Failed my Driving Test Today for stopping for a cat in road
Discussion
I failed my driving test today for stopping for a cat in the road and making the car behind me slow down. I can't believe the examiner didn't want me to stop and splat the cat. The stupid animal just sat in the road and looked ar the car for a 10 seconds or so before wanderring off. £75 down the drain for the test plus £50 for my instructors 2 hours.
Back to cycling again for me.
Back to cycling again for me.
Zwoelf said:
Agreed.
However I can see them giving you a minor fault for a single incident, but not sufficient criteria to warrant a major fault and therefore fail an otherwise good test. It wasn't dangerous, assuming you didn't perform an emergency stop, forcing other road users to do the same - I could sort of understand their point if that was their reasoning.
Had it been a dog (or even a person) you'd have been in the right. It frustrates me that cats and dogs are accorded different status in this respect, as if cat owners care less about their pets than dog owners (which aren't mutually exclusive groups after all). Somewhere out there will be an unknowing cat owner who would be very grateful for your actions if they knew you hadn't decided to run their pet over for the sake of £75.
I caused the cars behind me to slow down and stop quickly so it was dangerous.However I can see them giving you a minor fault for a single incident, but not sufficient criteria to warrant a major fault and therefore fail an otherwise good test. It wasn't dangerous, assuming you didn't perform an emergency stop, forcing other road users to do the same - I could sort of understand their point if that was their reasoning.
Had it been a dog (or even a person) you'd have been in the right. It frustrates me that cats and dogs are accorded different status in this respect, as if cat owners care less about their pets than dog owners (which aren't mutually exclusive groups after all). Somewhere out there will be an unknowing cat owner who would be very grateful for your actions if they knew you hadn't decided to run their pet over for the sake of £75.
Edited by Zwoelf on Saturday 17th September 14:00
I was thinking that. How many minors is one permitted these days?B.J.W said:
Is that the only reason why you failed? If it is, then surely you must have some grounds for questioning the decision. Maybe elevate it to someone more senior?
I am thinking of contacting the DSA and see if the examiner was in the right, I have the female (yes it was a bloody woman examiner) examiners name and stuff on my driving test report.
rudecherub said:
It seems that some areas fail first time tests as a matter of course.
If it hadn't have been the cat, the examiner would have found another reason.
I have been told by a few people before that they can only pass so many people in a day/week or something and if they have met that qouta they will find a reason to fail you. How true that is I dont know, maybe your right but I am still upset about wasting my money now and I have to save up again for another test.If it hadn't have been the cat, the examiner would have found another reason.
Petrolhead_Rich said:
TEN MINORS AND A MAJOR 
Sorry, erm, stick at it, perhaps a little more thinking ahead and practice is in order
What were the minors if you don't mind my asking?
I will list them for you from the reportSorry, erm, stick at it, perhaps a little more thinking ahead and practice is in order
What were the minors if you don't mind my asking?
12. Control: Steering
14. Use of mirrors - M/C rear obs: (2 minors)
16. Clearance / Obstructions
18. Use of Speed
19. Following Distance
21. Junctions: Aproach Speed
21. Junctions: Observation
23. Postioning: Normal Driving
26. Planning / Awareness
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