How many on here wouldn't get in a car with a new driver?
Discussion
Bit of a dillema for me, wondering what the average PHer thinks and whether I'm being over-cautious.
I share a lift to work with 2 other lads and we all take turns doing the driving, all have many years experience and are sensible behind the wheel. We recently started sharing with a young lad who could drive but didn't have a car - this has now changed and he's just bought his first motor and is determined to do his share of the driving rather than just chipping in with petrol costs.
My thoughts are I'd rather he got at least a few months experience under his belt before I'd feel comfortable getting in with him. My colleagues are quite happy to let him drive as long as he's sensible and doesn't drive like an arse.
At the moment I'm thinking I'll be driving myself in when its his turn - am I being a fanny?
Oh, and for the record I was nearly killed to death by a young, inexperienced mate who wasn't driving like an arse but misread the road conditions and had a huge pile up. Its made me a little paranoid.
I share a lift to work with 2 other lads and we all take turns doing the driving, all have many years experience and are sensible behind the wheel. We recently started sharing with a young lad who could drive but didn't have a car - this has now changed and he's just bought his first motor and is determined to do his share of the driving rather than just chipping in with petrol costs.
My thoughts are I'd rather he got at least a few months experience under his belt before I'd feel comfortable getting in with him. My colleagues are quite happy to let him drive as long as he's sensible and doesn't drive like an arse.
At the moment I'm thinking I'll be driving myself in when its his turn - am I being a fanny?
Oh, and for the record I was nearly killed to death by a young, inexperienced mate who wasn't driving like an arse but misread the road conditions and had a huge pile up. Its made me a little paranoid.
Depends really. When I first got insured, I was really grateful to a mate of mine who came with me on an unnecesary drive around the countryside. Most of my driving at the time was with mates, who could all drive. I found it helpful to have someone with experience to offer advice.
I then drove to germany 3 weeks later, with my mum, and I did all the driving. The first week was all it took to get comfortable outside of a learner driver situation and also accept the fact people were treating me as a confident driver rather than a learner.
Give him the bennefit of the doubt. It will make him feel good and you will feel good if you can offer tips.
also, how old is he and what car is it?
I then drove to germany 3 weeks later, with my mum, and I did all the driving. The first week was all it took to get comfortable outside of a learner driver situation and also accept the fact people were treating me as a confident driver rather than a learner.
Give him the bennefit of the doubt. It will make him feel good and you will feel good if you can offer tips.
also, how old is he and what car is it?
mdavids said:
Oh, and for the record I was nearly killed to death
That's got to be the worst way to go .It wouldn't worry me overly tbh. I spent plenty of time with new drivers back when all of us of that age were learning to drive and am still here.
I'd be watching the road/their driving, but then I do when I'm being driven by anybody. If their driving worried me then I'd point it out. I'd only say no to being driven if they'd already proved themselves to be at risk by driving like an idiot.
jagnet said:
It wouldn't worry me overly tbh. I spent plenty of time with new drivers back when all of us of that age were learning to drive and am still here.
I too have spent plenty of time with new drivers and only just survived to tell the tale and now I'm older and wiser I was kind of hoping to avoid getting in those situations again. I was thinking it would be less offensive to say to him " give yourself a few months by yourself and get some experience"
rather than getting in with him, finding that he's a liability and having to tell him his drivings a bit rubbish.
I persoanlly wouldnt have a problem, unless he did something to make me think that way. Often find that the younger generation are the best people to be in a car with (Im a Car Salesman, and only youngish 25 myself). The older generation worry me more, 70yoa, slipping the clutch everywhere, not sure what is going on round them, sudden lane changes, thats what scares me more!
Seems you're being a little over sensitive about it. You can always call him into check if he's driving like a nobber. Also, if it's to and from work, it will be a familiar route. It's a lot easier to drive on a familiar route, even if you're a new driver - knowing hazards, problems etc. It's typically new routes that less experienced drivers struggle with.
Having been in a number of write-offs "back in the day", I became quite a nervous passenger - especially with young/new drivers! You quickly get to know who's careful/sensible and who drives like an arse, so just use your head and if you don't feel comfortable with their standard of driving insist on someone else driving!
Dom
Dom
SS2. said:
As long as he drove sensibly (do you think that he won't ?), then there shouldn't be a problem..
Its more of a general distrust of young, inexperienced drivers, rather than anything specific to this guy. Saying that he gives me the impression that he'll be a little hot-headed and overconfident.mdavids said:
I too have spent plenty of time with new drivers and only just survived to tell the tale and now I'm older and wiser I was kind of hoping to avoid getting in those situations again.
I was thinking it would be less offensive to say to him " give yourself a few months by yourself and get some experience"
rather than getting in with him, finding that he's a liability and having to tell him his drivings a bit rubbish.
Putting myself in his shoes I bet he's probably nervous or conscious that you'll be judging his ability as a driver. He'll probably be more interested in showing older more responsible people that he can drive properly. Young lads are a problem when they're with similar aged mates and are showing off (as I presume you experienced and has put you off understandably) or coming under peer pressure. I say give him a chance, although some young lads have more confidence than ability I've found newer drivers to be far better than old drivers when doing test drives at work and apologies for the stereotyping but that's my personal experience. On the point of being worried about telling him he's a bit rubbish if you do have to do this, hopefully not, might be a wake up call if he's being irresponsible and you could be doing him a favour.I was thinking it would be less offensive to say to him " give yourself a few months by yourself and get some experience"
rather than getting in with him, finding that he's a liability and having to tell him his drivings a bit rubbish.
th85 said:
Putting myself in his shoes I bet he's probably nervous or conscious that you'll be judging his ability as a driver. He'll probably be more interested in showing older more responsible people that he can drive properly. Young lads are a problem when they're with similar aged mates and are showing off (as I presume you experienced and has put you off understandably) or coming under peer pressure. I say give him a chance, although some young lads have more confidence than ability I've found newer drivers to be far better than old drivers when doing test drives at work and apologies for the stereotyping but that's my personal experience. On the point of being worried about telling him he's a bit rubbish if you do have to do this, hopefully not, might be a wake up call if he's being irresponsible and you could be doing him a favour.
Some very good points here, puts things in a different perspective. I'm actually still learning, but i have been driving cars since i was about 14, and drove for about 3 months before my first lesson (on provisional obviously) and I drive 9ft wide tractors for work, often with 28 odd ft of trailer...or 30 odd tons 
so, some learners and 'new drivers' are actually pretty experienced... also, there's experience, and I think for a certain degree, there's talent, I've seen new drivers who are very good, and people who have driven for years who are absolutely s
te....
so, some learners and 'new drivers' are actually pretty experienced... also, there's experience, and I think for a certain degree, there's talent, I've seen new drivers who are very good, and people who have driven for years who are absolutely ste....Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff