Driving test: Is it true...

chrisxuk · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:20

that they only let a certain amount of people pass a day?

Failed my test today for being cautious at a cross roads :mad:

Basically, a lollypop lady had walked out to my left to let a large group of people cross, i waited until the lollypop lady started to walk back to the kerb and I pulled out as the car opposite gave way to me. In the lesson before my test, my instructor had even told me if in doubt, just hold back and go slowly, which I did here, but still failed

Got back to the test centre and it seemed as if the examiner was trying to find something to fault me on, as she couldn't really justify why I had failed. So perhaps I wouldn't of failed if I had just carried on and possibly hit one of the pedestrians

Was she in the right for failing me? Quite had to say though really without being there i suppose

ethos · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:22

I VERY much doubt they would blindly fail people simply for statistics / pass limit.

Maybe the examiner was just having a bad day?

wez130 · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:23

tough one, only thing i can think of is the other driver letting you out, did he flash his lights at you as iirc you are not supposed to take notice as it could be flashing at someone else, harsh if it was though.

russ0r · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:23

chrisxuk said:
that they only let a certain amount of people pass a day?

Dunno about per day, I heard they could only pass a certain amount of people per month though?

Unlucky anyway mate.

Vigoro · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:24

If you did go because he flashed his lights and didnt check mirrors and all that stuff then it might be because of that. Flashing your lights is to show the other driver you are there if i remember right, just like using your horn. Seems odd, i dont know anyone who goes over a bridge flashing their lights and tooting the horn

GingerNinja1989 · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:24

Not sure if it's true, but it certainly seemed like it when I was learning!

ethos · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:25

russ0r said:
Dunno about per day, I heard they could only pass a certain amount of people per month though?

I'm sure this rumour was spread from people failing their test.

"Must have met the limit, I sooo should have passed"

chrisxuk · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:25

ethos said:
Maybe the examiner was just having a bad day?

I wasn't even meant to have this examiner. She's just about to take a long time off for sick leave to have surgery on her hip

She struggled to get in and out of the car...

Maccy · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:28

Vigoro said:
Seems odd, i dont know anyone who goes over a bridge flashing their lights and tooting the horn

Except if you're at a motors meet!

james.miller · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:31

that would have to count as a serious unless you made umpteen other minor mistakes. Next time ask your instructor to sit in, though bear in mind you'll still fail if the examiner fails you - your instructor cant change the decision but he can challange the decision.

Examiners/instructors feel free to correct me

Kenai · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:31

If you don't come across as confident and ready (ie. overly nervous) they will pick at stuff to fail you on, even if you don't specifically screw up something hugely.

I went into my test a nervous wreck because i'd just managed to screw something up beforehand and I think it showed and caused the examiner to be a bit on edge and even though I didn't major anything, he picked up some really quite petty minors to just tip me into a fail.

Vigoro · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:32

Maccy said:
Except if you're at a motors meet!

Replace flashing lights with revving engine and you're spot on

james.miller · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:33

Kenai said:
If you don't come across as confident and ready (ie. overly nervous) they will pick at stuff to fail you on, even if you don't specifically screw up something hugely.

I went into my test a nervous wreck because i'd just managed to screw something up beforehand and I think it showed and caused the examiner to be a bit on edge and even though I didn't major anything, he picked up some really quite petty minors to just tip me into a fail.

the thing is you have to make what, 15 minors to fail? i'm sorry, i dont buy it

Kenai · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:51

james.miller said:
the thing is you have to make what, 15 minors to fail? i'm sorry, i dont buy it

I got 7 minors for looking in my mirror at the same time as signalling, rather than before.

Janesy B · 13 Oct 2009 at 18:56

ethos said:
I'm sure this rumour was spread from people failing their test.

"Must have met the limit, I sooo should have passed"

I highly suspect that this is the case.

wez130 · 13 Oct 2009 at 20:38

Kenai said:
I got 7 minors for looking in my mirror at the same time as signalling, rather than before.

i was under the impression that 3 minors under the same category equal a fail, so i assume you failed

shauncr91 · 13 Oct 2009 at 20:41

No it's BS.

Wayne~ · 13 Oct 2009 at 20:53

wez130 said:
i was under the impression that 3 minors under the same category equal a fail, so i assume you failed

Yeah I think this is right

BigglesPiP · 13 Oct 2009 at 21:04

Vigoro said:
Replace flashing lights with revving engine and you're spot on

You're thinking of under motorway bridges.

Makhaira · 13 Oct 2009 at 21:10

The only thing I can think of is that I believe technically you're meant to wait until people are completely off crossings - if you were to start moving whilst she was still stood on the markings, then maybe that could be a major?