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
Post a Comment