I have Wheels!

15th September 2021

Today was a big day for me, here in Manchester. We picked up my car, a Skoda Karoq from the dealer. I have wheels.

I can sit in the driver’s seat, but can’t drive her.

Introducing my car. She is a 2019 Karoq Sportsline with only 9000 miles or 14,400 km on the clock. She has only had one owner and so is in very good condition. She is automatic transmission, which will be great for not having to change gear in traffic. Because of COVID lockdowns in 2020, she wasn’t driven much and she is very comfortable.

BUT, I can’t drive her until 12.01am on Sunday 19th!

What??? I know that sounds crazy doesn’t it.

I have been driving in Australia, since I was 18. John taught me to drive 41 years ago and I’ve been driving ever since. I have a clean driving record. I’ve never been in an accident – my fault or anyone else’s. I have also have a rating 1 for insurance with a no-claims-bonus.

My Australian driving licence is good for me to drive internationally., although I have moved here permanently, I don’t have to change my licence to a UK one for up to 12 months.

However, for the car insurance, that is required to be had, many of the insurance companies, including the one Stockport Skoda deal with, won’t provide insurance to anyone to doesn’t hold either a Full or Provisional UK/EU (European Union) licence.

So, I couldn’t take my car for a test drive, under the insurance for test drives. Today, I couldn’t drive my car off the dealer lot and I couldn’t drive it back home to Gorton. Thank goodness, my daughter, Nat has a full UK licence and was here help me.

Nat happily took us for a test drive on Thursday last week and she again drove the car today for the journey home. Nat was able to tell me how lovely the car was to drive. How comfortable the sporty bucket seats are and how the seat has a warmer in it. For me, it was about how easy it is to get in and out of the seats, leg room, and how big the boot is.

As an experienced driver, I felt confident that Nat would look after me and my need for a good car. I was able to organise insurance for me to drive my car from Sunday 19th with a company that is comfortable insuring holders of non-British licences. The insurer is called Marshmellow. Sounds dodgy doesn’t it. Well, unusual names for insurers isn’t rare. There was another company who quoted for me called Elephant.

I elected to get insurance from 19th September, because if I had said I wanted insurance straight away, the premium would be higher. The dealer said try getting a quote for after 4 days of having the car, as they can provide complimentary insurance for 4 days for Nat driving the car. I did and also put Nat onto the insurance, so she will be able to drive the car too if she needs.

Now I have wheels I will be able to build my confidence in the Manchester traffic and with a car seat in the back, soon will be able to have Alex with me. Here he is giving her the stamp of approval.