When buying your first car, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want manual transmission, or automatic. In the UK, automatics make up the minority if cars on the road, with just 25 percent of vehicles having an automatic transmission. In the United States, however, manual vehicles are a rarity, with 94.5 percent of vehicles being automatic. Both countries certainly seem to have their preferences when it comes to gears, but what’s best for a new driver? Ultimately, the choice should be based upon two factors: how enjoyable the car is to drive, and how affordable it is. So which type of car ticks all the boxes?
Monthly Archives: November 2014
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Nov 14
Motorway Driving Tests: Are They a Good Idea?
UK-based car rental company Flexed has recently released the findings from a driver survey, questioning whether UK drivers were for or against the notion of adding a motorway driving component to the current UK practical driving test. Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of drivers questioned opted for making the test more challenging, with 52 percent favouring the concept. The greatest number of favourable responses came from the 17 to 24 age category, while older, seasoned drivers were more likely to be against the idea, perhaps having being more confident due to a greater amount of on-the-road-experience. The question is – what would happen if the government were to change the driving test to include a motorway component? Would it be a good thing, or bad?
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Nov 14
Planning Your First Driving Trip in Europe
Once you pass your driving test in the UK, the world is your oyster! With your licence, you’re given what is perhaps the ultimate freedom – an opportunity to see the sights, to road trip with friends, and to travel both locally and internationally without the hassle and cost of public transport. With excellent links between the UK and France (the car ferries and the Eurotunnel), a popular destination for young drivers is Europe, but it’s important to plan this sort of road trip carefully as countries on the continent adhere to different rules and regulations, and drivers can be reprimanded for failing to follow protocol.