Booking a driving test

[Electric_Andy]

I started learning with my parents/family in Jan 1998. Had professinoal lessons and booked a test End of March. Failed for going too slowly in the rain (I was probably doing 15 in a 20) and other things amounting to hesitancy. Booked another test and passed on 8th April. It seems that institutions and instructors have been block booking tests way in advance. This is what my motorcycle training school did about 15 years ago - I was suprised when they stated "we have tests booked all through the month".

I think it's a fairly standard story to hear that the DVSA and the Government have only noticed it's a problem years after it started, and now will probably take more years to reduce the backlog.

Depending on where you live, car transport can open up huge avenues for young people. e.g. my stepson tried to use the bus to get to an appointment, he wited 55 mins and then a sign came up saying that all buses to town were cancelled. It was hemmering with rain so bike/walk was not practically doable. Besides which, city riding in the dark and rain is not for the beginner cyclist.

I think we need to give young people a break and not preach that car ownership is lazy. Nor should we compare their modern challenges to those we had. My Dad walked 4 miles a day to school and back on a (now busy) A road, but I would not have been expected to do that even 30 years ago. You never know when you're going to need a driving license, and to get it done quickly is a good feather to have in your cap.

However, scooters can be had for under a grand, CBT is about £120 and waiting lists in the 1-3 week range, insurance half as much as a car. Not as convenient but arguably cheaper and more accesible if you're in a rush.

 

[Drago]

I think we need to give young people a break and not preach that car ownership is lazy.

Why should we not, when for the most part it actually is?

Responsible and considerate car use is very much a minority pastime.

Road death is again rising, the planet is being ravaged for resources, and the 1.5°C warming limit is about to become as substantive as stories about King Arthur, so why should we not be telling young people - and older ones too - that the majority of uses to which they will put their car is indeed nothing more than bone idle laziness? Why should we sugar coat it? Why should we not call a broad bladed digging implement a broad bladed digging implement?

If youngsters are offended by the consequences of their actions then it's up to them to either do something about it or suck it up.

 

[Electric_Andy]

the majority of uses to which they will put their car is indeed nothing more than bone idle laziness?

We shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting or needing a car, and it's not up to anyone else to decide if it's lazy or not. We have all berated illegal e-bikers for not paying tax on a motor vehicle, not paying for insurance and not passing a test. Now the ones who want legal transport are being called bone idle! We don't all live in central London where there are 3 other modes of safe and reliable transport to choose from. Where we live, public transport is pitiful. The frequent cancellation of buses even made local news headlines, and has not improved at all in the 3 months since. Pedestrain and cycling infrastructure is non-existent, as is the provision of storage and changing facilities at most destinations.

 

[Drago]

Do you not look around you?

The average car journey in Greater Manchester is under 1km.

How is that in any way a good thing?

Most motorists use their car unnecessarily for the majority of their motoring. The only people that claim otherwise are motorists, folk just like you, and seeing as theyre the problem their protestations carry little weight.

I've heard all the excuses and seen the hand wringing, but everyone else just gets on with it. I was 8 miles from the nearest supermarket uhtil recently, and that didnt stop me cycling there to pick up a few days worth of shopping. The reason I moved house is because one day age will make that difficult, so I can now walk everywhere. Instead of complaining as an excuse for inaction, I did something positive.

Hell, people that cant afford cars dont makenthese excuses, because they have had the choice taken away from them. The alternatives for them are get on with it or starve to death.

If people put as much effort into actually doing something as they do into trotting out these frankly weak and ridiculous excuses the world would be a utopia. Society is in a sheet state all round as people prefer making excuses to taking action.

Bottom line is most people are lazy, and will say or do anything to be able to continue being so.

 

[Webbo2]

I use the car as tool to do things, if it’s to go shopping be it. If is to take my bike to shop to get fixed so be it. If it’s to drive to the crag to go climbing again so be it. Or to go to the Arboretum 15 miles so we can let the dog off the lead yet again.
Explain to me how this is different to you going off with the dog in the campervan.🤷🏼‍♂️