Driver's Education

[findleybeast]

Went through drivers ed class in school, then behind the wheel with a separate company (legally required) at 16. Both were pretty badly done though so didn't learn much. The car I "learned" on in behind the wheel was some POS automatic pontiac or chevy I think... all the badges were taken off anyway.

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Sir_GT If you don't hold the steering wheel at 9 and 3, then you will never know what proper driving is... Ever wondered why F1, DTM, and Le Mans drivers use squarish steering wheels and put their hands at 9 and 3? Exactly.

They stoped teaching that 10 and 2 back in 92' around when airbags became standert. The reason being if you got into a car accodent with your hands at 10 and 2, you'll break your wrist from the air bag comming out, and back then thy did not slow down. wich is why they rethunk that to a lesser pain of just having your thumbs getting hurt, and like you sead it was a better driveing position.

[bmwmpower]

i went driving school in 20,

so we had in driving school Opel Astra 1.4,VW Pola 14 TDI and GOLF 1.9 SDI and A 1.4 Mercedes, today in mine driving school are much much better cars: C klass, Toyota RAV4, Opel Meriva and Zafira, New Astra, Honda JAzz

[antonioledesma]

Originally Posted by T-Bird OK since this started in another topic sort of I thought I would pose the question. Where did you learn to drive officialy? Did you go to driver's ed? through school or private business? What kind of car/cars did they have? Transmissions? Was it required by the law? And finally how old were you when you got your license?

driving school??? wtf is that?? LOL
here in mexico 80% of kids at 15 don't have license or permit (you need to be with a responsible adult with you).
the first time I went to obtain my permit, the only exam they want you to take is... how many kinds of road signals exist? types of intersections? etc, pure "theory" so you don't take a practical exam.
Of course you can go to some driver's ed schools, but have crappy cars and everybody go very close to the cars so the students go crazy

to finish, my first drinving lesson was with a friend (actually, an employee from the family bussiness) in my dad's 82 golf when I was 9 (manual tranny, no auto those days)
then until 14 I used a chrysler shadow, automatic. So that's my driver's ed

[Sir_GT]

Originally Posted by OVERLORD_CHRIS Originally Posted by Sir_GT If you don't hold the steering wheel at 9 and 3, then you will never know what proper driving is... Ever wondered why F1, DTM, and Le Mans drivers use squarish steering wheels and put their hands at 9 and 3? Exactly. They stoped teaching that 10 and 2 back in 92' around when airbags became standert. The reason being if you got into a car accodent with your hands at 10 and 2, you'll break your wrist from the air bag comming out, and back then thy did not slow down. wich is why they rethunk that to a lesser pain of just having your thumbs getting hurt, and like you sead it was a better driveing position.

Well, tell that to the English. My wife's taking her manual lessons at the moment (bless her and her petrol soul) and she was shocked to find out that they still required her to hold it that way.

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Sir_GT Well, tell that to the English. My wife's taking her manual lessons at the moment (bless her and her petrol soul) and she was shocked to find out that they still required her to hold it that way.

They are nuts! just tell her to go with it, and as soon as they say she passes, teach her the right way lol. When she is ready, get her a Jaguare XKR, we have to start her off right, or a Lotus.

[Sir_GT]

Originally Posted by OVERLORD_CHRIS Originally Posted by Sir_GT Well, tell that to the English. My wife's taking her manual lessons at the moment (bless her and her petrol soul) and she was shocked to find out that they still required her to hold it that way. They are nuts! just tell her to go with it, and as soon as they say she passes, teach her the right way lol. When she is ready, get her a Jaguare XKR, we have to start her off right, or a Lotus.

I would fancy an Exige myself, but women bring these strange things with them all the time... I think they're called "pets" and "shopping bags."

I personally have no idea what those words mean. Must be a girl thing.

[TransAm]

Learnt at 17 in a Vauxhall Corsa 1.5TD 5-speed. Passed my test first time

Also, took my bike test on a DT125R. Passed third time

Took my Texas driving test in 2003 when I moved here, in my Z3 3.0i steptronic. Passed that first time and got commended for my driving (I was like, look love, I've got 12 years experience so I would hope I can drive!!) Some of the other UK guys out here failed the test but it was due to creeping over the speed limit. I drove round the 30 limit at 20-25 mph because they don't fail you here for going too slow!

[OVERLORD_CHRIS]

Originally Posted by Sir_GT I would fancy an Exige myself, but women bring these strange things with them all the time... I think they're called "pets" and "shopping bags." I personally have no idea what those words mean. Must be a girl thing.

hahaha If you start her off right, you both can have a bad ass sports car for ever day, and a slightly bigger car for "shopping"lol

[evoWalo]

I learned only how to steer when I was about 5-7 yrs old cause I was too short to press the pedals. I formally learned how to drive when I was 20 (got lazy & didnt feel like it til I was harassed by this bus driver's assistant). It was a for-profit driving school. Took me about a week to learn the rudementaries. The cars I used was Mitsu Lancer & Toyota Corolla. Both had very lousy engines & shitty clutches. By law I could learn from a fellow non-pro driver but we thought it best we were taught by those who make a living from it. I dont want to cook my clutch. I got my license at the age of 20.

If I were to do it again I would have gotten my students permit at an earlier age. The miracles of what a car can do for a teenager.

Now though am thinking of enrolling in local racing schools then eventually scale up to something better.

[Sir_GT]

Originally Posted by OVERLORD_CHRIS Originally Posted by Sir_GT I would fancy an Exige myself, but women bring these strange things with them all the time... I think they're called "pets" and "shopping bags." I personally have no idea what those words mean. Must be a girl thing. hahaha If you start her off right, you both can have a bad ass sports car for ever day, and a slightly bigger car for "shopping"lol

Quiet. Don't give her any ideas.

I hope the upcoming E90 330 is a good car... and under £26 grand.

[Sir_GT]

Originally Posted by evoWALO Now though am thinking of enrolling in local racing schools then eventually scale up to something better.

Just play Gran Turismo 3 with a steering wheel and a manual box. You'll learn so much more than from those racing schools in the Phil.

[ikon2003]

Driver's Ed class in public school - learn all the rules of the road
Behind the wheel mandatory practice lessons - driving time with instructor. (this was useless - just drive around picking up and dropping off people)

I really learned driving with my rents and by myself. My rents taught me stick shift, and then i took it from there.