As regards the theory test it is the Hazard Perception test that is a 'pig'. It just needs practice.
As to the real test then I would probably fail.
From those that know me speeding is a real problem, instant fail. From those I know taking the test speeding and driving in the wrong lanes around roundabouts are problems. Most fail for one or more major faults rather than under the 'totting up' procedures.
I have to say that I think that people are better drivers when they pass now than 25 years ago when I did.
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>> From those that know me speeding is a real problem instant fail.
Wonder if you'd get away with taking it in a Merc and setting the speed limiter - it's not particualrly obvious when it's engaged!
(Although turning up for a test in a Merc would probably guarantee a fail).
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I tried the theory test recently and passed easily. I did no revision and haven't looked at a HC since the days when School was a flaming torch and there was a page on giving hand signals to policemen on point duty.
Most of the answers were dead easy to guess, once you realise the kind of PC slant they put on everything.
The practical is another matter. I think probably an hour's lesson from a profesional pass-instructor would be money well spent, to iron out a few bad practices, just for half an hour anyway.
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Just tried the mock tests on the AA site, 33/35 and the ones I got wrong were one stupid mistake and the one on braking distances on ice, I always found the idea of memorising baking distances ridiculous as the numbers mean very little compared to experience.
You can check which your got wrong by clicking the review button when it tells you your score, then you can click through the questions with your answers and the correct ones shown.
Did I here somewhere that the theory test is meant to be harder now than when I took it in 1996? Because the one I just did seamed very easy.
As to the practical test I doubt I could pass if it was sprang on me with no warning, too many bad habits, but with an hours practice with an instructor pointing out my bad habits I'd probably do okay.
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Did both tests - 34 on first, 32 on second. There were a couple of questions on the second one which seemed to have ambiguous answers, but this is probably due to having years of driving experience and being more aware of teh issues being asked about. New drivers will have learnt the answers from a book where the right answers are given.
I've done mock hazard awareness tests in the past and once again too much knowledge and awareness is a bad thing. I ended up idntifying too many hazards and failed - but so did my dad who has been teaching for 20 years!
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I did a re-assessment some 10 years after I'd passed my initial test - it was some safety promotion thing run by the local paper and seemed a good idea at the time.
The assessor said I was "OK", but was critial of my mirror procedure.
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It's mentioned above, but does anyone have a definitive answer to whether you still have to shuffle the wheel like an idiot?
Er, IMHO. : )
And also, are learners deliberately taught to slow down so comprehensively and early on their approach to a roundabout? Seen a few round here that seem excessively cautious.... maybe they were very new drivers to be fair. And no, I don't hassle them!!!
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I could pass it, but I wouldn't if I drove "normally". I haven't done the Hendon Shuffle since I got my license, and I'm not rigid enough with the speed limits. I've also forgotten the stopping distances, but can predict to within a few metres the distance each of my cars will stop in when driving them!
I'm confident I could still pass the bike test, but that was more recent. In any case I think the bike test is much more "real world" than the car test. Teaches loads of useful stuff about observation, road positioning and even "making progress" which stays with you long after you get your license.
Cheers
DP
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Apparently not "making progress" is a key reason why many people fail. So we're probably all OK on that point. ;)
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