Special vehicle, special license ?

Naaah, that was Chargers that could'nt turn corners :))))

Agree, but how is a newbie supposed to know, for example, that sudden changes in direction can cause a rollover? Or that 60lb in a tyre on a dirt road with a roofrack on may not be a great idea ?

I guess the same way a driver learns 180kph is not all that brilliant either.

Advocating a special licence for 4WD's, or VW's, or Chargers, because they have "different" characteristics to what a person may have learnt, gaining their licence in Mum's ford laser automatic, does not make any sense to me.

I didn't "learn" defensive driving from normal driving either. It took time to understand the limitations of the specific vehicle I was driving and that each time I drive a different vehicle, those limitations will change, the same as when your vehicle is driven in different weather, or road, conditions.

It's a no brainer.....

It's got nothing to do with special licences.
It's all to do with experience.

So you are basically saying leave it to the Law of natural Selection ? That if they make a mistake because they don't realize that the handlings different in an emergency, tough luck ?

The handling is not different just in an emergency it's different all the time and one of the basic skill of driving is being able to recognise, and adapt, to changing circumstances eg rain, speed, light, hills etc etc etc.... Different cars have very different handling, braking and steering characteristics. In order to be a safe and capable driver it's essential to be able to accommodate these variations. The basic premise is that a person who passes the car test should be able to cope with the vehicle and circumstance variations within their class of vehicle and that ranges from Starletts to a 4.5t truck. Now if you want to start licence classes (as you seem keen on) then perhaps we'd better consider differentiating between various classes of car 'cause, sure as hell, they vary. How many licence classes do you think we should have?

Mike Harding

More like the law of natural attrition Footy. Survival of the fittest.

Otherwise, the lawmakers would have to ban 60% or more of drivers because they are not capable.

Just imagine, how many "commuters", i.e. those people who drive no further than the local school, or shopping centre who suddenly find themselves in a difficult situation. They have never "done" that before and cannot "handle" the vehicle in those strange situations. Put them on the open road, driving at the speed limit, then introduce a "barrier" of some kind. A kangaroo, a box fallen from another vehicle, a tractor coming out of a side road. They slam on the brakes, locking all wheels and being unable to steer because they don't have and Antilock Braking System and end up off the road, in the loose stuff and totally out of control.

Now, a safety driving course would prepare most drivers for exactly that situation, so everybody should have to do such a course as part of qualifying for a drivers licence.......practical?

Mike, "Now if you want to start licence classes (as you seem keen on)"....actually if you read my posts I have ASKED for input to clarify my own personal thoughts.

How many driver courses actually do what you suggest they should ? Mine didn't, neither did any that I am aware of. I'm highly critical of our driver training BTW.

How many license classes do I think we should have ? I actually didn't mention license classes, I did mention endorsements.

In any case it's clear where you stand.

Sandman, good point on safety driving course as long as the needs of all the different kinds of vehicles you can drive under that license are addressed.
So you prefer to train at the pre license stage ?

Best way to improve peoples driving would be to get rid of all the "safety" items in the vehicle and to put an 8" spike sticking out of the steering wheel. At that point people will realise that safety STARTS with THEM.

The problem is that these days people believe the cars safety devices will save them from whatever bad/stupid driving attitudes they have.

Mate,

One day on a safety driving course at the local motor racing circuit will open your eyes, no matter how long you have been driving.

It has been many years since I did one, but I distinctly remember 3 major points.

Tyre pressures should be set to obtain a stable driving environment rather than a "comfortable ride".

Not locking the brakes will maintain steering capability and actually shorten the stopping distance.

A miserable ten kilometre an hour difference in speed, may well be the difference between "can" and "can't" do.

It is a great leveller for those invincible driver's who think they know it all. When a female can outdrive a testosterone laden "jock", the jock soon adjusts his driving style.

I have said it before, spend $150 (or whatever it costs now) and give yourself the best chance of avoiding serious injury to yourself, your loved ones and other road users. You will absolutely love the experience, even in your 4BY.

anyone remember the bongo van i had one for three weeks & rolled it , that was after everyone telling me whatever you do dont go around a corner with an opposite camber 10kph over the recommended speed for that corner!totally my fault but geez what a bomb.

I suspect that most mums don't drive their kids to school in a 4.5 ton truck. But I also suspect that many do drive their kids to school in a vehicle which they consider to be just a big car, but of course it might handle quite differently in an emergency, in the rain or when cornering at speed.
My thoughts are that perhaps they may not be aware of that until its too late.

I have had my heavy rigid vehicle license for well over ten years now and have not driven a truck since the day I got it.

Now - someone give me a drive of their big TWUCK!!

Equinox, my son just got a license to drive a 6 ton crane...and I hope he never has to :)) They have a habit of falling over around here also :(

Yeah I am heading down that road too Nox, have had my HR for almost 3years haven’t used it in 2 years now. LOL

Hmm...first of all, I've never seen such a sticker...are they on all 4wds ?

I'd argue that my 4wd is in fact a light truck...and behaves like one.

And if anyone wants to drive my truck they had better know what they're doing.
I won't even let my 25yo son drive it. (Well maybe I will now as he used one of the mines ones for a few months...hopefully he now knows that they aren't a Commodore :)

Footloose

I let my kids drive us down the club in my troopy.

They are the designated driver until they get home and raid the grog fridge.

The buggers don't even put a donation on the fridge.

Regards Bob

Boo boo, "a tisket a tasket, a pic i nic BEER ?" :)))

Yeah that’s why I said mine has this sticker, as I don’t remember seeing one in any other 4WD thou.

Probably should of mentioned that LOL.

I still don’t think you need a 4WD license or indorsement to drive one, Just common sense if people don’t relies that different Car’s and 4Wd handle differently and should be driven accordingly then they shouldn’t hold a license.

I believe you learn by doing when you first get into a car or 4WD that is new to you just take it easy and learn and feel how it drives and handles before becoming complacent if you don’t think you are capable of driving a certain car or 4WD or are always nervous then don’t drive it, or go and get training first.

Every body is different some people can jump into 4WD’s and be able to drive them with confidents and know they are different and drive them accordingly, others can’t and you on a individual bases need to know when you should go and get some extra training.

The fist time I drove a 4WD I was on a fishing trip in shark bay I was on my P’s; it was a kitted out 100 Sires. My brother and I and 2 of my cousins took off out of town at night onto a gravel road and then onto a 4WD track for 10 or so k’s then down onto the beach to do a spot of night fishing.

At no time did I feel unconfutable driving it, if I did I wouldn’t of taken it or asked to borrow it, It was my uncles brothers car and all he said was take it for a drive around the block first, if you feel happy driving it no worries, so I did. We told him where we wanted to go, yeah sweet no problems, air compressors in the back and off we went, came back 4Hrs latter had a grate time .

That's my vue anyhow.

Exploder, fair enough. My first "drive" was in a 40 shorty when I was a lad. Work simply said go here and take that. I hadn't been driving for all that long, and had no manual experience whatever (Qld auto license, no such thing in NSW at the time). I can remember that it was sooo high above the ground etc. Ended up getting back to work late as I wasn't game to get out of 2nd gear! Rekkon I could have done with some training :))

Oi! You pinched my stock phrase :)

Dave, so would you differentiate between driver training and driver education ?

I've never heard a more truthfull statement

been sayin the same thing for years.. but its too easy

Willem, it appears that the possum is stirred but not shaken :)

"I kill myself, that's my fault". Yep, unfortunately it costs the taxpayer dollars and your friends and relatives a lot of heartache. Not to mention those who have to attend the accident.

Yes Footloose, I'm a friend who has suffered heartache, and I'm one of the people who have to attend the accident.

John, my sympathies. I've seen too much in my time not to be aware of both situations.

So we simply put it in the "too hard" basket ?

Doesn't have to go in the too hard basket, but who would define the criteria? Would a Suzuki Jimmy require the same endorsement as a Troopy? Would an all-wheel drive vehicle be different from a 2 wheel drive? Would a motorhome be considered differently, and if so shouldn't a caravan also be considered. This is nothing new, Scruby has been trying for years. It could be also considered along with the bullbar debate

So Ray, you're for no change at all by the looks of it. Fair enough. I asled for views and I got them.

MY God.. LOGIC ..

I demand you leave this forum, and planet now!

come live on my planet, its much nicer...no greens at all...

I'm going, I'm going...LOL Can I have directions to your planet, please...???

That, is indeed, the funniest reply.

Cheers