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Driving Test tightness

ThomP said:
i once failed because i wasn't driving fast enough :(
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Same here, was in a 30 doing the limit and then it went up to a 40, but the sign was behind a tree. I had been there a few times so thought I could remember it changing to a 40, so when I saw the sign in the rear view mirror going down to 30 in the opposite direction, about 100m or so further I realized and sped up, but still failed.

My driving instructor mentioned to me about the quotas aswell, but to be fair my driving was crap because I was nervous. Had no problems the second time though :)
 
Tesla said:
I think the mindset of some examiners is where can I fail this pupil as apposed to how can I pass him/her.
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Of course it is....

I'm sure within about 5 minutes of the test starting, the examiner knows whether the examinee will pass or fail. It doesn't take long to see whether someone is ready to be let loose by themselves, or if they really need another few months of instruction/supervision.

If the person is OK at driving - confident, safe, aware and attentive, then they'll pass. Case in point - my examiner overlooked my driving up a curb when I pulled into a layby on my test, and I passed 1st time.

But if the person isn't quite ready yet - perhaps they're not confident enough, making silly mistakes, or not looking far enough ahead at the road - they need to fail the test. Perhaps they will make the whole of the test without making any major mistakes, but still not be ready to go out on their own. In that case, they need to be failed for something, the examiner can't simply say "you're not ready yet, sorry". That's the reason some people fail for what are indeed silly reasons.

There is no quote system either. If you're good enough, you'll pass.
 
I believe that the examiners mood at the time of the test can play a part too.
My wife failed her test in Britain for "not using the bus lane". Granted, it was outside the hours of operation for the lane, but I feel that it's extremely harsh to fail someone for not using it when they don't have to.

Prior to the test taking place I saw the examiner walking to the car with my wife, and she was moody as hell. She complained that the car was "too small" and would give her a "bad back", she rolled her eyes and sighed loudly when my wife went to the back of the car when asked to demonstrate how she would check the oil.....and then must have felt about an inch tall when shown that the engine was IN THE REAR (I was nearby quietly watching this all happen, and had to stifle a laugh when that happened).

My wife was gutted when she was told that she had failed, but I reckon that nobody was going to pass with that particular examiner at that time.
 
Using the wrong lane at roundabouts like this boils my blood - I go past 3 each day and the amount of idiots who just ignore the markings and wonder why half a Mazda Xedos is nearly sticking out of their car with an angry young man beeping his horn. No excuse for it - it is plain dangerous.
 
My mate failed today because he couldn't get the bike started again after his walking U-turn. Turned out it was a dodgy connection in the clutch meaning you had to hold it in for the bike to start. He has to wait a fortnight and take it again with a more stringent examiner. More of an abortion than a fail. Passed mine though. :)
 
Surely not using the bus lane is only a minor? I was told by my bike instructor unless it is a recurring fault you wouldn't fail for it. Also if you do find yourself in a left only lane, you must go left rather than panic and try to get accross. Passed my bike test with 2 minors btw :)
 
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