R2OK! Forum Index R2OK!
Contact R2OK! admin

Click here for R2OK! Website


 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Driving Test

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> The Jeremy Vine Show
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
mark occomore



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:59 pm    Post subject: Driving Test Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
John W



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
iwarburton



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
johnump



Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Posts: 172
Location: Location Location

PostPosted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Rachel
Guest





PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
iwarburton



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 2133
Location: Northumberland

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 12:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19374
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 1:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
quickssandra



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 158
Location: Scotland

PostPosted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Helen May



Joined: 10 Dec 2006
Posts: 19374
Location: Cheshire

PostPosted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
admin



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 487

PostPosted: Sat May 10, 2008 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
SantaFefan



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 11258
Location: top of the cliffs in Norfolk

PostPosted: Sat May 10, 2008 8:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Motorbiking....






Chris Spedding... why do I remember that song? Laughing
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy 13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
mark occomore



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

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?
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
johnump



Joined: 30 Mar 2008
Posts: 172
Location: Location Location

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2008 12:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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??
_________________
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
John W



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 3367
Location: Warwickshire, UK

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
mark occomore



Joined: 07 Dec 2006
Posts: 9955
Location: UK

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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!! Laughing
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Cherskiy



Joined: 08 Dec 2006
Posts: 3701
Location: near Amble, Northumberland

PostPosted: Fri May 16, 2008 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

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)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    R2OK! Forum Index -> The Jeremy Vine Show All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © phpBB Group. Hosted by phpBB.BizHat.com