Forum Topic

Forget Boys on bikes - 16 year olds can drive micro cars on road from January 2013

A new law comes into effect in January 2013 allowing 16 year olds to drive ‘micro-cars’ such as the electric Twizy, unaccompanied.A new car class is being created by the DVLA for ultra-lightweight cars with a top speed limited to 28mph.Apparently Renault are considering building a low-power version of the Twizy with its top speed limited to 28mph to comply with the rules, and the French firm is currently assessing whether to launch this model in the UK. Crumbs!http://www.renault.co.uk/cars/model/twizy/product.aspx?WT.srch=1

Sarah Felstead ● 5321d14 Comments

They do have to drive them on the pavements ...don't they?

Tony Wood ● 5321d

Great...more traffic on the FOOTPATH for the pedestrian to dodge.

Keith Iddon ● 5321d

Suppose I should have put a :0) in.

Tony Wood ● 5321d

That's faster than my car.

Phil Andrews ● 5321d

You're not the bloke who was driving in the 1st overtaking (middle)lane on the M4 at about that speed the other day were you Phil.If so,I apologise for what I shouted at you and for the oscillating hand gesture...

Keith Iddon ● 5321d

I take it that these cars will not be allowed on motorways or dual carriageways for that matter, they'll cause accidents going that slow. I do think though that you should be able to learn to drive at 16 with the engine size limited. I fear that the robbing insurance companies will put pay to anything halfway sensible.

Vanessa Smith ● 5321d

Not me, but my wife has forgiven you.

Phil Andrews ● 5321d

http://conversation.which.co.uk/transport-travel/renault-twizy-electric-car-quadricycle/Heaven help us if some of the mobility scooter users move over to this as well!

Sarah Felstead ● 5320d

I recall that it was (and may indeed still be) possible to drive a Reliant Robin three-wheeler unaccompanied at 16, once you have passed your test.

Richard Greenhough ● 5320d

My mate's dad had one of these contraptions and he drove it on a motorbike licence as his eye sight had deteriorated and he would never have passed a driving test.No reverse gear used to = could be driven on a bike licence but not sure if that still applies.I know that with a car full of spotty adolescents and one dog that going down the motorway in a high wind almost made the front end lift because of all the weight in the back.

Keith Iddon ● 5320d

Guinness book of records beckons, how many people can you get into a micro-car?I few years ago I dared ask my insurance company if I could put son on my car insurance - he was at university at the time.  I had a Toyota previa with 7 fixed seats and ample room for lots of storage as well.  When the chap heard son was at University he burst out laughing and said to ask again when he wasn't a student!  :-(Wonder how many students would try for the world record in a Micro-car?

Sarah Felstead ● 5320d

A friend once gave me a lift home to Isleworth from a pub in Hounslow in a Reliant Robin, me and seven other passengers.I repeat, me and SEVEN other passengers.Before seat beats were made compulsory, natch.

Phil Andrews ● 5320d

Respect to you Phil...we once had 7,one a big fat unit, in a Hillman Imp going from Blackpool to Lytham circa 1975/6.The arse of the car touching the ground at times..

Keith Iddon ● 5320d

Now they were little (Imps that is, not your friends).When I told my mother about my journey home in the Robin she said it was okay as long as he didn't drive too fast!  Bless.

Phil Andrews ● 5320d