49 replies to this topic

[JackF]

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

Very interesting! I think he didnt like the fact after driving my 30 year old with my dad, I got into his car and tried to shoot him through the windscreen under the first braking! But thats my non servo assisted against his 3 month old car!

I passed and I suppose I had the best of both worlds, and if anything learning to drive in both a modern car and my mini has given me the confidence and experiance as a young driver now, to jump in and out of any age car, because I understand how different they are. Does this makes sense?

[wil7496]

 

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

I'm afraid, you're actually totally inaccurate... https://www.gov.uk/p...r-driving-tests

 

Again i repeat, it states nothing about age, the seat belt has to be fitted obviously for the examiner on passenger front seat, head restraints are to be fitted and useable if car was initally manufactured with them, so YES they are able to be used !

[JackF]

 

 

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

I'm afraid, you're actually totally inaccurate... https://www.gov.uk/p...r-driving-tests

 

Again i repeat, it states nothing about age, the seat belt has to be fitted obviously for the examiner on passenger front seat, head restraints are to be fitted and useable if car was initally manufactured with them, so YES they are able to be used !

 

I never said anything about age

[HarrysMini]

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

Not trying to start an argument but...

[wil7496]

 

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

Very interesting! I think he didnt like the fact after driving my 30 year old with my dad, I got into his car and tried to shoot him through the windscreen under the first braking! But thats my non servo assisted against his 3 month old car!

I passed and I suppose I had the best of both worlds, and if anything learning to drive in both a modern car and my mini has given me the confidence and experiance as a young driver now, to jump in and out of any age car, because I understand how different they are. Does this makes sense?

 

It certainly does make sense.

[wil7496]

 

 

I drove my mini as a provisional license holder with my dad, while taking lessons with a very good instructor driving a new fiesta. I was told I could not take my test in my car because it lacks certain safety features (I think this was to do with not having rear belts). Because of this, the 3 weeks running up to my test, my instructor strongly advised to stop driving my car completely, and for me to focus on the modern car. I suppose this made sense and I subsequently passed first time with 4 minors.

 

I have to be honest and say I still now often struggle when driving my parents modern euro boxes to initially get used to the efficient brakes/acceleration etc. I hate how little effort they take to drive, and this makes me feel less in control...

 

I think it would depend on your professional opinion of each of your students as to whether they would benifit the 'real feel' of driving these iconic classic cars.

 

just my experiance and views

The opinions expressed by your instructor are im afraid, totally inaccurate, there is absolutely nothing written down regarding vehicles used for test and their age, in fact ive just looked back in my records and in July this year a pupil of mine took her test in a 1971 VW Beetle, and passed.

 

Not trying to start an argument but...

 

No argument at all, but my initail comment was there is nothing written down regarding the age of a vehicle used for driving tests, after over 15 years in the job i am aware of what conditions apply to vehicles on test.

[Black.Ghost]

Harrysmini, to be fair you only bolded part of it - the key bit is "and their age". I just read the list and there isn't a single comment on the age of the car!

[HarrysMini]

Harrysmini, to be fair you only bolded part of it - the key bit is "and their age". I just read the list and there isn't a single comment on the age of the car!

No I know, but as Jack has said, he never said anything about age.

[wil7496]

 

Harrysmini, to be fair you only bolded part of it - the key bit is "and their age". I just read the list and there isn't a single comment on the age of the car!

No I know, but as Jack has said, he never said anything about age.

 

I feel this conversation has got slightly out of context/topic. At the end of the day, the classic mini meets all standards laid down by the Driving Standards Agency and is able to be used for driving test purposes. i got distracted by 'age of vehicle' , my comments re the comments made by the driving instructor mentioned in previous reply still stand, as there are no saftey features the classic mini fails on which prevents it being used on driving tests. Hopefully topic can get back on track of 'learning to drive in a classic mini '.

[robminibcy]

 

 

Harrysmini, to be fair you only bolded part of it - the key bit is "and their age". I just read the list and there isn't a single comment on the age of the car!

No I know, but as Jack has said, he never said anything about age.

 

I feel this conversation has got slightly out of context/topic. At the end of the day, the classic mini meets all standards laid down by the Driving Standards Agency and is able to be used for driving test purposes. i got distracted by 'age of vehicle' , my comments re the comments made by the driving instructor mentioned in previous reply still stand, as there are no saftey features the classic mini fails on which prevents it being used on driving tests. Hopefully topic can get back on track of 'learning to drive in a classic mini '.

 

there is. many don't have head restraints. which would prevent them from being used.

[ANON]

I feel this conversation has got slightly out of context/topic.

 

 

to bring it back on topic...have you had the burgers in the plough??   

[Tubby1987]

Just go for it, offer both modern and classic cars to learn in like some have said. Don't know why some people are so touchy about the idea! These cars were the norm years ago so why moan now? All you lot who learned in a (now classic) car are good drivers aren't you? What's so bad now? There's idiots on the road but there was back then too! People need to learn and understand, respect things and stop relying on technology and health and safety. Grow up, be alert and stop expecting everyone else to look after you!

[Down&Out]

Although i havent read in stupendous detail since my comment, i will reflect the servo assisted brakes comment.

I went from non servo'd drums to a 2013 plate van with servo disk brakes when i started a new job recently and even now i still do accidental emergency stops.

So yes, a mini would better prepare those looking to drive an old car after they pass.

Edited by Down&Out, 02 December 2013 - 07:54 PM.

[hunterg30]

used to be a driving school in Kings Heath Birmingham that used  Mini's,he was always fully booked

[BronkoMini]

I would have loved to learn to drive in a real mini