First 'crash'

pinkteapot

I think you should. Firstly, honesty is the best policy. Secondly, might encourage her to get those brakes checked over.

jaydeeuk1

Yeah tell your mum! If it was me I wouldn't tell the insurance company though, unless they're quoting something ridiculous to repair, as you're excess is probably huge being (I'm guessing) young, and your insurance will go up even if you don't make a claim. No one was hurt, so keep schtum, and hope they quote less than £500

HoneyAndLemon

Sorry should have been more clear. I was always going to tell her, I just meant should I tell her now, when shes on holiday and worry her? Or wait until she gets back?

There is absolutely no damage to the car, and I will pay for any repair to the shutter myself, so do the insurance people need to be told at all?

TrickyWicky

Wait until she gets back. Let her enjoy her holiday without the "Oh my god are they ok, is the car a write off" thoughts. I'm sure you don't want your mum to panic and fly back early over a minor incident.

Sounds like your handbrake needs adjusting to be honest because if its fully applied the car shouldn't roll. As for the hill start and moving from the brake pedal to the accelerator, don't feel too bad about it. I've been on the road 4 years now and I still don't like doing it and yes its scary on the steep ones.

Don't feel to bad about it, we all have blunders. I actually have regular nightmares about my brakes not working - no idea why as its never happened to me but I do have them - about 2-3 times a month!

fivetide

I wouldn't tell the insurance.

Much damage to the car? If it is an old one then I'd be tempted to leave it. You could always try some polish and some elbow grease if it's just scuffs though.

Beyond that, the handbrake shouldn't move far to be fully on so If it's pointing skywards it needs adjusting. Fairly simple job on most cars, depends on the set up. If you know a friendly mechanic you can go there. Alternatively, post up the make and model and i'm sure someone on here will know how much it should cost to check over.

also, everyone makes mistakes, it's why new drivers shouldn't get new cars as most take a knock (turn too tight on a corner, bump the kerb etc) in the first year or so!

5t.

HoneyAndLemon

fivetide wrote: »

I wouldn't tell the insurance.

Much damage to the car? If it is an old one then I'd be tempted to leave it. You could always try some polish and some elbow grease if it's just scuffs though.

Beyond that, the handbrake shouldn't move far to be fully on so If it's pointing skywards it needs adjusting. Fairly simple job on most cars, depends on the set up. If you know a friendly mechanic you can go there. Alternatively, post up the make and model and i'm sure someone on here will know how much it should cost to check over.

also, everyone makes mistakes, it's why new drivers shouldn't get new cars as most take a knock (turn too tight on a corner, bump the kerb etc) in the first year or so!

5t.

Just went and checked the car now that I've calmed down, and it looks like someone was watching over me at least. There isn't a scratch. Just some dirt which wiped off, other than that its immaculate.

The maintenance guy came over while I was down and said Id got very lucky as he said I'm not the first to have done it, and their cars have been destroyed by the shutter. He says at worst Im lookin at a couple of hundred for a few panels on the shutter to be replaced.

I will tell my mum when she gets back, but she won't need to contact her insurance I don't think as there isn't any damage to the car at all, and I'm obviously going to foot the bill for the shutter work.

rev_henry

HoneyAndLemon wrote: »

Thanks very much for the supportive posts. The footbrakes have been making a screechy high pitched noise lately when pressed, and I've been telling my mum to get them looked at, but that didn't even occur to me when it happened. I'm wondering if maybe the handbrake needs looked at too.

I know people will think I just didnt have it on properly, but I really did, that's what scared me so much. I felt really stuck. The shutter was so close that when I tried a really quick hill start it just didn't work.

Think I will definately have to get the brakes looked at.

Probably needs new brake pads, and the handbrake adjusting maybe.

Happychappy

Tell her driving just isn't for you, that will make her feel better, the government is spending billions on public transport, so you should be ok ?

HoneyAndLemon

Happychappy wrote: »

Tell her driving just isn't for you, that will make her feel better, the government is spending billions on public transport, so you should be ok ?

Im not going to give up after 1 week, and 1 mistake..

TrickyWicky

Happychappy wrote: »

Tell her driving just isn't for you, that will make her feel better, the government is spending billions on public transport, so you should be ok ?

That is very insulting. You're either a stuck up !!!! who's forgotten what its like to be a newlt qualified driver or you don't even have a licence - in which case you've no real right to comment.

@Honey, take no notice of the above poster but do get that handbrake looked at.

Also, when it comes to clutch control on a hill, be sure to use PLENTY of power and use the CLUTCH for speed control. Little adjustments to the clutch make the difference here so maybe best to hold the car on the hill with the clutch when opening the barrier and then just pull forward with high revs to avoid another stall.