22 replies to this topic

[heady69]

im 16 and last chrismas i was gonna get a mini as a project hopefully to drive when im 17 but i heard that they have changed the age to 18 so i never gotone so my question is have they changed the driving age or are they gonna change it soon

[Kinjo]

Im sure it is still 17 mate, my Mrs Brother is 17 and he is taking lessons atm.

[Kinjo]

This will help,

Click Me

[cambiker71]

Still 17
http://www.direct.go...ions/DG_4022547

[Jackabee]

I think it only affects those born in 1992 - for them it will be 18 - but not sure that this is factual or definite - twas definitely proposed though!

J

[Racer_Pete]

Im born in 92' but its the same for everyone. They are thinking of* putting the age up as there are so many deaths by young drivers.

Edited by Racer_Pete, 24 March 2008 - 12:19 PM.

[alexcrosse]

i hardly think one years going to make any difference. Itll just means that 'x' amount of 17's dieing a year will transfer to 'x' amount of 18's dieing a year. Stupid bloody idea. Bit like drinking ages of 21 in america. Some studies show that because they have to wait so long they go a bit crazy when they finally do get to drink resulting in alot of alcohol related problems. Where as in france they drink wine from got knows what age (is it 14 at meals or something?) and learn the effects every well. I like the american idea of having a 'learning year'. So at 16 you can get what they call a 'learners permit' but cant take a test til you are 17. Pretty sure they still do this, but i think if they were to change the age to 18 it would be nice to keep 17 as a 'learning year'. I think it would have a dramatic effect on the deathrate in this country. Just my little opinion though, asif the goverment is going to listen to anything except whats coming out of their own arses.

[Dan]

The ages and rules in America vary from state to state but a proper new driver period is a good idea, they have that in Australia too. It would also help if everyone had to take lessons from a qualified instructor for a certain amount of time. Just being able to learn from any driver means you learn other people's bad habits or get taught how to pass the test rather than how to drive a car. If there was a first year period followed by a re-assessment before you got a full licence then people would be forced into developing proper driving skills. The current reduced number of endorsements available in the first two years is a joke.

As above currently the driving age is still 17 but there are plans to increase it.

Edited by Dan, 24 March 2008 - 12:17 PM.

[Ell100]

My dads a driving instructor as said they're thinking of bringing in stages to driving, for example you pass a test and you can drive between X am and X pm with no passengers till you've built up experience and then do another test to allow you to take passengers etc etc - bit of a money making scam in a way but it'll definatly lower death rates... i think its a good idea something needs to be done!! I was only in a car park a large complex the other night, came out of the cinema and there's loads of tw*ts revving and wheel spinning!

[alexcrosse]

My dads a driving instructor as said they're thinking of bringing in stages to driving, for example you pass a test and you can drive between X am and X pm with no passengers till you've built up experience and then do another test to allow you to take passengers etc etc - bit of a money making scam in a way but it'll definatly lower death rates... i think its a good idea something needs to be done!! I was only in a car park a large complex the other night, came out of the cinema and there's loads of tw*ts revving and wheel spinning!

meh, sounds like a silly idea thatll result in all drivers that look under 20 being pulled over anywhere they go, just for licence checks.

[heady69]

im born in 1992 so i will be gutted if they raise the age

[A KIRK]

I think there should be some form of restrictions in place for new drivers, such as limiting how powerful their cars can be.

Skid pan courses should be standard, and experience of being in larger vehicles such as an artic so that they can see what other drivers have to put up with etc

I don't think a change of age will make much difference, as a new driver who is 25 could be just as bad as a new driver of 17.

I also think new drivers shoul dbe re-evaluated after lets say 6 months etc

[Sleepy Stu]

IMO i dont think a learning year is really going to help as long as you are out there in a driving instructors car with big learner signs on and everybody keeeping a wide berth then your not really learning how to drive. As has been said your being taught how to pass the test not how to drive.

A lot of people say that you dont start learning to drive until you have passed your test and get out on your own, and it is so true.

One idea that was proposed was restricting the size of engine that you were allowed to drive but in all honesty this wouldnt help wither as a 1 litre can still do well over 70mph and therefore i dont see the point of that one.

One thing i do agree with though is that motorway driving needs to be introduced into the standard driving test. Considering the speeds involved and the volume of traffic., the idea that somebody who passed their test yesterday and can then just go straight out onto a motorway without any training is just pure LUNACY.

What i dont agree with though and eventually this is what will happen, is that the driving test will get split up into lots of different parts so that the government can get more money out of you and have a sperate test for each part, e.g motorway driving etc

Anyway just my two penny's

[Racer_Pete]

Not so much on the topic but Three of my Sisters friends died in a car crash. There where 4 people in the car (1 of which is My Sisters boyfriend) the driver was 18 and had a raced up Rover 600 with all the mods. He dident have any insuance on the Rover either. (Scott the driver) had told them he had done 90mhp down the road before and so wanted to beat his target. (The road was a 40mph limit) He got up to 80mhp around the corner but he then lost control and the car fliped over 3times and went stright into a tree. (You can still see the mark on the tree 5years later to this day)

Three of them died; Scott was 18, Alice - (Scotts boyfriend) who was 17 died. and Dan (who was 18 i think) also died. The only person who stayed alive was Chris, as he put his seatbelt on.

[Fevmeister]

I think the driving age changes in april or something. I'm 17 but 18 at the end of may. I have failed test twice but by silly mistakes, I think there are clauses though. If you already have your provisional then you can carry on driving and if your 17 then you can have lessons but cannot take ur test till your 18. Don't quote me on it though.

Rob.