How Does Oppo Feel About These?

"412GTI" (sixspeedab) 01/09/2020 at 11:25 • Filed to: QOTD

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Student/New Driver stickers. After noticing two on my commute this morning it had me thinking that these seem a lot of prevalent nowadays, at least in my area.

What do you think, would you put one of your car when teaching your children to drive? I never had one when learning how to drive and neither my friends. Seems like thing that has started over the past few years. I don’t think I would, but realize I’m think  like a mid-20 year old and not a parent.

Ash78, voting early and often > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:34

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I hate them, it’s like asking for special treatment (which nobody will give). Besides, if we all gave this car a wide berth and kept away from them, how will the driver learn?

I always just assumed they were a legal requirement in some places.

Gamecat235 > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:35

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I think they help. I don’t get frustrated  at labeled student drivers like I do “normal” drivers. It’s a de-escalation tool, and it works for many people. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:35

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I tend to act like less of an asshole when I see one of those stickers and/or realize the driver looks 12. So...yeah, they probably have a positive impact. 

jimz > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:37

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eh, they don’t bother me.

though I did see one in a parking lot one day on a Fusion; ‘cept the owner stuck it on the top  of the trunk lid.  Didn’t think that one through.

412GTI > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 11:39

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Kinda how I feel, although I do get the aspect that if said student driver does something student it potentially de-escalates road rage. However you do have to learn and take it off someday..

412GTI > Gamecat235 01/09/2020 at 11:40

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Yeah I get the de-escalation part, some people do get really angry over minor or stupid driving mistakes, which a student driver likely will make.

MonkeePuzzle > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:40

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I feel shocked that the USA doesnt have a requirement for designating learner drivers like so many other countries do.

The L and P plate process in Australia makes so much sense to me. 

412GTI > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind 01/09/2020 at 11:41

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I find it interesting when I see one of a vehicle that doesn’t have a driver that looks 12..but also doesn’t look like a mother/father.

412GTI > jimz 01/09/2020 at 11:42

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Hey majority of vehicles are crossovers & trucks so maybe that works?

412GTI > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 11:43

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I do like that idea unless it involves more DMV time 

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:44

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I don’t mind them, and they’re a legal requirement around here for a driver’s ed car. I’ve very occasionally seen a few on private vehicle. There was a new Corolla that used to be around my next neighborhood with “new driver, please be patient.”. It was always being driven by an Asian family in their late 30's or 40's. Given the area, they were likely here for something connected to the university. I can understand the idea, and I imagine learning to drive as a middle -a ged adult in a land where everyone else learns to do it at 15 would be a little more daunting experience.

Ash78, voting early and often > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:44

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When I was 16, it should have said “GOOD LUCK KEEPING UP! STUDENT DRIVER.”

It wasn’t a fast car. It was “slow car fast”

The other day I saw a “Manual transmission, please stay at least 5 feet back.” That was odd...but I realize that in a world almost devoid of manuals, people might get right up on your ass without thinking about it.

PartyPooper2012 > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:44

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I sometimes want to cut them off or speed past them to show them real world... but I don’t. I let them be. They don’t bother me. 

WilliamsSW > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:45

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I want to get a Porsche 930 or Cobra replica and put one of those on it. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:46

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LOL - never too late to learn?

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 11:48

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Interesting. What car was it on, and is your area pretty hilly?

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:49

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DutchieDC2R > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:50

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The fact that people feel the need to carry these says something about todays soceity. Patience, peace of mind, they’re all becoming quite rare while sitting in traffic nowadays. Everyone needs to get somewhere, as soon as possible, wi thout ANYONE being in their way or else....

I do understand people carrying those tags. They hope for a bit of understanding, which I think they won’t get in most cases, but hey, at least it wa rn s other drivers up front so they dont have to rage at 'why is this person so slow/undecisive etc etc'.

Chuckles > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:50

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I think they are good. It serves as a good warning to you that “hey, this driver might not behave as you’d expect an experienced driver to behave, so it’s in your best interest to watch out.”

It certainly seems like a new phenomenon, but the fact that we all grew up without them doesn't necessarily make it bad.

Ash78, voting early and often > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 11:51

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Old Isuzu or Mazda pickup, and yes, it’s pretty hilly around here. Just a quick screencap of the middle of the suburban metro :

Chariotoflove > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:51

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I’ve always seen them. But I’m a little concerned that a student would be asked to learn during the crazy morning commute period. Of course that depends on how hectic the commute is where you are. 

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:51

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I knew a guy who had one at age 26 or so, because he was relatively new to the road but was  just that bad of a driver.  After he nearly killed us three or four times, I stopped riding with him. 

Chuckles > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:52

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Sometimes it’s a shared vehicle and another person might be driving when you see it. 

HammerheadFistpunch > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:52

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Im fine with it.  Its a good reminder to cut people some slack.

412GTI > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 11:57

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No idea if it’s true, but I’m guessing a lot are H1-B tech workers who never drove before in their home country. 

The Ghost of Oppo > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 11:58

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If yinz learnin to drive in Pix burgh, you better get used to people tailgatin ‘n at.

But in all seriousness, I’ve seen these around a lot recently as well. I don’t know how to feel.   I f people are tailgating you going the speed limit, then they will probably do it no matter what your bumper sticker says. And if you can’t handle driving normally you should probably take it back to the parking lot.

412GTI > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 11:58

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Ha, but having people on your ass when learning a manual is all part of the experience. I know I got a lot faster because of that! 

412GTI > ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 12:00

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Yeah of the older folks I’ve seen with one on their car (mid 20-30), I’m guessing they’re H1-B tech workers who never driven in their home country. So I get it, people get worked up over little problems and this might help with that. 

412GTI > DutchieDC2R 01/09/2020 at 12:02

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Yep I get that and sometimes have to remind myself that people make mistakes while driving and it isn’t a huge deal. I can see this helping with that. 

412GTI > Chuckles 01/09/2020 at 12:02

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Good point. 

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 12:03

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Always worry a bit about my wife when she drives my truck. My car has hill start assist, but my truck doesn’t.

412GTI > Chariotoflove 01/09/2020 at 12:03

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I think in todays case, it was the parents driving their vehicle without taking the magnet off. Which is kinda lazy but oh well. 

facw > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 01/09/2020 at 12:04

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So I’m told that the real purpose of those stickers is to let first responders know to check the car for a baby. Personally I think it’s mainly because people are excited about having a kid.

412GTI > WilliamsSW 01/09/2020 at 12:05

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Someone on the GTI page put one on his obnoxiously loud/fast car. Kinda funny, kinda silly. 

Tekamul > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 12:06

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What’s this  5 feet nonsense?

facw > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:06

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Embarrassing for the student driver (probably shouldn’t be, no one is born an expert in any skill), but good over all. It gives warning to other drivers that the vehicle may behave differently than we’d expect, so we should have a little extra caution guessing what it might do. 

412GTI > The Ghost of Oppo 01/09/2020 at 12:08

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As someone who grew up outside of the city and now moved here..I don’t know if I would want to learn in the ‘burgh. Lots of Jagoffs n lane changes. 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Chuckles 01/09/2020 at 12:08

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Counter-point: These are the people I’m generally most comfortable around because they actually behave! U sually student drivers are scared shitless, do exactly the speed limit, ten-and-twoing it, right down the middle of the lane .

It’s the 40-something soccer moms flying down Rt. 7 in a BMW X5 at 10 over, changing radio stations, texting, and talking to their BFF on the hands-free while the kids play games on the iPad that I’m watching out for.

412GTI > Tekamul 01/09/2020 at 12:09

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‘Ol reliable! 

412GTI > facw 01/09/2020 at 12:10

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Agree with that. 

Chuckles > Snuze: Needs another Swede 01/09/2020 at 12:10

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True, but there is still a learning curve. New drivers occasionally brake way too hard, or stray out of their lane, or try to turn from the wrong lane because they haven't been through that intersection hundreds of times like an experienced driver. 

ttyymmnn > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:14

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I have one and I use it for my son. It doesn’t ask for patience, it just lets others know it’s a novice driver. Still doesn’t keep people from being an asshole when my teen is a tad indecisive. 

ttyymmnn > Chariotoflove 01/09/2020 at 12:15

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We use them, and I have, on occasion, jumped in the car and forgotten to take it off. 

Spanfeller is a twat > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:15

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It causes me anxiety but at the same time I approve

ttyymmnn > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 12:16

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Or a parent who forgot to remove the magnetic tag. I’ve done that a few times. 

412GTI > ttyymmnn 01/09/2020 at 12:19

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Oh I’m sure, assholes rarely change. 

412GTI > Spanfeller is a twat 01/09/2020 at 12:19

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My thoughts exactly

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:25

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Around here, this is a sign that you should avoid this person at all costs because they’re almost guaranteed to be from somewhere driving is foreign to them or a developing nation where the rules of the road are merely suggestions . I think they hand them out at the driver education places that the various visa holders and immigrants learn at in their native language , then they put them on their cars because they think they’re mandatory (because L plates and various stickers are mandatory in many parts of the world for many years , so they think these stickers are required here ). Various “ baby on board” signs & stickers seem to be a similar plague, likely due to a similar belief.

Curiously, my state has actually considered requiring them for young drivers, but to my knowledge it never passed.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:32

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We have a lot of these visa tech workers combined with the Chinese people using our real estate as a place to hide their money of questionable origin. None seem to have ever driven cars in their home countries (either it was way too expensive or they employed a driver ). It makes some areas completely terrifying to drive in.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > MonkeePuzzle 01/09/2020 at 12:33

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Their government is probably semi-functional. Have you seen the US lately?

GLiddy > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:35

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I generally don’t like to advertise these things, and so despite almost buying something like it, I decided not to. I have a 16 year old and he is learning to drive a manual, so I was really looking for a sign that would convey something like, “Student Driver: The vehicle has a clutch. May stall or roll back. Keep your distance.”

The problem is that its all too verbose and someone would have to get close to read it. I really wish we used the big “L” decals that they use in the UK. Sure, I could put one on the car, but how many people would know what it meant?

t0ast > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:41

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I’m largely indifferent here and probably wouldn’t bother with it for my (purely hypothetical) children ... unless they asked for one, maybe . Additional education and practice will go much further than any sticker will. Attempts like these to artificially make their time out on the road “easier” also feel like an exercise in futility, or worse, might facilitate unrealistic expectations and bad habits . That said, I do  try to allocate a little more attention and patience their way when I see one.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > facw 01/09/2020 at 12:41

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There is no way a first responder wouldn’t notice a baby seat in a car, these are just stupid for the kind of people that we now call “Karens”.

Tripper > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:46

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I don’t disapprove of them, and I bet they work great for some “hot head” drivers, but I hate stickers on cars especially ones with words. I wouldn’t put one on my kids car but wouldn’t stop her if she wanted one. She is 1 so no worries for a little while.

Jim Spanfeller > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 12:57

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I need one that says, “Be patient, I’m learning to drive a manual”. I stalled like five times this morning at a stop sign... I feel so bad for the poor, unfortunate 2002 Civic I’m borrowing.

fintail > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 13:00

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I’ll refrain from honking and give a wide berth with something like this.

I love going to Vancouver and seeing “N” badges on new McLarens or tuned Euros etc, mixes that probably shouldn’t be legal, but in the land of money laundering and pay for play residency, it works.

Nothing so formal in WA - fog a mirror, pay the fees (especially with testing being privatized), and have fun in your new Veyron or 42' motorhome, no special badges needed.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 13:01

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I feel impatient.

Ash78, voting early and often > Tekamul 01/09/2020 at 13:07

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Sadly, the proliferation of electronic parking brakes and foot-operated parking brakes makes the traditional hill hold pretty rare.

Plus I’ve never seen anyone in the US do it (except me). I learned it from a 70-something Spaniard driving a 30-year-old Fiat.

Ash78, voting early and often > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 13:07

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Plus, peeling out in a 100hp FWD car just feels cool when you’re a kid.

CalzoneGolem > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 13:08

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It really makes me want to mess with them. Like to drive about them in an erratic manner.

Tekamul > Ash78, voting early and often 01/09/2020 at 13:13

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Know that I’m out there with you, pulling the handle on most hi lls. You’ll know it’s me by the way my DRLs shut off on a hill ;)

The rare new cars with both a manual and electronic parking brake typically have an automatic “hill assist”.

Of course, how well they work can be an issue. My wife’s 2016 manual A4 had this, but at the wrong angle (just enough to need it) sometimes it would refuse to disengage until you’re smoking the front tires or stalling. It was terrible, but also repeatable enough that I knew which hills would do it.

Dealer said “It’s normal, more gas, dump the clutch”

412GTI > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 13:27

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Interesting. I’ve def noticed them on what appears to be 20-30 foreign drivers as well. Pretty obvious to pick them out over a 16 year old because the ALWAYS drive some sort of used Camry without headlight on at dusk. 

Derpwagon > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 13:28

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The whole continent is on fire and their government is saying WE CAN’T TALK ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE LET’S FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY.

But I get that it gets in the way of your narrative, so, carry on. 

Derpwagon > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 13:30

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I appreciate your freudian slip. 

Derpwagon > Chariotoflove 01/09/2020 at 13:32

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My driver’s ed teacher expected us to have sessions during shitty times. “may as well learn rush hour with an instructor rather than on your own. it can be scary the first few times”. He also brought us through drive throughs during lessons. “you really expect to tell me you’re never going to eat in your car? I’d rather you find out what works and what doesn’t when I can stop the car, rather than sending out a new driver and them having no idea”.

Worked for me.

Chariotoflove > Derpwagon 01/09/2020 at 13:36

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There’s value in that method.  I just hope it’s done with thought to the experience of the student.  That’s something that should be in the advanced part of the course, after logging plenty of time mastering maneuvers on empty roads.

Derpwagon > Chariotoflove 01/09/2020 at 13:39

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Yeah these were our ‘test sessions’ after classroom, basics, and getting the permit and spending some time driving with parents. next step was the license test.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Derpwagon 01/09/2020 at 13:40

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I mean, have you seen ours at a macro level lately? I just have this vision that their public servants are slightly more effective, kind of like Canada.

Chariotoflove > Derpwagon 01/09/2020 at 13:45

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I learned in a Delta 88 with three other students.  One was a girl who should under no circumstances ever have been allowed to get a license.  She could barely master staying between the lines on a suburban road. Some people are never ready to advance, but they end up on the roads with the rest of us anyway. 

412GTI > fintail 01/09/2020 at 13:45

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I’d always laugh at some of our foreign students in college driving Z06's & Lamborghini’s when they’ve never driven in the US before.  

412GTI > Tripper 01/09/2020 at 13:53

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God bless Demetri Martin, he’s so funny.

412GTI > Jim Spanfeller 01/09/2020 at 13:54

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Been there when I bought a manual without knowing how to drive. 

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 01/09/2020 at 14:46

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“Baby on board” is synonymous with “I can’t be arsed enough to pay attention to where I’m going.”

fintail > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 14:57

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What can go wrong?  Daddy’s often sketchy money can solve any issues.

Dogsatemypants > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 15:18

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I look at them as an invitation to do a pop quiz on defensive driving skills and proactive response.

412GTI > fintail 01/09/2020 at 15:41

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Right..here’s one sad example.

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/penn-state-student-killed-in-crash-on-south-atherton-street,1477804/

fintail > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 15:43

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It’ll sound glib and heartless, but at least no innocents were harmed.

The same kind of thing is not unknown in the PNW/Vancouver, too.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Tekamul 01/09/2020 at 16:35

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Fun fact: I never had a working parking brake until moving out of the Midwest. Rust destroyed the cables. Parking a  manual, you leave it in gear and hope you can rest the tires against something.

Tekamul > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 01/09/2020 at 17:17

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R ust is a bitch up here in VT too, but we just replace them a lot. The state a nnual inspection makes sure of that. It's probably the 2nd most common replacement behind windshields.

ranwhenparked > 412GTI 01/09/2020 at 19:10

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I like them - kind of a warning to maybe try to give that car an extra wide berth. The same way you would for a Kia Soul, a beige/champagne colored Toyota Avalon, an old Buick,  or any car with a vinyl or carriage roof.