Driving Test - Could you Pass Now?
Discussion
Another serious question everyone, not that ALL my questions arent serious!
Ive read many posts on here about Advanced driving courses and the like, and how they would make drivers much more aware and capable which would help combat Dangerous Driving etc.
Talking about the General Motoring public as a whole, starting from New Drivers, Drivers that hoon around thinking that they know everything (you know what i mean), right up to and including the 'Sunday' Driving brigade.
How many of those do you think would now still possess the necessary skills (which are the minimum standard) to pass a Standard DVLA driving Test first time?
I know that the results would be very interesting and alarming
and that a very high percentage would in fact FAIL.
Failing not only on their 'road driving' but also on the theory side of things too.
I find this very worrying and im a firm believer that this is why driver education is far more important than the implementation of speed cameras (in the majority of cases because i know that speed cameras in the CORRECT places are necessary).
Hand on heart, do you think that you could/would pass the basic test if put into the situation without warning?
Ive read many posts on here about Advanced driving courses and the like, and how they would make drivers much more aware and capable which would help combat Dangerous Driving etc.
Talking about the General Motoring public as a whole, starting from New Drivers, Drivers that hoon around thinking that they know everything (you know what i mean), right up to and including the 'Sunday' Driving brigade.
How many of those do you think would now still possess the necessary skills (which are the minimum standard) to pass a Standard DVLA driving Test first time?
I know that the results would be very interesting and alarming
and that a very high percentage would in fact FAIL. Failing not only on their 'road driving' but also on the theory side of things too.
I find this very worrying and im a firm believer that this is why driver education is far more important than the implementation of speed cameras (in the majority of cases because i know that speed cameras in the CORRECT places are necessary).
Hand on heart, do you think that you could/would pass the basic test if put into the situation without warning?
I really do believe that everyone should have to take a full re-test between the ages of 62 and 65, together with an eye test.
Now, I feel qualified to comment as I am just 63 (last week) and still consider myself a reasonable driver - well, I would, wouldn't I. (I'm still actively competing in rallies, anyway).
This would give a 3 year window for any re-training and re-testing needed and any who could not pass by their 65th birthday would be relegated to a provisional licence for, say, up to two more years. If they still couldn't pass , well, hasta la vista, baby!
However, it's a bit of a political hot-potato as it would not be PC and would be deemed ageist by the 'grey-power'lot who couldn't drive a nail into a piece of wood.
Now, I feel qualified to comment as I am just 63 (last week) and still consider myself a reasonable driver - well, I would, wouldn't I. (I'm still actively competing in rallies, anyway).
This would give a 3 year window for any re-training and re-testing needed and any who could not pass by their 65th birthday would be relegated to a provisional licence for, say, up to two more years. If they still couldn't pass , well, hasta la vista, baby!
However, it's a bit of a political hot-potato as it would not be PC and would be deemed ageist by the 'grey-power'lot who couldn't drive a nail into a piece of wood.
Cooperman said:
However, it's a bit of a political hot-potato as it would not be PC and would be deemed ageist by the 'grey-power'lot who couldn't drive a nail into a piece of wood.
And a lot of politicians seem to be pretty old themselves, and the 'grey' vote is a big percentage...
on topic though, I think I'd pass - I did the IAM earlier this year and helped SWMBO with her theory test last year.
CH
Hand on heart, I may not score full points on the theory side. Whether I was asked questions I do know the answer to would be a matter of chance.
As far as the driving side goes - absolutely I would pass. Having held a full licence for 28 years, it would be a disgrace if I did not. Hazard perception, anticipation and car control are skills which improve with experience. I know beyond doubt that my skills in those areas are infinitely better than the day I passed a driving test. I also believe they are better than average (no doubt could still be improved) because I KNOW that I think about driving and I am almost certain, from observation, that many (perhaps a majority) of drivers do not.
As far as the driving side goes - absolutely I would pass. Having held a full licence for 28 years, it would be a disgrace if I did not. Hazard perception, anticipation and car control are skills which improve with experience. I know beyond doubt that my skills in those areas are infinitely better than the day I passed a driving test. I also believe they are better than average (no doubt could still be improved) because I KNOW that I think about driving and I am almost certain, from observation, that many (perhaps a majority) of drivers do not.
Well having had my four kids go through the test over the last few years I know for sure I would pass the theory test with a score of around 34/35. (There's often one totally ridiculous question there which may trip you up but as the pass score is 30 there’s really no excuse.)
As regards the drive... Well I would always indicate at left turns, put my hand-brake on at traffic lights and select neutral, and choose the appropriate gear as I approached a roundabout rather than career up to it in 5th and then ram it into 2nd
But aside from that, yes I'm sure I could make my driving rough and ugly enough to pass 
Rich...
As regards the drive... Well I would always indicate at left turns, put my hand-brake on at traffic lights and select neutral, and choose the appropriate gear as I approached a roundabout rather than career up to it in 5th and then ram it into 2nd
But aside from that, yes I'm sure I could make my driving rough and ugly enough to pass Rich... Going off at a tangent slightly, I had to examine a DSA driving examiner at advanced level recently, and I terminated the exam 20 minutes into the test. The standard of driving was awfull to the point where he was dangerous and I was not prepared to continue in the passenger seat with him driving.
I have tested quite a few DSA motorcycle examiners recently, and quite a few of them have struggled to attain any higher than a RoSPA bronze.
The basic standard for the learner test is pretty poor, and the problem is that the examiners are themselves not particularly good as riders or drivers. When I used to do advanced driving instruction commercialy, I used to get the guy along for the cross check, and because I only ever did advanced work it went straight over the top of him, he really was out of his depth.
I have tested quite a few DSA motorcycle examiners recently, and quite a few of them have struggled to attain any higher than a RoSPA bronze.
The basic standard for the learner test is pretty poor, and the problem is that the examiners are themselves not particularly good as riders or drivers. When I used to do advanced driving instruction commercialy, I used to get the guy along for the cross check, and because I only ever did advanced work it went straight over the top of him, he really was out of his depth.
I was an IAM observer and Rospa Gold, don't do it now but would still be ok
I think...
What I do remember is, as an observer, taking "experienced" drivers out and finding that their car control was not that good (I'm not talking about the finer points of whether the IAM is right or not on some things, I'm talking about pulling away without lurching or stopping without getting flung through the windscreen, or "threepenny-bitting" around bends etc).
Most people's observation, in particular, was appalling - eyesight ok but just not looking far enough ahead, or no thought into what was going on or what might happen.
Most of these experienced drivers had no idea what they were doing wrong.
I'm not advocating that the IAM is better than anybody else, or that you can't be a good driver unless you take an advanced test - but "experience" doesn't always mean "good" - not necessarily...
I think...
What I do remember is, as an observer, taking "experienced" drivers out and finding that their car control was not that good (I'm not talking about the finer points of whether the IAM is right or not on some things, I'm talking about pulling away without lurching or stopping without getting flung through the windscreen, or "threepenny-bitting" around bends etc).
Most people's observation, in particular, was appalling - eyesight ok but just not looking far enough ahead, or no thought into what was going on or what might happen.
Most of these experienced drivers had no idea what they were doing wrong.
I'm not advocating that the IAM is better than anybody else, or that you can't be a good driver unless you take an advanced test - but "experience" doesn't always mean "good" - not necessarily...
If I drive how I normally do then I would fail pretty quickly BUT then so would most people who use the Roadcraft techniques 
.
I feel would be able to pass the driving side but may struggle on the theory test due to some of the questions actually being setup to trick you and some, that I have seen, I feel are just plain wrong (one about an articulated truck turning right from the left lane comes to mind) in real life. The theory test is something you need to practice however I did just pass the online version, on the DVLA website, when their was a PH competition a while ago for scores on it.
. I feel would be able to pass the driving side but may struggle on the theory test due to some of the questions actually being setup to trick you and some, that I have seen, I feel are just plain wrong (one about an articulated truck turning right from the left lane comes to mind) in real life. The theory test is something you need to practice however I did just pass the online version, on the DVLA website, when their was a PH competition a while ago for scores on it.
Some posts have already highlighted one important aspect ... the difference between being able to drive (safely) in modern road conditions including motorways, and being able to pass the driving test. They are not the same thing (having got two kids through their tests 1st time in recent years)! - Streaky
Don said:No, no, no, you mis-understand that is exactly how you ARE meant to do it these days! Never bother to indicate when turning left or if there is no other car apparently in sight. Never mind the one you may not have seen that suddenly hits you!
It would be a struggle remembering to indicate when absolutely no-one was around though!
Rich... Having held a full uk driving licence since 1973 , i had the misfortune to get a 12 month driving ban in '02 and ordered to resit and pass the driving test. My crime was to get caught speeding(at 115MPH) on an empty motorway at 7:30 am on a Saturday morning.
I consider myself an experienced driver and do approx 25 k miles per year - I can assure anyone that just expects to just turn up and take the driving test will fail. You need to answer at least 30 out of 35 questions on the highway code (from a potential list of 800 questions) - had I not spent half a day going through the highway code I'm sure I would have failed - how may of people know who has the right of way on a Puffin crossing (let alone knowing what a puffin crossing is!!- or a Toucan crossing for that matter).
The hazarad perception test consists of 15 diffrent video clips - some hazards are easy to spot on the video ,but some are a bit more subtle and its difficult to know what they are looking for under the pressure of time constraints. I also took 6 driving lessons from a driving school prior to sitting the test , and it's amazing the bad habits an experienced driver gets into over the years.
Tommee
I consider myself an experienced driver and do approx 25 k miles per year - I can assure anyone that just expects to just turn up and take the driving test will fail. You need to answer at least 30 out of 35 questions on the highway code (from a potential list of 800 questions) - had I not spent half a day going through the highway code I'm sure I would have failed - how may of people know who has the right of way on a Puffin crossing (let alone knowing what a puffin crossing is!!- or a Toucan crossing for that matter).
The hazarad perception test consists of 15 diffrent video clips - some hazards are easy to spot on the video ,but some are a bit more subtle and its difficult to know what they are looking for under the pressure of time constraints. I also took 6 driving lessons from a driving school prior to sitting the test , and it's amazing the bad habits an experienced driver gets into over the years.
Tommee
I don't doubt that most of us on PH could pass a test if told that we had to take one, however I know that I would fail if my usual driving was taken into account.
I do all the normal things that an experienced driver does, whether they are good practice or not.
Drive one handed.
Rest my left hand on the gear stick.
Speed.
Keep my left foot on the clutch pedal.
Don't always use my handbrake.
etc...
I could stop doing all those things for the duration of a test.
I do all the normal things that an experienced driver does, whether they are good practice or not.
Drive one handed.
Rest my left hand on the gear stick.
Speed.
Keep my left foot on the clutch pedal.
Don't always use my handbrake.
etc...
I could stop doing all those things for the duration of a test.
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