Starting out from scratch

DidYouSquirt?

Hey dudes. I'm looking to learn how to drive. All i have done so far is study like mad and nailed the test on the laptop everyday for the last two months. I use to lose now i win, every time! I know there are new rules out for learners but truth be told i'm not too sure what they entail. So i guess im looking for some sort of checklist of what to do after i go for the theory test. (and win). I really haven't got a clue how to make a car work as no one close owns or drives a car. Should i get a car first and sort insurance out, or do a couple of lessons then get a car,, and whats all this about 12 lessons??

.. and do 'they' enforce this 'accompanied by a qualified driver' malarkey? cause that's impossible for me.. i will be on my own no doubt about that... am i going to get banned before i get started doing this?

Slozer

Hi,

I would advise you to get some time in a car before you do the lessons. At least learn how to drive a couple of hundred meters and turn a corner otherwise you will be starting the lessons at a low level.

Your biggest problem is going to be getting insurance and a full license holder to go out with you. They do enforce this law so I wouldnt go down that route.

best of luck

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

DidYouSquirt?

In which case, why not book a real test and pass it?

Thats the next step, reason why i started this thread, to be sure of what im getting myself into.

Please see the FAQ sticky at the top of this forum for more details.

That was quite helpful i missed that.

You think it's "malarkey" that someone who by his own admission hasn't got a clue how to make a car work is legally prohibited from driving on public roads alone?

In that case no but after doing 7-8 driving lessons, yes i do. I would not drive on a public road unless i knew what i was doing. Plus i don't know ANYONE that could accompany me. Can i bring a teddy bear with me and pretend he has a full drivers licence? Really feel discourage now might just stick to the bus because i will never learn with that silly rule.

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

DidYouSquirt?

So you'd be quite confident of your ability to drive unaccompanied after 7-8 hours behind the wheel?

Yes. In my estate.

Other people's right to use the road safely > Your right to learn to drive unsupervised. That's why it's not "silly.

You learned how to drive supervised everytime you went out in a car when you were learning? Some people have family that can do that for them, personally i don't. So in all honest wtf are my options?????????????????

What can a accompanying driver do when you are about to smash into another car? If you're going to crash you're going to crash, its doesn't matter if you have a jedi master in the car beside you.

Mister Jingles

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Thats the next step, reason why i started this thread, to be sure of what im getting myself into.

That was quite helpful i missed that.

In that case no but after doing 7-8 driving lessons, yes i do. I would not drive on a public road unless i knew what i was doing. Plus i don't know ANYONE that could accompany me. Can i bring a teddy bear with me and pretend he has a full drivers licence? Really feel discourage now might just stick to the bus because i will never learn with that silly rule.

7-8 ? Try again...........at least 13 hours at the very minimum, imo

kirving

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Yes. In my estate.

You learned how to drive supervised everytime you went out in a car when you were learning? Some people have family that can do that for them, personally i don't. So in all honest wtf are my options?????????????????

What can a accompanying driver do when you are about to smash into another car? If you're going to crash you're going to crash, its doesn't matter if you have a jedi master in the car beside you.

I've my test soon, and yes, every single time I'm in the car. Not being able to afford the fine being a constituent in this decision. Also, I know that girls will get away with it more often.

I agree, there is little a fully licensed driver can do if you're abotu to crash, but they can act as a second set of eyes and ears which is helpful. Full license or not.

DidYouSquirt?

Feck it, im going to take my chances, its what lifes all about!

Anyone know anything about this?
<SNIP>

Faith+1

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Feck it, im going to take my chances, its what lifes all about!

Anyone know anything about this?
<SNIP>

You're chances on what?

Mister Jingles

Faith+1 wrote: »

You're chances on what?

His chances on driving alone.

MascotDec85

I never had anyone to practice with between my lessons with my ADI.

Did I moan about it? No. I just got on with it and passed first time after 16 lessons.

The rules are there for reason, not just as an inconvenience

Faith+1

Mister Jingles wrote: »

His chances on driving alone.

Alright thanks, well he's obviously going to suit himself. Why he asked for an honest opinion in this forum is a mystery if he's going to justify breaking the law by saying "It's what lifes all about".

Do what you want OP but remember the risks involved.

Mister Jingles

Faith+1 wrote: »

Alright thanks, well he's obviously going to suit himself. Why he asked for an honest opinion in this forum is a mystery if he's going to justify breaking the law by saying "It's what lifes all about".

Do what you want OP but remember the risks involved.

Well usually when those type of questions are asked the desired response is usually along the lines of ''Ah sure you'll be grand''

Reloc8

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Feck it, im going to take my chances, its what lifes all about!

<SNIP>

This is not intended to be back seat modding but I find it difficult to understand why somebody who posts a deliberate intent to break the law is entitled to use and benefit from his/her posts.

MascotDec85

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Feck it, im going to take my chances, its what lifes all about!

<SNIP>

Is advertising allowed now

sentient_6

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Is advertising allowed now

Says the guy with www.idriveireland.com as his location?

eor123

Ive only been driving since March, and I always follow the ''accompanied'' rule, because not only is it helpful in terms that they point out little things you might not notice out of inexperience, but your not insured to drive alone, its in all insurance policies for provisional drivers in the small print, for my policy my accompanied driver has to be a named driver on the insurance, so either my mam or dad.
Its not a silly rule at all, its there for a reason, I've done 8 lessons and I dont mind having the accompanied driver with me at all, and its company too!

Mister Jingles

eor123 wrote: »

Ive only been driving since March, and I always follow the ''accompanied'' rule, because not only is it helpful in terms that they point out little things you might not notice out of inexperience, but your not insured to drive alone, its in all insurance policies for provisional drivers in the small print, for my policy my accompanied driver has to be a named driver on the insurance, so either my mam or dad.
Its not a silly rule at all, its there for a reason, I've done 8 lessons and I dont mind having the accompanied driver with me at all, and its company too!

Not the case as such.

eor123

Mister Jingles wrote: »

Not the case as such.

But sure if your breaking the law they're hardly going to cover you.. dont they look for any excuse to not pay out? - maybe I'm wrong!

Mister Jingles

eor123 wrote: »

But sure if your breaking the law they're hardly going to cover you.. dont they look for any excuse to not pay out? - maybe I'm wrong!

It does vary from different companies but most of them would pay out to the third party it they weren't at fault.

DidYouSquirt?

Reloc8 wrote: »

This is not intended to be back seat modding but I find it difficult to understand why somebody who posts a deliberate intent to break the law is entitled to use and benefit from his/her posts.

I never came on here and said 'im going to break the law'. Don't be putting word in my mouth. I said im going to take my chances big big difference pal. Beside i'd imagine the garda have more important things to be doing than watching out for unaccompanied drivers.

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Is advertising allowed now

What the fcuk are you on? I asked ''Anyone know anything about this?''
.. you know to find out some information. Idiot.

sentient_6 wrote: »

Says the guy with www.idriveireland.com as his location?

Tell me about it :rolleyes:

eor123 wrote: »

Ive only been driving since March, and I always follow the ''accompanied'' rule, because not only is it helpful in terms that they point out little things you might not notice out of inexperience, but your not insured to drive alone, its in all insurance policies for provisional drivers in the small print, for my policy my accompanied driver has to be a named driver on the insurance, so either my mam or dad.
Its not a silly rule at all, its there for a reason, I've done 8 lessons and I dont mind having the accompanied driver with me at all, and its company too!

What if you don't have a mam or a dad? and the rest of your family lives miles away?

mods: it would probably be best to close this thread, i shouldn't have bothered starting it.

MsBojangles

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

What if you don't have a mam or a dad? and the rest of your family lives miles away?
]

I think you mean if your folks don't drive . I was in the same position as you when I first started and I think so long as you're not going loose on busy roads then practising around your estate does no harm . thats what I did anyway

MascotDec85

sentient_6 wrote: »

Says the guy with www.idriveireland.com as his location?

No different from having your username as your company name no I'm more than happy to remove it if requested by Admin

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

What the fcuk are you on? I asked ''Anyone know anything about this?''
.. you know to find out some information. Idiot.

Advertising was probably the wrong word, apologies. Links or mentioning specific schools isn't allowed.

Don't call me an idiot

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Reloc8

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

.. and do 'they' enforce this 'accompanied by a qualified driver' malarkey? cause that's impossible for me.. i will be on my own no doubt about that... am i going to get banned before i get started doing this?

To answer your question, yes they do. There used to be a sticky in this forum with the penalties.
Big fines & bans. Bans are discretionary. You might never get caught, you might get caught tomorrow.

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

Feck it, im going to take my chances, its what lifes all about!

Mmmm.

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

I never came on here and said 'im going to break the law'. Don't be putting word in my mouth.

I didn't.

DidYouSquirt? wrote: »

i will be on my own no doubt about that

Mmmm.

starlit

Maybe even asking someone to just accompany you briefly for short drives, even if they never drove, might help even though its against the law. Surely you could ask someone who has a full licence but then again its probably best just stick with the lessons from an ADI, and practice on your own in an estate or a private place even though you aren't insured to even to do that on your own.

To practice the gear changing and pedals when the car is off its probably the first thing to do when you are learning. Get into the motion of it, and perhaps get the car going, understand the concept of the biting point, stop the car from rolling, getting into gear, clutch/brake control, moving off, reversing, stopping and starting even that much can make a huge difference. You don't necessary have to go out on the road to do that much. You could still get a car, park it outside your home and practice without even turning on the engine! Simple as that! You be amazed how quickly you pick it up that way and when you start your proper lessons things will click more easily and everything else will come together!?

Its exactly what I am doing since I started back doing lessons again after a few months break from driving. I feel I am making progress. I feel that has really improved my driving and increase my confidence. I would hope that doing some bit of practice that you put in between lessons will be a major factor of how quickly you learn! good luck with it OP.