Post by: bucko on April 30, 2008, 02:46:00 AM
Anyway I had all ma money saved already from work so nice to just get it out and not think have I got enough. With my 5 months of Uni hopefully ill have enough time to learn. Gonna start with 1 lesson a week then when I feel confident enough 2 lessons a week I think.
Post by: Dano2k0 on April 30, 2008, 03:46:00 AM
Clutch control might take abit of learning if youve never gained that skill before, but on average i'd have said after 40mins to an hour most people start to get the hang of it quite well.
If you can afford 2 lessons a week, i'd say go for it from the start, you'll progress much better, doing just 1 a week has big gaps, and when your first starting, if you can fit 2 or 3 hours in a week you'll probably progress on the first stage much better and faster, thats just my opinion though.
I guess i was lucky, when i first started driving i drove my dads car and he added me on his insurance as a learner driver, so i got a good bit of practice and knowledge before i took a few professional lessons to finish up.
Good luck anyway mate, i'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Post by: grim_d on April 30, 2008, 03:48:00 AM
do AT LEAST 2 hours of lessons a week, any less and you don't get the benefit of a lesson and end up taking ages to get to your test.
try and get out between lessons, now i know insurance is expensive so if cant get insured on a car then get someone to take you out to a retail park or an industrail estate at night when it's quiet, just to practice moving the vehicle around and parking etc. I never had the benefit of getting out between lessons but just driving around a bit in a retail park helps.
also remember if your insured on the car then you can get out with anyone who has held a licence for over 4 years, it needent be a parent or anything. So if you pop up here i'll take ya out
Post by: bucko on April 30, 2008, 04:54:00 AM
Post by: Dano2k0 on April 30, 2008, 06:29:00 AM
If your on a flat piece of road that will be the easy bit, it'll be when you come to little hills and big hills it'll be much harder, but your deffinatly off to a great start. I remember back when i first started driving it took me a while to get the hand of setting off on a slight hill, but it just comes with practice, i guess if youve also got someone who is a proper teacher showing you aswell that might help, i kind of went for the illegal approach to my first bit of driving, didn't even have a provisional obviously i tried to keep it off road in quiet places.Good to hear you enjoyed it aswell, thats one of the best things about driving in general, in particular when your new to driving you'll probably love it.
As Grim also said, driving is pretty easy when you get the basics, it just takes abit of time to adjust to the car, and learning road positions and junctions / round abouts etc, all in all its not too hard at all, you'll soon build up some good confidence in yourself.
As me and grim said before though (he posted seconds after me
) you really could do with trying to get yourself at least 2 lessons a week, and if you do try and space them out like Tuesday and Thursday etc, its always good to have a break between lessons with your tutor, i always found that anyway, it gives time for things to sink in, and you kind of go over it in your head and figgure alot of it out for yourself.Oh and yeah, if you can get insured on another car, or get out of the way in one, as your so new to driving, any driving at all will be a huge bonus to yourself and will help you get through the first stages very quickly.
Good luck with your other lessons, and let us know how it goes.
EDIT: its only just occoured to me, you'll be more than likely learning in a diesel, so you'll probably be fine when it comes to stalling etc, they are great for learning in as they have so much torq they are hard to stall. Once youve learned all the clutch control in a diesel, you'll probably find it quite easy to adjust straight to a petrol, but petrol cars for learning in can be hard when learning how to control a clutch, you can stall them so much easier than a diesel, infact ive never stalled a diesel once come to think of it
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 01, 2008, 09:12:00 AM
my father used to race motorcycles as well as teach racing courses and safety courses so he was quite a good instructor for me during that time.
I eventually took a "real" driving course because insurance is much much lower if you've passed an official driving course.
the more experience you have the better you'll get.
also making sure it's a GOOD experience is important you want to learn from someone who REALLY knows what they're doing, not someone who is going to teach you their own bad habits.
Good to know you're learning on a stick-shift too, in the states that's a rare skill... cars with manual transmissions typically have to be special ordered because most people are f-ing lazy
it also means it's near impossible to find used cars with stick shifts.
Post by: bucko on May 01, 2008, 10:20:00 AM
I got a provisional license but my parents are not to keen on me maybe when I've had a few lessons, they have to insure and insurance costs a load here,
(IMG:http://www.motiontrends.com/2006/m11/Mini/2007_Mini_Cooper_S_dash.jpg)
The dash was like this (but right hand drive since we drive on the left) the speedo was digital she said don't look at the middle one it's just to look good, but she said if I had the indicator wrong I might change it to Miles Per Gallon instead of Miles Per Hour so she said don't worry if you think your doing 47MPH (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
This post has been edited by bucko: May 1 2008, 05:20 PM
Post by: grim_d on May 01, 2008, 11:26:00 AM
also good advice from twisted, dont let anyone tech you bad habits, they only cause problems.
by all means when you have your full licence pick some up but whilst learning do everything by the book.
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ May 1 2008, 04:48 PM) 
I don't know about where you are but in my state here in the US we're allowed to start driving when we turn 15... no permit or license or anything. simply carry a proof of your age and as long as there is a licensed adult in the front with you, you're free to drive wherever
that would be nice, you may not drive a car here until you are 17 and have a provisional drivers licence, you MUST also be insured on the vehicle, it MUST display L plates and it MUST have a person in the front that has held a full licence for over 4 years.
they are also trying to increase the age to 18.
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 02, 2008, 05:59:00 AM
My 4th year in College I did a sponsored project with General Motors working on a new design of the Saturn Ion. If you've never seen one of those tragically ugly cars, it's got center mounted gauges... ALL OF THEM, there is no mini-pod in front of the driver.... The Scion xA and xB are like this too (not sure what these are called in Europe).
Anyway according to GM the center is actually a more natural location for the gauges, because with the gauges in front of you, you have to look down and sometimes even tilt your head to see them. With the gauges in the center, they're far enough away that they can be read through your peripheral vision while you're eyes are performing their normal scan of the road.
Personally I thought it was complete BS, but GM was convinced that it was a "safer" location for the gauges and that experienced driver didn't like it because it was so drastically different, but NEW drivers would be a lot more accepting which is why GM and Toyota started putting them in cars that are designed to appeal to new drivers...
Oh and good job shifting by engine sound... that's exactly how I drive... though whenever I get into a really quiet car I have to drive by "feel" which means I give it more gass when it feels like it's going to stall
Post by: hamwbone on May 03, 2008, 06:39:00 AM
you should try come driving in texas. its like nascar, a monster truck rally and a drunken riding lawn mower race all one road.
Post by: sabbath_dude on May 03, 2008, 09:57:00 AM
). I'd been driving from a very early age, 11 years old was the first time I think I was let loose in the family car (we lived in the middle of nowhere so that kind of thing was ok). Never had any fear of driving or problems handling a car but the practical test can be an absolute bitch and the examiners are usually grumpy old bastards. Just make sure you're ready before sitting the test because its damn expensive and extremely disappointing if you mess it up. On a lighter note, once you pass its the best feeling ever!. Having the freedom to drive yourself wherever you want whenever you want is great .
Post by: bucko on May 03, 2008, 04:06:00 PM
I wanna do a Pass+ since I seem to fall a sleep easily at night in a car and on the bus home from uni (I know I'm not driving) but I think it would be good to make sure I'm ok and everything it will also help with insurance costs. And no I wont be one of them bitches that think pass+ make you a better driver. I've been told it takes a year after your test to get the best of all condition experiences.
'm sort of looking at cars now, I'm thinking of buying a car (I got the money for my 21st bday to buy a car it's building interest now) and my mate well he will soon pass 4 years on driving so I could learn from that point of view while driving and I would get used to my own car.
Anyway ill keep this thread like a blog each week of how I'm feeling about it, any problems I have you can help me out. Once again thanks for the advice.
Post by: grim_d on May 03, 2008, 05:05:00 PM
QUOTE(bucko @ May 3 2008, 11:42 PM)
I wanna do a Pass+
somethings about pass plus, make sure that your insurance will honour it and make sure that any saving you make on insurance with it is more than what it costs to do the pass plus itself otherwise it's worthless. Also remember that it is only honoured for a year so it's not like ncb where it rolls over year to year.
If your instructor is pushing it on you it's probably so they can get that extra bit of cash from you.
as far as im concerned pass plus is an absolute waste of time and teaches you nothing that that you wouldnt learn from experience alone.
my opinion obviously but see how you feel once you have that pink licence
Post by: commandersafi on May 03, 2008, 05:26:00 PM
QUOTE(sabbath_dude @ May 3 2008, 11:33 AM)
checking mirrors before changing gear
Hmm....I never knew i was supposed to check my mirrors before i shift
Post by: sabbath_dude on May 03, 2008, 06:35:00 PM
QUOTE(commandersafi @ May 4 2008, 01:02 AM)
Hmm....I never knew i was supposed to check my mirrors before i shift
Post by: commandersafi on May 03, 2008, 06:41:00 PM
We learn on automatic cars (
) though so i never really heard of the looking in the mirror before shifting before
Post by: grim_d on May 03, 2008, 06:54:00 PM
QUOTE(sabbath_dude @ May 4 2008, 02:11 AM)
For example while sitting the practical test (lasts about 50min) you will be given three maneuvers to perform. One of which will be reverse parking between two parked cars. If one of your tyres so much as touches the kerb its an instant fail.
examiners discretion, i never had to do parallel park
Post by: sabbath_dude on May 03, 2008, 07:01:00 PM
QUOTE(grim_d @ May 4 2008, 02:30 AM)
examiners discretion, i never had to do parallel park
. They made me do 4 maneuvers on my final exam!!, parallel park, 3 point turn, reverse around a corner and emergency stop!. I think the examiner didn't like me for some reason.
Post by: commandersafi on May 03, 2008, 07:05:00 PM
QUOTE(grim_d @ May 3 2008, 08:30 PM)
examiners discretion, i never had to do parallel park
Haha, I didnt have to parallel park either
Post by: hamwbone on May 04, 2008, 06:27:00 AM
i ran over a black lab while i was taking my driving test. i was drving ,the instructor was in the front seat and 2 girls were in the back (you take turns driving here) . it just jumped out in front of the car and went under it. the teacher nor I hit the brakes wejust kinda started for a split second in disbelief. the girls in back were like, what was that?!! was that a dog??!? teacher said it was just some bumpy asphalt and we kept on going. we never said anoither word the whole way back to the school.
Post by: grim_d on May 04, 2008, 06:31:00 AM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ May 4 2008, 02:03 PM)
shit,here in texas half the population doesnt have a license, much less insurance!!!
i ran over a black lab while i was taking my driving test. i was drving ,the instructor was in the front seat and 2 girls were in the back (you take turns driving here) . it just jumped out in front of the car and went under it. the teacher nor I hit the brakes wejust kinda started for a split second in disbelief. the girls in back were like, what was that?!! was that a dog??!? teacher said it was just some bumpy asphalt and we kept on going. we never said anoither word the whole way back to the school.
and ya wonder why texas has a bad reputation. shit that would have been jail time here
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 04, 2008, 05:19:00 PM
QUOTE(grim_d @ May 4 2008, 09:07 AM)
and ya wonder why texas has a bad reputation. shit that would have been jail time here
most responsible people in the US would stop and report it... no jail time though. Cats are a different matter, people don't even bother stopping for cats or any other animals...
in NH it's legal to shoot a dog if it comes on your property, no other stipulations necessary... this doesn't happen all to often but it sure helps encourage dog owners to keep their animals where they belong.
Post by: hamwbone on May 04, 2008, 09:48:00 PM
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 04, 2008, 10:39:00 PM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ May 5 2008, 12:24 AM)
... if you bring it to a vet, guess who has to pay the bill.
The vet, unless you're feeling generous.
my fiancee works in a vet office and she tells me stories of hit and run drop offs all the time, according to her they usually work gratis on those animals.
Post by: hardcandy on May 05, 2008, 09:50:00 AM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ May 5 2008, 01:15 AM)
The vet, unless you're feeling generous.
my fiancee works in a vet office and she tells me stories of hit and run drop offs all the time, according to her they usually work gratis on those animals.
We have an emergency vet clinic here supported by the Humane Society, and other donations. The vets donate their time, work as needed for a certain number of hours each week.
And I know if it had been my dog run over, I sure would have appreciated someone stopping and checking on the animal. At least seeing if it was suffering.
Assholes are the ones who do not stop (hamwbone and the driving instructor are who I mean). Makes me think a lot less of hamwbone as a person.
Post by: hamwbone on May 05, 2008, 02:55:00 PM
Post by: grim_d on May 05, 2008, 03:27:00 PM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ May 5 2008, 10:31 PM)
cause i knew all of that when i was 15.... thanks for thinking less of me! (you dont even know the person)
we know you well enough to know your a
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 05, 2008, 07:11:00 PM
... I don't get it
Post by: StrictPuppet on May 05, 2008, 07:43:00 PM
Post by: grim_d on May 05, 2008, 07:49:00 PM
This post has been edited by grim_d: May 6 2008, 02:50 AM
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 06, 2008, 07:12:00 AM
wheat thin?
WFT is that...
Post by: grim_d on May 06, 2008, 07:53:00 AM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ May 6 2008, 02:48 PM)
motza?
wheat thin?
WFT is that...
it's a jacobs cream cracker.
bloody philistine.
Post by: bucko on May 06, 2008, 02:27:00 PM
) it's like I have something to look forward to every week it's great.
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 06, 2008, 02:34:00 PM
While forgetting that European cars are nothing like Japanese cars I volunteered to install a stereo in my fiancee's and it's been nothing but a headache... what is it with the Europeans and needlessly complex wiring
Post by: Just a Shadow on May 06, 2008, 03:23:00 PM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ May 3 2008, 08:15 AM)
how cute, scared of driving... lol
you should try come driving in texas. its like nascar, a monster truck rally and a drunken riding lawn mower race all one road.
lmfao
Post by: bucko on May 06, 2008, 04:22:00 PM
think shes getting a Golf not sure.
Post by: grim_d on May 06, 2008, 04:25:00 PM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ May 6 2008, 10:10 PM)
oy... I'm starting to hate those Mini Coopers...
While forgetting that European cars are nothing like Japanese cars I volunteered to install a stereo in my fiancee's and it's been nothing but a headache... what is it with the Europeans and needlessly complex wiring
i dont know how it is in the states but most cars (new mini being an exception) for a long while here have used a standard 2 plug system for stereo harnesses, pull out the OE one and plug in a aftermarket stereo, 5 minute job.
even older cars that dont have this standard system you can buy wiring harness adaptors for around £10, did this for my sunny (had the exact same style plugs that you do on your 240). So this is why i was a bit confused as to why you had to do all that wiring on your double din. dont you get the adapters there?
heres the one for the new mini
you can even get adapters to retain functionality for the steering wheel controls. makes it all easy and clean.
QUOTE(bucko @ May 6 2008, 11:58 PM)
Don't worry twisted, ill be learning in a Volkswagen soon, German built to last
think shes getting a Golf not sure.psst, bucko, new minis are built by BMW!
/hush hush
Post by: bucko on May 07, 2008, 05:29:00 AM
, did loads of left turning, she said I was doing great, few misshaps like making it jump but I got better, stalled it once on a T junction it was on a slight hill needed more power, the Mini is a petrol car I asked, shes getting a Golf next week thats gonna be a diesal. Went into 2nd gear a few times though! Was a great feeling, more power, went on these big wide roads noticed lots of other learners to, it was great but when I turned left went out a bit wide to the right but I kinda fixed it, I kept looking in mirrors, indicating correct to she said I was doing really well filled me with confidence, was also bit to far to the right of the road (left hand on the road here) but again I kinda fixed it it's just awesome driving!
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 08, 2008, 07:13:00 AM
QUOTE(grim_d @ May 6 2008, 07:01 PM)
i dont know how it is in the states but most cars (new mini being an exception) for a long while here have used a standard 2 plug system for stereo harnesses, pull out the OE one and plug in a aftermarket stereo, 5 minute job.
even older cars that dont have this standard system you can buy wiring harness adaptors for around £10, did this for my sunny (had the exact same style plugs that you do on your 240). So this is why i was a bit confused as to why you had to do all that wiring on your double din. dont you get the adapters there?
heres the one for the new mini...
Yes we do use a plugin harness, it's different on nearly ever car though. The way it works is the aftermarket stereo will come with one plug with 6" of wire hanging out from it, then you buy the harness that matches with your car which is one or two plugs with wires hanging out of it, then you have to solder or crimp the two halves of the adapter together... They do make pre-made harness for popular stereo brands and popular cars but they're quite rare.
The Mini uses a harness similar to what you showed but the mini harness is missing a bunch of wires that are needed by the aftermarket stereo, meaning you have to run additional wires al over the place.
I wont be installing the stereo any time soon anyway, the Mini is the in shop because the Power Steering pump decided it wants to keep running after you shut the car off. Drained the batter. Looking it up online it would seem that over 60% of all mini's made from 02-04 have had their power steering pump replaced at least once with at least 6 recorded incidence of them catching fire due to a faulty pump
Why BMW hasn't done a recall is perplexing... it's a good thing your instructor is getting a Golf, bucko
Post by: grim_d on May 08, 2008, 07:48:00 AM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ May 8 2008, 02:49 PM)
Yes we do use a plugin harness, it's different on nearly ever car though. The way it works is the aftermarket stereo will come with one plug with 6" of wire hanging out from it, then you buy the harness that matches with your car which is one or two plugs with wires hanging out of it, then you have to solder or crimp the two halves of the adapter together... They do make pre-made harness for popular stereo brands and popular cars but they're quite rare.
The Mini uses a harness similar to what you showed but the mini harness is missing a bunch of wires that are needed by the aftermarket stereo, meaning you have to run additional wires al over the place.
thats quite silly, see in that picture i showed you, the end with the 2 blocks will fit in 99.9% of aftermarket stereos regardless of manufacturer. and they make harnesses for almost all cars on the road. Though ya might have trouble if your driving something silly like a trabant.
so its just "original car wiring-->harness adapter-->stereo" no wiring or soldering needed. Good thing you enjoy doing it cause that would drive me nuts since it's always me people phone to install their car audio *sigh*
Post by: twistedsymphony on May 08, 2008, 10:00:00 AM
and some companies use different connectors depending on the model...
it's quite a pain...
even worse, is if you buy a used stereo and it doesn't come with the harness you're completely F*cked because it's almost impossible to find replacements...
Post by: grim_d on May 08, 2008, 12:32:00 PM
we really hijacked this thread huh?
Post by: bucko on May 14, 2008, 05:23:00 AM
.
Post by: o The Drizzle o on May 14, 2008, 10:49:00 PM
back in pa, when you turn 16, you can get your learners permit, which means you can only drive sunrise to sundown, and family 18+ or nonfamily 21+ has to be with you at all times in the passenger seat...
then after 6 months, you can go for your license.
but once youre 18, you can take the permit test, pass it, come back a week later and take the license test. no driving school or anything
Post by: bucko on June 04, 2008, 05:35:00 PM
Post by: lostboyz on June 04, 2008, 08:02:00 PM
Post by: hamwbone on June 05, 2008, 06:23:00 AM
on my trip to austin this past weekend the highway was wide open. made to 120 mph before the cruiser pulled up behind me.... oddly i didnt get pulled over
Post by: twistedsymphony on June 05, 2008, 07:40:00 AM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ Jun 5 2008, 08:59 AM)
on my trip to austin this past weekend the highway was wide open. made to 120 mph before the cruiser pulled up behind me.... oddly i didnt get pulled over
heheh... on a road tip to NJ I found out my WRX had a "fsk you! Slow Down!" alarm that went off around 132MPH scared the sh*t out of me
Post by: o The Drizzle o on June 05, 2008, 12:11:00 PM
so there was this back road that barely anyone was ever on... i was able to get my impreza up to like 105 everyday before id brake for a stop sign...
i miss that car
Post by: yayupp on June 05, 2008, 02:42:00 PM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ May 3 2008, 02:15 PM)
how cute, scared of driving... lol
you should try come driving in texas. its like nascar, a monster truck rally and a drunken riding lawn mower race all one road.
HAHA I agree! oh and plus the stupid highschool girls who think the white border around a stop sign means its optional to stop.
Post by: bucko on June 05, 2008, 03:20:00 PM
QUOTE(hamwbone @ Jun 5 2008, 01:59 PM)
you use MPH over there?
on my trip to austin this past weekend the highway was wide open. made to 120 mph before the cruiser pulled up behind me.... oddly i didnt get pulled over
Ya MPH, we have millions of speed cameras in this country, even if you try to go above 60/70Mph or slightly above the 30/40/50 zones you will get a fine and maybe 3 points (bad) on your license, so many points and your license gets taking of you.
Post by: bucko on June 11, 2008, 07:59:00 AM
.It was great didn't stall it once today and was doing a lot of stopping and starting (behind bus's etc) so great clutch practise. Was a great lesson she said my feet were going across the pedals (obviously we have 3 one for clutch) much better and more natural. But I'm so happy my gear changes were good even down shifting was good.
Post by: commandersafi on June 12, 2008, 09:29:00 PM
QUOTE(bucko @ Jun 11 2008, 09:35 AM)
It was great didn't stall it once today and was doing a lot of stopping and starting (behind bus's etc) so great clutch practise. Was a great lesson she said my feet were going across the pedals (obviously we have 3 one for clutch) much better and more natural. But I'm so happy my gear changes were good even down shifting was good.
Good job man. I just learned how to drive standard when i got my car a couple months ago. Soon it will be like a second nature to use the clutch and change gears.
Post by: bucko on August 08, 2008, 08:42:00 AM
Now I have 2 years from now if I don't pass my practical to keep taking it. Woo, hopefully ill only need another 10 lessons or so. I did my first 3 point turns recently I think all I have left now is parallel parking.
But WOW I'M SO HAPPY TO PASS MY THEORY!!!!!!!!!!! (you need to pass it here before you can even take your practical to get a driving license).
Post by: mysticrider92 on August 09, 2008, 04:04:00 PM
QUOTE(bucko @ Aug 8 2008, 11:18 AM)
I did my first 3 point turns recently I think all I have left now is parallel parking.
Ooohhh... fun...
Nah, seriously, parallel parking isn't too bad, just pay close attention to what your driving instructor and manual says. I messed that up on my road test (wrong angle, had to pull back out and start over), but still managed to do the parking correctly and pass the test. Just take it slow and follow the directions, you will be fine. You have the added bonus of small cars over there, not like backing in a full size sedan...
Post by: bucko on August 09, 2008, 05:17:00 PM
but now I passed my theory it's a load of wait of my mind, I think I have a 3 point left turn to learn on monday then (I don't know if ill do it in the same hour) do the parallel parking, I know someone else she teaches and apparently she learnt parking in a supermarket car park so hopefully it should be ok first time . I get on really well with my instructor shes very understanding and easy to get on with so hopefully it won't be to hard. I've only panicked once in all the lessons so I'm not to worried. Post by: gcskate27 on August 10, 2008, 08:40:00 AM
will probably start soon as we'll be getting a car in the near future... tons of fun being chauffeured when you're used to being the one driving...
i need to study for the theory as the signs here are drastically different to the states but the only problem i foresee with driving here is the side of the car you're on... manual transmission, wrong side of the road, roundabouts, etc i dont see as being much of a problem...
i also had my harley sportster shipped over so i get to do the learning thing twice! extra fun... anyone know how the learning/license thing works for motorcycles in the UK? in the US they practically throw a license at you when you walk in the door...
Post by: bucko on August 11, 2008, 03:58:00 AM
QUOTE(gcskate27 @ Aug 10 2008, 04:16 PM)
ive been driving over 12 years in the states but recently moved over to the UK and get to do all this crap all over...
will probably start soon as we'll be getting a car in the near future... tons of fun being chauffeured when you're used to being the one driving...
i need to study for the theory as the signs here are drastically different to the states but the only problem i foresee with driving here is the side of the car you're on... manual transmission, wrong side of the road, roundabouts, etc i dont see as being much of a problem...
i also had my harley sportster shipped over so i get to do the learning thing twice! extra fun... anyone know how the learning/license thing works for motorcycles in the UK? in the US they practically throw a license at you when you walk in the door...
Spend about £40 for the DSA Theory Test CD, Hazard Perception DVD and the book (with 500 pages) you will pass the theory. I'm thinking about selling my stuff, it's the 2007/8 editions and has all the road signs and everything. I didn't understand half the road signs but revising my theory made it all the more sense. The theory puts everything you do into practise into sense. Imho I don't think USA have such a thing, now with 50 questions and hazard test it's needed for all these idiot drivers on the road making my insurance £1000 a year
.I don't think the left hand drive thing will be to hard, my mate drives an American Chevy 4x4 with the steering wheel on the wrong side, when he gets into a normal car it's almost natural for him to drive it. So with practise it's ok I guess. I'd also mention be careful overtaking, since you will be doing the opposite. And always look in your mirrors, motorbike users can come out of no were, someone overtook me then overtook another driver in the front on the left hand side once in one of my lessons!
Edit, motorbike theory is Cat C I think and same for test so make sure you say.
Post by: grim_d on August 24, 2008, 04:09:00 PM
Perhaps you will only be required to sit a retest, like the driving licence.
PS. where in UK did you move to?
Post by: bucko on August 27, 2008, 07:42:00 AM
Post by: twistedsymphony on August 27, 2008, 08:28:00 AM
QUOTE
I think I've fixed my 2nd to 3rd gear issue as well.
Probably a little late but ....
when shifting just remember that if you take your hand off the shifter while in neutral it will naturally center itself, lining up exactly with the gates for 3rd and 4th.
So when shifting from 2nd to 3rd you'll want to pop it out of gear then let the shifter naturally center itself then push it straight forward into 3rd without pulling it in towards you.
Same thing when downshifting from 5th into 4th... let it center itself and then just pull straight back. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)
I know lots of people who drive stick who try to pull/push side to side and end up over shifting or mashing up the gates when they try to shift quickly. You shouldn't be putting any lateral pressure on the shifter when going into 3rd or 4th not matter which gear you're coming from.
This post has been edited by twistedsymphony: Aug 27 2008, 03:29 PM
Post by: bucko on August 28, 2008, 11:47:00 AM
QUOTE(twistedsymphony @ Aug 27 2008, 04:04 PM)
Probably a little late but ....
when shifting just remember that if you take your hand off the shifter while in neutral it will naturally center itself, lining up exactly with the gates for 3rd and 4th.
So when shifting from 2nd to 3rd you'll want to pop it out of gear then let the shifter naturally center itself then push it straight forward into 3rd without pulling it in towards you.
Same thing when downshifting from 5th into 4th... let it center itself and then just pull straight back.
I know lots of people who drive stick who try to pull/push side to side and end up over shifting or mashing up the gates when they try to shift quickly. You shouldn't be putting any lateral pressure on the shifter when going into 3rd or 4th not matter which gear you're coming from.
Ya someone told me that, I think thats what I've started doing. Let it go into the centre, it seems to work better, and I can sense where 2nd gear is. Anyway I'm thinking of buying the Logitech GT wheel with a manual gear stick it might give me better practise
.
Post by: melongstrike on August 28, 2008, 12:44:00 PM
I ended up getting my license around my 22 birthday.
Post by: bucko on September 02, 2008, 02:19:00 PM
If I fail the first time at least I know what it feels like to go through it all so I'm not that fussed, but she wants me to pass first time. At least I don't panic when I stall it, it just kinda annoys me, and it puts a downer on the whole lesson for me, but oh well, I did some complicated changing lane driving yesterday (there was about 5 lanes on this road yesterday) I kinda coped alright, done it before but this time it seemed better.
I do feel like I can drive, it's just the tiny little things that are buging me at the moment. If I do book my test ill be taking 2 lessons a week from then on instead of one. I aint gonna tell anyone when my test is though, cause the whole good luck thing seems to put more pressure on me.
This post has been edited by bucko: Sep 2 2008, 09:21 PM
Post by: bucko on February 03, 2020, 06:20:00 AM
Stalled it twice again on manoeuvres but put handbrake on /neutral he said that was find couple of hesitants but that will be find when my confidence comes I wont be hesitant...
I was starting to think I would be unlucky every time, but it was so nice and sunny and I think Karms and Rescue Remedy helped me a lot to (especially with sleep the night before)!!
Post by: sabbath_dude on March 23, 2010, 07:28:00 AM
). Take it easy the first few times you go out on your own though!.
Post by: bucko on March 23, 2010, 09:35:00 AM
QUOTE(sabbath_dude @ Mar 23 2010, 01:28 PM)
Congrats!. Passing your test and getting your license is an awesome feeling (but I'm sure you know this right now
). Take it easy the first few times you go out on your own though!.Ya I know I don't even have a car yet
might be driving in Italy though for Supermarket runs should be fun converting to the right side. 
Post by: StrictPuppet on March 23, 2010, 01:45:00 PM
QUOTE(bucko @ Mar 23 2010, 08:35 AM)
Ya I know I don't even have a car yet
might be driving in Italy though for Supermarket runs should be fun converting to the right side. And by "right" you mean correct side.....
Post by: lostboyz on February 03, 2020, 02:00:00 PM
Post by: twistedsymphony on March 25, 2010, 09:33:00 AM
QUOTE(StrictPuppet @ Mar 23 2010, 03:45 PM)
And by "right" you mean correct side.....
damn island dwellers and their wrong side of the road