I am always banging on about how the current UK driving test needs real changes. Now it seems a survey by Ford and backed up by the DIA (Driving Instructors Association) has revealed that a staggering 67% of current drivers doubt their own abilities if they were to be re-tested.
That figure actually increases to 73% for 17-24 year olds. My issues with the driving test as it stands now falls into 3 different, but very serious flaws. In my opinion in order to pass and be issued with a driving licence the current testing should include;
1; Motorway driving; It’s ridiculous to think that you could pass your test and drive from the test centre straight onto a 4 lane motorway having NEVER driven on one before. It amazes me that this has been allowed to happen for so long and even more astonishing that insurance companies are willing to insure ANY driver that hasn’t demonstrated competence on the fastest roads in the UK.
2; Skid Pan training; How many flooded hidden dips do we see in the UK, how much snow did we get last winter, what happens when you get some grease on the roads, or when you get a puncture, these are all retorical questions of course but the list would go on if I was allowed to more server space for this post.
Under current testing conditions, no driver is expected and again to demonstrate skill in adverse conditions such as aquaplanning, loss of brakes etc etc (I really could go on all night).
3: A provisional re-test after 3 months. This would be what the ‘P’ plate would be used for and enforced by law. After passing the initial driving test the new driver would be allowed to drive for 3 months. At which point that driver would be re-tested to make sure they are still competent. If during this time they pick up any points or fines they they would face further restrictions or re-testing etc.
This all may seem a bit militant and old-man ish, but when you think about it your vehicle is a very big, very heavy killing machine in the wrong hands. We at R&W would be really interested to hear your thoughts on this.
One more thing to think about here is under current driving test conditions at no point is the driver tested at night in dark hours….
I’d be confident I’d pass again because I’ve always been deathly serious about driving – I never dick about behind the wheel, I make sure I know precisely the limits of myself and my car, and I never assume that other drivers have any clue what they’re doing.
However, if anything were to trip me it would be one of the many subtleties that seem to be far more important to the government than major issues such as undeveloped skills or ability to deal with dangerous circumstances. I’m sure they’d pick me up on something like allowing the wheel to spin slightly during a tight manoeuvre, or fixing my grip through a long sweeper instead of shuffling.
The problem I have is that the roads are hugely, dangerously changeable and unpredictable, and the process of learning to drive is regimented and based on ticky-boxes. People learn to meet the precise requirements of the exam, not the general principles that demonstrate why those requirements are based on a sound footing.
I see cars every day where my first though is that the driver has never taken a lesson, let alone a test, but this can’t be the case for all of them. The test may be able to check for accuracy in a number of key areas but it can’t check for mentality, and that’s where I think the biggest dangers are to be found. Someone who is great at constantly threading the wheel through their hands may still have no innate sensitivity to the signs coming from other drivers, yet that’s what will keep them safe.
I think what’s needed is the ability of instructors to ensure that a learner driver is mentally prepared as well as sufficiently skilled, with the relevant measures in place to prevent rip-offs from excessive lessons. On top of this we need more opportunities for drivers to push their cars safely under different conditions in order to feel what happens when things go wrong, and far more emphasis placed on reading other drivers.
Hi Craig,
Definitely, skid pan training is great for teaching people how a car reacts in adverse conditions. Get hooked up to a rig which the instructor controls outside the skid pan so you learn honestly and feel that fine line between recoverable and uncontrollable and how to prevent it all.
It’s good to speak to fellow drivers who know and respect how dangerous a vehicle can be. On my red light training the emphasis on safety is extremely high, that said through out my driver training the emphasis on safety, visibility (not only what you can see but making sure others can see what you are doing) and professionalism is at a level that would really benefit drivers passing current tests.
And don’t even get me started on people skimping on tyres with cheap alternatives…
Some good points made by kuangEleven. However the first sentence worries me ‘I never dick about behind the wheel, I make sure I know precisely the limits of myself and my car’. Why would you ever want to push your car or yourself to the limits on a public highway? Good driving is about being in the right place at the right time and at the correct speed for the road and conditions. Anything else is putting yourself and others at unnecessary risk.
I think with a lot of concentration I’d pass. My way of driving has changed a lot from my driving test to ‘real world’ driving.
I’ve covered 1,000s of motorway miles both in England and France and never had any issues. Also successfully controlled aqua planing and driving in the snow. I have had two crashes. One was a blowout at 70mph which resulted in bent wishbones and one where the engine mounts broke and jammed the throttle open; both in my 94 Punto and both in my first year. I’m now coming upto claiming my 5 years no claims and I feel fairly confident in my observations and anticipation now but I suppose against a list of tick boxes, my driving wouldn’t necessarily be correct.
Hi Matt,
I think you hit on an important point there that your driving may not stand up to a lot of tick boxes. The current system does have it’s flaws, it’s probably better than most other nations if I’m honest.
But I think if the current testing including the changes we have talked about here as well as an BHP restriction too for an initial period then it would result in a lot more competent and confident drivers without believing their abilities exceed their actual skill level.
To the person who said that new drivers were taught only to pass the test and tick boxes. I’m sorry to say that you clearly have experience of some very poor ADI’s. A professional driving instructor will ensure that his students learn to be as safe as possible once they become independent.
Personally, I ensure that all of my students experience dual carriageway, 70mph, overtaking at this speed as well. Also, they experience narrow country lanes, meeting situations with farm traffic and to continuosly assess the road ahead to anticipate dangers that could arise on all road types. My priority for my students is that they are as safe as possible when independent. BUT, I can’t hold their hand once they have passed. If they chose to ignore what they have learned is that my fault? Thankfully, my students have a good safety record (touch wood) but that could all change with one bad decision.
The test is satisfactory but not perfect but I honestly believe that it’s not the test that needs to change but attitudes if younger (and older) drivers. This needs to start as young as pre-school. Advanced driving courses are available to people but, when 95% of drivers to believe themselves to be good drivers anyway, the take up is low.
Rant over. Excuse typos please as done on iPhone. Oh and yes, I would pass.
As an advanced driving instructor, I know I would pass…thay may sound a little ‘cocky’ but I’ve been actively attempting to improve my driving for over 10 years by doing the IAM’s advanced test, training to be an IAM Observer and also taking the DSA ADI tests.
Attitude, attitude, attitude is all important. If all drivers (me included) accepted there is plenty to learn after passing the L-test, kept an open mind and were critical of their own driving (not others!) then the roads would be a nicer, safer place.
As for skid-pan training…I’m not convinced…if you get into a skid on the road there is likely to be very little space to use your ‘schumacher-esque’ driving skills to correct it – you’ll probably hit a kerb/tree/oncoming traffice before you get the car under control again. Much better to improve your observation, limnit point analysis and smoothness and avoid that skik in the first place.
The L-test is OK…ish and the DSA are gradually moving away from testing low-speed manoeuvres (now only have to do 1 of the classic 3) with the advent of the ‘independent driving’ section of the test – which I believe is a good thing.
PS. To the earlier poster…you will not fail the L-test for using fixed grip steering…you will if the car is not under control at all times though…so letting the wheel spin through your fingers is a no-no.