread.

My next door neighbour just bought a small Honda as her first manual tranny. I loved watching her leave the yard on her first outings with it.

HarryT · 07-22-2009, 12:54 PM

It's not really an issue here, since probably 95%+ of British cars are manual, and pretty much everyone learns in one.

busy91 · 07-22-2009, 01:12 PM

The BUS! LOL!

I used to have a Mitsubishi Mirage.
Had to give it up though.
Insurance and maintence was killing me.

ShortNCuddlyAm · 07-22-2009, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

and until you learn how to use the clutch properly (which takes hours of practice) you're a danger to other road users.

And likely to have a few repair bills for burnt out clutches...

KumaJim · 07-24-2009, 10:53 AM

2004 Lexus LS 430

Best riding car We ever owned.

You have'nt lived till You've ridden on air conditioned seats on a hot day.

kazbates · 07-27-2009, 10:12 PM

My daughter bought her first car today. A 2006 Nissan 350Z.

Oh, to be young and single with a great job!

Click image for larger version

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Verencat · 07-27-2009, 10:14 PM

Nice! Congratulate her for me!

yvanleterrible · 07-27-2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazbates

My daughter bought her first car today. A 2006 Nissan 350Z.

Oh, to be young and single with a great job!

I hate my Corolla...

grimo1re · 07-28-2009, 12:11 AM

A white Holden Commodore from '93. We've just bought it and I feel very Aussie now

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07-22-2009, 12:20 PM	#242
yvanleterrible Reborn Paper User Posts: 8,616 Karma: 15446734 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Que Nada Device: iPhone8, iPad Air	Here someone with a car permit can not ride a motorcycle and can drive vehicles up to 6 tons then an other permit class is needed for trucks, an other for company vehicles, an other for machinery and one for busses and one for tractor trailers.

07-22-2009, 12:27 PM	#243
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's pretty similar here, Yvan. If you have a full car licence, you can ride motorbikes up to 125cc, but you have to have "L Plates" which means you're not allowed on motorways, etc. You need to pass a separate bike test in order to ride larger motorbikes (which I have done). There are also separate licence categories for large trucks, commercial vehicles, etc.

07-22-2009, 12:41 PM	#245
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	I think personally, I have to say, that to require training in using a manual transmission is an excellent idea. Someone who knows how to drive a manual car can very easily drive an automatic, but the opposite is not true - if you've never driven a manual car you can't just get into one and drive away, and until you learn how to use the clutch properly (which takes hours of practice) you're a danger to other road users. Just my personal view, of course .

07-22-2009, 12:44 PM	#246
CommanderROR eink fanatic Posts: 2,022 Karma: 4924 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Germany Device: STAReBOOK, iRex Iliad, Sony 505, Kindle 2	I drive a Golf... And I use manual transmission...automatic is not that popular in germany.

07-22-2009, 12:54 PM	#248
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	It's not really an issue here, since probably 95%+ of British cars are manual, and pretty much everyone learns in one.

07-22-2009, 01:12 PM	#249
busy91 Connoisseur Posts: 79 Karma: 264 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: NYC Device: Kindle 2, Nook Color	The BUS! LOL! I used to have a Mitsubishi Mirage. Had to give it up though. Insurance and maintence was killing me.

07-24-2009, 10:53 AM	#251
KumaJim Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 28 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: KINDLE II	2004 Lexus LS 430 Best riding car We ever owned. You have'nt lived till You've ridden on air conditioned seats on a hot day.

07-27-2009, 10:12 PM	#252
kazbates Wizard Posts: 2,627 Karma: 406616 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern Virginia Device: SurfacePro, SurfaceBook 2	My daughter bought her first car today. A 2006 Nissan 350Z. Oh, to be young and single with a great job!

07-27-2009, 10:14 PM	#253
Verencat Wizard Posts: 2,615 Karma: 96491 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal, Qc Device: xxx	Nice! Congratulate her for me!

07-28-2009, 12:11 AM	#255
grimo1re Geekette Posts: 435 Karma: 3335 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: NSW, Australia Device: Sony Reader PRS500, PocketBook 360	A white Holden Commodore from '93. We've just bought it and I feel very Aussie now

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