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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: Driving Test |
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On Fridays show Jeremy will be talking about Driving Tests.
I have been driving since 1988 and had my PSV licence for 10 years. I wonder if anyone else could pass their Driving Tests anymore on these boards. If you do Drive?
It's very difficult now to pass your driving test with different rules coming in from the DVLA. |
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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I had a go at theory test software when my daughter was sitting her test, can't remember scores but I was doing ok. I have been on a RoSPA Driver Development course which sharpened me up on defensive driving/behaviour. |
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iwarburton
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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I passed my test in 1980--like all the best people, I did it at the second attempt.
It would be a completely different world today.
Ian. |
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johnump
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 172 Location: Location Location
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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I have only been driving for little over a year but can already see the failings that the current DSA test has. It only goes to prove that the candidate can use the controls for a short period of time with 2 basic manouveurs in there aswell. It doesn't test the candidates ability to pre-plan, anticipate or test their attitude towards road safety. I don't know how to test those things but I'd hope there are experts for that sort of thing! I don't think it will drastically change because the DSA wants as many tests in a day as is logical to gain as much profit as if possible. Perhaps a tad cynical of me. _________________
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Rachel Guest
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:57 am Post subject: |
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I don't think the driving test prepares people for the reality of driving. Doing a three point turn and a emergency stop on a sunny afternoon in somewhere like Dorchester, isn't going to prepare anyone for exiting the M27 then heading into Basingstoke at 07:15 on a Monday morning in February. |
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iwarburton
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:07 pm Post subject: |
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Quite right. I passed my test in Hexham, a market town which was very quiet in those days. It was an 11am start on a Monday during school term so there wasn't much traffic about at all. My first solo trip into Newcastle a short time later was something of a totally different order.
Ian. |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19374 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject: |
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I learned to drive in the centre of Newcastle Ian, the cars would be parked opposite the old Eldon Square, you had to reverse out dodging buses and the rest of the traffic in the city centre at the start of each lesson!
The last lesson I had before my test I had to drive along the coast road, a busy dual carriage way even back then, and I suppose that was the nearest I got to motorway driving.
I passed first time (test taken in the west end of the city) but not sure how I'd do now, conditions have changed so much.
H _________________ 88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
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quickssandra
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 158 Location: Scotland
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Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Took mine in the same place Helen, it's not far from my parent's house. I used to drive up and down the dual carriageway there, then do Cowgate roundabout. Terrifying!
QS |
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Helen May
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19374 Location: Cheshire
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Hi QS
That roundabout still is terrifiying, we were round it last Monday!
H _________________ 88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!
I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005 |
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admin
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 487
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:19 am Post subject: |
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I could pass with today if needed.... I only passed my Car test 10 months ago due to no longer wanting to be a motorcyclist. |
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SantaFefan
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 11258 Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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Motorbiking....
Chris Spedding... why do I remember that song? _________________ Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be. |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: |
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I suppose with so much Traffic on the roads and how bad the roads are maintained now it can be harder to pass your test.
I hope they don't expect everyone should take a refresher course as that would cause problems? |
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johnump
Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 172 Location: Location Location
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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One of the most dangerous problems with the current system is the motorway driving. It makes sense that learners cannot drive on a motorway, can you imagine the carnage. But doing the PassPlus scheme isn't compulsary so in theory a new driver can go onto the motorway with no tutition about how to drive on the motorway. It is a different style on the motorway and should be taught but the question is where do you fit it in??? Before the Test, during the Test or compulsary after the pass?? _________________
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John W
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 3367 Location: Warwickshire, UK
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:07 pm Post subject: |
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johnump,
Don't know about statistics but the reason there's no teaching of motorway driving is because I expect new drivers do not cause a significant number of motorway accidents, and in fact many are caused by impatient, tired or speedy experienced drivers.
Have you ever driven on the ring roads of Coventry or Birmingham? Merging on and off them is same as motorway and you learn that during normal lessons (I did my test in Coventry) so my first drive on motorways was without concern - I think I drove at 60 between Jns 2 and 3 of the M6
John W |
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mark occomore
Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:58 pm Post subject: |
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When I was taking my PSV driving test we never used the skid pan like they used too in the old days. We should be able to stop the vehicle without skidding. HOPEFULLY!! |
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Cherskiy
Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 3701 Location: near Amble, Northumberland
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Posted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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Passed first time (I was only out about 20 minutes - I thought I'd done something wrong when the examiner said just head back to the test centre after 15 minutes!), but I still had five hours left on my 'block' of 20 lessons. Since I started learning to drive in March of that year, I hadn't driven in the dark, so I arranged with my instructor for three hours of night driving after I'd passed my test, plus two hours on the A1(M) Gateshead-Scotch Corner Motorway so I could get some feel of what I'd encounter (my nearest M-way was the Newcastle Central Motorway - a complete nightmare for newly-qualified drivers!).
I like to think I was trying to become a better driver rather than just ask for a refund of the five hours. My instructor was all for it and wished that other learners would have done the same thing.
I remember driving down to Norwich and back from Newcastle the first weekend after passing, in my then new Mondeo. Wasn't phased at all about driving long distances even back then.
Could I pass the test now? I'd like to think so. _________________ Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited) |
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