Booking a driving test

[Vapin' Joe]

but as I said before we started, I can reach you to drive but I can’t teach you how to pass the test,

Ah, that old nonsense.

People seem to believe there is some special technique needed to pass a driving test that will never be needed by "Experienced" drivers. There isn't, examiners are looking for candidates who can drive properly, in a safe manner without endangering themselves or others or causing un-necessary obstruction to traffic flow. If you teach someone to drive to a safe standard that's what you have done, qualified ADI or not.

That's all, nothing else.

 

[Drago]

It's like these P plates. If you're driving is so abnormal that you require a warning for other other road users then id question if you should be on the road at all.

Some insurers regard them as a public admission that your driving isn't up to snuff and ask their punters not to use them.

 

[CXRAndy]

Some other drivers view the P plate as someone to bully. We decided not use them for our kids. I taught them to move to the left as soon as safe in dual carriageways and drive at the speed limit, so not to aggravate others.

let the aggressive driver be in front

 

[CXRAndy]

I've taught 7 people in the family to drive and pass their tests. I have no formal driver training other that 40+ years of driving experience.

Its been really good for me too, reminding me of my bad habits and constantly working to be more considerate, safer driver.

 

[figbat]

Ah, that old nonsense.

People seem to believe there is some special technique needed to pass a driving test that will never be needed by "Experienced" drivers. There isn't, examiners are looking for candidates who can drive properly, in a safe manner without endangering themselves or others or causing un-necessary obstruction to traffic flow. If you teach someone to drive to a safe standard that's what you have done, qualified ADI or not.

That's all, nothing else.

There are certain things that an examiner is looking for, especially when it comes to the compulsory manoeuvres and observations, which I am not acquainted with. She has already faced a situation when driving with her instructor where he told her she would have failed in a test, although it is something we all do and the instructor agreed was stupid.

I am certain I could pass a driving test today but I would modify my driving style to do so.

 

[presta]

When my father learnt to drive everyone told him he'd be alright as long as his examiner's not Mr Xxx, then when he went for his test the examiner came out of the test centre and said "Hello, I'm Mr Xxx". My father said he was absolutely fine, and assumed other people must have been expecting them to be all matey and chatty rather than just polite and business like.

When I had the double lesson on my test day, my instructor was doing everything he could to put me off. He took every opportunity to jump down my throat for no reason, and then when I passed he sulked all the way home.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I did my test before the days of a separate theory test. The instructor asked some theory questions. I go one wrong: He showed me a no stopping sign, and asked me what it meant. I correctly answered "no stopping" but as there was a silence which seemed to go on afor ages so I added "except to pick up and set down passengers" which is of course wrong - that describes a no waiting sign. As soon as I said it I realised.

I still passed

In all of my driving career I have never found no stopping or no waiting signs to be of any use or interest at all.

 

[oxoman]

When i passed my test my instructor turned round and said congratulations now you start to learn to drive.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

When i passed my test my instructor turned round and said congratulations now you start to learn to drive.

Of course. Because the instructor is aware that while he can show you what you should do in any given situation he can't turn you into an experienced driver. Your skills come with countless hours of driving behind you, which is why the DVLA won't accept an application to train as an instructor unless you have held a full licence for three years.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

There are certain things that an examiner is looking for, especially when it comes to the compulsory manoeuvres and observations, which I am not acquainted with. She has already faced a situation when driving with her instructor where he told her she would have failed in a test, although it is something we all do and the instructor agreed was stupid.

I am certain I could pass a driving test today but I would modify my driving style to do so.

What was that, exactly?

 

[Ming the Merciless]

In all of my driving career I have never found no stopping or no waiting signs to be of any use or interest at all.

Is this your Range Rover?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Is this your Range Rover?

View attachment 789279

Of course not. It isn't on the pavement

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I once stopped a car with a brake light out. I was going to just inform them, have a speculative sniff for the waft of intoxicating liquor and let them on their way, but it turned out to be a driving test and the examiner refused to continue as the car was not roadworthy.

I bet I was popular!

I have come across 5 vehicles in the last couple of months with brake lights out, a couple were at traffic lights, I wound down my window to inform them and they just replied "yeah I know". One of these was an instructor giving a lesson (I am not kidding!).

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Having only learned to drive 3 years ago, the problem was that covid caused a massive backlog and they have never been able to recruit enough examiners since then to bring wait times down (my examiner was doing up to 12 tests a day to catch up!). This led to instructors telling new pupils to put in for theory and then driving tests immediately upon learning to drive. Problem was they were getting to test dates nowhere near ready to pass a test.

When I took mine, 5 of us went out from the test centre at the same time. All the others were teens, I was the only one of the 5 that passed.

The block booking by instructors and 3rd party agents to sell on for huge profit is also a real issue. I have to admit I paid £20 for a 3rd party bot site (now banned I think). They didn't block book, they used software to pick up on relevant cancelled slots and auto book them. I got a 9am slot at my closest venue within 3 weeks which was rather fortunate.

 

[Drago]

Having only learned to drive 3 years ago, the problem was that covid caused a massive backlog and they have never been able to recruit enough examiners since then to bring wait times down

Indeed. They discovered proper jobs pay more and usually entail less hours, but try and entice them in with a nice pay and perks package andnthe same Daily Mail that complains about driving test availability instead screams blue murder about "fat cats" and " gold plated pensions,"

End result no one wants to go near it.