driving | Ask Honest John

Ask Honest John

Most recently answered driving questions

Is the suspension of the Optima better than that of the Cee'd SW?

The DVLA has written to a friend to say that she had been reported to them for poor driving but would not divulge any details of the 'poor driving' or when or where. Is DVLA permitted not to provide these...

Challenging speed camera photographs

Last night I was flashed by gantry cameras on the M25 which I am told now enforce the national limit even when the variable function is switched off. As I had the cruise set on a respectable 73 mph how...

Car hire - are there age restrictions?

Are there any age restrictions on car hire in the UK, i.e. for over 80s? In particular from the USA into Heathrow. The person has dual nationality and holds a UK driving licence.

Speeding

I think that I have been clocked doing just under 70mph in a 50mph zone. What are the likely penalties - would it be a standard £60 and 3 points or more?

Speed Camera detection in France

I have SatNav that warns of fixed site speed cameras, including those in France. I have been told that the French have (sneakily) made that illegal as of 3rd Jan this year. Is this true? (I wouldn't put...

What tyres for a Discovery?

Can you suggest tyres for my Discovery 3 please? I have read Pirelli Scorpion ATR and Vredestein Xtreme are good. My current tyres are Nexen 255/60R 18H nearing the end of their life. I do very little...

Which tyres for an MX5?

I used to have Avon tyres on my MX-5 and I am currently arguing with my garage who, when I thought they were directly replacing, actually put Federal tyres on there, which I wasn't happy with. They...

What's the usual mph/rpm ratio?

My friends Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 Auto Diesel does 60mph at 2000 rpm in top gear on a flat road. I think this is about 500rpm too much. There is no change in rpm when switching the gear change from normal...

Reducing engine speed to keep an engine working

I drive a petrol Ford Focus mk1 which is 8 years old. When overtaking cars on I get to about 6,000 and then change gear. Would revving the engine to these revs damage the engine especially at the age...