License

[victor_alpha_charlie]

15 year olds dont have the life experience to have that sort of voice in their head telling them when things may start to go wrong, they use visual cues and by then, in a lot of cases, its too late to correct.

So by saying this, you are implying that all teenagers develop at exactly the same rate, and it is impossible for a '15 year-old to have the life experience to have the voice in their head that tells them when things start to go wrong'? Isn't the whole idea of having an experienced 'co-driver', as is law on your learners, not just to teach you how to drive, but also to share with you their life experiences, and tell/show you what can happen, so that you will have that voice in your head when something starts to go wrong? If not, I need to tell Dad to shut up when I'm driving..

[victor_alpha_charlie]

I did it! I went driving! It was very very easy. Within 5 minutes of driving forward on the lawn, backing up, driving forward again, etc. I was ready for driving on the road. It was amazing....

Im going to have lots of fun- once i get some L plates

It's a great feeling isn't it? What sort of beast are you learning in?

[ZK-KAG]

Things would be whole lot better if learners actually were with a co-driver ALL of the time... I was threatened with my life if I went driving by myself on my learners... It made me a better driver.

Maturity is a big thing, Chopper Nut is correct in that sense and yes VAC not everyone matures at the same rate, but the majority are not mature enough to drive at that age...There is a reason that no one other country in the world has a driving age as low as ours

If everyone had to go through only half as much training as it takes to get a PPL, then there would be very very few accidents

~ZK-KAG~

[Matthew]

If everyone had to go through only half as much training as it takes to get a PPL, then there would be very very few accidents 

I agree

I'm up to 28 hours on my PPL, I'm 17, and I'm going for my learners licence next week.

I agree with Chopper-nut that its a good idea to wait, there's a big difference in maturity between 15 and 17

[Airwolf]

My Dad learned to drive in England and got his learners licence at 17 he did not pass his test until 18. In all that time he had to have a co-driver with him it was the law. I was annoyed he would not let me drive until 17 but I got around on my pushbike and did not miss having a car. All my mates complaining about how much money they did not have and me riding around on a $3000 push bike
I still use my pushbike more than my car and can passed the traffic faster what annoyed me was living on the Northshore I had to ride to Devonport and get the ferry to the city.

We used to be ranked the 5th worst drivers in the world probably moved up a bit but IMAO its are driving test and young driver rules at fault.

I also think that Young drivers should be restricted to below 1600c until 21 which my dad said is what happens in effect in the UK because insurance is compulsory and most insurers wont insure a high performance young driver.

What do I drive beside a pushbike? A 1400cc Citroen AXGT maybe small and French but economical and gives the young pups in the drop suspension, wide bore jap imports something to think about at traffic lights

[ardypilot]

I actually agree with Chopper_Nut. I don't think I was mature enough to get my learners when I was 15. My brother turned 15 recently and wants to learn to drive, but in my opinion, he is way too young and I can't imagne him driving around at the moment.

On the other hand, roads in the city are pretty wide, and the traffic is slow moving. If younger guys can get used to driving around busy areas while they are in thier mid teens, it will help grow their confidence.

BTW, manuals are heaps more fun that autos! I actually learnt to drive in quiet village lanes back in England when I was 13 and my Dad was helping me with my paper-round early in the mornings. However, our family has not owned one manual car since we moved to this country and now im a lazy auto driver

Erm- no sorry Trolly. I was driving a 5.7 and I was fully insured. We sold that- I'm down to a 2.7 diesel now

Petrol guzzelers! Perhaps it was just our insurance company that had that rule then.

[victor_alpha_charlie]

Petrol guzzelers! Perhaps it was just our insurance company that had that rule then.

Why do you think we changed? From Christchurch to Ashburton then on to Picton on $40! It's so strange seeing 9.0l/100km instead of 19l/100km..

[h290master]

I waited till i was 16 but that was partially due to procrastination and will get my restricted in 2 and 1/2 months but alot of the people in Auckland think that their learners license is their full and do stupid things.

[Duckman]

This is really funny, I came onto Off Topic to set up the same forum and you bet me to it! I'm 15 and I'm sitting my Learners on Thursday, would have been Friday but Friday 13th you see. Anyway, is the test easy? I have a friend who failed it!

[Chookie]

I just wanted to post this ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2nvAFOk7x0

It's the RTA's newest ad to try and combat speeding. I think its pretty spot on

[ZKTOM]

I've decided that I won't get a Drivers license until I have a PPL

How are you supposed to get to the airport??? I'm sure your mother won't be happy being your taxi driver

[ardypilot]

It's the RTA's newest ad to try and combat speeding. I think its pretty spot on

Funny ad, but not spot on. Only two of the three cars they showed were actually going fast/speeding. But still humorous.

[Chookie]

Well really, none of them should have been speeding anyway ...

Over here, learners can only go up to 80km/h, P1's can only go up to 90km/h and P2's can only go up to 100km/h (on some roads, the speed limit is 110 km/h) and to get our P1's, we are required to have four professional driving lessons. If you don't do those, you can't get them.

I think if there were restrictions like that in place for learner and restricted drivers in NZ, there would be less accidents.

[ZK-KAG]

Well really, none of them should have been speeding anyway ...

Over here, learners can only go up to 80km/h, P1's can only go up to 90km/h and P2's can only go up to 100km/h (on some roads, the speed limit is 110 km/h) and to get our P1's, we are required to have four professional driving lessons. If you don't do those, you can't get them.

I think if there were restrictions like that in place for learner and restricted drivers in NZ, there would be less accidents.

Couldnt agree with you more!

[Alex]

Would you be able to explain the system used in Australia in a little more detail for us Chookie? How do you get from one license to another, and what are the main restrictions?

Alex

[deaneb]

There was not the road carnage you get now,

I got my licence in '85 as well, but don't fool yourself about the lack of carnage as 747 people were killed on the roads that year !!! NZ Road Toll Stats, compare this to the roughly 400 deaths a year we currently have and it is a sobering thought !!!

Deane

[jastheace]

hi Guys,

be careful out there, there are alot of nuts, i come across them every day, may i offer a few tips, as a professional driver (truck driver). be courteous, complete a defensive driving course, it has saved me more than a few times, if you can afford it do advanced driver control, it will get you out of some sticky situations, but most of all expect the unexpected, and good luck, be safe out there!!

[ardypilot]

They also do skid training at Ardmore on the old closed runway

[flynz]

Well today i booked the test for my restricted for next tuesday so heres hoping

[victor_alpha_charlie]

If i got my learners on Jan 31st, does anybody know when I can sit my restricted test?