Will the driving test have to change

QrizB

1961Nick said:
The driving skills I grew up with are disappearing faster than ever - left foot braking, double de-clutching, clutchless changes, heel-toe downshifts. 

Obsolete skills for a bygone age.

No-one reminisces fondly about manually adjusting the ignition advance or total loss lubrication.

michaels

More relevant is that currently EV insurance groups are massively higher than for starter ice cars - not a lot under group 15 whereas there is a fair choice of group 1 ice cars.

Mr.Generous

When I switch from my auto to wife's manual I sometimes brake to a juddering stall halt because I forget the clutch. 38 years driving manuals undone in 2 years in an automatic. I am also lax with the handbrake because of auto hold. I did read somewhere that no new cars sold in the UK now have a manual handbrake, so a gradually disappearing feature once again.

Do I miss pulling the choke out on a cold morning?

pete-20-11

I remember the days BEFORE power steering.

Really got a workout on a drive. 🤣

Nick_Dr1

Even with old ICE cars it wasn't necessarily sweetness and light. Mercedes for example used to have the "handbrake" controlled by a footpedal next to the clutch. As most Mercedes were automatic this wasn't really a problem once you knew were it was!
You were supposed to let if off gently by letting your left foot control the rise of the pedal, once you had released it with your left hand. Ok, except in that in a manual, your foot couldn't do the footbrake pedal and the clutch at the same time, resulting in a most un Mercedes like "bang" as the hand brake was released violently, particulalry during a hill start..

In response to the issue of braking quickly in an EV, they have (even newer ICE cars) collision detection, so as soon as you touch the brake pedal, and if the car thinks you are not pushing it hard enough, it will do it for you! Mine did this to me the other day. I had it under control and thought it was being a bit of a wuss, but nice to know its looking after me (and itself!)

sheenas

It does limit you in terms of hire card or more likely a Van, never driven an automatic van.

Magnitio

Nick_Dr1 said:

Even with old ICE cars it wasn't necessarily sweetness and light. Mercedes for example used to have the "handbrake" controlled by a footpedal next to the clutch. As most Mercedes were automatic this wasn't really a problem once you knew were it was!
You were supposed to let if off gently by letting your left foot control the rise of the pedal, once you had released it with your left hand. Ok, except in that in a manual, your foot couldn't do the footbrake pedal and the clutch at the same time, resulting in a most un Mercedes like "bang" as the hand brake was released violently, particulalry during a hill start..

In response to the issue of braking quickly in an EV, they have (even newer ICE cars) collision detection, so as soon as you touch the brake pedal, and if the car thinks you are not pushing it hard enough, it will do it for you! Mine did this to me the other day. I had it under control and thought it was being a bit of a wuss, but nice to know its looking after me (and itself!)

The Nissan Leaf also has a "handbrake" controlled by a foot pedal. Fortunately, it doesn't have a clutch.