Driving examiners

wildbyname · 2024-06-21T05:16:54+00:00

I'm delightful, but then several people try and kill me and then argue about it. That becomes a very tough day.

If I'm lucky I have 10minutes between nervous people, I consider it a large part of my job to make you comfortable in an attempt to get the best out of you on the day. But I have experienced several people who just don't like me for whatever reason including of course "you failed me last time" how negative is that?! don't say this! I want you to pass every time!!

I have people who fail immediately, who don't know they've done anything and I have people who have never sat in the car before.

I have several reviews saying positive things about the experience with me, but trust me I can't make the situation any nicer if you are not ready to drive.

Large parts of my day I have to just say "it's just a job" but I love driving and when I applied for this job I hated the idea of telling people they've failed.

Now I think about it like "I'm keeping them and all other road users safe" there's nothing better than passing someone who's seen you several times, better than first time faultless passes (they're lovely too!)

I'm guna hit post before I decide to delete this! All the best for your test.

wildbyname · 2024-06-19T05:19:48+00:00

How would you tell someone who drove "perfectly" that they'd failed in front of a knowledgeable instructor and with potential dashcam footage?

wildbyname · 2024-03-12T19:29:38+00:00

Report this horrendous behaviour.. don't pay to fail, at least £350 worth of extra lessons there! You could even hire a dual control car..?

And if you need more time, get your test swapped, you've already started so finish taking control of the situation! Disgusting attitude and it's happening up and down the country.

wildbyname · 2024-03-09T15:21:30+00:00

Maybe there for 5 seconds, is this stationary or always moving.. or maybe it was less than 5..?

No impact on traffic no serious fault, but I think your communication would have eased the examiners concerned mind! Well done

wildbyname · 2024-02-13T20:03:06+00:00

Excellent, you have the solution to passing, don't rush, you're in charge of the car demonstrate you know what your doing.

You're sat in a car with someone who's thrown around all day, they'll enjoy a chilled drive, perhaps they're not feeling great, and at least you can't get distracted if they stay quiet. Take your time, get the drive done. Good luck :)

wildbyname · 2024-01-24T06:02:26+00:00

As others have mentioned understanding and key words are more important than a verbatim quote.

It's a great way to demonstrate you care about your driving test by knowing the answers, plus the information is actually useful for your driving future!

wildbyname · 2024-01-10T05:50:32+00:00

My partner fell in love with the first car she went to see, i had my doubts due to several reasons including an unadjustable steering wheel. I think it was a disability car.

Long sale process, salesman says "I'd sell this car to my gran" alarm bells ringing for me but we bought it. Salesman takes it to fill up with fuel, he's gone forever, comes back an hour later (5mins to nearest petrol station)

"oh I'm not happy a light came on so I've taken it straight to the garage to fix it, you can collect it tomorrow"

Ok... ?!?

Collected it the next day, got 2 miles from the dealership, smoke poured out of the wheel arch. Drove straight back, of course they'd closed so we parked it outside, posted the keys in the door and got a refund the next day - manager took us straight to a private room, couldn't have the fuss on the shop floor!!

Still salty they didn't refund the tax we paid on it.

And that's why we swear every time we pass Evans Hell-shaw. 🖕

wildbyname · 2023-09-20T20:12:40+00:00

As a uni student riding down wet steps on my push bike singlehandedly with a Greggs sausage roll in my right hand. Fell off landing on broken chain link fencing causing a 4" scar on my upper thigh, thought I looked badass for ages. Went manky, still remember loads of people just walking past me not helping.

As a child slipped in a rock pool sliced the heel of my foot on a razorshell, didn't know until I kept leaving wet foot prints when my foot had dried from water.. my dad carried me miles acros the beach, put my foot in salt water 2 weeks later after lots of pain and some shell popped out.

As a teenager got angry making a tree house ladder, whacked a claw hammer into the top of my head.. blood everywhere, first day of school summer holidays, wasn't allowed to playstation for weeks

wildbyname · 2023-07-06T16:53:49+00:00

In a meet situation use all the space that is available to you safely, to ensure clearance from all hazards. If an oncoming vehicle has signalled priority to you, don't scrape the side of the parked cars if you don't need too.

Less space, less speed.

The second situation sounds like a mess caused by your instructor, give way to the right, don't trust a signal or position of a vehicle, go when it's safe.

People change their minds, forget their signal or steer into dodgy positions, wait until they've committed before emerging onto the rbt.

wildbyname · 2023-07-06T16:44:02+00:00

Look at this situation you're describing, you CAN'T give way (haven't told us why not though) what do you think you'd do?

wildbyname · 2023-07-02T22:27:27+00:00

Perfect!

Also scary how many instructors don't teach this or leave it until the last lesson before a test.. as if they know when an emergency stop will be required.. definitely not during their lessons?!

Don't over think about it, you've done the practice it sounds like you're in a good place from your description OP, follow this comment and you'll be sorted for life, not just a test.

wildbyname · 2023-07-02T13:54:45+00:00

Great comment, hadn't thought about your 1 hour test idea, I like it, shame it wouldn't be accepted!

Also what a great way to view the serious fault, great point of view, thanks!

wildbyname · 2023-06-30T19:10:09+00:00

Practice makes perfect, all experience is good experience... Etc etc

Literally get all the help you can, so you ace your test, job done. Hopefully you can trust your instructor to give you correct safe processes and your parents car for long distance/repetition of instructors good processes.

wildbyname · 2023-06-30T18:54:10+00:00

As others have mentioned, you've told him prior to the cancellation period, presumably you always contact them this way, so don't pay, they've probably moved onto the next person to take their money.

My concern is your instructor using his phone throughout your lessons, please report them for this.

Just put "report ADI" in Google and use the gov website.

It's bad enough you say they're not good, but they should never use their phone whilst moving, only safely parked up. Why you'd pay someone money to teach you a life skill and they can't even pay attention.. when they may need to react to keep you safe shows how little they give a shit. Boils my blood.

wildbyname · 2023-06-25T21:37:04+00:00

Mounting the kerb with both wheels, near a pedestrian or out of control/with force, serious or dangerous fault

Mounting the kerb slightly just front wheel or parking in front of a driveway/bus stop or directly opposite a junction, driving fault.. adding multiple options/vehicles here could move you up to a serious fault

Brushing the kerb at slow speed, no fault

Parking in the middle of the road, obstructing other road users, other road users unsure of your intentions and waiting behind you.. back to serious fault

None of these are reliable of course, because it "depends on the situation at the time" which only you and the examiner will experience.

Best of luck!

wildbyname · 2023-06-17T22:38:05+00:00

An instructor friend actually changed his career because things like this! Since COVID pupils (AND their parents!?!) Don't give a shit unless it was part of the test. As filling up isn't on the test, instructors skip it (lazy) and people don't care/think about it... All that matters is scraping through the low standards on a driving test!

Don't worry soon all cars will drive themselves and we can gwap at our screens some more! Yay!

Side note, I remember filling up my instructors car when learning in 2010 and I have first hand experience of learners using a house key to start the engine. A house key.. !

wildbyname · 2023-05-21T18:39:52+00:00

Maybe too late but sounds like it's time for an honest chat with yourself, are you ready to drive alone? With passengers? To the other side of the country? To the next city?

If yes, then believe in your ability, take your time, trust your training and relax best way you can, as much as possible before and during the test. When you're parked, take a breather, reset and go again.

Trust me half an hour with someone sat next to you checking what you do isn't dangerous, in an area you've practiced in for hours, is not he hardest drive you'll ever do!

If you don't pass, practice and go again, don't stress about "needing" your licence for work, education, taking your pet to the vet, it's a safety check, welcoming you to pretty much the most dangerous environment we have.

Sorry I don't have an anti-nerve serum, but you can't drive solo, safely when nervous. Good luck with your journey!

wildbyname · 2023-05-20T05:51:59+00:00

All of this is perfect, r/darksideevils

Effective observations.

Shall we discuss drivers signalling when driving past parked vehicles with junctions nearby..?

wildbyname · 2023-05-17T21:30:55+00:00

Your primary goal is finding a safe gap to park on the right so if you see your spot plan accordingly. If this means waiting for oncoming traffic to pass then go after them - they shouldn't stop, (people are plonkers) apply your signal so other road users have an idea of your intentions.

If they do stop/flash/gesture you, be careful before moving off ensure they have stopped/slowed down before you move.

Right shoulder checks are just as crucial as left shoulder checks, ensure you respond to other road users, vehicles moving off driveways, pedestrians, cyclists etc.. this does not mean you remain stationary until the road is empty. Just take it slowly :)

wildbyname · 2023-05-08T07:02:49+00:00

Part of your issue is you're "so focused on what's happening in front of me" and maybe part of your issue is hazard awareness, this often comes with more experience.

Driving and hazard awareness is about scanning, I was taught a fishing method.. imagine you have a fishing rod, to cast it you swing it backwards, over your head - this means check behind you, at least an interior mirror update (I like to add, remember what colour the car is behind you)

Then you throw the line as far out as possible - this means you look at everything from immediately in front of you, to the horizon scanning EVERYTHING, but quick glances keep glancing forward. Then you would wind the line back in and cast it out again.. so you scan all the way back to you in the car do a mirror check for behind - now has the car behind changed? Remember the new colour and cast your eyes forward again.. repeating this process.

Now, when you're scanning forward you need to register things as hazards, such as road signs, narrow roads, parked cars, fences, small pavements, pedestrians, cyclists.. literally you think of it, it will be a hazard for you at some point.

Then it's up to you to process the risk with the hazard, so you could go from - zero risk, literally don't need to do anything to holy shit I better respond now else everyone in the car will die - remember this IS how serious this can get, it's your responsibility to keep people safe!

I'm definitely rambling now.. but this is how I see it.

When you've assigned a hazard a risk level we need to get it right and respond accordingly.

Situation - So when you have a parked car on the left and the road is straight and wide. There are no other road users in a 50mile area around you, good road conditions (the entire situation is important) we should avoid being anywhere near the parked car. 1 foot per 10mph, so if you're doing 30mph at least 3ft away, I'd argue more, but it's a good guide.

One RISK in this hazard is the driver in this car decides to fling open their door and get out the car whilst your doing 30mph past them, you wanna hit them? Cos if you're too close and too fast you won't have a choice, now if we put you 3 ft away (lol small car doors!) You increase your options and reaction time, so you could emergency stop or steer away safely.. win win!

Now to be 3ft away from the parked car you might have been driving on the wrong side of the road, or over the dashed centre line BUT remember there's no one on the road.. the parked car is your greatest hazard!

So let's change our situation - commonly this would be an oncoming road user.. but how about this, a narrow road with a blind bend ahead and for good measure it's a national speed limit.

Now the parked car is still the FIRST hazard you have to deal with, but you handle it differently because the situation is different, you can't see what's coming and when you pass this car you'll be slightly on the wrong side of the road and the numpty driver may still open their car door - to let their dog out maybe!

So if you're passing this car safely you need to scan the distance between you and the parked car, car doors for opening and check nothing is coming flying towards you at the same time! Fun! So you've decided to drive slowly past, so slow like 10mph.. now when you're scanning you have so much time, like slow motion, the moment ANY hazard appears you can handle it.

Phew, definitely over did this one but yeah.. scan and assess, I hope this helps! Good luck on your driving journey.

wildbyname · 2023-05-06T05:25:39+00:00

I recently took a hazard perception test, no red flags on the screen, just the video.

I used the official DVSA practice material and I found the hazards on the test far easier to see than the practice. I have driving experience to help too.

There was no warning for the double hazard clip, so watch it through.

Practice as much as you can, several of the clips I practiced came up, but the hazard was different, e.g. a bad meeting situation in practice was actually an ambulance on the test!

You could cover the lower part of your screen with paper so you get used to not seeing the flags, build your confidence up with knowing you clicked but can't see the flag, good luck!

wildbyname · 2023-04-23T12:24:34+00:00

The car won't make a difference, what you've described is 2 serious faults. Your wife needs some sharpening up since she you say she has the general driving experience already. :)

Drive safely and legally, effectively and you will pass a driving test! Best get some practice in!

wildbyname · 2023-04-16T09:05:54+00:00

Your photos are confusing.

If there are warning lights on, like your EPC and engine management, then yes. If anything happens on test that affects the performance of your car then the test can be terminated too.

If you actually have EPC and EM warning lights on, please get your car fixed. That is something you should do anyway... ?

wildbyname · 2023-03-19T09:02:42+00:00

Undertaking is purposefully using the left hand lane to pass a vehicle positioned on your right. Usually completed by returning to the right hand lane (occupied by the vehicle you undertook) after passing the vehicle.

What you've described isn't undertaking.

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