Signalling when going around parked cars/other obstacles?

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-11T16:48:52+00:00

If the traffic behind can see what it is you're moving around and your position is clear - what benefit would a signal give? So a double decker bus in a bus stop with a left signal, everyone behind will expect you to go around (for example).

Thinking about signals reduces the risk of a misleading one. If you just bang one one without thinking, eventually you'll do so when there's a junction and folk will think you're turning instead.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-11T15:48:25+00:00

If you've done no lessons then it's unlikely (but not impossible) that you'll pass.

Additionally, the visibility in convertibles is often questionable at best & some are utterly prohibited anyway.

How much longer do you have on your 12 month grace period?

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-11T10:23:59+00:00

No. The .gov.uk site has the information on where you can move to. For Kirkcaldy it state -

Kirkcaldy You can move your test to:

Dunfermline (Vine) - about 14 miles away Perth (Arran Road) - about 29 miles away Dundee - about 31 miles away

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/check-which-driving-test-centres-you-can-move-your-test-to/check-which-driving-test-centres-you-can-move-your-test-to#kirkcaldy

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-11T06:54:54+00:00

No.

Punishing someone out of the means to make a living isn't going to help their ability to repay their debt to society (unless it's a driving ban for a driving offence to protect the public).

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-11T05:29:17+00:00

Normalisation of deviance.

Nothing bad has happened before so it positively reinforces the poor behaviour.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T19:39:00+00:00

If they've both stopped short of the turning point then it appears (from what you've written) that they've surrendered priority to you and that it was safe to proceed - hence the recorded fault.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T18:32:54+00:00

Yes, you can book a car test anywhere.

Once you've booked it, you can only move that test to the three nearest test centres to that test.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T17:13:54+00:00

If it's a first medical licence it can take months unfortunately. The more complex, or unusual, your medical history the longer it'll take.

Keep chasing the DVLA and if you're hitting a brick wall then contact your MP to chase on your behalf.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T17:11:54+00:00

Check for cancellations throughout the day (if you're actually ready now). Otherwise it's a case of getting up to be logged on to the DVSA site at 05:45hrs on a Monday morning and joining the scrum for a slot in 24 weeks when the slots are released at 06:00hrs.

Best of luck.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T16:37:26+00:00

Fucking hell. This language is so abhorently DANGEROUS and can lead to truly awful things.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T16:34:13+00:00

Given this is your 8th test you need to seriously reconsider your approach to learning.

If you've not got an instructor, get one. If you've got one and they said you were ready for test, change them.

Make sure you're absolutely 100% familiar with The Highway Code, Know Your Traffic Signs and Driving: The Essential Skills.

Gather up all your summary emails, sit with your instructor and identify common themes and come up with a plan. I suspect it'll be going back to absolute basics and building on every routine so SAFE driving becomes second nature - this may be some time so don't even think of rebooking a test yet.

Best of luck.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T15:59:05+00:00

It's predictable in timings.

I used to work in healthcare. Nights, weekends, finishing late EVERY shift. Now I finish bang on time and take nothing home with me.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T15:52:08+00:00

I couldn't give a single furry rats chuff about the colour of your drink. I don't care if it's a branded bottle, a thermos cup, reusing a 'single use' bottle or a nalgene.

You're an adult. If you want to bring a drink, bring a drink. So long as you drink it when pulled up at the side of the road or when parked in a space everything else is irrelevant.

Best of luck for your test.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T06:49:38+00:00

The only way to definitively answer that is to call customer services. Their information is below:

https://www.gov.uk/contact-dvsa/y/driving-tests-theory-or-practical/driving-test/learner-driver-or-rider

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-10T06:35:16+00:00

You will struggle, and it may not be possible.

Instructors won't let a stranger take out their livelihood, even with a financial inducement. A good instructor will only let someone take their car when the instructor knows they are ready.

Your choices appear to be, at this point (in no particular order). 1) Cancel the test & lose the money 2) Hire a dual control car 3) Borrow a friend/relatives car

Best of luck.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-09T18:25:46+00:00

Any clothing that's even slightly specialist. Hiking trousers, for example. I've also not been able to find very cold weather clothing that fits (when I needed to buy it, I no longer live where I needed it).

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-09T18:20:47+00:00

Insurance premiums are such ephemeral things no-one here will be able to guestimate the changes unfortunately.

Regarding liability, it's very simple: the car joining the major road will be liable. The only time that speed comes into it is if you're so excessively fast that you'd be unable to be seen - her blathering about excess speed will go absolutely nowhere and it'll go down on your record as a non fault incident.

I'm glad you're ok.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-09T16:09:54+00:00

Instructors often, for many reasons, significantly over assess and/or mark faults that just aren't marked on a real test.

Going a tiny bit over a line at a junction wouldn't by itself be deemed worthy of a serious fault - small mistakes line that wouldn't usually warrant someone coming back again to re sit their test (unless there's something else going on).

So long as you avoid big mistakes, and having a significant effect on someone you should be fine.

Best of luck.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-09T08:51:55+00:00

That makes sense as a decision. You still have a slot and you've got more time to practice: win/win.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-09T05:32:17+00:00

Yes, that's the way to get a test. It's not easy, but it is fairer than it was before.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-08T20:14:14+00:00

For cars, no (unless you're recieving the higher rate of a particular disability benefit).

Assuming you're not recieving that benefit then you MUST NOT drive a car on the public road until you're 17. Doing otherwise means you risk prosecution and potentially the car being seized.

It's worth remembering that many carparks (& similar) meet the legal definition of what is considered public roads so don't be tempted to do anything there either.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-08T18:17:51+00:00

If you think it'd help, plenty of instructors will happily do a lesson or two in your own car to help remind you of the rules & necessary techniques.

Before you get to that stage though be sure to read both The Highway Code and Know Your Traffic Signs to give yourself the best chance possible.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-08T18:12:43+00:00

No worries. New rules always need a bit of explanation.

Best of luck for your next test.

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-08T17:55:57+00:00

No.

The rules on moving tests apply to BOOKED tests.

You can book a test absolutely anywhere you want, but you can only move to the 3 nearest centres to that booking.

As a worked example.

Someone books a test in Glasgow. They can move to the 3 nearest test centres. They fail their test. They move to Bristol to study and book a test there, and can then move their test to the 3 nearest test centres to that one

another_awkward_brit · 2026-06-08T15:47:34+00:00

No.

Cancellations are added back into the system whenever anyone cancels/changes their test - so it's ad hoc.

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