What are the differences between a training car and a regular car?

[VonDominic]

The differences between a training car and a regular car: 1. Different license plate colors: Training cars have yellow license plates, while regular cars have blue ones. 2. Different controls: In addition to the standard controls on the left side for students, training cars are equipped with specialized devices on the right side of the cabin for instructors, such as auxiliary brakes and auxiliary rearview mirrors. Regular cars have all controls on the left side of the cabin for the driver's use. Training cars are specifically designed for driving schools to teach students how to drive, and unlike regular vehicles, they have unique requirements tailored for instructional purposes.

[OOmar]

I used to drive a training car for several years, and the differences compared to regular cars are quite significant. Training cars have an additional set of controls in the co-driver's seat, including auxiliary brakes, accelerator, and clutch, allowing the instructor to correct students' mistakes at any time. The interior rearview mirror also has several specially widened mirrors compared to regular cars, making it easier to observe the position of the wheels on both sides. Additionally, the car body is noticeably reinforced, with particularly thick front and rear bumpers, just in case students frequently scrape the car while practicing parking. The engine is usually tuned to a low-power version, so it doesn't jerk too much when starting, but the power is noticeably weaker when driving. These modifications are all for teaching safety and make training cars less smooth to drive, but their durability is indeed strong—they can withstand frequent rough handling by beginners.

[LolaLynn]

Back when I was learning to drive, I paid special attention to the training cars. The biggest difference from regular family cars is their safety design. The steering wheel is significantly heavier than in normal cars, preventing loss of control when beginners make sudden turns. The rear seats are basically unused, but the mirror arrangement is quite unique – besides the standard rearview mirror, there are two oversized side mirrors. Training cars also have a warning siren installed on the roof to alert other vehicles during road practice. The rear and doors are marked with highly visible 'Training Car' signs in red letters on a yellow background. They usually choose basic manual transmission models to ensure students fully master driving skills. However, with lower configurations, the air conditioning often underperforms, making summer practice sessions quite sweaty.

[MilesLynn]

The veteran mechanic at the auto repair shop told me there are significant differences between training cars and regular sedans when it comes to maintenance. The brake pads and clutch plates of training cars are replaced much more frequently because novice drivers tend to stomp and release them abruptly. The engine compartments are equipped with additional safety switches that automatically cut off power in case of a short circuit. The tires are specially designed with extra-thick sidewalls to prevent blowouts even when students scrape against curbs. While regular cars have lighter and more comfortable steering, training cars deliberately feature heavier mechanical power steering to help students better feel the vehicle's handling. The exhaust pipes are positioned higher to avoid damage from hitting curbs during reverse parking. An additional RPM indicator light is installed on the dashboard, which proves particularly useful when practicing gear shifting.