Can you pass a driving test in a traffic jam?

[XmisterIS]

One of my friends told me that he has a work collegue who, when he took his driving test, he drove out of the test centre, straight into a traffic jam, didn't move an inch (something up ahead like burst water main, etc), then when the 45 mins was up, his examiner asked him to reverse back into the test centre.

He said the examiner passed him because although he had gone nowhere, he had also not collected any faults, and so technically, the examiner had to pass him!

Now, is an examiner likely to pass the candidate in the case described here, or is the story just a typical "grapevine" anecdote?

 

[Rhythm Thief]

I'm not sure I believe that. I know that when I did one of my HGV tests, the examiner refused to take me out of the test centre because my instructor had neglected to tax the lorry (yes, yes, I know it's not called "tax"). I did the reversing and braking exercises to perfection but there was no question of me being gifted a pass, and the failure to test me was no fault of my own.

 

[4F]

I would say that is a load of old pony. The emergency stop and 3 point turn are an integral part of the exam and without passing these you would not pass your test.

 

[ChrisKH]

Urban myth surely. How can you pass a test where you haven't been tested?

And how many examiners would advocate reversing back into a test centre? If they hadn't moved he would have asked the girl/guy to park at the side of the road and would have walked back.

 

[XmisterIS]

I would say that is a load of old pony. The emergency stop and 3 point turn are an integral part of the exam and without passing these you would not pass your test.

That's what I thought! I would imagine that the test centre would tell you that the test had been cancelled - after all, if I remember correctly from my most recent test which was my motorbike test, the test confirmation letter gives you a number to ring first thing in the morning on the day of the test to check that your test will still go ahead - I did just that and mine was cancelled and re-booked due to ice and snow.

 

[4F]

I wish my 1st motorcyle test had been cancelled. As I arrived at the test centre the heavens opened into something resembling a monsoon. There was a lot of laying water and I slightly locked up the rear wheel in the emergency stop, instant fail. The only tick on the whole sheet. Grrrrrrr

 

[XmisterIS]

Picky examiner!!!

I failed my first car test for simply brushing the kerb almost imperceptably with the rear wheel as I did the reverse-round-a-corner - it was such a small contact that I didn't even feel it and thought I had done the manouevre perfectly! It was only when the test was over that the examiner told me that I had just brushed the kerb! I only got 2 minor faults otherwise.

Second time I passed though, and with 16 minor faults because I was sick to death of driving lessons and I was past caring!

 

[Rhythm Thief]

Second time I passed though, and with 16 minor faults because I was sick to death of driving lessons and I was past caring!

I have some friends who were both doing their driving lessons at the same time. One of them did everything right - read the highway code, early night the night before his test, practised dilligently - and failed seven times before finally scraping a pass. The other went out on the piss the night before, lost her driving licence and didn't know where the test centre was, turned up late reeking of booze with a bad hangover, and passed first time. Partly because she's a natural driver, but mostly because she buggered up the reversing exercise about two minutes into the test, thought she'd failed and relaxed for the rest of her test. There's a moral in there somewhere, if only I could work out what it is.

 

[4F]

Picky examiner!!!!

Too true, I tried arguing my case that it was completely under control but he was having none of it.

 

[marinyork]

Being stuck in a traffic jam without exhibiting road rage is an important skill in these times? Surely worthy of a pass ?

 

[tyred]

Does it really matter? You don't start learning to drive until you've already passed anyway.

 

[XmisterIS]

Being stuck in a traffic jam without exhibiting road rage is an important skill in these times? Surely worthy of a pass ?

Traffic jam? What's one of those? I ride a bicycle! (and a motorbike)

 

[Greedo]

My two driving test storys that make me laugh everytime are

Mate 1

On his third attempt he was really nervous as it was becoming a running joke he was the last to pass out of all of us. He's driving along and the examiner says "at the next junction please take your left" now just before the junction there was an entrance to a supermarket. He didn't hear "junction" and just heard "take your left" and drove into an Asda car park. The examiner said "where the f*ck are you going??? You needing some shopping?"

That was it and he fell to pieces. Failed for umpteen faults after. Passed 4th time

Mate 2

Was out with his instructor the night before his test. He said to him while driving through farm roads "right now remember and study your highway code tonight as you'll be asked after the practical some questions, for example what kind of signs would you see on a road like this"

My mate being serious " eh!!! potatoes for sale"

 

[thomas]

I would say that is a load of old pony. The emergency stop and 3 point turn are an integral part of the exam and without passing these you would not pass your test.

Not technically correct. Not everyone has to do an emergency stop, it's just random. I didn't do one, but passed first time.

I would have thought for the person to pass he'd still have to do 2 of the 4 manoeuvres.

 

[XmisterIS]

Not technically correct. Not everyone has to do an emergency stop, it's just random. I didn't do one, but passed first time.

I would have thought for the person to pass he'd still have to do 2 of the 4 manoeuvres.

Four manouevres? I thought there were three! And here I am with a full driving licence and have had it for years! Makes you wonder, eh?!