[bmstinton93]

I'm learning atm and I think that learners should drive on the motorway and I also believe that learners are very badly treated by insurance companies as many will even refuse to insure me and the ones that do will do so at a ridiculous price which is mad because a supervised learner is going to be a lot more safe than someone who has just passed their test and starts acting really *.

Sorry dude, but the state of insurance for young male drivers is as it is through experience, not unfound prejudice. Statistically 85% of young male drivers will be involved in a 'fault incident' within the first 12 months of driving. Ergo the premiums now changed. To be fair, I had to pay over £1000 for the first 7 years of my driving life (18-25), even when insuring a £300 car.... And things have only got worse since! Average premium now for young male driver is £2000.

But who would you trust more? People who have just passed or people who are still learning and are scared to try anything to daring and are under constant supervision?

[Boboff]

I have a have a Toyota Hilux Surf mind, it has extra lights and "Bad Boy" in the back window, however it's full of tools and logs and compost and kids, but I can't afford to drive it very far, so it sits and rots and goes flat, and brakes head gaskets which I mend with magic liquid, and I know just how to fix it if a hose comes off etc ( its 1994 model)

I have a Renault Clio 1.2 which I take to school, as it's cheap, and would prefer to do motorway miles in this as I feel better and cheaper.

I would abosolutley LOVE a Land ROver defender with 2 doors and a pick up back, but as a 5 year old one still asks getting on for 10k, it ain't going to happen........

I like the look of Range Rovers, but I would want to fill them with Logs and things, and you can't do that with a 30k vehicle apparently. I resent people who can afford too, but them I still get a semi looking at the new sporty mini's, allas something I just can not justify spending that much money on EVER............ But I know I am doing all I can to save for out future and look after my children what ever happens, so I'll stick with splitting wood, and keeping the central heating off, and replacing jubileee clips on my radiator like I did when I was 19.....

It is all a question of choice, ignorance, and stupidity is ignorance and stupidity, whatever car you drive.

[Arthur]

Reducing the speed limit to 20 near schools and placed used by young people such as parks etc. is a good idea - if you put them all over the place then they may be ignored by some drivers, but if you just stick to schools and parks etc. then most drivers will realise it's a safety thing as it's where a lot of children hang out rather than just slapping 20MPH limits all over the place.

Also I think competent 'learners' who are at the stage when they should be sitting their tests should be taken on dual-carriage ways and motorways so they can gain some experience with a qualified instructor rather then just going it alone after passing their tests.

And one idea that I have thought about is that you should get a certain amount of hours of driving done before being issues with a full driving licence a bit like a pilots licence where you have to do so many hours before becoming fully qualified.

With regards to insurance costs being high for learner drivers, this is simply down to statistics and if you want cheap insurance then do your research and find a car with the lowest cost insurance group - it might not be the car you want but once you get a few years no claims under your belt it starts to come down.

[dimtimjim]

You be careful in the snow Lottie.....