I will however continue the theme soon
.Quite a few interesting things which I'm not going to find quotes to answer so I'll just answer as best I can to all:
Firstly, I was being sarcastic about the Romanian driving age
.Next: I see no problem with driving lessons from 16, at least you are driving with a (hopefully) responsible instructor who has the power to stop you if needed. There is nothing to say you can take your test below 17 on these courses, which is a good thing. I would hate to see 16 year olds actually qualified or able to get insured on a provisional. If anything (yes I am 17) the driving age should be raised, not lowered. It is proven that immaturity causes accidents. Having said that, the vast majority of people I know of a similar age are careful drivers (lads and girls), who may just be a bit hesitant at times. I pride myself on (hopefully) being a very good driver, as my instructor was excellent, I've had plenty of practice, and passed with only two minors. We (especially in the UK) have to suffer for the minority who drive like absolute clowns, crash, and as a result hike all our insurances up to ridiculous prices (and anyone saying you know what I mean, you really don't understand until you see UK prices
).@Nico, same here. Everyone around here drives a stupid pace, around 10-20mph above the limit. During my short while driving, I have driven practically every type of road and covered maybe 5000 miles (8000km). And I have concluded that 75-80% of the drivers here are absolute rubbish and, if I were in some position of power, I would make them take a re-test. I have seen everything from a dickhead in a Transit van overtake me on a single lane road (good job I was looking!) to a Zafira the other day on the M6 driving with no lights on. In pitch black. How you cannot realise your lights are off when the bloody dashboard is dark I have no damned idea!
The worst thing in my opinion is that you feel heckled for being a courteous driver. It shows the problems with idiots on the road today and the fact that nobody cares what consequences their actions would lead to. Oh, and as for those sh**s who decide to put their foot down when you try to overtake them on the motorway, it's easily curable. Just speed up next to them then hold them there until you reach a slow van or a truck in their lane, then see them slow down!
Just to give you the UK regulations:
You can apply for your provisional licence at 15 years 9 months. However you cannot use it until you are 17. When you may drive with a driver over 21 who has had their licence for more than three years.
You can take your theory as soon as you turn 17, the pass mark is 43/ 50 for the multiple choice section, and 59% (normal driver) for the hazard perception test (video clips). In my test I got 50 and 91%. You can take your driving test soon after this, where you are allowed up to 15 minor faults but only a maximum of 3 from the same category. I got two minors, one of which was forgetting to drive into the box when the traffic light went green (to turn right) which I got really annoyed about! I think it was just the pressure on the day.
