Highway Code Theory Test.

[andyglym]

Would you pass if you did it today after 20/30/40 years on the road? Took mine today to pre-empt my CBT and bike test. The Highway Code test itself went fine, 49/50 with a quick read of the Highway Code. The Observation Test though was a different bag all together! I took a couple of practice ones online before today and crashed and burned RTFQ! After I read what they wanted it went much better getting 68% and 70% on my practice runs (cars & bikes require 59%, HGV require 67% and Trainers require 76%)

The pressure of the day ..... 61% but a pass is a pass

14 one minute video clips where there are 1 or 2 definate 'Developing Hazards'. You get a max of 5 points down to 0 depending on how quick you observe and click. If you click to often you get 0 points for that section

Oh, the oldest in the test centre by about 30 years

Not like it was back in 1985

 

[mrscalex]

Myself and James have done the tests in the last couple of weeks at Under-17 driving.

I failed. He passed...

 

[andyglym]

Myself and James have done the tests in the last couple of weeks at Under-17 driving.

I failed. He passed...

I'd have definitely failed the Observation Test if I hadn't paid for and downloaded the DVLA App

 

[mrscalex]

James is up to the equivalent of a standard driving pass now. His next grade is learning the Police driving code.

Just got a near clean sweep of A/A*s for GCSEs. I, er, didn't. In fact they were still O levels then... Making me look a tool one way or another!

 

[andyglym]

James is up to the equivalent of a standard driving pass now. His next grade is learning the Police driving code.

Just got a near clean sweep of A/A*s for GCSEs. I, er, didn't. In fact they were still O levels then... Making me look a tool one way or another!

Ditto Robert. Charlotte did similar which kind of eclipses my 1 'O' Level Grade C in Religious Studies

 

[mrscalex]

My Dad has a Masters in Chemistry. I have 1 D grade A Level so the brains have clearly skipped a generation to James and his sister

 

[Keet]

I found that when I did the hazard perception for my CBT, because of my previous driving experience and the various driving courses I'd been on, I was more aware of potential hazards before the software expected me to and clicking too soon.

It is aimed at new drivers with little or no road experience who initially will be slower to react and be less aware.

 

[andyglym]

I found that when I did the hazard perception for my CBT, because of my previous driving experience and the various driving courses I'd been on, I was more aware of potential hazards before the software expected me to and clicking too soon.

It is aimed at new drivers with little or no road experience who initially will be slower to react and be less aware.

Exactly my issue, as an Emergency Response Driver (Fire) with 30+ years under my belt I was to quick on the click. Had to reset myself for the test.

 

[Pingu]

Ditto Robert. Charlotte did similar which kind of eclipses my 1 'O' Level Grade C in Religious Studies

Goes to show that it helps if you pray before your exams

 

[andyglym]

Goes to show that it helps if you pray before your exams

Yes my son, confession helped

 

[Stevo7682]

We'll done on your pass Andy

 

[Redline]

I did these when Jonathan was learning and had the same failure on the observation tests. It’s not just reacting early to some situations but also picking up minor things that could develop into real hazards but not what they were wanting you to find. Not things you have to react to but watch to check they don’t develop. Thirty plus years experience teaches you a great deal.

 

[andyglym]

I did these when Jonathan was learning and had the same failure on the observation tests. It’s not just reacting early to some situations but also picking up minor things that could develop into real hazards but not what they were wanting you to find. Not things you have to react to but watch to check they don’t develop. Thirty plus years experience teaches you a great deal.

'Potential Hazards' and 'Developing Hazards'. Lots of things have potential and I found out to my cost on my practice runs that it's not these that they're after. Example; a car slowly pulling up to a stop at a junction to turn into the main road that you're on is a potential whereas a car speeding up to said junction is a developing hazard as it presents a greater risk.

 

[Delk]

I have been driving all over the world for thirty plus years and have had licences from multiple countries. Took my Uk exam a few years ago and had never heard of the hazard test until I sat down for it. Managed to pass so I must have learned something along the way.

 

[andyglym]

I have been driving all over the world for thirty plus years and have had licences from multiple countries. Took my Uk exam a few years ago and had never heard of the hazard test until I sat down for it. Managed to pass so I must have learned something along the way.

For the experienced driver it's mainly common sense, it's a good test though.

 

[Keet]

For the experienced driver it's mainly common sense, it's a good test though.

Although in my opinion, the standard of driving has got much worse. Which doesn't seem right somehow. Surely a so called tougher test should make the drivers better.

And the standard of parking since it was introduced into the driving test is abysmal! The amounts of times you see cars abandoned in kerbside spaces most Europeans would have three cars fitted into!

 

[andyglym]

Although in my opinion, the standard of driving has got much worse. Which doesn't seem right somehow. Surely a so called tougher test should make the drivers better.

And the standard of parking since it was introduced into the driving test is abysmal! The amounts of times you see cars abandoned in kerbside spaces most Europeans would have three cars fitted into!

Statistically the standard of driving in the UK, if you go by accident rate, is second only to Sweden in the World. I get your point though, only a couple of weeks ago a driver drove 100 yards or so the wrong way up the Distington bypass(dual carriageway) only to do a U-turn and nearly drive up the wrong side of the opposite dual carriageway after having a mare at the roundabout. The only thing that stopped her was thst a car was coming towards her ......... ankers on to boot Driver and passenger were late 30's I'd say. Luckily it was early on a Sunday so nothing about.

 

[Keet]

Statistically the standard of driving in the UK, if you go by accident rate, is second only to Sweden in the World. I get your point though, only a couple of weeks ago a driver drove 100 yards or so the wrong way up the Distington bypass(dual carriageway) only to do a U-turn and nearly drive up the wrong side of the opposite dual carriageway after having a mare at the roundabout. The only thing that stopped her was thst a car was coming towards her ......... ankers on to boot Driver and passenger were late 30's I'd say. Luckily it was early on a Sunday so nothing about.

It may be safer, but not necessarily better. Maybe the advances in car safety have a big part to play in that.

And statistically the average human being has less than 2 legs!

 

[andyglym]

It may be safer, but not necessarily better. Maybe the advances in car safety have a big part to play in that.

And statistically the average human being has less than 2 legs!

Agreed. In older cars you felt and heard everything, in a modern car you are in a bubble of safety and comfort and hear/feel nothing leading to a perception of added safety. Too many distractions in modern cars.

As for the 'legs' thing

 

[Delk]

I am getting cut up all the time at the moment with all the summertime tourists on the Norfolk coast. Roundabout lanes seam to be an unknown item and you can use any of them for any direction.

When I moved here I had a licence from a British Territory but couldn't just exchange it for a Uk one and had to do all the tests. There was a list of countries that could exchange their licence directly and one of them was South Korea. I have spent a lot of time working in Korea and can say without question that they should never be allowed on the road without a test.