driving theory test

[Chrispy]

Modern cars have crumple zones so you don't get such a high deceleration, I would rather crash as 80mph in a modern car rather than 70mph in a old car.

Having said that, just because cars are safer, no reason to make them less safe by putting limits up.
Also, at 80mph, I get around 39-40 mpg, at 70 I get 48-51mpg, so for the sake of the enviroment and my wallet, I vote for no increase.

And another thing, last Monday, I was driving on the A31 at 70mph.
Up ahead, a slow lorry was about to join, so I pulled into the right lane, to allow it to pull on.
A car behind the lorry decided to overtake the lorry on the slip lane, and then accross to the other lane right in front of me!!!
I had to break hard, the driveer saw his mistake and then pulled back to the other lane, but the lorry had to take avoiding action, driving a bit on the verge.

OK, a bit worrying at the time, but not a big deal, but if I had been doing 80mph, don't want to think what might have happened.

[Chrispy]

[Pesky Wabbit]

... I was trying to say that it seem a bit silly being able to pass an English driving test when you don't know the lingo.

Whats the difference between passing the test in the UK and driving in mainland Europe, or vice verse and Johnny foreigner passing in this country?

...  it is 9 times out of ten the driver has the look of foreign extraction.

In what way do Brits look different from IOWs ?
"9 times out of ten"  - is that because your in a foreign country ?

The same sort of care is used around drivers of Volvos, who because their car is a safety cage think they are indestructable

Volvos, 4 x 4, Landrovers AND  Freelanders. There all the same - especially on the way to the nursery.

I get lots of honking horns when I am abroad because of my hesitation at some junctions.

But isnt  that due to the red chandelier in the back ?

I am often held up by slow, inconsiderate, bloody minded, doddery old fools who should never be out walking, let alone driving.

I was always told to beware of drivers wearing a hat. They're by far the worst.
If you dont believe me - just check it out next time.

Get the speed limits put up (they are the same as fifty years ago)brakes are better,vehicles are better, but if you don't like it. Get off the road.

But also the death rate has increased dramatically over the last 50 years. And its not just the people inside the car.



Now how did that road safety advert go ... if you hit someone at 30, they have an 80% chance of surviving. If you hit them at 40, they have an 80% of dying.

[djbrenton]

I've spent the last 35 years not hitting anyone at any speed. Their survivability rate was 100%  ;D

[Bugloss2009]

people drive and do other things as well according to their perceived level of risk. As cars become safer people take more chances

who was it said if you want to encourage safe driving, you should ban safety belts, and have a big spike in the middle of the steering wheel?

[Chrispy]

who was it said if you want to encourage safe driving, you should ban safety belts, and have a big spike in the middle of the steering wheel?

I don't know if he said that, but Stirling Moss goes on about racing drivers in his day had fewer accidents compared to todays, but it always gets to me when I hear him say it when you consider how many of the drivers in those days ended up dead.
Would he be better off if he did not have doors on his lifts? Please don't go there!!! Get well soon Stirling.

'Persived safety' is the thing here.....
I often go round london on foot. A number of times I have nearly been run over, but it is always due to a car jumping the red light of a crossing, I see the green man and I perseive it to be safe, so end up being careless.

[cocopops]

I have just caught up with this thread and it reminded me of a situation that happened to me when I was learning to drive. 

I have a male cousin with parents who think he is the next Einstein (like the Undertones 'My Perfect Cousin).  I was 17 in September and him in November.  I had my test scheduled for late December and his was a week later.  I will never forget my chauvinist uncle saying that it wouldn't matter that I would have to take my test a few times.  I passed first time and my cousin failed for making undue progress at a junction.  Sweet justice.

[cornykev]

I don't drive that much maybe once a week
Don't smoke
Don't have a mobile
I passed my test first time
And certainly have no gipsy home.

;D ;D ;D

[saddad]

I've spent the last 35 years not hitting anyone at any speed. Their survivability rate was 100%  ;D

I would suggest statistically that a lot of them are now dead... even if you didn't hit them...  :-X

[saddad]

If you're driving very slowly for a good reason (which I will be on Friday with my plasma screen in the back of a van moving house) then hazard lights are an option.

I'm fairly certain that using hazard lights on a moving vehicle is an offence....  :-X

[tonybloke]

nope, david, escort vehicles for wide loads use them all the time

[SamLouise]

nope, david, escort vehicles for wide loads use them all the time

That's because they're notifying other road users that they're driving a possible unsafe vehicle.  Hazard lights are only supposed to be used if you need to warn drivers behind you of a hazard or obstruction ahead.

[djbrenton]

I've spent the last 35 years not hitting anyone at any speed. Their survivability rate was 100%  ;D

I would suggest statistically that a lot of them are now dead... even if you didn't hit them...  :-X

So I might as well have hit a few of them then. All this safety camera nonsense.

[TrikiDiki]

Hi. I'm a driving instructor.

Yes the theory test is available in other languages, our signs are mostly symbolic, so language isn't a problem. You can also take an interpreter with you on the practical test, this I disagree with as they can prompt you as well as translating.

There are lots of first aid questions in the theory test.

Basic car maintenance is covered in Showme/Tell me questions on the practical test.

Motorways: Not till after the test. I believe a learner should be allowed to travel on a motorway only with a qualified instructor before their test. The DSA believe Pass Plus covers motorway driving, however, there is only a small percentage uptake of Pass Plus. Make it compulsory.

Re: Lane markings. Arrows are advisory.

Speed Limits: Learners are taught to drive at or near the speed limit when safe to do so. They will be penalised on their test if they do not do so. It is a test of their capability, not what they feel in the mood for.
Other drivers can drive at whatever speed the like (except on motorways or within a minimum speed limit zone). Like it or lump it. The police may stop drivers for driving slowly if they are "not showing due consideration for other road users" or if they suspect another offence such as drink/driving.

"The theory test questions are laughably easy."   Not seen that question before. Made up? Yes some of them are simple to anyone with a brain. However you'd be surprised at how stupid some people are. I took on a pupil who had had 25 hours of driving and asked me if she had to stop at a red light. Another after 10 hours with another instructor wanted to know how to know which side of the road to drive on.

Speed Limits

Unfortunately there are too many unthinking idiots on our roads. I would like to see speed limits increased on motorways/dual carriageways for all the obvious reasons. However, the majority of British drivers cannot understand lane discipline. Go to Germany and see how their motorways work. Everyone (apart from the Brits abroad) will return to the right lane when finished overtaking. They also expect traffic at higher speed in the overtaking lanes.
If people respect overtaking lanes, drive to the traffic conditions and weather then higher speeds are fine.
Equally I am in favour of 20mph zones in residential areas.

Hazard Lights

Not to be used while in motion except on a motorway or unrestricted dual-carriageway to warn other drivers you are braking for an incident ahead.
Escort vehicles should have rotating amber lights.


Don't start me on restrictions for new drivers.

Sorry for the long post but thought I might address the points raised so far with my 'professional experience'.

[1066]

Welcome to A4A TrikiDiki  ;D  You've picked a cracker of a topic to post on  ;)

[PurpleHeather]

Hyacinth.

Yes I do smoke and if some one is going to stage a road accident to get a free f*g off me they will die waiting

As for foreigners not knowing English, a fair number of them speak it better than many of the native born do and since they can drive for 12 months on a foreign license, they have to then take a British Test by which time they should have learnt a bit. I think it is fair to have an interpreter sat there, the 'examiner' can stop the test if they feel that the interpreter is coaching.

Reading road signs reminds me of my mate who was told by her instructor she was not paying enough attention to road signs.

He decided to demonstrate it by asking her what the road sign she had just passed said.

"Fitted kitchens now half price". She replied.

[telboy]

I don't drive that much maybe once a week
Don't smoke
Don't have a mobile
I passed my test first time
And certainly have no gipsy home.

;D ;D ;D

Like it Kev. I'm in your gang! 8)
While I'm here, why do wimmin driving 4*4's wear sun glasses, even when it's foggy?
When wimmin go round an island, without signaling their intentions of course, why do they lean over? Is the vehicle gonna fall over?
I have a woman neighbour who drives in our village with her child on her lap every Wednesday afternoon @ 15.30 hrs.
Nuff for now.
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o >:( >:( >:( >:(