Children learning to drive

[AB Editor]

 

This poll is closed.

How will/did your children learn how to drive?

• My children did/will have driving lessons with an instructor - 105 votes
• 52%
• My children did/will have driving lessons with an instructor but I will also teach them - 88 votes
• 44%
• I taught/will teach my children how to drive (without paid instruction) - 8 votes
• 4%

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Stats until: 08:33 Thu 19th Dec 2024 (Refreshed every 5 minutes)

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[Baldric]

We taught basic driving,
Instructor taught passing the Test.

[ummmm]

Ny daughters dad taught her how to drive then she took lessons. My son went straight to an instructor. I haven't got the patience to teach someone how to drive.

[aelmpvw]

A.

[TWR]

I don't think it's a good Idea to Teach them as the way the drive today is totally different, they rely on their brakes too much & IF it ever comes to the Crunch, they would not know what to do should a brake failure ever happen, also we old fart's have too many bad habits.

[Hopkirk]

That is modern teaching, to use the brakes TWR.

In our day we were taught to use engine braking, but now it is 'gears to go, brakes to slow'

[Dizmo]

I was driving for about 6 months before I had a single lesson. I only had 4 lessons before I took my test.

I must admit though I did pass my CBT and get a scooter at the age of 16, so already had a years road knowledge before hand. Not to mention I've been riding motorbikes since the age of 7 (on private land of course). Tractors, dumpers and a JCB at the age of 12.

I've always wanted to drive a bus.

[Retrochic]

TWR I disagree,us 'old farts' probably have bad habits (for sure) but most can actually drive, as opposed to sitting in front of the steering wheel and pointing. I was taught to double de clutch, slow the car on the gears if the brakes failed,how to get out of a slow skid -all by my father. Instructors teach you how to pass your Test, not how to drive. Our children have all been able to drive since the age of about 8 -the Land rover around the fields - then taken lessons at school with Instructors how to pass the driving test.

[TWR]

In Theory it looks good, in reality FOR "F-----KS sake" Hopkirk

[Dizmo]

Hopkirk: Is that something that has happened recently then (in the last 10 - 15 years)? I was always taught to use engine braking. In fact a lot of the time I'd hardly use my brakes.

[TWR]

Teaching on a farm is good Practice, with the slides, slippery surface, that modern day events Rretro, a lot do not get that experience.

[Retrochic]

So what are they teaching now? Going to a junction and instead of using the gears just brake and go from 4th to 1st? I once did that with my father in the car after I'd past my test and he went mental!

[Dizmo]

Retrochic: I totally agree. I was taught in theory by my step father (advanced driver and now an ex lorry driver) before I even got into a car. I knew the concept of what was required to get out of sticky situations and then it just took a little practice. Double de clutching was the first thing I learnt how to do.

I wonder how many youngsters could get a vehicle back home without any clutch at all - I bet not many. You could probably do that in your sleep - my mum certainly can (not literally).

[TWR]

Have you ever had a Brake Failure? not very nice

[Hopkirk]

Yes Retro, slow using the brakes, select the appropriate gear and pull away.

[Hopkirk]

Brake pads are cheaper than clutches.

[Dizmo]

TWR: Yeah, on the motorway, but luckily I felt them go and wasn't going very fast. I just slapped on the hazards, rolled to a stop on the hard shoulder and threw my amber flashing maintenance light on the roof. After getting out the passenger door and climbing over the crash barrier, I called for assistance. I also called the police switch board to inform them of the situation. The police turned up very quickly.

[ummmm]

I've had brake failure. Luckily I was going slow but still scary.

[Hopkirk]

What's wrong with using the handbrake?

[Retrochic]

I had brake failure going down a slight incline to a junction with a main road -most frightening. I used gears and handbrake to stop and then managed to drive the 3 miles back home on country roads,very scary.

[Dizmo]

I'll admit though it is rather frightening, I was lucky to be on the motorway.

I've also had a motorbike seize on me whilst doing 50mph whilst on the way to my work placement at a garden centre. Some idiot at college (resident who must of done it at night) decided it was going to be a good joke to drain my oil. Having a motorbike lock up on your doing that speed is some what scarier. I still prefer bikes though.