Comments on: Idea: game style driving licenses

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 10:05:19 +0000

Of course it’s a privilege – and I worked blooming hard to earn that privilege!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:53:15 +0000

Thanks Sarah, good to have perspectives from all angles! I completely understand that for some people the test is the worst part of the experience, and that you’re a better driver when you’re not being examined. With that in mind, perhaps a modification of the idea might include only introducing retests for Levels 2 and up?

Then again, this also highlights how we have decided that it is our ‘right’ to drive, rather than a privilege.

By: Karen Sumpter

Karen Sumpter — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:26:02 +0000

There is a similar system in place for motorbikes, (which may be restricted again, but thats another story).
You can take different types of full test; bikes up to 125cc, bikes up to 33bhp and 0.16hp per kilo which upgrades to all bikes after 2 years, or direct access which allows all bikes. You have to be 21 or over to do a direct access test.
I’m all for having a similar system for cars.

btw, you need a different class of insurance for business driving, so further qualifications could be tied to that.

I’m with Sarah on re-tests – I’m not looking forward to having to retest to get my IAM advanced riding qualification, but I want to ride blood bikes, so I’ll have to deal with it.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:32:07 +0000

All that said even I see people who if they took theit test again would fail and for good reason. I could rant for days about people who tackle roundabouts in the wrong lane. Someone once overtook me on the road down by the hythe when I was doing 30 miles an hour.
And I definitely see your point on different classes of driver. It makes perfect sense although my first thought was that the top gear team would need to seriously redo their tests. My only fear would be that I would never be able to get out of the first category because I’d be too nervous to take the next level of test. Not to mention the cost of taking driving tests nowadays.
I think that’s all I have to say…

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:27:53 +0000

It’s all very well for you Mr confident-driver-I-could-pass-this-test-with-flying-colours-with-my-eyes-closed but you’re not the only one in this world you’d be foisting these tests on! Yes I’m a much more confident driver now then I was. I think the mainr eason for this is not only practice and working into habit but also because I no longer have a man in a clipboard sitting next to me grading my every move. I no longer fear the dash in the serious column if I dare to touch the curb while turning in the road or taking more than one go to parallel park!
More comments below!

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 11:24:09 +0000

Speaking as the most recent person on here to take their driving test I have a few things to say.
Matthew you know my opinion on retaking driving tests. It took me 6 times over the course of nearly a whole year to pass the first one and I’d hate to have to do it all over again. Driving tests made me feel stressed and panicky and that’s the main reason I didn’t do very well in them. The idea that I would have to take it again and this time they could be threatening to take away my car, my lifestyle if I fail would be terrifying!
Have hit the comment limit so will continue below

By: Phill

Phill — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:16:28 +0000

Hi Matthew, all I know is that the car is 154bhp. Don’t know the weight, although it is getting on for 2 tons I think!

I don’t think you could be caught out with the boost on mine – it’s pretty smooth. I’ve driven, or been driven in, a couple of cars which have souped up turbos and by comparison they are pretty mental.

Although perhaps I should just say that I am a level 3 driver

By: Matthew

Matthew — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 09:58:19 +0000

btw, Phill, do you happen to know how powerful your car actually is? I might put together a spreadsheet to show some comparisons for various common cars.

You also say that the turbo is just there to give an extra ‘boost’ when accelerating. That’s precisely the sort of behaviour people need to be aware of with turbos, because it can catch some people out. You never know, you might be a Level 3 driver already!

By: Matthew

Matthew — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 22:04:51 +0000

Glad you agree in principle, Phill, it’s good to know other people like the idea! And yes, I take your point, not all turbos are equal. Well said. Maybe petrol turbos could have a place in Level 2 after all, as long as the power to weight ratio is still met…

By: Phill Sacre

Phill Sacre — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 17:54:08 +0000

I should also point out, not all turbochargers are created equal. The one on my car doesn’t turn the car into a monster or make it difficult to control – just gives a bit of a boost when accelerating. And it’s a big, heavy car so the power to weight ratio is actually probably going to be less than, I don’t know, a 2.0L Mondeo.

So I guess that might be difficult to classify. But I agre with your general gist!