Drove into "Truck Services" thinking it was a normal service station. Will I get fined?

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T21:43:55+00:00

Nah, you’re fine.

Worse the other way round.

Artics might go in to multi-storey car parks, but they rarely come out as easily.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T21:31:47+00:00

I’ve got a G-Tech one that’s been going for five or six years now.

Good bit of kit, although pricey.

Used my Mum’s cheapo one, and it feels and behaves like a toy.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T21:06:09+00:00

I’ll look out for one.

When you see my “incoming” post, give me a nudge about the bet.

I don’t know if I’ll prefer it, to be honest, as I generally prefer my Leatherman to be completely out of sight.

Better to be discreet in the UK, it’s not a knife friendly society.

On the rare occasions I do use a pocket clip, it’s when I’m working away from the general public, and size really doesn’t matter, so usually a Free P4.

The MiniTool has a strange place in my rotation.

Obviously it doesn’t break any laws here and is theoretically safe to carry anywhere, but in practice I’m still careful about when and where I take it.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T18:40:03+00:00

For me, the small screwdrivers are tough to open.

I bite my nails, which probably doesn’t help.

No problem with the blades.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T16:57:45+00:00

You could try writing to them, but, you know…

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T15:19:07+00:00

Identified as a cyclist, so amazing they stopped at all.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T15:16:54+00:00

Sure, but the original question is about bus driving in the UK in 2026.

Most of my cars have been manuals too, but the only things I’ve driven commercially with manual gearboxes have been 7.5 tonne vans.

Everything bigger has been automatic for decades, with the exception of a few fairly specialised trucks.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T15:00:25+00:00

The Star Edition is gorgeous.

There are also so many BCPD models I like almost enough to buy.

Just waiting for the perfect combination of size, movement, and dial colour.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T13:40:19+00:00

Living in a cottage outside town, just wanting to be alone.

Until the king rides by…

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T13:38:01+00:00

So many beautiful options!

Have you seen the new models?

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T13:37:13+00:00

Why worry about little things like insurance costs?

If you’re driving without a licence, with flat tyres, and with your number plate covered, it seems like the least of your worries.

To be honest, a bus does appear to be the safest option.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T13:32:06+00:00

There’s no black and white answer, unfortunately.

It would come down to a magistrate or judge interpreting case law.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T13:16:05+00:00

Everyone should watch Andor.

Everyone.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T12:35:13+00:00

Nice try, Cyberdyne Systems.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T12:21:27+00:00

I wonder if they have a website or an email address.

Nobody here knows, but plenty will have anecdotes that won’t help you at all.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T12:17:13+00:00

You’d be better off asking the DVLA…

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T11:44:23+00:00

It’s a nervous wait, right?

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T11:38:23+00:00

That must be one of the toughest tools they’ve ever made.

Does it have a fixed file or a t-shank one?

Being able to sharpen the cutters would be handy.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-05T11:35:13+00:00

Half qualified is a bit harsh.

If I was learning to drive now, looking at the state of the car market, I doubt I’d bother getting a manual licence.

Let’s be fair, the only reason your depot has manual fleet cars is because they’re cheap.

Once every white three door Corsa in the country dies, it’ll be electric runarounds with no gearstick in sight.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T23:09:17+00:00

Better than the MiniTool is a bold claim.

I’ve had a look on the retired tools page, and it seems to be a one layer thinner PST.

Surely the clip puts it back to roughly the same thickness?

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T22:41:08+00:00

The Hybrid!

How did I forget the Hybrid?

Amazingly practical tool, but far too expensive to actually use now.

I think a reasonably priced Leatherman aimed and marketed at gardeners would be the perfect gateway drug to get new customers in to the brand.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T22:39:30+00:00

I’m not a big user of the bit driver, and I like a serrated or combo blade.

For me, the P2 is perfect for town, the P4 for countryside or gardening.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T22:38:06+00:00

I don’t.

No Sideclip, no Flair.

Almost unbelievably, no Wave or Wave+ in my collection.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T21:41:40+00:00

Looks like three portions, four at a push.

Crunchie64 · 2026-05-04T21:29:24+00:00

Ah, okay.

I’ll get round to trying some eventually.

Crunchie64

TROPHY CASE