Signal at roundabout query

Outcast said:
The Highway Code is not Law, merely a (good) guide.

You don't need to indicate AT ALL when no-one is around !!
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That doesn't make your statement about not indicating because you're not changing direction any more correct though. If you're driving as per the guidance of the Highway Code, regardless of which exit you take at a roundabout you should have indicated at some point.

If we all just ignored everything in there that isn't a 'MUST NOT' type instruction, it would be utter chaos :p
 
Jokester said:
I don't know if there's an appeals process for driving tests, but that for me is evidence enough that you were following the road signs correctly.
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The appeals process is a bit of a joke tbh. Takes months and they almost always side with the examiner. So little point. I just wish I could re-book my retake and sit in within a week or 2. Need to wait 7 weeks which is ridiculous.

My instructor has led me around the area a fair bit but it's a fair few miles from where I live so the lessons are not usually in the area. I'm in Brighton and they closed the test centre here in 2009. Very frustrating.

My minors were scattered about the place and he didn't say much about them. 2 for steering, which he didn't explain, 1 for control on my bay park, and 2 for gear usage. I think I stalled once and recovered quickly because I pulled off in second.
 
The appeals process isn't there to get the result overturned, unfortunately. It's there if you feel that the examiner didn't carry out the test in the required manner - to quote DL25:

"You should note that your right to appeal to the Court under Section 90 or 133 is strictly limited to the question of whether the test was properly conducted in accordance with the relevant Regulations. The examiner's decision and test result cannot be altered."

What has you instructor told you to do at that roundabout?

After looking at the street view link you provided, it looks to me that the 1st exit was there as part of the design of the roundabout in the first place, otherwise a T-junction would have been fine for people coming in and out the housing estate.

There's a similar situation with a roundabout near me that there's been an exit created that leads to nowhere, but there for future development. However the advance warning sign for that roundabout does show that exit, so straight on would be the 2nd exit.

Maybe a complaint to the local council and get them to update the advance warning sign to correctly reflect the roundabout - good luck trying to get that done though!
 
Jokester said:
It doesn't really matter if it's an exit, you approach the roundabout, the sign indicates you would be taking the first exit, you indicate left before you hit the roundabout just after you've passed the junction where you can't actually see there's an additional exit there as it's hidden from view by the grassy bank and fence. Without local knowledge, he's absolutely done the right thing there and the examiner has shafted him for it.
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Depending on the part of the test it's likely the examiner would have said "Please at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit" or something very similar stating exactly what exit. This is the key, if he said 1st exit then OP should have pulled into the picnic area and therefore a signal approaching the roundabout would have been necessary, if he said 2nd then approaching you wouldn't use one (or I wouldn't) but it's happened now and it can't be changed.
 
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My driving instructor told me you should always indicate left on road ahead on big roundabouts. The only times you wouldn't is at T-junctions and mini-roundabouts.

In the real world hardly anyone indicates on road ahead, and rightly so, as it probably confuses more people than not.

I wonder if you would have gotten a minor from the same examiner if you hadn't indicated at all - maybe something to talk to him about. The only times I would indicate on road ahead is if the road is offset to the right from a straight line.
 
You should indicate when it's appropriate to do so, there should not be an "always" situation. I don't see why you'd indicate left for straight on in any circumstances, especially if there's an exit to the left! You might chose to indicate when you're approaching the exit but you certainly shouldn't be doing it at the entry to the roundabout
 
Don't over analyze it, it's an exit on a roundabout regardless of whether it's 4ft long or 400ft long. Just drive to the test, signal like you've been taught, don't over think roundabouts or junctions.
 
Hyburnate said:
Depending on the part of the test it's likely the examiner would have said "Please at the next roundabout take the 2nd exit" or something very similar stating exactly what exit. This is the key, if he said 1st exit then OP should have pulled into the picnic area and therefore a signal approaching the roundabout would have been necessary, if he said 2nd then approaching you wouldn't use one (or I wouldn't) but it's happened now and it can't be changed.
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That would be true enough if the first exit was actually marked on the road surface or the sign on the approach. The google street view makes it pretty clear that you're not going to see that turn off to the left until you're right on top of the roundabout.
 
Wow, someone on here taking a test in Burgess Hill(!).

Bad luck. I signal after the second exit/just about the time I couldn't possibly be turning into that 'exit'. TBH the test route in and around BH can only be very easy at worst, so I imagine the examiners are utter sticklers for finding any errors they can and then spanking you over them.
 
I wouldn't even signal unless it helps someone coming the other way know I wasn't going right. But only as I was exiting.

That's straight on in my mind.
 
Are there seriously people out there that don't pay attention to anything that's common sense in the the Highway Code specifically because "it's not law"?
Seriously? I do despair.
 
Outcast said:
Not when I took my test.
It wasn't even law to indicate, merely "helpful" IF you did it right !

You ARE NOT changing direction, which is what indicators are for !

ie: NO indication is an indication of NO change of direction.

Simples.
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Indicators are for changing lanes, not necessarily direction. Do you often indicate when going round a bend?

It's possible to change lanes whilst continuing in the same direction (e.g. exiting a roundabout). This is why people should have to retake their driving test when they get to 60!
 
It's possible the examiner wanted to get you
Is also possible the examiner thought you'd do the worst thing on a roundabout
-indicate but not turn off - nothing worse!

this happens to often that signaling on a roundabout is almost pointless as I now don't really look at signal. If I'm waiting to enter the roundabout have to wait until you know the oncoming car is leaving

There's a particularly tricky roundabout near me where
Lane 1 is clearly marked 1st exit only
Lane 2 is clearly marked 1st exit and 2nd

Many times I get round a queue going on Lane 2.but the big danger is a douche in Lane 1 tboning me as they treat it like a normal roundabout.
 
A good explanation I got was anything over 12 o'clock and you should really stick your signal on.
 
unfortunately thats what examiners will penalize you on these days, it doesn't seem fair at all but if somebody was following you and seen you on a in a LEARNER car they tend to assume the instructor will have you indicating EVERYWHERE you want to be going so would assume you are using correct indication or at least this is how I am around learner cars, so technically it could have caused a major accident, if somebody was going by that principal I do agree with you though it does seem harsh to fail you for but considering everybody else points above it does point out that in future just be the best person on the road dont follow others bad examples! :)
 
Dragging up this thread as I re took my test today and.... passed :) 7 minors but whatever. A pass is a pass!

Such a relief. I'll now be looking to get a car/insurance. Anything else I need to consider? How does the car tax work?

Might go with automatic. I passed in manual but honestly cba with all the gear changing. Would prefer an easier time of it.
 
Phonesis said:
Dragging up this thread as I re took my test today and.... passed :) 7 minors but whatever. A pass is a pass!

Such a relief. I'll now be looking to get a car/insurance. Anything else I need to consider? How does the car tax work?

Might go with automatic. I passed in manual but honestly cba with all the gear changing. Would prefer an easier time of it.
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Car tax is simple, once you've bought the car call or go here https://www.gov.uk/car-tax-disc-without-v11-reminder and follow the instructions and congratulations!
 
Congrats on passing second time! I agree it was a harsh reason to fail on your first but I can see the examiners view. It could be misleading to some drivers.

I'd recommend you stick with a manual, at least while you're still 'fresh' at driving. Otherwise you'll forget it all and you'll have a massive limitation on cars in the future. Go with manual until you're muscle memory kicks in and then you're golden. It's really not so much gear changing.
 
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