DSA Test - still relevant?
Discussion
My recent posting has got me wondering about the current DSA practical test.
I don't think anyone here would argue against improving the standard of driving of new drivers before they're unleased onto the road but it seems to me that the DSA are not focusing on the right stuff. Some examples;
Theory Test - I can't see how anyone can fail this. So you might say "Well, if you do, its proven its effectiveness..." but being able to pass a multiple choice test does not prepare you for driving on the road. Is it any use?
Motorway Driving - these days, why is motorway driving not part of the test? Crazy....
Reversing around a corner? Hands up how many times you've done this in the last 12 months?
Indicators. You're taught to almost indicate without thinking. Then under RoSPA or IAM you're taught to indicate when necessary...
>>> Edited by neil.b on Friday 11th June 14:38
I don't think anyone here would argue against improving the standard of driving of new drivers before they're unleased onto the road but it seems to me that the DSA are not focusing on the right stuff. Some examples;
Theory Test - I can't see how anyone can fail this. So you might say "Well, if you do, its proven its effectiveness..." but being able to pass a multiple choice test does not prepare you for driving on the road. Is it any use?
Motorway Driving - these days, why is motorway driving not part of the test? Crazy....
Reversing around a corner? Hands up how many times you've done this in the last 12 months?
Indicators. You're taught to almost indicate without thinking. Then under RoSPA or IAM you're taught to indicate when necessary...
>>> Edited by neil.b on Friday 11th June 14:38
onedsla said:
Neil.B said:
Reversing around a corner? Hands up how many times you've done this in the last 12 months?
And I reckon anybody else looking for Sinclaires Lotus probably has too!!
It is also the same skill as used for reverse parking (or reversing out of a parking space) so it is used pretty much everyday.
Edited to add: Oh, and I think the motorway thing is still down to some test centres not being close enough to a motorway to make in possible in the time allowed.
>> Edited by icamm on Friday 11th June 14:57
Do they teach reverse parking at all?
I remember when I took my car test, some time ago now, at the end of the test the examiner told me to park at the side of the road. I selected a reasonable size gap between parked cars, stopped abreast of the car in front of the gap and said "OK, I'm going to reverse in". The examiner told me not to, and directed me to forward-park in a much larger gap a bit further along. This surprised me a bit - seemed he didn't expect me to have been taught to reverse-park.
I remember when I took my car test, some time ago now, at the end of the test the examiner told me to park at the side of the road. I selected a reasonable size gap between parked cars, stopped abreast of the car in front of the gap and said "OK, I'm going to reverse in". The examiner told me not to, and directed me to forward-park in a much larger gap a bit further along. This surprised me a bit - seemed he didn't expect me to have been taught to reverse-park.
When i did my test i'm pretty sure the instructor said that using an indicator when it wasn't nessecery could be counted as a minior for lack of observation
and not including motorways is just crazy and probably increases the middle lane numptys
The test itself is only hard to pass because of the harshness and jobworthness of examiners.
I think the instructors could do with a little more training as well going by some silly cow that forced me to do a brake test yesterday when she pulled out of a juction and guess what was on top of the car a great big L sign and she was the only one in the car as well
and not including motorways is just crazy and probably increases the middle lane numptys
The test itself is only hard to pass because of the harshness and jobworthness of examiners.
I think the instructors could do with a little more training as well going by some silly cow that forced me to do a brake test yesterday when she pulled out of a juction and guess what was on top of the car a great big L sign and she was the only one in the car as well
Neil.B said:
Reversing around a corner? Hands up how many times you've done this in the last 12 months?
i do this at-least a couple of times a day when i put the car in the garage and when i park at work.....best way to teach people how to use mirrors would be in an escort or transit van in the middle of an empty carpark with cones to drive between and cone boxes to reverse into (like with artic drivers).
driving panel vans with solid rear tailgates along with 7.5 tonners made me realise how importaint mirrors actually are.
Mr E said:
Reverse around a corner in Europe and you'll LOSE YOUR LICENSE!!!! D, F, CH... and probably all others
Really?
Eeek.
REALLY!! you're deliberately creating a dangerous and moving obstruction/hazard... The only exception is if you have 2 YES TWO people (one for each direction) who are signalling you through the bend/corner! sorry another, reversing into a driveway is OK.....
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