Would you pass a driving test?

[swee'pea99]

And just to be clear, I'm not talking about things like the Highway Code stuff they have now - I take it as read that no normal person would pass that. I mean, if a tester was sat in the car assessing you as you drive every day, would you pass?

I'm pretty sure I wouldn't - like most drivers I've picked up various habits over the years that I'm sure a tester would balk at. Do you hold the steering wheel at 10 o clock and 2 o clock and feed it thru' your hands religiously to turn a corner, never crossing hands? Or do often steer one-handed then release the pressure as you exit a corner and let the steering right itself before regripping? Do you drive for periods with your left hand resting on the gear lever (rather than gripping the wheel at 10 o clock)? And so on.

I should pass. I'm an excellent driver! And none of my little innovations makes me any less safe in reality. But I think I'd probably get the thumbs down from the elfnsafetygornmad bureaucrats. How about you?

 

[Crackle]

Yes: having just taught son2 to drive, I had a chance to think about this. I passed all the practise theory easily and the observation. On the road he told me I was teaching him the same things his driving instructor was. I did pick up a few things from him that have changed since I was taught, rdbt signalling and positioning but observation etc... has not changed. Of course there's always the chance I'm wrong but he passed and I'm claiming a large part of the credit.

 

[growingvegetables]

On observation, road-sense, signals, control, manoeuvring, whatever, whatever, whatever ... I should pass.

But ... I'd fail. Dead cert. Inappropriate speed.

And that would NOT be for going too fast! As two of my kids failed ... for not driving to just under the speed limit.

 

[swee'pea99]

Poll needed! But no.

You're right - I should have added one...but now I don't seem to be able to. (It doesn't come up as an option under 'edit')

 

[gavroche]

Yes, absolutely definitely.

 

[Levo-Lon]

The guy who worked for me for 7 years until 2015 is a ADI instructor.
He said my driving was perfectly acceptable.

But as said earlier little things have changed over the years.

@User on the mini bus thing " i passed in 85" would i need to have a test if i wanted to drive a mini bus and take some of the work place residents out for a day?
i thought i was ok ,no psv etc just the old paper licence with all the permitted to drive all groups in the category

 

[Drago]

Yes, I'm confident I would pass. In the Feds I was regularly retested for my Advanced, pursuit and TPAC tickets, and they're far more onerous.

DVLA retesting should be compulsory every 3 years. Who cares if it costs drivers money?

 

[Levo-Lon]

DVLA retesting should be compulsory every 3 years. Who cares if it costs drivers money?

I thought you feds were meant to keep the peace!!

 

[Globalti]

I took IAM lessons a few years ago, after 3 sessions they put me in for a mock test. After 10 minutes the mock tester told me my driving was technically excellent but I would fail the IAM test because I wasn't driving to "the system". So I thought: "ballcocks to that" and gave up.

 

[Levo-Lon]

There are legal restrictions on what you can drive minibus-wise on a standard driving license.

I was OK legally - it was the insurers who insisted we all take a test. The test was conducted by the head driving examiner for Norwich at the time - and about 90% of those who took it failed and weren't allowed to drive the SU minibuses any more.

Thankyou for that ,ill look into it.

I should be ok after a quick read

 

[slowmotion]

I would almost certainly fail for various bad practices like holding the car on slight inclines by using the clutch/footbrake rather than the handbrake. Anyway, five yearly tests aren't coming in anytime soon so I'm not exactly sweating.

 

[Tin Pot]

And just to be clear, I'm not talking about things like the Highway Code stuff they have now -

Yes I'd pass that 'crazy' theory test.

.
I should pass. I'm an excellent driver! And none of my little innovations makes me any less safe in reality.

You don't understand what the test does, why it does it, why the pass grade is what it is, what kind of driver you are, nor what is safe driving.

Have I been clear enough?

 

[Profpointy]

Yes I'd pass that 'crazy' theory test.


You don't understand what the test does, why it does it, why the pass grade is what it is, what kind of driver you are, nor what is safe driving.

Have I been clear enough?

Not very clear to me whether your are disagreeing with tin pot or simply saying something unrelated

 

[swee'pea99]

Yes I'd pass that 'crazy' theory test.


You don't understand what the test does, why it does it, why the pass grade is what it is, what kind of driver you are, nor what is safe driving.

Have I been clear enough?

No.

 

[Profpointy]

My test allowed me to drive minibuses, 7.5 ton trucks, heavy trailers and quite a lot else. The modern test is just cars isn't it so must be a doddle :-)