Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rootes75]

At a recent show we noticed something strange and in our opinion not right. As we were driving around the ring we noticed another car near us where the owner had actually let his 8-10 year old child drive it into the ring and do a circuit! We also noticed her driving it the next day around the show field!

Surely we shouldn't do things like that with our classics, what if the child lost control etc and surely it completely invalidates the owners insurance??

We heard quite a few members of the public and some other drivers noting it and showing their objections.

[dclf1947]

One of the show stewards should have stopped her. If she had an accident they would have been liable as well as the parent. Most shows I used to exhibit at used to insist the exhibitor had at least third party insurance on any mechanical devices i.e. cars, stationary engines etc. but if a vehicle is driven by somebody underage I feel sure the insurance would be invalid.

Dave

[colwyn500]

As a place to which the public have access, it would be illegal on every count fot someone without a driving licence and insurance to drive a car.

[Rick]

Yep that's naughty, pretty much every booking form I see has a clause about all drivers being of legal standing for driving (licence, insurance).

RJ
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[Jason]

that's very naughty and should of been reported at the time imo.
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[Rootes75]

My wife was quite angry about it and after we left the ring she reported it to the stewards, not sure what action was taken though.

They had a company producing a video of the main ring events so it will show her driving on that to anyone who buys it!

[welder]

Naughty but rather nice, in my humble opinion.

I've never been much interested in "The Rules". I was a hippy when I had sufficient hair.....

Go ahead and condemn me, I won't worry too much.

Ian

[ukdave2002]

If they could control the car properly then +++++ at aged 13 I could quite safely drive a car round a circle, but not on a public road .

Come on chaps have you all gone soft ??? Or all gone rules and regs ?

Dave

[Dobbin]

Whilst I agree that they probably shouldn't have been driving, I don't believe any harm was done. I'm also quite sure that the parents are / were responsible and wouldn't have wanted to cause any injury or harm to other spectators or cars, let alone their own. I first drove my father's car, a two or three day old Volkswagen Beetle at age 8 in a farmers field at a sheepdog trials in the early 70's. I'm sure that kick started my love for all things automotive. I allowed both my daughters to 'drive' or at least steer sitting on my knee at about 4 years old eventually driving themselves when they could reach the pedals and see through or over the steering wheel. They both went on to drive and pass their tests first time and one passed with no faults on the practical test. Something I most definately still wouldn't be able to do. What age did you start driving, or at least sit on mum or dads knee to steer?

[Riley Blue]

I've just been looking at the conditions of entry for this weekend's Tatton Park Show. They include: Road Traffic Act rules apply on site.

So whether you think it's harmless or not, at this show at least, it would appear to be a no-no.

BTW - I first steered a car whilst sitting on my Dad's lap at the age of 4 or 5 and drove a tractor when I was 6.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[P3steve]

I've not a problem with letting your kids have a go my dad did when I was 12 on a beach which was empty at the time while on holiday and learnt properly when 16 on the road ways of a disused army camp but there is a time and a place and at a public show is not the right place
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[Riley Blue]

Indeed so - this is from another entry form:

It is considered the responsibility of anyone intending to move any motor vehicle on the Show field to have the correct insurance and licences for both the vehicle and driver.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Penman]

Hi
RTA rules apply anywhere that there is a public presence whether vehicular or pedestrian.
Off road driving for under 17s or other non-licence holders must be conducted in an area which is gated and fenced securely to prevent access by the public.
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[Peter_L]

I know that there would be insurance problems, and RTA rules apply, but perhaps the concerns are more to do with the fact it happened in 2014 rather than years back.

I don't believe that dangers associated with an 8 year old driving are automatically greater, I am sure we have all sat in a box store car park on a busy Saturday and wondered how some folk managed to even arrive safely.

I learnt to move a vehicle at a very early age, my father insisted that I developed the skills to drive slowly, very slowly and with inch precision in all directions.

I didn't actually learn to "drive" until much later, courtesy of disused airfields. On one of my first outings I got to understand that bringing our ex army Morris "Tilley" to a stop from 60mph on wet concrete, was safer when there was less luck and more judgement. I am sure one could boil an egg in less time.

(edyted four bud spilin an grandma)

[Fatbloke]

I remember sitting on my Dad's knee and "Driving" up and down Pendine beach on holiday.

I also remeber finding an old abandoned DAF on the south marston airfield when we were about 14. we got it going and thrashed it about the airfield. (That was before Honda built their factory on it and spoilt all the fun!)

Irrisponsible? Probably. Great fun? definately!

We definately didn't drive it on the 150yards of public road back to my mates house though as that would have been illegal!
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Mike,

A Fatbloke in a Herald.