28, No License, No Car; Starting Fresh
Discussion
TwigtheWonderkid said:
He says he lives abroad. If he's in the USA, he's right, he needs to get his license.
I live abroad in a rural community, I have a provisional, I take lessons. I can own a car without a full license and it's preferable for me to own the car I take lessons because then I can drive with people I know as instructors rather than having to find ways to commute over an hour to the nearest driving school. Public transport doesn't really exist and doing so in a country where most people stop working around 3pm is difficult to get consistent timings. I didn't think those elements were important to include considering I was asking about cars specifically, not driving licenses. I feel I should clarify because some people aren't able to grasp:
I don't need patronising information on "getting a license". I'm not stupid and it's a reductive point to make.
I took plenty of lessons in the UK, I should have taken my test but I foolishly went with an instructor that I knew outside of lessons. He took advantage of our friendship- as well as that of 2 other people I knew- and milked them for far more lessons than they needed. Those 2 people switched instructors and were able to take a test after 2 lessons (including the evaluation lesson). I was not in a financial position to do so I stopped.
I drive occasionally now, with L plates on. My ability and confidence is not an issue. What is an issue is the availability of those people that I know to let me drive in their car with them, more so those who share their car with their partner etc. The same goes for the nearest driving school which is about an hour and 10 minutes away. There is no local instructor.
If I own my own car, it makes life considerably easier. It means that people I know can come with me and I can drive with L plates on rather than always relying on others for their vehicle. I'm also at a stage where the most important thing for me is regular driving practice and that's not something that's possible with the time and distance of the driving school. I'm not able to drive much in winter because it's dark and there are rules around that for people without full licenses which is why spring and summer are important.
I feel that this discussion is likely to have gone off course already because some people just want to score some points by making comments when all I wanted to do was to start a conversation around getting a car.
I don't need patronising information on "getting a license". I'm not stupid and it's a reductive point to make.
I took plenty of lessons in the UK, I should have taken my test but I foolishly went with an instructor that I knew outside of lessons. He took advantage of our friendship- as well as that of 2 other people I knew- and milked them for far more lessons than they needed. Those 2 people switched instructors and were able to take a test after 2 lessons (including the evaluation lesson). I was not in a financial position to do so I stopped.
I drive occasionally now, with L plates on. My ability and confidence is not an issue. What is an issue is the availability of those people that I know to let me drive in their car with them, more so those who share their car with their partner etc. The same goes for the nearest driving school which is about an hour and 10 minutes away. There is no local instructor.
If I own my own car, it makes life considerably easier. It means that people I know can come with me and I can drive with L plates on rather than always relying on others for their vehicle. I'm also at a stage where the most important thing for me is regular driving practice and that's not something that's possible with the time and distance of the driving school. I'm not able to drive much in winter because it's dark and there are rules around that for people without full licenses which is why spring and summer are important.
I feel that this discussion is likely to have gone off course already because some people just want to score some points by making comments when all I wanted to do was to start a conversation around getting a car.
WC_A T L A N T I Q U E said:
I feel I should clarify because some people aren't able to grasp:
I don't need patronising information on "getting a license". I'm not stupid and it's a reductive point to make.
I took plenty of lessons in the UK, I should have taken my test but I foolishly went with an instructor that I knew outside of lessons. He took advantage of our friendship- as well as that of 2 other people I knew- and milked them for far more lessons than they needed. Those 2 people switched instructors and were able to take a test after 2 lessons (including the evaluation lesson). I was not in a financial position to do so I stopped.
I drive occasionally now, with L plates on. My ability and confidence is not an issue. What is an issue is the availability of those people that I know to let me drive in their car with them, more so those who share their car with their partner etc. The same goes for the nearest driving school which is about an hour and 10 minutes away. There is no local instructor.
If I own my own car, it makes life considerably easier. It means that people I know can come with me and I can drive with L plates on rather than always relying on others for their vehicle. I'm also at a stage where the most important thing for me is regular driving practice and that's not something that's possible with the time and distance of the driving school. I'm not able to drive much in winter because it's dark and there are rules around that for people without full licenses which is why spring and summer are important.
I feel that this discussion is likely to have gone off course already because some people just want to score some points by making comments when all I wanted to do was to start a conversation around getting a car.
I would make your first car something you don't want to take a huge amount of pride in, because you're going to wreck the alloys I don't need patronising information on "getting a license". I'm not stupid and it's a reductive point to make.
I took plenty of lessons in the UK, I should have taken my test but I foolishly went with an instructor that I knew outside of lessons. He took advantage of our friendship- as well as that of 2 other people I knew- and milked them for far more lessons than they needed. Those 2 people switched instructors and were able to take a test after 2 lessons (including the evaluation lesson). I was not in a financial position to do so I stopped.
I drive occasionally now, with L plates on. My ability and confidence is not an issue. What is an issue is the availability of those people that I know to let me drive in their car with them, more so those who share their car with their partner etc. The same goes for the nearest driving school which is about an hour and 10 minutes away. There is no local instructor.
If I own my own car, it makes life considerably easier. It means that people I know can come with me and I can drive with L plates on rather than always relying on others for their vehicle. I'm also at a stage where the most important thing for me is regular driving practice and that's not something that's possible with the time and distance of the driving school. I'm not able to drive much in winter because it's dark and there are rules around that for people without full licenses which is why spring and summer are important.
I feel that this discussion is likely to have gone off course already because some people just want to score some points by making comments when all I wanted to do was to start a conversation around getting a car.
Work out which is the most common basic car in the country you're living in (which you still haven't told us) and then look up buying guides and maintenance info for it. Forget anything about performance vehicles & tuning them until you have a few years of experience under your belt driving regularly.
You'll be better off asking in motor forums for your country than asking here as they will be more helpful regarding cars available in your own domestic market, costs you should expect to incur for mechanics etc.
You'll be better off asking in motor forums for your country than asking here as they will be more helpful regarding cars available in your own domestic market, costs you should expect to incur for mechanics etc.
Edited by Gastons_Revenge on Wednesday 12th March 15:55
Some extra info that'll help get the ball rolling would be where you are and what sort of budget you have or are wanting to spend.
It'd also be helpful to know your needs and what kind of cars you're into. Do you need more than 2 seats? Is insurance an issue? Does your country hammer tax on certain vehicles?
It'd also be helpful to know your needs and what kind of cars you're into. Do you need more than 2 seats? Is insurance an issue? Does your country hammer tax on certain vehicles?
I agree with the others, get a banger for a first car. Run it for a couple of years. You basically learn how the rules of the road in your first 2 years. Everyone I know, and I mean everyone, without a single exception, made mistakes with their first car. I wouldn’t want to drive something I was emotionally and financially invested in.
I remember one friend, he was so confident when he passed his test, and took offence when I gave him this advice. Of course he thought he was a great driver. He gashed one of his tyres on a kerb within the first few weeks, had to get a new one. Then every time I went to see him, his car had a new scrape or dent. I’d always ask, you know, because I care :smirk: and of course it was always someone else’s fault.
I remember one friend, he was so confident when he passed his test, and took offence when I gave him this advice. Of course he thought he was a great driver. He gashed one of his tyres on a kerb within the first few weeks, had to get a new one. Then every time I went to see him, his car had a new scrape or dent. I’d always ask, you know, because I care :smirk: and of course it was always someone else’s fault.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 12th March 16:41
Gastons_Revenge said:
Work out which is the most common basic car in the country you're living in (which you still haven't told us) and then look up buying guides and maintenance info for it. Forget anything about performance vehicles & tuning them until you have a few years of experience under your belt driving regularly.
You'll be better off asking in motor forums for your country than asking here as they will be more helpful regarding cars available in your own domestic market, costs you should expect to incur for mechanics etc.
Sorry for not replying sooner, PH limits you to 5 posts/replies in the first 24 hours. You'll be better off asking in motor forums for your country than asking here as they will be more helpful regarding cars available in your own domestic market, costs you should expect to incur for mechanics etc.
Edited by Gastons_Revenge on Wednesday 12th March 15:55
I live in Norway. The 2nd hand car market is decent, prices aren't terrible for older used cars either which is nice. I'll look around for some forums but I don't know of any off-hand which is why I came to PH- that and just wanting to get back into cars in general!
bobbo89 said:
Some extra info that'll help get the ball rolling would be where you are and what sort of budget you have or are wanting to spend.
It'd also be helpful to know your needs and what kind of cars you're into. Do you need more than 2 seats? Is insurance an issue? Does your country hammer tax on certain vehicles?
I live in Norway! My budget would be anywhere up to £5k. It'd also be helpful to know your needs and what kind of cars you're into. Do you need more than 2 seats? Is insurance an issue? Does your country hammer tax on certain vehicles?
I'm in to a wide variety of cars. My girlfriend drives so we own a Land Cruiser which is what I've been driving around in but ideally I'd like something smaller. 2-5 seats is ideal but I'm not needing anything more than 2 really as once I've passed my test I'll mostly be making trips on my own. I'm also quite tall at 6'4 so anything that's fairly clean and not too cramped is perfect.
No VAT on 2nd hand vehicles, some tax breaks on EVs but I've got no interest in them. Insurance isn't an issue at all either. Anything over 30 years old is classed as a classic associated taxes are less.
wyson said:
I agree with the others, get a banger for a first car. Run it for a couple of years. You basically learn how the rules of the road in your first 2 years. Everyone I know, and I mean everyone, without a single exception, made mistakes with their first car. I wouldn’t want to drive something I was emotionally and financially invested in.
I remember one friend, he was so confident when he passed his test, and took offence when I gave him this advice. Of course he thought he was a great driver. He gashed one of his tyres on a kerb within the first few weeks, had to get a new one. Then every time I went to see him, his car had a new scrape or dent. I’d always ask, you know, because I care :smirk: and of course it was always someone else’s fault.
You think I should just get something cheap even if it's got some problems, run it to the bone then scrap it in a year or so? There's a few Corollas and other Japanese cars near me, all about £1k or less but most have rusted bodywork or other unsightly issues. I don't mind spending a little bit and I don't really care about it looking too goofy as long as it doesn't conk out with me in it. I remember one friend, he was so confident when he passed his test, and took offence when I gave him this advice. Of course he thought he was a great driver. He gashed one of his tyres on a kerb within the first few weeks, had to get a new one. Then every time I went to see him, his car had a new scrape or dent. I’d always ask, you know, because I care :smirk: and of course it was always someone else’s fault.
Edited by wyson on Wednesday 12th March 16:41
I had a bit of an ego when I first started taking lessons, mainly because it came naturally to me. I went on a dual carriageway on my first lesson and it was fine. I think if I had sat my test back then I would have been insufferable for a while. Fortunately, I've had a lot of time to shift that attitude and now I just want to be out and enjoying my time behind the wheel and opening up options during the day.
That story reminds me of a guy I went to college with. Really cocky when he started learning to drive, was generally a menace around campus too. One morning I asked where he was and someone said he was arrested the evening before- took his dad's work van out without his permission, ragged it around some country lanes and into the side of a house. Banned for driving before he had his full license. Of course, he thought it was funny. Some people just have no sense of personal responsibility.
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