British Driving Tests: Unrealistic!
Discussion
I started driving when I was 12. I got my first licence (abroad, not in the UK) when I was 18. Passed my test on the spot for cars and bikes. I have driven and ridden sports and luxury cars and bikes regularily since then, and touchwood I have never had a knock or an accident.
Havig been in the UK, and not falling in the category of countries that can exchange their licences, I took my advanced bike licence test last year (DAS) and passed it first time.
If anything, I am a better driver than rider, so imagine my annoyance when i took a driving test last week and was failed!
My examiner was a real piece of work, not so much as a handshake or introduction to start with.
I have to now struggle to find the time to do another test, and plan months in advance for the booking.
I did two lessons, my instructor deemed me good to go and was shocked by the result!
Surely, ten years of driving, and the fact we did not have so much as a lively moment during my exams should count for something! There need to be some changes for mature drivers and those from other countries.
Havig been in the UK, and not falling in the category of countries that can exchange their licences, I took my advanced bike licence test last year (DAS) and passed it first time.
If anything, I am a better driver than rider, so imagine my annoyance when i took a driving test last week and was failed!
My examiner was a real piece of work, not so much as a handshake or introduction to start with.
I have to now struggle to find the time to do another test, and plan months in advance for the booking.
I did two lessons, my instructor deemed me good to go and was shocked by the result!
Surely, ten years of driving, and the fact we did not have so much as a lively moment during my exams should count for something! There need to be some changes for mature drivers and those from other countries.
My first test I failed. The test examiner was a complete bell end.
Second time, my instructor sat in the back with me on the test as I said what the other examiner did, and he was unpleased.
Safe to say I passed fine the second time
Just some examiners are turds, and want you to fail.
Dave
Second time, my instructor sat in the back with me on the test as I said what the other examiner did, and he was unpleased.
Safe to say I passed fine the second time
Just some examiners are turds, and want you to fail.
Dave
Within 5 minutes of my test, the examiner (pretty woman) leaned over almost with her head in my lap in order to get a better view of the speedometer. I had moved off a little quickly with nerves and was over the limit. I took that as a non-verbal warning and got it straight under control after that.
I wouldn't feel bad about it. When I took my test in Exeter, I was told by my driving instructor that if I was taken to a certain T junction on the test it was because they had decided to fail me but didn't have a reason. I had done some racing on scramble bikes and had driven cars way before I was the right age with my father teaching me so very cocky, and assured of my own driving.
Sure enough I was taken to the T junction for being a little to cocky behind the wheel or some such. Famed because it was very busy and difficult to pull out at, in fact you could wait there forever and there would never be enough space to pull out and accelerate slowly to 30mph without upsetting the 45-50mph cars that were nose to tail on it.
So if you accelerated away you would be faied for incorrect observation at road junctions, or speeding and if you stayed there you would be failed for unable to do road junctions.
Knowing I had failed I decided to accelerate into the space but refuse to break the speed limit. Ford escort behind duly pulled up to my tail and frustrated by my lack of speed ensured my defeat by tooting his horn.
Sure enough I was taken to the T junction for being a little to cocky behind the wheel or some such. Famed because it was very busy and difficult to pull out at, in fact you could wait there forever and there would never be enough space to pull out and accelerate slowly to 30mph without upsetting the 45-50mph cars that were nose to tail on it.
So if you accelerated away you would be faied for incorrect observation at road junctions, or speeding and if you stayed there you would be failed for unable to do road junctions.
Knowing I had failed I decided to accelerate into the space but refuse to break the speed limit. Ford escort behind duly pulled up to my tail and frustrated by my lack of speed ensured my defeat by tooting his horn.
Munter said:
Oh and dont roll back a 1/2 inch when pulling uphill out of a T junction or you get a bad mark for "Moving off not in control"!
sorry, but I absolutely agree here - if you can't co-ordinate handbrake and clutch well enough to stop you slipping backwards then you shouldn't have a license - it is the simplest of things to do.
page3 said:
Have never used a handbrake since the day I passed my test. Apart from handbrake turns I don't see the need.
Perhaps not blinding (with your break lights) the driver of the car behind you at a junction would be one reason?
Is this really an issue? I would only ever be on the brake if on a junction at a hill as normal junctions I wouldn't be using brakes at all. If so I try to minimise the inconvenience by not buying a car that has the irritating brake light in the rear window, and never using fog rears either.
A.D. what was the reason for failing if you don't mind me asking. I used to be an instructor and it is fair to say that there are some examiners that see things as black and white. The better examiners are the ones that can take an objective view of the driver.
I took some people for the pass plus course and I was amazed that they had passed their test. Likewise I had some excellent drivers that made a small mistake on the test and failed. Even though it was out of character for them, unfortunately the test is only a small snip-it of a drivers ability.
I took some people for the pass plus course and I was amazed that they had passed their test. Likewise I had some excellent drivers that made a small mistake on the test and failed. Even though it was out of character for them, unfortunately the test is only a small snip-it of a drivers ability.
DaGinge said:
Oh and dont roll back a 1/2 inch when pulling uphill out of a T junction or you get a bad mark for "Moving off not in control"!
sorry, but I absolutely agree here - if you can't co-ordinate handbrake and clutch well enough to stop you slipping backwards then you shouldn't have a license - it is the simplest of things to do.
In which case you disagree with the examiner! It was a low mark not a fail mark. Like i said it was 1/2 an inch not 2 feet! Plus it's one of the steepest junctions i've ever come across and I was in the instructors dodgy 106 1.0 (yes not even the 1.1!)
Julian64 said:Ah, that's all-right then
Julian64 said:
Have never used a handbrake since the day I passed my test. Apart from handbrake turns I don't see the need.
Perhaps not blinding (with your break lights) the driver of the car behind you at a junction would be one reason?
Is this really an issue? I would only ever be on the brake if on a junction at a hill as normal junctions I wouldn't be using brakes at all. If so I try to minimise the inconvenience by not buying a car that has the irritating brake light in the rear window, and never using fog rears either.
You would be amazed how bright some break lights (especially the rear window mounted ones) can be if you are in a low car behind. Sorry, off topic a bit..
I believe I was failed for the following (bit unclear on it because it made very little sense). My instructor told me that this was something I could have been failed on, or it could have been let slide. As someone mentioned, depends on the person I guess.
While on an A-road I was asked to pull into a B-road that came up further along. I could see the B-road ahead of me, so I put my signal on and shifted left. There were absolutely no cars behind me, I was the only car heading in my direction. Not a car in sight, totally safe to move.
My examiner almost grasped the wheel and shoved me away from that lane by saying that was the end of the M25 sliplane and cars "could have/might be bombing down here".
I had constantly been told that as long as the move was safe, there would be no problem.There were no cars around at all, so I decided it would be better to get into position earlier. My instructor agreed with me when I told him after the exam, and said it comes down to luck.
Thats what I take offence at! It shouldnt have to be about luck. Shouldn't an examiner notice that the person has the car under control, is being safe and while he may not dot an 'i' or cross a 't' once in a 40 minute drive he should not be failed for it. Especially if he has a history of driving elsewhere for a decade with no incidents!
Then again, rules are rules and I have accepted it and will just try again.
While on an A-road I was asked to pull into a B-road that came up further along. I could see the B-road ahead of me, so I put my signal on and shifted left. There were absolutely no cars behind me, I was the only car heading in my direction. Not a car in sight, totally safe to move.
My examiner almost grasped the wheel and shoved me away from that lane by saying that was the end of the M25 sliplane and cars "could have/might be bombing down here".
I had constantly been told that as long as the move was safe, there would be no problem.There were no cars around at all, so I decided it would be better to get into position earlier. My instructor agreed with me when I told him after the exam, and said it comes down to luck.
Thats what I take offence at! It shouldnt have to be about luck. Shouldn't an examiner notice that the person has the car under control, is being safe and while he may not dot an 'i' or cross a 't' once in a 40 minute drive he should not be failed for it. Especially if he has a history of driving elsewhere for a decade with no incidents!
Then again, rules are rules and I have accepted it and will just try again.
So Julian doesnt use his handbrake or rear fog lights, I could comment on this but dont think it will do any good.
Maybe I met him last week returning from London on the Motorway, absolutely chucking it down, and the number of motorist with absolutely no lights on at all just amazed me, I am a great believer in SEE, AND BE SEEN.
But how does Julian stop his car rolling when he parks on an incline, leave it in gear I wonder?
Maybe I met him last week returning from London on the Motorway, absolutely chucking it down, and the number of motorist with absolutely no lights on at all just amazed me, I am a great believer in SEE, AND BE SEEN.
But how does Julian stop his car rolling when he parks on an incline, leave it in gear I wonder?
page3 said:
Have never used a handbrake since the day I passed my test. Apart from handbrake turns I don't see the need.
Perhaps not blinding (with your break lights) the driver of the car behind you at a junction would be one reason?
Glad I am not the only person that that annoys!! Another reason I was given for always using the handbrake was the example of someone sat without brake or handbrake on who had a clutch cable failure that kangaroo'd him into the back of the car in front.
AdvocatusDiaboli said:
There need to be some changes for mature drivers and those from other countries.
Are you suggesting a lower standard that they have to achieve to pass?!
To be honest, I think all uk drivers should have to re-test every 10 years. Then maybe some of them would start using their indicators and the right lanes on motorways/roundabouts. :endofrant:
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