Starting to drive at a young age

[Moh]

I'm learning to drive, very close to my test and I don't have a job so can't exactly get a car yet. But once I get my licence, I'v pretty much got that for life.

[Shar]

Yes, because you can drive yourself around instead of waiting on your lazy parents

[Rapidshare]

why is it that disabled people can learn to drive younger than normal? i don't understand

Not all disabled people can drive younger, I am classed a disabled person but I do not have the right to drive at 16. Its the fact that you have to be almost (if not) be a wheelchair user to use this 'service'. It is becasue the person will have to learn to drive in a different way rather using the pedals...All the driving it from upfront on the steering whell.

[Conservative,]

Not all disabled people can drive younger, I am classed a disabled person but I do not have the right to drive at 16. Its the fact that you have to be almost (if not) be a wheelchair user to use this 'service'. It is becasue the person will have to learn to drive in a different way rather using the pedals...All the driving it from upfront on the steering whell.

Well, I AM entitled to this age thing, but it is actually nothing to do with wheelchair or w/e...it's if you get DLA (Disability Living allowance) and have a blue badge (disabled badge). I don't use a wheelchair - although I do have one for precaution. It's mainly because it's harder for the person to get around any other way - eg; for me, walking to the local Tesco would take over an hour, and I'd be so tired by the time I got there, I'd probably pass out. Whereas my friends could jog there and back in 30 minutes.

Basically...it's if you have some sort of trouble with movement - like me, I get tired quickly...yes, MOST people getting it are wheelchair users, but not all. Some are because although they don't use wheelchairs, they have mobility problems.

[Rapidshare]

Actually, you need to receive higher rate mobility allowance. The blue badge doesnt even matter.

If you have mobility needs (All Rates)


To get the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, your disability must be severe enough for you to have any of the following walking difficulties, even when wearing or using an aid or equipment you normally use:

• because of a physical disability, you are unable or virtually unable to walk without severe discomfort, or at risk of endangering your life or causing deterioration in your health by making the effort to walk
• you have no feet or legs
• you are assessed to be both 100 per cent disabled because of loss of eyesight and not less than 80 per cent disabled because of deafness and you need someone with you when you are out of doors
• you are severely mentally impaired with severe behavioural problems and qualify for the highest rate of care component
• you need guidance or supervision most of the time from another person when walking out of doors in unfamiliar places

There are two rates of the mobility component depending on how your disability affects you:


Lower rate
If you need guidance or supervision out of doors.


Higher rate
If you have any of the other, more severe, walking difficulties.

Motoring

Learning to drive

The usual minimum age for driving cars is 17. For anyone who is getting Disability Living Allowance at the higher rate (mobility component), the minimum age for driving is 16.

All from the home office website.

[Conservative,]

Gg, lol. But yeah ok.

[Rapidshare]

Gg, lol. But yeah ok.

I would, but my school gym is rubbish, we have NOTHING except a few exercise bikes, and my mum won't let me join the gym. She says it will put strain on my heart :|

I have an exercise bike in my room which I go on, but I want to be benching & stuff. I can leg press 80kg but I can only bench 25 :L I need to get some upper body strength, my legs are strong from skiing

but for some reason I can do like 40-50kg on row machine???

And you recieve DLA? If I knew you in real, i would have reported ya

[SirTezza]

I guess it depends on where you live and also how the public transport is within your area.

When I lived in the UK as a teenager, below 17 I had to use the public transport and it was a mess, I don't miss it at all. I started learning to drive with my dad on private land before I was 17 - because it was private land, your age doesn't matter.

Then once I was 17 I did my lessons and then passed. It gives you so much freedom, which is what you need at a young age.

I have now been driving for 5 years and I wouldn't ever look back!

[tdi]

Robbie, you say you get tired walking up the stairs yet you claim to be skiing? and leg press 80kg? and yet, you recieve higher rate DLA entitling you to a free car which we all have to pay for? now I'm not discriminating, but yeah. I agree with rapidshare.

[benjamin]

love the fact i can drive now, so glad i did it when i was 17!