ARDS Question

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Mr Jenks

Original Poster:

1,204 posts

266 months

Thursday 11th February 2010
quotequote all
I guess its been asked before but once more can`t hurt. Can it? rolleyes
After my medical today I have got an ARDS booked soon. I am aware that the driving part is 3-4 laps without problems, presumably after being driven and or driving for a few to learn the lines, is there much more to this part of it ?

Written part is a bit of common sense and a lot of flag signals, right ? Is it all multi guess or are there written answers needed as well? Do you have to give flag meanings in your own words or as written in the blue book? or is this bit multiple choice as well?

Whilst I have been studying the flags read, what else do I need look at please guys ?

7 Sevens

658 posts

222 months

Thursday 11th February 2010
quotequote all
When I did mine the driving part had the instructor talking you through some techniques and then they simply observe whilst you make safe and controlled progress. Remember to keep both hands on the wheel when not changing gear.

Written part was all multiple choice. Flags and some basic car handling questions. Remember if the lights don't work at a race start they start the race with a national flag, only one I got wrong.

AWRacing

1,714 posts

226 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Mr Jenks said:
I guess its been asked before but once more can`t hurt. Can it? rolleyes
After my medical today I have got an ARDS booked soon. I am aware that the driving part is 3-4 laps without problems, presumably after being driven and or driving for a few to learn the lines, is there much more to this part of it ?

Written part is a bit of common sense and a lot of flag signals, right ? Is it all multi guess or are there written answers needed as well? Do you have to give flag meanings in your own words or as written in the blue book? or is this bit multiple choice as well?

Whilst I have been studying the flags read, what else do I need look at please guys ?
When i did mine you had to get 100% on the safety questions but you are allowed a couple of mistakes on the other set of questions if needed.
Dont get too stressed out over the test, fairly easy. Where are you taking it?

crofty1984

15,874 posts

205 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
You need to distinguish between waved and steady flags as well.

Glyn84

667 posts

181 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Mr Jenks said:
Written part is a bit of common sense and a lot of flag signals, right ? Is it all multi guess or are there written answers needed as well? Do you have to give flag meanings in your own words or as written in the blue book? or is this bit multiple choice as well?
On mine the flag questions had a description of the flag on the left and you wrote next to the description what is was, for example yellow or waved yellow. It's important you get the stationary and waved flags right.

The other questions are a bit of common sense. Things like 'you drop your helmet and it's cracked, what do you do? a) tape over the crack b) sell it to a friend that enjoys track days c) wear it down the pub pretending your the Stig d) replace it immediately

Mr Jenks

Original Poster:

1,204 posts

266 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
AWRacing said:
Mr Jenks said:
I guess its been asked before but once more can`t hurt. Can it? rolleyes
After my medical today I have got an ARDS booked soon. I am aware that the driving part is 3-4 laps without problems, presumably after being driven and or driving for a few to learn the lines, is there much more to this part of it ?

Written part is a bit of common sense and a lot of flag signals, right ? Is it all multi guess or are there written answers needed as well? Do you have to give flag meanings in your own words or as written in the blue book? or is this bit multiple choice as well?

Whilst I have been studying the flags read, what else do I need look at please guys ?
When i did mine you had to get 100% on the safety questions but you are allowed a couple of mistakes on the other set of questions if needed.
Dont get too stressed out over the test, fairly easy. Where are you taking it?
Taking it at Goodwood with Mithril racing. Chose Goodwood over Brands, which is literally on my doorstep, because I like to support the small independant rather than the big boys whenever possible. Have done trackdays and sprints at both but really enjoy the atmosphere of Goodwood as well.

spdpug98

1,551 posts

223 months

Friday 12th February 2010
quotequote all
Mr Jenks said:
AWRacing said:
Mr Jenks said:
I guess its been asked before but once more can`t hurt. Can it? rolleyes
After my medical today I have got an ARDS booked soon. I am aware that the driving part is 3-4 laps without problems, presumably after being driven and or driving for a few to learn the lines, is there much more to this part of it ?

Written part is a bit of common sense and a lot of flag signals, right ? Is it all multi guess or are there written answers needed as well? Do you have to give flag meanings in your own words or as written in the blue book? or is this bit multiple choice as well?

Whilst I have been studying the flags read, what else do I need look at please guys ?
When i did mine you had to get 100% on the safety questions but you are allowed a couple of mistakes on the other set of questions if needed.
Dont get too stressed out over the test, fairly easy. Where are you taking it?
Taking it at Goodwood with Mithril racing. Chose Goodwood over Brands, which is literally on my doorstep, because I like to support the small independant rather than the big boys whenever possible. Have done trackdays and sprints at both but really enjoy the atmosphere of Goodwood as well.
I also did my test at Goodwood about 10/11 years ago, of the 20 or so taking the test approx. 9 failed the written test and a couple failed the driving test. Back then you got taken round in a car for 1 lap and then had to jump in and do 3/4 laps, after which you went and sat the written test

A great place to do your test

JonnyW

867 posts

243 months

Saturday 13th February 2010
quotequote all
Good luck Dave, watch the video a few times and learn the flags and the difference that the waved ones make. When I did my one with Mithril I had the driver who had just won Spa historic in an E Type,he showed me the lines for three laps and I took over. Goodwood is great as there is a limit to the cars on the track of 10 as you know and you can stick to the line without having to continually panic and let anyone by.

Our Ben refused to take his at Brands last year and asked for his money back. It was basically the end of season sponsors rides track day. It was packed with c 30 cars on track all the time on an open pit basis on the Indy. With Drayson's Aston, a 400 bhp e-type on slicks, loads of Racing Porsche 997s etc. a couple of Group C racers, virtually all race cars and no road going. And they put him out in a Megane, which was the only car not on slicks!It was far worse than a test day!!

With the instructor driving I counted 14 cars rammed up his jacksy and apparently he was saying "Stick to the racing line, don't worry about them!"

indigorallye

555 posts

226 months

Saturday 13th February 2010
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Q. Which flag is used to start a race?
A. NATIONAL flag. Not Union Flag, or similar, must be NATIONAL flag.

wildman0609

885 posts

177 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
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when i did it 3 years ago the questions were all multiple choice, was pretty easy, just remember that wave flags mean immanent and stationary flags mean its coming up.

for the driving part all you have to do is demonstrate your safe to be out on track. my instructor tried to get me to heel and toe but i couldn't because I'm a big bloke and i couldn't get my knee under the steering wheel whilst doing hoe and toe (in a vx220). wasn't an issue still passed.

ards is nothing to worry about

Mr Jenks

Original Poster:

1,204 posts

266 months

Sunday 14th February 2010
quotequote all
Good advise coming here, Thanks too all who have replied. thumbup
Looking forward to Thursday with a few nerves, Its an AWFUL long time since I`ve done a driving test, last time was my HGV about 25 years ago yikes

wildman0609

885 posts

177 months

Monday 15th February 2010
quotequote all
it'll be way easier than any other test you will have done.
when i did my written part the exminer said we make sure all people pass unless they are complete tts.

does any one who anybody who has failed an ARDS test

bigrobert

35 posts

176 months

Monday 15th February 2010
quotequote all
got my test on wednesday at Buckmore Park,what part of the blue book do you need to read

Graham

16,368 posts

285 months

Monday 15th February 2010
quotequote all
wildman0609 said:
it'll be way easier than any other test you will have done.
when i did my written part the exminer said we make sure all people pass unless they are complete tts.

does any one who anybody who has failed an ARDS test
Plenty of people do, most common is either getting a flag question wrong or trying too hard onthe driving test and putting a wheel off the circuit. A spin is an instant fail too.


admittedly none of the 20 or so people on my course at silverstone failed, but when a mate of mine did it about 1/2 the course failed... it was snowy and Icey then though !!!!

Mr Jenks

Original Poster:

1,204 posts

266 months

Monday 15th February 2010
quotequote all
Graham said:
wildman0609 said:
it'll be way easier than any other test you will have done.
when i did my written part the exminer said we make sure all people pass unless they are complete tts.

does any one who anybody who has failed an ARDS test
Plenty of people do, most common is either getting a flag question wrong or trying too hard onthe driving test and putting a wheel off the circuit. A spin is an instant fail too.


admittedly none of the 20 or so people on my course at silverstone failed, but when a mate of mine did it about 1/2 the course failed... it was snowy and Icey then though !!!!
That sounded quite reassuring until..............

yikes I just looked outside, it`s snowing again, the weather forecast has predicted snow later this week, and I think it goes ahead whatever the weather. Oh well.....back to the blue book and the red wine I think wink

Graham

16,368 posts

285 months

Monday 15th February 2010
quotequote all
Mr Jenks said:
admittedly none of the 20 or so people on my course at silverstone failed, but when a mate of mine did it about 1/2 the course failed... it was snowy and Icey then though !!!!
That sounded quite reassuring until..............

yikes I just looked outside, it`s snowing again, the weather forecast has predicted snow later this week, and I think it goes ahead whatever the weather. Oh well.....back to the blue book and the red wine I think wink
Just make sure you know the flags in all combinations off by heart and apply common sense to the other questions..

the flag questions will be something like... what does this flag mean when waved or what flag would you expect to see in this situation..

the national flag starting the race if the lights fail is a common one to get wrong.

on the driving test, use the instructed laps to explore any grip limits if you must , and then just take the actual test laps leaving a little in reserve. Quite often the instructor will not tell you when the test has started, he'll just not say anything for a few laps, after giving you a few laps of instruction.

The main things they are after is awarness of the racing line and awarness of traffic. awareness of traffic doesnt mean leaping out of the way, more spotting them and holding your line and not doing anything unexpected..

It is a test you can fail, but with a bit of care you'll be fine...

wildman0609

885 posts

177 months

Wednesday 17th February 2010
quotequote all
when i did mine the instructor wouldn't let me change the rear view mirror so i could see out the back she had it set for her, so i dont see how traffic awareness comes into play.

just drive at 80% of what you think the car will do and dont spin. if its wet keep off the curbs and painted lines. if it snows go really slow, you dont have to do a certain lap time.

Bluebottle

3,498 posts

241 months

Wednesday 17th February 2010
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With the ARDS driving test at Castle Combe, you must stay inside the white lines (going over them is a fail).

SJR Superlight

82 posts

197 months

Wednesday 17th February 2010
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I've got my ARDS test tomorrow at Brands.
Starting to get a little nervous now - haven't taken a test in ages!

Thanks for all the advice though guys. Interesting reading.

Burp

84 posts

186 months

Wednesday 17th February 2010
quotequote all
wildman0609 said:
when i did mine the instructor wouldn't let me change the rear view mirror so i could see out the back she had it set for her, so i dont see how traffic awareness comes into play.
I had that on my test. On the road I always use my door mirrors (Drive a van for work) but on track ive always used the windscreen mounted one. Took some getting used to along with an unfamiliar car, circuit and being nervous. I missed a car trying to pass me on my ARDS, but pass ok.