Why some people are too stupid to own a car

[masseyrider]

I started out driving the old TO20 Fergusons my father had in the day.
I was 5 or 6 and too short and light to sit on the seat and step on the clutch and brake so I had to stand.
Only 1st and 2nd gear.
Helped my father pick up stones, collect hay and straw, and in the day before mechanical grape harvesters I drove through the vineyard while he picked up the full boxes of grapes. Saved him getting off and on the tractor with each move.
I was mowing and cultivating the orchard by 10 while he was at work.
Ma didn't like it and would check on me regularly.
I could drive 3 on the tree 56 Ford pickup about 7 when I could reach the clutch and brake.
My father would still be doing hard time if today's child labor/safety rules had applied in the 60s.
I went by myself for my driver's test at 16 Told not to dilly dally around too long, we were busy in peach harvest. I drove a stake truck with a split shift tranny.
The examiner didn't want to go at first.
I got a perfect score.
Tell kids that now and they won't believe you.

 

[jjeff]

Slight drift for Interesting article that reinforces some of my thinking anyway, not worthy of its own thread though. 5 Advantages of Learning How To Drive Stick Shift.

 

[Dftodd]

Slight drift for Interesting article that reinforces some of my thinking anyway, not worthy of its own thread though. 5 Advantages of Learning How To Drive Stick Shift.

The biggest is you won't be stranded if someone has a stick shift, but is unable to drive for some reason.

 

[jjeff]

The biggest is you won't be stranded if someone has a stick shift, but is unable to drive for some reason.

Or stranded if your starter or battery craps out.

 

[Pixguy]

 

[masseyrider]

The biggest is you won't be stranded if someone has a stick shift, but is unable to drive for some reason.

makes me laugh whenever I think about it.
Some guy yanked a woman out of her car trying to steel it. Got caught because he couldn't drive her standard shift.

 

[Dftodd]

makes me laugh whenever I think about it.
Some guy yanked a woman out of her car trying to steel it. Got caught because he couldn't drive her standard shift.

Yup, I laughed over that one as well. We made sure all three kids good drive a stick shift. Daughter fought it, but finally learned.

She was out with friends one night and the driver got injured and was taken to the hospital by ambulance. His car was a stick shify Daughter took his car and got everyone else home.

She actually thanked us for making her learn.

 

[Jstpssng]

My driver's ed instructor told us they found the best drivers were the people who were allowed to ride their tricycles inside when they were kids. Like anything, the earlier you learn a skill the more adept you will pick it up.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

My Dad said when he went to get his permit the instructor rode with him. She asked him what he would do if a guy stepped off the sidewalk going front of the car. Dad said "I'd hit him".
He had to go back, taking test all over again.

 

[jjeff]

.

 

[Bearsixty7]

M

My driver's ed instructor told us they found the best drivers were the people who were allowed to ride their tricycles inside when they were kids. Like anything, the earlier you learn a skill the more adept you will pick it up.

That doesn't surprise me. My son has been riding ATV's since he was 4 or 5 (Polaris 50cc), then a Can-AM 90 and last few years a 500 4x4.
He's 16 and ready to take his Drivers test but it's scheduled clear out to July. I told him we weren't buying him or helping him buy a vehicle until he has a job and can pay for it, fuel and insurance and has to hold the job for 6 months. Until then I'll let him drive my 2000 lifted TJ with manual 5 speed, It has steel bumpers and nerf bars as well as sits up above all cars so he should be really safe. He has been practicing driving with the clutch and felt good about it until I had him stop at our driveway entrance that is pretty steep, that really tested his clutch/brake/throttle skills.

 

[JethroB]

At 18 I went to get a motorcycle endorsement on my license I first got at 16. I asked the trooper if he was going to ride on the back for the the test. “He77 no boy, just loop the parking lot “.

 

[Jstpssng]

At 18 I went to get a motorcycle endorsement on my license I first got at 16. I asked the trooper if he was going to ride on the back for the the test. “He77 no boy, just loop the parking lot “.

They followed me in their car, usung the horn to direct me. 1 toot meant right, 2 meant left. A long blast meant stop... AKA WTF are you doing!!!!

I just checked the Maine DOT website and now they use 2 way radios.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

55 years ago I went to get my motorcycle permit ($50 Harley). At motor vehicles they had cones set up in parking lot. Instructor asked where my bike was, I showed him, then how did you get it here??? I drove it I said. He seemed irritated but I passed.

 

[bigtiller]

I haven't operated a motorcycle for about 35 years.
It seams odd or maybe even dangerous, that my drivers license still allows me to.

 

[Jstpssng]

I haven't operated a motorcycle for about 35 years.
It seams odd or maybe even dangerous, that my drivers license still allows me to.

Ditto here. I actually was talking to a woman earlier this month who has two Harleys, one which she plans to sell. We were getting along well and she hinted that I could use one of hers if we wanted to go for a ride. I said no as I haven't been on a bike since 1991, and also am not inclined to borrow anything I can't afford to replace.

Apparently that was the wrong thing to say because she said bye and I haven't heard from her since.

 

[alexpops]

At least it was a cheap date. (Back when I was single) I usually found out about the goldiggers long after having spent way too much.

 

[Jstpssng]

At least it was a cheap date. (Back when I was single) I usually found out about the goldiggers long after having spent way too much.

She wasn't a gold digger. I actually liked her but she apparently wants somebody she could ride with. I'm not opposed to getting on a bike again but would take some refresher lessons, first.

 

[Dftodd]

At 18 I went to get a motorcycle endorsement on my license I first got at 16. I asked the trooper if he was going to ride on the back for the the test. “He77 no boy, just loop the parking lot “.

I didn't even have to take a riding test when I got my motorcycle endorsement

In Florida and under 21 you have to take a motorcycle safety course. Course I took was done at the community College. Riding was done around a course set up in the parking lot. Plus classroom time as well.

About 4hrs a day was in the classroom, and 4 hours was in the parking lot on little Honda shadow 250cc bikes.

Class was two days and upon completion you were handed a sheet of paper. You took that to the DMV office and they added the endorsement to your license.

Only one person didn't pass the class. It was an older doctor. He couldn't comprehend that to turn you leaned.

 

[Jstpssng]

He couldn't comprehend that to turn you leaned.

That was always my weak point. I leaned, but not as far as I should. My brother would go around a corner on his Honda 350 with me on back and drag the kick stand... intentionally. I could never get over that far.