Automobile ownership is the sum of all the aspects associated with owning an automobile. In developed countries owning an automobile has become very common because it is a widely available form of transportation. The term developed country, or advanced country, is used to categorize countries with developed Economies in which the tertiary and quaternary sectors
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Driver's license
In most countries of the world, in order to operate an automobile the driver must possess a document known as the driver's license which usually states what type of vehicle the driver is allowed to drive and under which conditions. A driver's license, driver license, driver licence, or driving licence is an official document which states that a person may operate a The type of licenses available differ country to country. The document is usually government regulated and usually can only be acquired from government owned firms. In order for a driver to qualify for a license he must meet a specific criteria. In the United States in order to qualify for a license a person must be minimum of 16 years of age or sometimes even 14 and 15 depending on state laws, and in most countries in Europe the minimum age is 17 or 18. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In order to receive a license the driver must either pass an exam testing driving knowledge and/or pass a driving test. A driving test (also known as a driving exam) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a Motor vehicle. Most driver licenses have a photo identifying the owner; the driver's license is a widely used form of identification in the United States.
See also: Commercial driver's license, Hazardous material
Acquiring an automobile
In most countries of the world, citizens have the common right to sell or purchase an automobile. A commercial driver's license ( CDL) is required in the United States to operate any type of vehicle with a gross weight of 26001 lb (11793 kg or over including A dangerous good is any Solid, Liquid, or Gas that can harm people other living Organisms property or the environment An automobile can mostly be bought new or used and is available for purchase mostly from private sellers or car dealerships. A car dealership or vehicle local distribution is a business that sells new cars and/or Used cars at the Retail level based on a dealership contract Purchasing a car is considered to be a major investment especially by the middle or lower class. The price of an automobile can vary greatly depending on the physical shape, year, history (especially regarding previous collisions), specifications, manufacturer and/or model of the car. A collision is an isolated event in which two or more bodies (colliding bodies exert relatively strong forces on each other for a relatively short time Tax may also contribute significantly to the cost of a car, especially regarding new vehicles in some countries. An owner may also choose to sell and in some cases trade it in for another vehicle.
In some countries, there are additional regulations that must be fulfilled before purchasing or leasing a car. For example, in Japan, due to the high population density and the limited space, a prospective owner must first provide proof of a space to park the car in question. This regulation, combined with high fuel prices, has caused a class of cars known as keicars to develop. Kei car, K-car, or ( pronounced /keːdʑidoːɕa/ is a Japanese category of small Automobiles, including passenger cars These small cars, limited in dimension (3. 40x1. 48x2. 00m length, width and height) and engine displacement (660 cc or 0. 66 L), can be purchased without having to provide this proof.
See also: used car, lemon law, car dealer auctions
Types of automobiles
An automobile can be classified into five major groups: cars, buses, trucks, vans and motorcycles. A used car, also known as a pre-owned vehicle and second hand car, is a vehicle that has previously had one or more owners Lemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance This article is about the semi-truck For the North American use of the word see Pickup truck. A van is a kind of vehicle used for Transporting goods or groups of people MotorCycle is the title of a 1993 album by Rock band Daniel Amos, released on BAI Records. Over the last 50 years there were many vehicles introduced some even becoming so common that they are classified into subgroups. An example would be the popularity of the sport utility vehicles and minivans. A sport utility vehicle ( SUV) is a generic marketing description for a rugged automotive vehicle similar to a Station wagon but built on a light-truck chassis A minivan, multi-purpose vehicle (abbreviated MPV) people-carrier, people-mover or multi-utility vehicle (shortened
Also in recent years came a wave of new type of Alternative fuel powered vehicles onto the main market. Alternative Fuel Vehicle refers to a vehicle that runs on a fuel other than "traditional" Gasoline or Diesel; any method of powering an engine that does The most common alternative fuel automobile seen today is the hybrid powered vehicles which use electricity in combination with gasoline to power the engine. A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to propel the vehicle The idea of an alternative fuel is not a new concept but due to the rise of fuel prices and concern over the environment, alternative fuel is growing to be a popular new concept.
Antique
An antique car is a common term used for a vehicle which is over 25 years of age and is out of production. In the United States an antique car is generally defined as a car over 25 years of age this being the definition used by the Antique Automobile Club of America Due to their limited availability, antique cars can be quite high in price and are most commonly purchased by car enthusiasts. Also a common practice among car enthusiasts is to rebuild antique cars.
See also: Antique vehicle registration
Automobile customization
A trend that has developed over the years is the customization of vehicles. Antique vehicle registration is a special form of motor vehicle registration for vehicles that are considered antique, classic, vintage, or historic A custom car is a passenger vehicle that has been modified in either of the following two ways Customizing a car refers to improving any car either visually or performance wise. This is also a common practice among street racers. Street racing is a form of unsanctioned and illegal Auto racing which takes place on Public roads Street racing can either be spontaneous or well-planned The popularity of this trend has spurred an industry which sells independent parts for customization. Customizing a vehicle is also known to be quite high in cost.
Rules of the road
In most countries of the world there are laws designed to regulate proper use of vehicles. Traffic on Roads may consist of Pedestrians ridden or herded Animals Vehicles Streetcars and other Conveyances either singly traffic signs is the most common form of regulating automobile traffic. Most countries post signage known as traffic signs or road signs, at the side of Roads to Along with traffic signs there is a complex system of rules of the road each driver must obey to maintain a safe driving environment. There are many penalties for breaking rules of the road which can result in suspension of license, towing of vehicle, jail term and fines.
See Also: Road rule codes of the World, Traffic code, Speed limit, Right-of-way, pedestrians, Driving under the influence, Road safety
License plate
A license plate is a plate attached commonly on the front and the back of a vehicle which holds a serial number identifying the vehicle and to whom it is registered. Traffic code (also motor vehicle code) refers to the collection of local statutes regulations ordinances and rules that have been officially adopted in the United States For a discussion of the maximum speed possible in the universe see Speed of light and Special relativity. Traffic on Roads may consist of Pedestrians ridden or herded Animals Vehicles Streetcars and other Conveyances either singly A pedestrian is a person travelling on foot whether Walking or Running. Driving under the influence of alcohol ( driving while intoxicated, drunk driving, drinking and driving, drink-driving) or other drugs A vehicle registration plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a Motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes License plates are a main source for identifying a vehicle when the driver is not known especially to public services such as the police. Most countries in the world differ. In some countries the driver may also choose to pay an extra fee to purchase a specific serial number of his choice. Some jurisdictions permit the use of non standard phrases or words, whilst others insist on a form of letters and numbers in the standard licensing series.
Insurance
Car insurance is a type of risk management business structured around a driver certifying a vehicle under his name to a government or privately owned company and pays a monthly fee which by contract forces the company to pay damage costs of that vehicle if there is accidental damage. Vehicle insurance (also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance) is Insurance purchased for cars, Trucks For non-business risks see Risk or the disambiguation page Risk analysis. In most countries of the world by law an automobile must be insured otherwise it is illegal to remain on public roads - even by a licensed driver. The fee for the insurance differs depending on the many factors such the vehicle being insured, driver history, and the insurance company. Vehicle insurance usually has to be paid in regular intervals, e. g. annually. Insurance is one common reason why a person would choose not to purchase a motor vehicle, as it is usually the most significant expense of owning one. Also an insurance firm may choose not to pay the damage fees if the circumstance or damage does not fit the contract.
See also: Car safety, Defensive driving
Vehicle maintenance
Most automobiles are needed to be maintained otherwise they might experience some type of performance failure. Safe driving is a form of training for motor vehicle drivers that goes beyond mastery of the rules of the road and the basic mechanics of Driving. Most automobile dealerships provide some type of free maintenance for a certain number of years to the buyer. Also there is a large automobile industry that sprung from maintaining and/or fixing vehicles. Most vehicles require after certain time an oil change and refill of washer fluid. Motor oil, or engine oil, is an Oil used for lubrication of various Internal combustion engines While the main function is to lubricate Moving Failure to do this may result in a decreased vehicle performance or failure. Also a well maintained vehicle commonly is valued higher in terms of its cost and even the reputation of the driver. Insurance companies may even lower the insurance fee if there is evidence that the driver constantly maintains his vehicle in a good shape. In many jurisdictions, the law requires that the vehicle be submitted for vehicle inspection, either periodically or when the vehicle changes hands. Vehicle inspection is a procedure mandated by national or subnational governments in many countries in which a vehicle is inspected to ensure that it conforms to regulations governing
Rates of car ownership
In the developed world the number of cars per 100 people is generally between 30 and 50, with a few countries (such as Canada and New Zealand) over this. In China there are two cars per 100 people, and very poor countries such as Somalia have less than one car per thousand people. The rate of car ownership is increasing almost everywhere, and is predicted to rise very rapidly in countries such as China and India.
See also
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