Grrrr... Venting about learning to drive

superscaper

pinkfluffybabe wrote: »

I don't understand why, with all these computer systems they rave about, that they can't pinpoint who doesn't have insurance and who isn't taxed.

That's what ANPR does. It's still being rolled out and currently in the process of being "nationalised". So far it seems to be really successful and I presume it will only get more effective and more far reaching.

C_Ronaldo

To be honest if you want to drive then you pay the price of the lessons etc etc,

superscaper

C_Ronaldo wrote: »

To be honest if you want to drive then you pay the price of the lessons etc etc,

As the old saying goes it's a priviledge not a right.

theallpowerful

C_Ronaldo wrote:

To be honest if you want to drive then you pay the price of the lessons etc etc,

superscaper wrote: »

As the old saying goes it's a priviledge not a right.

Point well made...

Unfortunately it's becoming more and more of an essential of modern life (unless you live in London or some other big city that actually has a DECENT public transport system) Without the car I wouldn't be able to do my job (I'm a peripatetic teacher working with kids with special needs) Shopping would be twice the price and half as useful since I'd be confined to the local spar and costly bus rides to butchers, grocers etc. and I'd have to fork out for expensive train/bus fairs which I'd have to plan weeks/months in advance to see my Grandma in Bristol and my Mum in St. Albans...

sooz

theallpowerful wrote: »

"It's hard and expensive to get a driving license, so I'll just risk it and drive without one"

Just from personal experience, I can list about half a dozen people who are driving around without one for that very reason...

Am I the only one who is shocked by this?

You say you know a friend's sister has not licence or insurance, but don't want to grass her up. And another 6 aquaintances drive illegally too. Does anyone you know have a licence & drive legally?

You should call & anonymously tell the police. I understand you don't want to be seen as the town/village/local grass, so don't ever tell anyone you did it. You won't have to give your name.

If they've told you, and others, they are obviously proud of this fact, and don't give a damn. Why should you care about them either?

Your insurance premiums are higher because of people like them. So are mine.

Do the right thing, and then find better friends.

RadoJo

I agree with previous posters that I am constantly astonished at the number of people apparently driving without insurance and/or a licence. A friend of mine was rear-ended by an uninsured driver whose address and contact details she had, but the police decided it was not cost effective to prosecute, so she was left with higher insurance premiums through no fault of her own! I was livid on her behalf, but apparently it's not uncommon for the police to take no action unless someone has been hurt.

However, I would have absolutely no qualms about 'grassing' on someone I knew was not only breaking the law but putting their own, and innocent people's lives in danger. I can sympathise to some extent with the conflicted feelings of the OP, but you aren't a child, and the law of the playground is a poor excuse for failing to do something which could be a matter of life or death. Do you genuinely believe that 'grassing' is worse than driving without a licence or insurance?

pinkshoes

If I knew anyone driving without license/insurance, whether it was a friend, relative or complete stranger, I would report them!

Why don't we display our insurance next to our tax disc, as well as carrying our license on us?! In france, you HAVE to carry your driving license when driving. A £50 fine for forgetting to carry license should make sure no one forgets it, and those caught driving without a license (i.e. not done a test) should get a 2 months jail sentence, and those caught driving without insurance should get a 1 month sentence!

You don't HAVE to have driving lessons in the UK. You can be taught by anyone over 21 who's had their license for 3 years or more. My dad taught me to begin with, so I needed very few lessons before my test. Passed 2nd time though, as I was so nervous for the first one as the examiner was a right miserable g*t!

superscaper

pinkshoes wrote: »

If I knew anyone driving without license/insurance, whether it was a friend, relative or complete stranger, I would report them!

Why don't we display our insurance next to our tax disc,

ANPR already covers detecting whether a car is insured or not. So this seems a bit superfluous to me. Although I agree with carrying driving licence I'm not sure what that would achieve in deterring non licence holders.

Lyndsay_21

i just can't believe the amount of people who drive around without a lisence (sp) or tax and mot and they drive their children around in these cars too. We managed to pay for OH's lessons even though they where expensive and he would never dream of driving our kids around in anything he deemed to be unsafe. All it takes is one small accident and who know what could happen.

marleyboy

I read a case wherea driver was caught driving with no insurance, or licence. He got an £80 fine and a 2 year ban. considering the cost of insurance is in excess of £300, before even thinking about the cost of the licence, along with the fact, they dont ACTUALLY have a licence, it makes you wonder who is laughing at who here.