Getting my first car

Pikeman

Will be collecting my first car tomorrow (I'm 26). Bought it last week and got insurance on it yesterday. I know how to drive (driving up and down country lanes since I was young) but have never driven on the road.

Will be bringing it the 20 miles home with my friend who is fully licenced.

A lot of people are telling me I should just get in it and drive it home with the friend in the passenger seat.
Others telling me that I should let my friend drive it home as there's roundabouts and I'll have to pass through a town too.

Anyone any thoughts?

TwoShedsJackson

It depends whether you feel up to driving it back - if you feel confident about going out on a road for the first time, then do it, but be careful and listen to any advice your friend gives you.

Be aware that if you are being extra careful you may have other drivers queuing up behind you etc. but just take it easy.

If you're happier to get your friend to drive it home, do that.

I'm assuming you have a learner's permit here, of course

Pikeman

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

It depends whether you feel up to driving it back - if you feel confident about going out on a road for the first time, then do it, but be careful and listen to any advice your friend gives you.

Be aware that if you are being extra careful you may have other drivers queuing up behind you etc. but just take it easy.

If you're happier to get your friend to drive it home, do that.

I'm assuming you have a learner's permit here, of course

Yeah have everything needed except the driving experience.
Of course I ain't gonna get the experience if I don't drive
Just hope it ain't lashing rain tomorrow.

timmywex

Presumingly you have learner permit. Bring L plates and stick them up,


If your used to driving drive home, take as long as you need, stop if needed, let your friend drive nearer the town if you'd prefer!

And dont get bullied/pissed off/intimidated by others who think learner drivers are just getting in the way, it gets annoying after a while, just ignore them and let them do what they want to do!

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

ilovemarmite

Hiya

If you want to have a go in your own car I'd suggest you maybe do a little of the drive buy probably best your friend does the driving mostly as roundabouts take a bit of getting used to. Dual carriage ways are the easiest as its just driving straight, its the built up areas and junctions and roundabouts that need practice.

Do get lessons as you need to know how to pass test and do all the observation and correct procedures. I have been driving over a year and found it so good having instructer to begin with. if you have never been on roads good to do in his car as with dual controls its extra reassuring when traffic busy and you are trying to figure when you can go on roundabout.

I am confident and really calm driving the only thing ever to throw me was roundabouts and knowing when I could go. Theres way to many of them iN Dublin!!!

Anyway congrats on car, I got my own couple weeks ago so nice to have own wheels.

Good Luck

c-note

Remeber that you've a responsibility and duty of care to other people once you get behind the wheel. if you're not fully confident driving home then let your friend drive, then once you get home, get used to driving the car locally, and you'll be road-trippin in no time. hope all goes well.

NukaCola

Pikeman wrote: »

Will be collecting my first car tomorrow (I'm 26). Bought it last week and got insurance on it yesterday. I know how to drive (driving up and down country lanes since I was young) but have never driven on the road.

Will be bringing it the 20 miles home with my friend who is fully licenced.

A lot of people are telling me I should just get in it and drive it home with the friend in the passenger seat.
Others telling me that I should let my friend drive it home as there's roundabouts and I'll have to pass through a town too.

Anyone any thoughts?

Not saying this to put you down but this is the problem with learning to drive in this country, someone with zero experience driving can legally drive because there is a fully licensed driver in the car with them, it really is unbelieveable. You could argue the fully licensed driver can take over and blah blah blah but it is very dangerous to do this, if you cause an accident your friend may not be in a position to drive ye both home,...

Pikeman

I drove home myself in the end-went well though I was nervous. Drove loads over that weekend and amazed at how much I improved. Actually drove up to Dublin then on Saturday as I live up here so was happy with that. Dual carriage way the whole journey so handy enough. Oh and EVERYONE breaks the speed limits. Every single car. And lorries love driving up your backside too.

Now to get driving lessons and apply for the test.