Should the practical driving test be harder?

[bladeowner]

The theory driving test pass rate has fallen:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29160052

Should the practical test be harder as well? There seems to be a lot of numpties on the roads these days.

 

[Adam D]

Whilst the young take a while to find their limits I see many seasoned drivers being complete spanners. Keep things how they are with the inclusion of motorway driving and actively target bad driving (Keep left unless passing, minimum speeds to be attained on motorways and tailgating).

 

[oli445]

Whilst the young take a while to find their limits I see many seasoned drivers being complete spanners. Keep things how they are with the inclusion of motorway driving and actively target bad driving (Keep left unless passing, minimum speeds to be attained on motorways and tailgating).

Amen to that!

 

[Nictrix]

It seems to me that the newer or more expensive the car the operator stops using the indicators.
Almost as bad as that are the people who leave it till the last minute before indicating.
Whats wrong with giving people around you as much notice as possible if you are going to turn?

 

[domsz4]

i think they ought to make it a bit more real.

sack off shite like reversing into a slot in a car park.... what kind of useless bu@:sh*t is that? go in forwards and then you wont have to scrape your fat arsed overweight chav kids up the side of my car to put your kerry catona £1 a box of fozen lard food into your car :evil:

Motorways .... 1.its a 60-70mph body of traffic 35 up the slip is not going to cut it. 2.since when has it become the law for people on the slip to have right of way? i thought it was their job to filter in not for the car in the lane to move over?
if a driver is at a point where they are capable to doing their test then the ought to be capable to be given lessons on motorways. 60mins and a piece of paper changes jack all.

parallel parking... the kid i was teaching said they only do it behind 1 car not inbetween 2 cars ... where is real life does this happen?

I have little time these days for s**t learners. esp in rush hour. i dont see why they cant set up centres like with the CBT/HGV training etc where you learn the basics off the road so when you do get on it at least you know what all the pedals do.....


oh there is more but ill stop here

 

[bladeowner]

i think they ought to make it a bit more real.

.....

I have little time these days for s**t learners. esp in rush hour. i dont see why they cant set up centres like with the CBT/HGV training etc where you learn the basics off the road so when you do get on it at least you know what all the pedals do.....


oh there is more but ill stop here

Agreed, Our village is used by driving instructors / schools for their pupils as it's quieter than the rest of the town. It does become frustrating when you regularly get stuck behind them. There should be a minimum standard of competency before they are allowed on the public roads as bikers have to.

 

[InvisibleName]

i think they ought to make it a bit more real.

sack off shite like reversing into a slot in a car park.... what kind of useless bu@:sh*t is that? go in forwards and then you wont have to scrape your fat arsed overweight chav kids up the side of my car to put your kerry catona £1 a box of fozen lard food into your car :evil:

Motorways .... 1.its a 60-70mph body of traffic 35 up the slip is not going to cut it. 2.since when has it become the law for people on the slip to have right of way? i thought it was their job to filter in not for the car in the lane to move over?
if a driver is at a point where they are capable to doing their test then the ought to be capable to be given lessons on motorways. 60mins and a piece of paper changes jack all.

parallel parking... the kid i was teaching said they only do it behind 1 car not inbetween 2 cars ... where is real life does this happen?

I have little time these days for s**t learners. esp in rush hour. i dont see why they cant set up centres like with the CBT/HGV training etc where you learn the basics off the road so when you do get on it at least you know what all the pedals do.....


oh there is more but ill stop here

Who'se a happy bunny!!

 

[ekimj10]

There should be a minimum standard of competency before they are allowed on the public roads as bikers have to

Couldn't agree with you more, we are plagued with them, all day every day, practicing 3 point turns taking minutes, practicing reverse parking behind a parked car (I'd be out like a shot if it was mine), several instances of reversing from a main road into a side road with halt sign - the list goes on and I'm losing patience.
Def more than ever before and every one seems to be a different driving school.

 

[Dewi]

2.since when has it become the law for people on the slip to have right of way? i thought it was their job to filter in not for the car in the lane to move over?

I got road raged over this not so long ago by some knuckle dragging neanderthal. Bimbling along in the inside lane on the M6 with all 3 lanes doing around 60ish - quite heavy traffic so I couldn't move out without cutting someone up. Saw this guy entering the m/way thinking he'd adjust his speed and either slot in behind or in front of me. But no, he'd rather run right alongside me almost forcing me into the middle lane of traffic. In the end I had to brake and let hm in, then he starts slamming his brakes on in front of me and giving me the fingers! He actually came off the motorway and followed me to the Asda car park. He drove by slowly and gave me one of his "hard looks" ...never got out of his car though.

Back to the original question. Not sure that the test needs to be harder, it just needs to be more relevant. As already said M/way training and testing should definitely be part of the test. IME a lot of people just don't know how to drive on M/ways, and if you think they're bad when you're driving a car on them try riding a motorbike - some of them use you for target practice!

 

[ZedFourM]

I'm not sure that the driving test should be any harder (not that I've ever had to take one...), but I do think that it should be retaken every 5 or 10 years. The law and the technology in cars changes over time, and experienced drivers also fall into bad habits, so a regular re-test would help to ensure that standards were maintained.

Regarding traffic joining a major road/motorway from a slip road - while they don't have a legal right of way, they do seem to have de facto precedence, and it is what most people expect these days. I wouldn't be surprised to see the law changing in the future (in the same way that using hazard warning lights on a moving vehicle used to be illegal, and then so many drivers started doing it when motorway traffic came to a halt that the law was changed.)

It wouldn't be a bad change, in my opinion - you need to use the slip road to get up to 70mph (and not every car has the acceleration characteristics of a Z4), and if there is no obvious gap in the traffic, what do you do? Slam on the brakes and risk being rear ended by the car following you and pushed out into the traffic (this has happened - with fatal consequences)? Or do you try forcing your way into traffic (and get castigated on places like Z4 Forum)? Or drive along the hard shoulder (and risk prosecution)?

 

[paulgs1000]

Lots of folk on here must have first gone on the public highway as a fully formed perfect drivers!

Where is the understanding that we should approach every driver as if they are an idiot and respond appropriately. . . seems some believe it's better to use road rage and show them the 'correct' way to behave on the road. . . ?!

I like the idea of P plates - I had all my kids wear them for a few weeks after they passed their tests - they hated it but I thought it would be safest for other drivers as well as themselves.

My mate is a senior test examiner and whilst he has concerns about aspects of the test I can tell you that people who are not fit to be on the road do not pass the test. It is quite a difficult and demanding test and it does offer the opportunity to highlight those who should not be allowed on the road as much as it gives people the opportunity to pass. I trust my mates judgement, training and the system and he is very aware that he has a massive responsibility turning people out on the road where potentially they can create harm, even death.

I'd sooner deal with a learner on the road than the young driver that just hurtled around a blind bend where I was making a right turn - I'd estimated his speed at 70mph - no chance of stopping and of course he didn't have to but I'm not certain every time he takes that bend he will be as lucky. Oh and I bet he thinks he's a brilliant driver. . .

I'll continue to drive expecting all drivers to do the stupid things (and that includes me at times) - not just new drivers. I'm also a believer in continued training to improve your skills - I've taken it recognising that I've picked up bad habits over the years and found it a terrific help - perhaps that's the way to go rather than make the test even more difficult.

Regarding motorway slip roads - why hasn't anyone mentioned reading the road, situational awareness well before this zone both ahead and behind, expecting the need to create the gap well before entering that area of danger, moving out of the inside lane to create a safe zone and that way minimising the danger of a hesitant driver - if in the middle lane leaving room for those on the inside to come out into your lane (in such an area on the motorway they are equally poor drivers if they fail to do this). . . or are we all so focussed on making our own progress that we are not prepared to give up our bit of the road for fear of losing a few precious seconds of our journey time. . .

:driving:

 

[Zed Five]

One of the core things that needs to be taught in my view is 'anticipation', planning ahead etc. Im astounded by the number of drivers who effectively need to stop, look and decide. Approaching a roundabout for example.

maybe driving lessons and the test need a section on teaching dimwits how to think more than 2 seconds ahead. :|

Weekend drivers the worst in my book!

 

[buzyg]

Add in compulsary skid pan and gravell course training and I'll take my test again. :driving:

 

[ronk]

Maybe slightly off topic but It's about time drivers were properly taught how to join motorways and then conduct themselves whilst on them. It's just not necessary to barge other drivers into the outside lane. During three weeks on sometimes very busy and congested autobahn - it didn't happen to me once.
Ive just retuned from Germany and the different standard displayed on their autobahns was amazing.

That has to be down to proper tuition in my opinion.

 

[bladeowner]

I agree. A couple of years ago, I drove from N. Germany to Heidelberg and back on mainly 2 lane autobahns and was very impressed with their lane discipline and willingness to move over for cars coming up fast behind them.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[ronk]

I agree. A couple of years ago, I drove from N. Germany to Heidelberg and back on mainly 2 lane autobahns and was very impressed with their lane discipline and willingness to move over for cars coming up fast behind them.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

That has to be down to tuition.
The first time I ever drove over there many years ago, it always looked to me as though they were going to barge on,but it didn't happen. They just 'bob' back in when they see a faster vehicle coming .

It was a real driving culture shock for the first few miles off the ferry.

Top marks for the German driver from me

 

[Denis O]

Lots of folk on here must have first gone on the public highway as a fully formed perfect drivers!

Where is the understanding that we should approach every driver as if they are an idiot and respond appropriately. . . seems some believe it's better to use road rage and show them the 'correct' way to behave on the road. . . ?!

I like the idea of P plates - I had all my kids wear them for a few weeks after they passed their tests - they hated it but I thought it would be safest for other drivers as well as themselves.

My mate is a senior test examiner and whilst he has concerns about aspects of the test I can tell you that people who are not fit to be on the road do not pass the test. It is quite a difficult and demanding test and it does offer the opportunity to highlight those who should not be allowed on the road as much as it gives people the opportunity to pass. I trust my mates judgement, training and the system and he is very aware that he has a massive responsibility turning people out on the road where potentially they can create harm, even death.

I'd sooner deal with a learner on the road than the young driver that just hurtled around a blind bend where I was making a right turn - I'd estimated his speed at 70mph - no chance of stopping and of course he didn't have to but I'm not certain every time he takes that bend he will be as lucky. Oh and I bet he thinks he's a brilliant driver. . .

I'll continue to drive expecting all drivers to do the stupid things (and that includes me at times) - not just new drivers. I'm also a believer in continued training to improve your skills - I've taken it recognising that I've picked up bad habits over the years and found it a terrific help - perhaps that's the way to go rather than make the test even more difficult.

Regarding motorway slip roads - why hasn't anyone mentioned reading the road, situational awareness well before this zone both ahead and behind, expecting the need to create the gap well before entering that area of danger, moving out of the inside lane to create a safe zone and that way minimising the danger of a hesitant driver - if in the middle lane leaving room for those on the inside to come out into your lane (in such an area on the motorway they are equally poor drivers if they fail to do this). . . or are we all so focussed on making our own progress that we are not prepared to give up our bit of the road for fear of losing a few precious seconds of our journey time. . .

:driving:

Paul, congrats on what I see as an excellent well balanced post.

It seems that every car forum in the UK is used by driving gods, who never make mistakes, reiterating stories of tosser drivers who dare to cross their path....or road. Some classic ones on this thread regarding joining motorways!!!

Anticipation and defensive driving is the only way.

 

[ronk]

What is the correct way of joining a motorway in the uk ?

 

[Angie4m]

I'm just back from Spain and holly dit they hate to indicate and just do as they please. Honestly of we drove the way they did it would be carnage but I found that they just accept it whilst in the UK we have far too much aggression on the roads and wouldn't stand for it.

Got to a 6 lane roundabout in Valencia which when entering the roundabout there was no lane markings and someone from the far outside lane decided that they actually wanted to exit at the first junction so just sailed right across everyone but not horns, no flashes just everyone plodded on without issue. Might be a bit manic but actually less stressful and relaxing.

Most of the plumbs were Brits going the wrong way round car parks etc again nobody bothered, they just got on with it.

 

[Angie4m]

What is the correct way of joining a motorway in the uk ?

It should alway be to give way to traffic already on the slip road, unfortunately too many people think they can just pull out and are never prepared to stop if there is no room. I can see how people think this. There is a few sites which make no mention to the fact that you have to give way or priority and advise that drivers will move over or slow down to let you on. Sometimes that's not possible what with traffic flow and the vehicles behind you.

Definitely think that we need a) longer slip roads and marked like they do in mainland Europe with the give way signage (I've been saying that since I first drove there 10 years ago) and b) people need to get themselves upto the speed of the road they are joining ASAP. Too many times on the A1 you get stuck behind some joker trying to join at 30mph which is great with stopping but kak for trying to join especially if it's lorries up the inside!

The governments site says this https://www.gov.uk/motorways-253-to-273/joining-the-motorway-259

3. Joining the motorway (259)
259
Joining the motorway. When you join the motorway you will normally approach it from a road on the left (a slip road) or from an adjoining motorway. You should:

give priority to traffic already on the motorway
check the traffic on the motorway and match your speed to fit safely into the traffic flow in the left-hand lane
not cross solid white lines that separate lanes or use the hard shoulder
stay on the slip road if it continues as an extra lane on the motorway
remain in the left-hand lane long enough to adjust to the speed of traffic before considering overtaking.