Six times

Is it time to go on reality TV?

What driving errors have you been failed for?

I thought this was going to be Ronan's Champions League prediction.

Haha, I was just going to post that.

Was this after your sixth driving lesson? Need to space these tests out and get a bit of practice...

I did think of a Liverpool connection as I posted, haha. If they win a sixth this year it'll be worth it.

Bob Six, no, in Ireland the administration of tests is so fucked and backlogged that it can take 15 months to get another one. Hence you can drive unaccompanied on a provisional license. So I've been driving for years, like 7 years, but only had 6 tests.

Oh well, I guess I won't need a license in London.

"And" six times in a row

Hmm...I live in London, have a driving licence, but have never owned a car - so it's possible to get by without one.

However, I do find it slightly annoying when relatives say to me 'Oh you live in London - you don't need a car' when I know they would never dream of travelling by public transport.

hmm, what about a moped?

Six long times.

Mopeds are fucking great. Bicycles are even better though.

Idiot Ronan

You've had a car all this time?!

YES.

I'm fairly sure if I drove any of you anywhere you'd all be happy and secure in the journey. But judging by the test you'd also be at risk the entire time, from erm, something or other.

Don't worry Ro - it took my mate Emma 14 goes, including one where they wouldn't let her out of the test centre carpark because she was shaking too much. You've a long way to go yet.

Plus, you won't need a car livnig here. I blame London for my continuing lack of a driving license. I've now decided to not even bother, unless I 1) Move somewhere else or 2) Have kids.

I gave up trying to learn to drive after failing three tests - the first fail was within 30 seconds. That was nearly 15 years ago. Since then driving hasn't been an option for me due to either living in London or lack of money.

Hmm yeah, I really wanted to get it before I went I guess, just for renting a car if I was on holidays somewhere or whatever.

The funny part is the first time I did the test, aged 17, I only failed on reversing around the corner. Mainly because I hadn't been driving long and thought "let's give this a go" and hadn't had proper preparation etc. But I got barely any other faults that time.

i wish i had a car just so i could drive out of this shitsville now and then

I only failed on reversing around the corner

wow, i don't remember having to do anything like this. it doesn't even seem like it would be legal?

otm (x-post)

you may not need a car in London BUT (a) public transport in London is shit (b) you can get landlocked in London and never see the rest of the UK (c) plus rail fares in UK are incredible expensive.

public transport in London is shit

come to Los Angeles. You will be calling your "shit" gold right quick.

compared to the rest of Europe then...

Ronan is still a Young Person I think so that's a hefty chunk of rail fare off already.

I'm thinking of buying a car as no-one else I know has one, and my band needs some sort of transport, but as a result of not owning a car in 6 years all insurance quotes I look at are mental, more than the value of any car I'd consider owning. Stupid London.

unlucky Ronan.

compared to the rest of Britain London's public transport is great.

but you don't need to know how to drive, here, BLAM

I got my license at 16 and was immediately driving a 3/4 ton v8 truck. Also, in driver's ed my instructor showed me how to do j-turns.

I never even had to take a state-sponsored road test. Driving tests in the UK sound difficult.

but you don't need to know how to drive, here, BLAM

One of the many reasons I hate the Western US version of the city. I lived in DC for 6 years prior to coming West, and would sometimes go weeks without using the car.

I'm an Eastern US kid, and I've had a license since I could get one, but had no car of my own until I was 21 and moving to the rural South. Having been out in Los Angeles for two years, I really miss subways and feasible bus routes. When in London about a year ago, I spent a day just riding the Tube. It was a lot cleaner than it had been during my previous visit about 13 years earlier.

six times?? cripes. what did they fail you for? i was to do my test for the first time in early march but since im moving abroad, i decided not to bother.

Woo congrats! I also failed my test 6 times! Then gave up, cos y'know, fuck it.

That was 10 years ago, and the test has probably only got harder since then, so I am basically never going to be able to drive.

jesus ronan, you have driven me and i was not warned!

(xpost) The test has got harder. They keep adding stuff to it: two reversing manuvers, written test, basic under-the-bonnet knowledge, etc., etc..

Oh and public transport in London isn't great but is way ahead of where it was a decade ago. And it's bloody amazing compared to where I live now (out in the sticks).

Nothing personal Ronan, but I have to cheer a system that would fail anyone six times. Apparently they are serious about your knowing how to drive. That is not the case stateside.