Discuss driving lessons and tests

[RoadKill]

The rules also apply to you.

 

Don't worry about it, it's not like it's unexpected; it's why nobody becomes a teacher these days and the education system in this country has gone to shit - don't worry though, everyone fucks up things, I didn't think Nightwolf would take it seriously though.

[Kirkatronics]

Appealing won't achieve anything. You can't appeal against an examiner's decision. If the examiner felt that he had to intervene because he felt that an unnecessary obstruction was being caused, then that'd be good enough for the DSA.

 

Obviously I don't know exactly what happened, but it sounds like the examiner was right to do what he did.

 

Remember...pinch of salt!!!

I agree with you that appealing wont solve anything, but then again i am agreeing that the instructor made the right decision from what i have read.

 

The point is, that I wouldn't have been driving dangerously if I hadn't have been asked to "hurry up" by the examiner. It was pretty harsh to be fair, and my confidence plummeted because of his comments. I'm not appealing because he failed me, I'm appealing because of his attitude within the test. I was only slightly nervous just before, and during the first part of the test. I was fine before the turn in the road, everything fell appart afterwards, after he told me to "hurry up."

 

The road I did a turn in the road in was quite narrow, and there were quite a few pedestrians walking around. I think that it would have been a terrible idea to do speed up, as there were many people around. I've always been told to relax and take as much time as necessary to do manouvers. At the end of the day, taking it slow is better than going too fast and killing someone/crashing the car. Besides, I wasn't even going slowly, as I said, I was checking the area for pedestrians.

 

My instructor agrees with my decision to appeal. He's told me that the same examiner took one of his old pupils on a test, and reduced her to tears, even though he passed her. The examiner apparently went on at her, saying that he "only just" passed her, and that she'd probably keep making the same mistakes as she did on her test for the rest of her life. She did nothing about that. To me that does not sound like a very good examiner.

 

And this story is the entire story. Sue, I admit, I did drive dangerously, though after having my nerves completely ruined, do you blame me? If it wasn't for his attitude, I'm confident I would have passed today.

 

I even told my mates when I got to uni, and they agreed that no examiner should be allowed to rush someone in thier exam.Imagine if a teacher kept on telling a kid to hurry up during their GCSE exams, that wouldn't be acceptable would it? I see this in the same vein.

You cant blame your instructor for making you drive dangerously. If you were a fully competent driver who was ready to pass his/her test, that wouldnt have bothered you.

 

An examiner job is to observe which is why I told you to appeal, he shouldn't have said a word to you about it and he sounds like a nasty piece of work.

 

Half way through a manvouer no matter which one it is your told to look around for others. You should not have been failed for your test, though unfortunetly every so often you get somebody who doesn't seem to care about his job nor the people they are looking over.

 

I hope that you pass next time and get a nicer examiner, so not that it's easier to pass, but because they should be fairer to you.

Examiners are tested very often themselves for quality, and every complaint is followed up with an investigatoin.

 

They should be stricter than they are, because it can be dangerous.

You cant say an examiner was nsaty becuase he abandoned a test. You cant say its his fault the he was driving dangerously.

 

You can just be nice and pass everyone. Personally, i dont believe i should have passed...

[CoolFunkMan]

You cant blame your instructor for making you drive dangerously. If you were a fully competent driver who was ready to pass his/her test, that wouldnt have bothered you.

 

I see your point, though I do see myself as a good driver. It's just that exams are unnerving anyway, I hate exams. Infact, a driving test is probably one of the worst exams anyone can take. Even a mate of mine said the only time he's truly been nervous/scared was when he took his driving test.

 

Instructors should know this, and there's no reason to prevoke their pupils. As mentioned earlier, an examiners job is to give instructions and mark an exam, not to be impatient and tell the pupil to hurry up. I wasn't expecting that, I'd never expect anything like that from any examiner, ever. Which is why I ended up messing up so badly, I never expected it, and it threw me off.

 

Although it looks like I'm not going to get through to anyone else here. I guess you'd have to actually be in my situation to understand. Thanks to everyone who's supported me though. ^^

[Dog-amoto]

I see your point, though I do see myself as a good driver. It's just that exams are unnerving anyway, I hate exams. Infact, a driving test is probably one of the worst exams anyone can take. Even a mate of mine said the only time he's truly been nervous/scared was when he took his driving test.

 

Instructors should know this, and there's no reason to prevoke their pupils. As mentioned earlier, an examiners job is to give instructions and mark an exam, not to be impatient and tell the pupil to hurry up. I wasn't expecting that, I'd never expect anything like that from any examiner, ever. Which is why I ended up messing up so badly, I never expected it, and it threw me off.

 

Although it looks like I'm not going to get through to anyone else here. I guess you'd have to actually be in my situation to understand. Thanks to everyone who's supported me though. ^^

 

It's nothing to do with not having support. I've seen this loads and loads of times - and I seriously doubt that appealing will solve anything. After all, it's your word against his. The examiner will have already done a written report on why he abandoned the test (they do a report after every test, pass or fail) and all he has to say is that in his opinion, you were holding up traffic unnecessarily. You do not say whether you were in the middle of the manoeuvre when he said it or hadn't started yet.

 

If you want to go ahead with the appeal, then be aware that you cannot appeal against the examiner's decision - only that the test was not conducted according to the regulations on the DT1 which can be found here

 

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practical_test/dt1/Oct07docs/EXTERNAL%20cHAP%201%20Oct%2007%20DT1%20master.pdf

 

I have copied and pasted areas of note if you can't be bothered to read it all.

 

1.27 INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES

 

Examiners should ensure their instructions are absolutely clear. Candidates must not

be left in any doubt about the route to be taken. Directions should be given in good

time, especially where marking of traffic lanes indicate an option, and more detailed

directions only while the vehicle is stationary. At complex junctions and gyratory

systems, a request simply to turn right or left may not be enough to indicate the route

clearly. Candidates should not be given any grounds to complain of being flustered

or uncertain. It should not normally be necessary to ask a candidate to stop the

engine.

 

1.35 TURN IN THE ROAD

 

The object is to see if the candidate can manoeuvre and control the vehicle in a

restricted space where proper use of the clutch, accelerator and handbrake,

combined with judgement of the position of the vehicle in relation to the kerb, is

essential. The place selected should be a quiet road, preferably without gradient,

about 6 metres (20 ft) wide, but wider if the candidate's vehicle is longer than

average. The exercise may be carried out on a road with a steep camber if a

suitable place to test moving off on a gradient is not available elsewhere on the

route.

The candidate should be asked to try to avoid touching the kerb during the

manoeuvre. If the candidate starts by reversing, they should be stopped and

reminded that the first part of the turn should be carried out in forward gear. The

candidate should show proper care for the safety of other road users while turning.

 

 

Even if your appeal was successful, all you would get is a free retest. I'm not sure if you would also get a free theory test, but I doubt it very much. You'd still have to pay your instructor for more lessons, so ask is it really worth it?

 

Good luck in whatever you decide, if you need any more info, then you can pm me if you want.

[ReZourceman]

I passed my driving test a year ago today, Wheeee! Then after I played the Crackdown demo. Lozzles.

[nightwolf]

I agree with you that appealing wont solve anything, but then again i am agreeing that the instructor made the right decision from what i have read.

 

You cant blame your instructor for making you drive dangerously. If you were a fully competent driver who was ready to pass his/her test, that wouldnt have bothered you.

 

Examiners are tested very often themselves for quality, and every complaint is followed up with an investigatoin.

 

They should be stricter than they are, because it can be dangerous.

You cant say an examiner was nsaty becuase he abandoned a test. You cant say its his fault the he was driving dangerously.

 

You can just be nice and pass everyone. Personally, i dont believe i should have passed...

 

Thoroughly? When taking a theory a person has to aim for 44/74. An examiner only has to get 55/74.

 

I fail to see that as thorough, I can understand the actual driving test as possibly thorough but not the theory, as they have to take on regularly.

 

If he's already taken his theory then even pass or fail it still lasts for two years so really he doesn't have to worry about that one. I'd suggest asking for a free test. Either the decision is obviously yours about whether you wish to push the issue or not.

 

[Rummy]

I gotta admit, I also tend to take test stories with a pinch of salt, but how long would you say you were taking on your turn in the road? Like from the time he asked you to after it/when he ended the test if that's what he ended it on. My tester did tell me at times to hurry up, but that was during junctions really(he gave me most of my minors for hesitancy), and at the end he mentioned that I took too long on the reverse around the corner. I was always told to take my time on manouvres by my instructor though, and I don't think I ever encountered a road so narrow cars couldn't pass by behind or in front halfways(after the forward or the reverse) through the manouvre. You sure you didn't keep the car moving whilst another car was? I was told that's a fail, and also turning towards where pedestrians are walking isn't good either.

[nightwolf]

I gotta admit, I also tend to take test stories with a pinch of salt, but how long would you say you were taking on your turn in the road? Like from the time he asked you to after it/when he ended the test if that's what he ended it on. My tester did tell me at times to hurry up, but that was during junctions really(he gave me most of my minors for hesitancy), and at the end he mentioned that I took too long on the reverse around the corner. I was always told to take my time on manouvres by my instructor though, and I don't think I ever encountered a road so narrow cars couldn't pass by behind or in front halfways(after the forward or the reverse) through the manouvre. You sure you didn't keep the car moving whilst another car was? I was told that's a fail, and also turning towards where pedestrians are walking isn't good either.

 

 

It's a shame because the driver should be taken by their instructor to quiet spots that an examiner would take them, this is why it's so confusing, as to why an examiner took him to a spot with lots of pedestrians.

 

There's not way he could have done a reverse round a corner quickly without being failed also for not looking properly, for strange, it's the same with a three point turn, as your about to pull away you have to look both sides to see if anybody is coming, so does that mean my examiner will fail me for taking to long if I stop to look even though I was told to do so?

 

[Kirkatronics]

On my test i got 4 minors; one for indicating too late, one for blocking a vans passage for about 10 seconds (someone double parked near a traffic light), one for breaking too fast, and one i cant remember.

 

I still stand by what i say, but its not because i dont support you. Its just that everytime someone fails its never their fault..

 

Good luck on your next test.

 

My instructor has a technique to prepare his drivers for their tests, he takes us out of our comfort zones. This way, when we get in to the car, its a more relaxed experience.

[nightwolf]

On my test i got 4 minors; one for indicating too late, one for blocking a vans passage for about 10 seconds, one for breaking too fast, and one i cant remember.

 

I still stand by what i say, but its not because i dont suport you. Its just that everytime someone fails its never their fault..

 

Good luck on your next test.

My instructor has a technique to prepare his drivers for their tests, he takes us out of our comfort zones. This way, when we get in to the car, its a more relaxed experience.

 

Ah see now my instructor has got to the point where he only helps me with driving if there's a need otherwise it's like a test, very unnerving.

[Kirkatronics]

Ah see now my instructor has got to the point where he only helps me with driving if there's a need otherwise it's like a test, very unnerving.

He SHOUTED like hell if i got something wrong lol. That was his technique... Scary sometimes

 

I thought my driving was shocking, but the examiner said it was really good.

[ReZourceman]

When I had my test I was 99.9% certain I failed, because I took a roundabout in the wrong lane, and I was in my head like "Great. You've just fucking failed. Idiot" all the way through. Was uber shocked when he said Id passed.

[nightwolf]

He SHOUTED like hell if i got something wrong lol. That was his technique... Scary sometimes

 

I thought my driving was shocking, but the examiner said it was really good.

 

haha mine used his brakes when I do something wrong or grabs my wheel, scary stuffs!

 

Most of the time he reaches over and flashes the lights at other drivers, he gets really annoyeds at people over-taking and bad driving bless him:indeed:

[Kirkatronics]

haha mine used his brakes when I do something wrong or grabs my wheel, scary stuffs!

 

Most of the time he reaches over and flashes the lights at other drivers, he gets really annoyeds at people over-taking and bad driving bless him:indeed:

Mine slammed the breaks on everytime someone got really close to me.

Shocked me, scared the shit outta them lol

[Dog-amoto]

Thoroughly? When taking a theory a person has to aim for 44/74. An examiner only has to get 55/74.

 

 

Huh? I assume you are talking about the Hazard Perception there, and it's out of 75 not 74.

 

This is only a tiny part of the qualification process - the theory is much harder and come from a totally different question bank that learners get. They have a much harder driving test to pass, I'm not too sure what it is for the examiners but for us instructors, it lasts for 1 hour and 20 mins, and takes in motorways and country roads and you can only get 5 minors as opposed to 15 for learners. And you have to worry about driving eco-friendly too. Once they've passed this, they have to attend an interview, plus loads of training courses at Cardington, and then once qualified they have to have at least 6 check tests a year from the Senior Examiner at the centre. Oh, and the personality bypass!! lol

 

I wouldn't want to be an examiner - much prefer instructing. Being an examiner sounds like a boring job to me!

 

He SHOUTED like hell if i got something wrong lol. That was his technique... Scary sometimes

 

I thought my driving was shocking, but the examiner said it was really good.

 

Shouting is pointless - it's counter-productive. Not to mention intimidating and possibly scary for the person on the receiving end.

 

I've recently taken up the drums - it's loads of fun but one of the reasons I started was because it shows me how uncoordinated I am with my arms and legs - the same as when a new learner gets in the car with me, so I can empathise with them.

[nightwolf]

Huh? I assume you are talking about the Hazard Perception there, and it's out of 75 not 74.

 

This is only a tiny part of the qualification process - the theory is much harder and come from a totally different question bank that learners get. They have a much harder driving test to pass, I'm not too sure what it is for the examiners but for us instructors, it lasts for 1 hour and 20 mins, and takes in motorways and country roads and you can only get 5 minors as opposed to 15 for learners. And you have to worry about driving eco-friendly too. Once they've passed this, they have to attend an interview, plus loads of training courses at Cardington, and then once qualified they have to have at least 6 check tests a year from the Senior Examiner at the centre. Oh, and the personality bypass!! lol

 

I wouldn't want to be an examiner - much prefer instructing. Being an examiner sounds like a boring job to me!

 

wow that guys instructor must have made such an effort on that then

[Kirkatronics]

wow that guys instructor must have made such an effort on that then

Which guy?

[Dog-amoto]

wow that guys instructor must have made such an effort on that then

 

LOL! Sorry, don't mean to be pedantic, but can you call him the examiner and not instructor as it took me a while to suss out what you meant!!

 

How far are you into your lessons now nightwolf? You done your theory yet?

[nightwolf]

Oh bloomin eck I meant examiner. Sorry it's been one of those days again!

 

I'm 15 lessons in, hopefully get to about 25 and think about taking my test, driving for me is easy now, I just need to get the rest of manvouers done.

 

I haven't done my theory yet, I'm hoping to get it booked soon. =]

[Dog-amoto]

My advice would be to book it now - don't know what it's like there, but you may have to wait 2 or 3 weeks to take a theory, and it's normally about 6 or 7 weeks to wait for a practical test, which you cannot book until you've passed the theory. Though these waiting times vary from centre to centre. So this will entail a 10 week wait for the tests which should fit in nicely with your plans

 

Are you doing 1 hour lessons or 2?

[nightwolf]

Luckily I've already asked my instructor and shouldn't have to wait that long for either.

 

I'll possibly be taking my theory next month if I decide to. My practical I'm not bothered when as long as it is before june.

 

I do 1 hour lessons sometimes 1 and a half depending on the time he has.

[Dog-amoto]

Ok, I tend to find that it gives people a kick up the bum to get studying if they have their test coming up!

 

Good luck, let me know if you need any help with anything

[nightwolf]

Ok, I tend to find that it gives people a kick up the bum to get studying if they have their test coming up!

 

Good luck, let me know if you need any help with anything

 

I've done my cbt before, and had to read about cars anyway, now I just have the same book just with questions in.

 

I know I'm pretty ready for both tests, but as I said I've not finished the manouvers.

[ReZourceman]

I had approx 50-60 lessons. *Throws money at drain*

[Davey_T]

No but if your going slow then it can't be helped, god knows I go slow going round a corner and I asked if I would be failed for doing so (it's not stupidly slow but enough to have somebody waiting) and my instructor said no, the only time it can be a fail is if your doing something silly like 30 in a 60.

If you're holding someone up you could fail for doing 20 in a 30