Can I Film The Driving Test? by Tom of www.BigTom.org.uk/home/

Whilst the direct answer to this question is no, it is strictly forbidden in the UK, that's not to say that people haven't!

There was an example of a filmed driving test in Ontario, Canada which originally I was able to show you in this blog but I see it has now been removed from YouTube for breaching conditions - I am not surprised!  But it's a shame as it did show the driving test in it's entirety and there were some interesting comments underneath the video from interested viewers.  I have kept this blog running though because as you can see, I have split the differences between the USA driving test (as was shown in the video) and the UK driving test below. Here is the original blog.

For anyone here in the UK who might be interested in watching this video, whilst I can easily appreciate why, please bear in mind there are some pretty large differences between that driving test and the one currently undertaken in the UK.  I would like to point out right from the start that there are some people that get really excited about the finer technicalities of these kind of things (assessments), and whilst I appreciate that point, I am merely intending to give Learners in the UK a flavour of the differences between the driving tests.  Whilst I don't condone filming the driving test, this is currently available for all to see, as 45,000+ already have!

1.  The candidate is asked to turn the engine on, while the examiner checks out the signals.  In the UK, whether in a driving lesson, or on the test itself, you never turn the engine on with no-one else supervising physically in the car.  This is a point of law.

2.  The examiner has no central mirror on the front windscreen.  Notice how he struggles to see what's going on behind throughout the video?  (He is also blissfully unaware of the camera as a result too).  In the UK, efforts should be made to have a mirror available for the examiner (although they have been known to "find" their own in the test centre, if a candidate forgets this point).

3.  The radio is on.  Nothing particularly wrong with this, although you will see when viewing the video, this did have an effect on the candidate in more ways than one, as the test develops.  Likewise, you can turn the air con on or off to suit your personal need, window open/closed, sunglasses on/off.  This is your test, you've paid your money for it.

4.  Lane changes.  A couple of points to note here.  Firstly, notice how the candidate signals first, then does his observations, then moves?  The preferred sequence, is observations first, check it's safe to go, then signal your intention, then move.  With the observations, the candidate is doing full blindspot checks, whilst on the move, before making lane changes.  Turning of the head to the side is good practice, but turning it completely (looking over your shoulder) while the car is travelling at these fast speeds is not advisable - see this video for more on that point.

5.  Joining the faster traffic.  I think they call it freeways, we have dual-carraigeways or motorways here.  Nevertheless the point the candidate makes about the need to match speed so as to avoid creating a hazard is a good point, and equally relevant here.

6.  Stop sign, means stop.  Did you spot this one?  He definitely stopped.... and so must you here in the UK.  This is a point of law.  Whether you put the handbrake on or not is not the point, the point is the wheels must physically stop turning.

7.  Changing gear on bends.  Another good point made by the candidate and equally relevant here.  If you are actively steering the vehicle, you should have both hands doing that job, so changing gears with the left hand is best avoided, unless completely necessary.  "No steers and gears" is one quick way to remember this tip.

8.  Lane changes.  The examiner asks the candidate to swap between lanes.  You wont be asked to do this in the UK.  If the need arises to overtake a slow moving lorry doing say 40 on a dual-carraigeway set on national speed limit (70), then here, the examiner will expect you to assess that yourself, and overtake the slow moving lorry if it's appropriate.  Remember, they want to see you making progress when able, and driving with efficiency, rather than "like a learner".

9.  Speed.  Interesting to see the examiner make the comment about the slow speed.  I've never witnessed this to date in the UK.  An important distinction to make is driving to the speed limit, and driving to the driving conditions, look here for more on that point.  In the UK, if the examiner does find it necessary to tell you to slow down so as not to break the law, that will likely result in a test fail.

10.  Pedestrian crossings.  Another great point made by the candidate.  Sounds very similar to the UK.  If your vehicle is paused, straddled across a pedestrian crossing, you are potentially blocking pedestrians which could be highly dangerous to them.  Another point of law.

11.  Getting honked at.  Difficult for me to judge this one on the video, as I couldn't see the cause for the other driver honking the candidate.  Generally speaking though, it is advisable to ensure your driving does not make anybody around your vehicle, stop/slow/swerve (or swear inc honking).  Look at it from the examiners point of view, they only see your driving for a short period, they don't really want to see you affecting others on your test, they would wonder if you would spend the rest of your driving life doing the same!

12.  Emergency roadside stop.  Very odd.  Bears no resemblance to our emergency stop in any way shape or form.  1 in 3 of our tests get an emergency stop.

13.  Manoeuvre.  So this chap got the turn in the road.  You'll notice in the comments of the video that others are surprised he didn't get a parallel park.  In the UK, you get either a turn in the road, reverse into a minor road, parallel park or reverse bay park.  A small point but did you notice how he "dry steered" while doing  this manoeuvre?  He turns the steering wheel from full lock to full lock while the wheels are not turning.  Whilst this is not test failing material, it is frowned upon (unless absolutely necessary), as it puts much wear and tear on the tyres and steering mechanism.

14.  Volume of traffic.  Notice how the roads are generally wider than here, the volume of traffic lighter, depending on where you take your test in the UK, you will have an entirely different experience to that.

15.  Affected by others.  Notice how the actions of the driver in the red car seriously affected the confidence of the candidate?  It should come as no surprise when this kind of thing crops up on test, because, it happens regularly when we all do our day to day driving.  Drivers, cyclists, pedestrians, motor cyclists make mistakes, some break the law, people are unpredictable, some are aggressive..... not nice, but it happens.  The test is assessing your ability to anticipate, and manage those situations.

16.  Length of test.  Just over 20 mins for this chap.  It will be 38-40 mins in the UK, possibly more if you come across an accident or roadworks etc.

17.  General.  There was no "independent drive" section in the video, it lasts for 10 mins in the UK - following a destination on signs or a sequence of directions given by the examiner.  Very few pull overs, you'll get around 4 on your driving test, potentially including an angled start (moving off from behind a parked vehicle) and a hill start.

Any comments/questions/disagreements on the above, please feel free to share below.

BIG TOM Driving School Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough, Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Lincoln, Stamford and Boston

Help! I keep failing driving tests!

Did you relate in some way to that last blog?  Could you feel the pain?  Failing driving tests costs serious money, it is super demoralising, and makes for stress city.  You agree with that?  If you had a choice you wouldn’t be where you are right now…. right?  But you are, so, what can you do about it?

I want to help you, and to start that process I need you to take the first step.  Go print off that last blog titled “I hate driving tests” (the link is in the first line of this blog).  You stand a much better chance of getting this monkey off your shoulders if you start by printing it off.  If you can’t print it off (no paper, no ink, no printer), please go and read it again, from top to bottom…. don’t 'speed read' it, absorb the emotions in it.

You probably can relate to some of the feelings, thoughts and emotions expressed in that blog.  I have observed on enough occasions now how this hurts to be on the receiving end of a driving test fail.  It rocks your faith, it makes you angry.  You question yourself, your driving instructor, the examiner, the test, the other drivers around you at the time of the test, the weather, the time of the test – in fact, anything and everything that you can possibly think of.  Think it through, cry, talk/shout at your friends about it, tweet about it, do what some others do and stick a video up about it on YouTube, just get that stage out of your system…. it’s important before you move on.

In the UK, anyone in possession of a provisional licence, a theory test pass and with access to an insured and suitable car, has the right to take the test when they want to.  There are great differences across the globe regarding learning to drive; the age you can start driving, the process of undertaking the training, the standard and frequency of the tests – for good or bad, it greatly differs.  As the law stands currently in the UK, a 17 year old, in possession of the theory test certificate, and no training whatsoever in how to drive a car, has the right to book up a driving test and assuming s/he has access to an insured car, take that test.  If on the other hand, they do not have access to a car for the purposes of the test, then they will be needing to contact a driving instructor who will at the very least, be keen to ensure that if they were to use their driving school car for the test, there is every good chance that the car and everyone in it will survive the experience.  I mention this, as it is often at the heart of the problem when people cannot pass the driving test. 

Imagine you are that person in the previous blog, here are a few questions to think about:

    1.        “Liking” the driving test.  Does anyone?  Some might be better at managing the situation than others, but does anyone actually like the experience of the driving test?  Is it correct to draw a comparison between the driving test and taking a school/college exam?  What are the differences?  Ultimately, what is the purpose of the driving test?

    2.       Mock tests.  Do your mock tests “feel” the same as the driving test?  Are you passing the mock tests?  How important is the mock test in helping you prepare for what is coming in the driving test?  What benefit (if any) do you get from taking a mock test?  Would it be an idea to skip taking mock tests, or perhaps just simply ignore the results of the mock tests?

    3.       Examiners.  Why do they act and talk the way they do on the driving test?  What training does an Examiner undertake to do their job?  Is there such thing as a “good” or “bad” examiner?  If they make a mistake doing their job, what are the consequences?

    4.       Preparing for the test.  What things are you in control of, and what things are you not in control of before you take the driving test?  What are some of the typical signs from other drivers when they are actually affected by your driving?  In a nutshell, regardless of the driving test, what must you be able to demonstrate to show you can drive on public roads?

    5.       The test.  Are the results of the driving tests so far, in any way different to what you have experienced on your driving lessons?  If you are confused about how you are still failing driving tests, what options do you have available to get some clarity on that?

It is very common in these situations of continually failing tests, to withdraw, close up shop, put the shutters down, and retreat somewhere quiet.  When in fact, this is the time right now, to do exactly the opposite.  It is NOT the time to book another test, not at all.  Instead, analyse why this is happening.  You can’t resolve this by throwing money at it with repeated driving tests, it requires a different solution than that, it needs you to analyse where is your weakness.  There are professionals like myself, who actually like this kind of work, have experience in turning these situations around, and actually enjoy the challenge.  You do not necessarily need to be paying for their services, but if you are not getting your issue resolved, think differently about it, don’t just book up another driving test, as that is a recipe for you to keep failing driving tests!

P.S.  Quick question.  Did you print off the last blog?  The answer to that question will be a measure of how prepared YOU are to resolve this problem that you are in.  It was a small request.... "I want to help you, and to start that process I need you to take the first step".  Although a small request, it was definite enough to be a measure of how prepared YOU are to help yourself.  All the best!

Big Tom Driving School   Intensive driving course in Peterborough, Grantham, Sleaford, Spalding, Stamford and Boston 0800 689 4174

I hate driving tests

I hate driving tests.  Any kind of test really stinks.  I remember very well that feeling of loneliness and complete despair when I would read a question in a school exam and not have a clue what the answer was – that really is a horrible place to be.  But this driving test business is something else.  Why do they make people go through this process?  Doesn’t seem right to me.  I don’t even like these make believe tests they do at work, all those faces watching me, or listening in to my calls with customers, it is so intimidating.  Is this all designed to be “character building”?  “Character demolishing” more like.

I did a few mock tests with my driving instructor – boy he takes it so seriously, “get a life you saddo!”.  I’m pretty sure he just loves sitting there watching me mess up.  And I pay him to do that!  How stupid am I?  I never felt brilliant after the mocks, there was always something that he would have to nit pick about – where I was looking on one of those stupid manoover things (is that how you spell it?), or leaving my signal on, or my speed, it was never ever completely right.  But I got fed up with them in the end.  I’d rather pay the money and do the real test, even if I fail right?  I did think about changing instructor again, but I couldn’t be asked to have to listen to yet another one’s endless life story, I’m fed up with driving instructors.

So, I didn’t sleep well last night.  Just like the night before my other driving tests…. my heart is going so fast, I can’t fall asleep.  All I’m thinking about is what the examiner is going to be like.  When I do finally fall asleep the alarm goes off.  I didn’t know what to wear this morning (again).  Every time I’ve gone down there, I see some of them are wearing really scruffy stuff, and that’s just the instructors! LOL! It’s difficult to know what to wear really.  My friend said she wore something revealing to please the examiner, and ended up with a female examiner!  Whoops!

Couldn’t eat breakfast.  Texted my best friend, she’s the only one who knows about this one.  Told my work I’ve got a dentist appointment.  My instructor texted me to remind me to bring both bits of the driving licence, yea, like I’m gonna forget that aren’t I?

And then it was the same old stuff again.  Instructor turns up, I’m embarrassed because my fingers are shaking, even my left leg wobbles, why does it do that?!  I pay him (again), what a rip off.  I then try and drive, but keep stalling, or I forget to put the clutch down when I change gear, and the stupid thing wont go in gear (he keeps telling me not to do automatics, but I think it would be so much easier).  This stupid lady this morning even bibbed me from behind because I didn’t turn left quick enough for her.  I hate it when they do that, everyone is so impatient these days, they have no respect for us learners.

I made sure I had a smoke this time though, outside the test place.  I think it did actually help my nerves, but I forgot to put the mints in my bag…. embarrassing.

Could not believe how quiet it was today.  I was really lucky, I think the mid-morning test is a good time, or I might just have been lucky.  Had a lady this time, she was really nice, kept saying “my lovely”, she sounded like my Mum!  But she still failed me.  I made someone slow down too much because I didn’t know I was in a 50.  Is that my fault?  Council should put more stupid signs up.  She didn’t mention about my stall, I knew I’d failed it after that stall.

I’m not sure I can do this much longer.  It doesn’t do my health any good, sometimes my heart goes so fast when I’m driving, I feel a bit dizzy.  That can’t be right can it?  So I suppose I’ve got to fork out another £100 now for another go…. it’s too expensive, I can’t afford to keep on failing.  I haven’t cried so much this time.  I never do in front of my instructor, but I haven’t cried that much at home this time either – I’m feeling more lonely and sad than want to cry.  I don’t know.  I think this testing business is stupid, my Mum said she passed first time after 8 lessons……WHAT?!

I see all these photos on Facebook with people holding up there pass, and it just makes me feel inadequate.  What is it about me that means I can’t pass the test?  Is it because whenever I take it, they need to have more fails to even up the pass rate?  The whole thing is just so unfair.  My best friend has told me to just book up another test as soon as they will let me – that’s another thing that annoys me, why can’t I just re-book a test straight away?  Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!  The whole thing is stupid! 

I hate driving tests.

Anon

BIG TOM Driving School   Intensive Driving Courses in Peterborough, Stamford, Spalding, Boston, Sleaford, and Grantham.

How To Find Time For Driving Lessons

These are busy times for everyone.  Wondering how to find time for driving lessons can be tricky, this blog will give you some practical tips to think about.

If you are wanting to learn to drive, let's say as a complete beginner, then the DVSA have stated that on average it will take 40 odd hours of driving lessons with a Driving Instructor and 20 odd hours of driving lessons with friends/family.  At an hour a week, that would be coming on for 10 months worth of driving lessons, and it would probably be more realistic to add some more if you don't have the opportunity to practise with parents/friends in between lessons with a Driving Instructor.

It would also probably be wise to take into account events that crop up that are another drain on your time, and I am sure there will be many... school/college exams, holidays, special events, and work commitments. Things simply crop up, that will have more priority than your 1 hour driving lesson per week.  Not to mention of course, sudden illness, or an injury that prevents you from driving.  In the winter months we have less daylight hours of course, and whilst some night time driving practise is recommended, like everything in life, you will need to balance it.  As such, it is very easy for that 10 month period to realistically be a year.  

The BIG TOM 5 day intensive driving course offers an alternative to deal with this problem of time.  In fact, if budget allows, it is normally possible to fit in any amount of hours over a given period so as to take into account your own learning preferences and time pressures in any given times of the week or month.  Customers from across the UK in London, St. Neots, Oakham, Huntingdon and Nottingham are making use of the flexible service offered by Big Tom Driving School in finding a solution that fits their needs.  

Contact us here for more information on how to get your driving licence faster
 

The Power of an Intensive Driving Course in Grantham

Watch this short video to witness the sheer power of an intensive driving course in Grantham!

There is no fun in using up your time and hard earned money on driving lessons if there is no winning line in sight!  My advice would be to take control of the situation.  If the pace of your progress is not as fast as you would like, then do as Kim did, and convert that hard effort into the result you want. 



To reserve an intensive driving course in Grantham, call 01476 850 050

BIG TOM Driving School

3 ways to be a great driver

The following 3 tips on how to be a great driver will save you hundreds if not thousands of pounds over the course of your driving life.

Have you noticed how drivers get very defensive about the standard of their driving?  Seldom will you hear a person admitting they are not a good driver.  Have you ever considered why that might be?  What is it about driving that makes people get so defensive?  Fear, pride, nerves, over confidence, lack of co-ordination, uncertainty about a car?  Does gender make a difference, the age of the person, what kind of vehicle they drive, how often they drive, where they drive, how well they were taught to drive, who and how they were influenced about standards of driving from childhood upwards?  

Well, any given person you choose to ask these questions to, could give you a different answer – for such a common activity that millions of us undertake on a daily basis, it is actually a highly personal subject.  The path a person takes on their journey to passing the driving test, and then driving for the rest of their life, can be a highly emotional one and very personal.

It still remains a fact that on average, less than 50% of people taking the driving test in the UK will pass first time, and the car insurance premiums are a constant reminder of the difficulties we all experience on the roads.  But spend a minute considering those two factors alone:

Each driving test costs £62 for the test itself, and if a driving school car is being used, typically an attempt at the driving test will cost in excess of £100.

Having a collision in a vehicle is costly in terms of the potentially raised insurance premiums, and the excess that may need to be paid, but also the effect on your health with injuries, loss of pay due to lost work, not to mention any psychological trauma that may result.  So this is most certainly a fluid situation, forever evolving, dependent on many factors that alter as you go through your driving life. 

What is the answer to this problem? 

My work experience for nearly 20 years now has given me the opportunity to see for myself, in close detail, the problems encountered with the process of learning to drive, and also the general consequence of poor driving.  It is fair to say that whilst a lot of media attention is afforded to laying the problem at the feet of young drivers, there are dozens of reasons why the standard of driving of any driver can start to dip.  Let me offer 3 tips that will help you on your path to be a great driver:

1.       Train well.  The training for this skill that you will be using on a daily basis for the rest of your life, will equate to less than 10p per day if you start to drive as a teenager.  See the bigger picture, take the long view, and plan for safe driving beyond the driving test – this will be money well spent.

2.        Have a professional review your driving ability on a yearly basis.  Consider it like a health check.  Big Tom Driving School provides a comprehensive assessment that reviews eyesight, reaction time and forward planning skills in today’s busy and hectic driving conditions for as little as £30.  When you consider the possible consequences involved, the price to pay for this assessment will be tiny in comparison.

3.       Form good habits.  Just like many other aspects of our life, whether it is to do with health, gardening, cooking, playing golf, nurturing relationships, construction, when you do things well, because you have got in the habit of doing them well, it takes less mental effort to obtain the same high standard.   A high driving standard is no different.  By gaining the knowledge of good driving techniques, and getting used to applying them so that they form habits, you are well on your way to becoming a great driver.

You have the opportunity to greatly influence the experiences that will be coming your way in the future on the roads.  Experiences that are as much to do with how you may possibly affect other road users (mostly inadvertently), as they are to do with how others affect you (again, mostly inadvertently). As a rule, drivers don't deliberately drive round, intentionally upsetting others with their poor driving.   

There is a vast array of drivers out there on the public roads, all with varying degrees of confidence, ability, and experience, but one thing you do have control of is reviewing how you fit in to that complex mix.  In that regard, the future is indeed, in your hands.

BIG TOM Driving School  Intensive Driving Courses in Lincoln, Peterborough, Grantham, Spalding, Sleaford, Boston, Bourne and Stamford  Tel: 0800 689 4174

What is a good driving lesson in Stamford

What does a good driving lesson in Stamford look like, how does it feel?  Is it about feeling more confident, or driving places you haven’t driven before, in weather you’ve not driven in before, or with a friend in the back chatting to you while you drive?  Is it all about not stalling once?  Take a look at this video to help answer what is a good driving lesson?

Taking driving lessons at this moment in your life, will be just that.....a moment on reflection in years to come.  Right now, at THIS very moment, with your busy diary and pressures on money, it is hard to see past the very next driving lesson, but try to believe me when I say, the skill you are developing now, is very likely to be used for practically every single day of every single year ....... FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.  What you are doing now, is literally just a moment in time.  You wont necessarily realise it, but the experience you are now going through is going to mould your driving experience for the rest of your life.

Close the door on the “noise” of modern life, cut the distractions for 30 seconds, and see things for what they are.  

This period of time right now, when you are learning to drive, is going to influence how well you drive, how considerate you are to other road users, how much control you have of the car, how well you will respond in an emergency situation, how comfortable you will feel parking in superstore car parks...... for the rest of your life.

My advice? 

Aim high. 

Please tell me down below, what a good driving lesson in Stamford feels like to you.

http://www.bigtom.org.uk/home/