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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to think that British driving law needs a revamp

31 replies

ChristmasInAmsterdam · 25/01/2011 00:12

My DH failed his test today. He has already passed it once but didnt send off for the paperwork as he decided he was never going to drive again. Now we have DC, this has changed.

He failed on one fault, being in the wrong lane on a roundabout, a stupid roundabout that has recently had the lanes changed. There was noone else around. He has been told he doesnt need any more lessons, just to resit the test at a cost of another £60.

His brother was banned last January for drink driving. He got his licence back in December, no questions asked.

AIBU to think this logic is a bit squewiff?

OP posts:

FabbyChic · 25/01/2011 00:14

Doesnt matter the lanes have been changed, when you come to a roundabout you follow the signs not what you know.

He clearly showed he cannot follow the signage.

So he resits. One of those things.

His brother got a years ban and rightly so.

Original poster

ChristmasInAmsterdam · 25/01/2011 00:20

I just dont think the two match up. Fair enough that he didnt pass, but the law is so lenient on things that are much more serious...

Would someone that already had their licence get a ban for being in the wrong lane?

OP posts:

Original poster

ChristmasInAmsterdam · 25/01/2011 00:22

Must admit though, I'm quite bitter about driving tests, I failed mine because someone signalled that they were coming off a roundabout, then they didnt! Tester didnt give me chance to react, he preempted them not doing what they should (does that make sense?)

OP posts:

BitOfFun · 25/01/2011 00:22

They could get done for careless or dangerous driving, if they were seen. It can cause an accident, you know. That said, I'm sorry he didn't pass- it must be disappointing.

ladysybil · 25/01/2011 00:26

your dh is at fault here. I cannot believe that someone would go through all the hassle of passing their test, and then simply not send off for the paperwork.
I failed teh test five times, and used to feel it was a club that everyone else could get into, except me. dh would do something silly like what you have described, the day after i had failed the test on the very same thing, and continue to drive legally. it used to drive me potty. but, other than forcing everyone to retake the test every five years or so, I dont see what else can be done.

huddspur · 25/01/2011 00:27

Being in the wrong lane on a roundabout isn't a minor fault and can be potentially very dangerous as other drivers don't know where you're going.

WingDad · 25/01/2011 00:31

It's not necessarily about the whole 'wrong lane on the roundabout' issue, it's kinda to do with competence on the road and the ability to follow road signs. It's a bitch I know but that's how things are. To be honest, his fault sounds like a minor which wouldn't fail you but whatever...

I'm surprised about the disqualified driver thing, every disqual'd I've ever met (there's been a few) have had to go through the whole driving test process again, including theory!

Original poster

ChristmasInAmsterdam · 25/01/2011 00:38

ladysybil - dont get me started on that!!

OP posts:

ratspeaker · 25/01/2011 00:52

One thing I dont understand
if he'd already passed driving test, having gone to all the bother of taking lessons and paying for the teat
why didnt he send of for a full license?

BIl may have got his license back but his insurance will be raised

ccpccp · 25/01/2011 09:03

They need to make the tests harder, not easier IMO.

Far too many cars on the roads and the quality of driving isnt getting any better.

It would be a good idea to introduce retests every 5 years or so, dropping to every 2 years at 70, and 1 year at 80.

southeastastra · 25/01/2011 09:05

blimey round here everyone and their dog drive in the wrong lane around roundabouts (apart from me as i'm skill)

roundabouts confuse lots of drivers from my experience

southeastastra · 25/01/2011 09:06

the test can't get any harder!! and testing every 5 years is daft

they really do need to cut down on uninsured, unlicenced drivers there are so many of those about

GandTiceandaslice · 25/01/2011 09:07

gah. I bloody hate people in the wrong lane on roundabouts. Very dangerous.

FrostyBaubles · 25/01/2011 09:21

When i was on my way to work last week there was an instructor in the lane next to me at a roundabout,he had a pupil in with him & we both started going round the same time & he decided he wanted to come in my lane.

Because he was a learner i gave him the benefit of the doubt & slowed down a little to allow him to move in front but then the instructor leant over,beebed his horn & started doing wank signs to me!!

I was that shocked i didnt get a chance to note his phone number or else i would have rung & complained about him.

ccpccp · 25/01/2011 09:33

"the test can't get any harder!! and testing every 5 years is daft" - southeastastra

They most certainly can get harder, and need to. Harder and longer testing, minimum number of lessons, killer written tests.

We want to discourage drivers from ever starting, rather than continue to fill the roads with more nervous hesitant incompetance. Not everyone should be a driver.

Testing every 5 years is only 'daft' if you fear the test no doubt .

JBellingham · 25/01/2011 09:38

If he is nervous about driving and cannot cope with new road layouts he should take more lessons or even better, take the bus. As for his brother, usually people banned for dd have to take an extended test before they get their license back?

Stricter driving tests are like natural selection, only the people who can cope should be on the road.

frasersmummy · 25/01/2011 09:45

is there a time limit on applying for a licence

I would have thought your pass would be on record and you would be entitled to a licence no matter how long it takes you to apply

After all you can pass get the licence and not drive for years... so whats the difference..

[bconfused]

tyler80 · 25/01/2011 09:47

I don't think the test needs to get harder.

Better enforcement of the rules would have a bigger impact I'm sure. I see people on mobile phones everyday on one quarter mile stretch of road.

Definitely agree that if you lose your licence you should retake

valiumredhead · 25/01/2011 09:58

Being in the wrong lane and not realising it is potentially very dangerous, that's why he failed.

If when realising he was in the wrong lane he continued in a safe manner and explained to the examiner what he was doing and NOT tried to get into the 'right' lane, he wouldn't have failed.

The drink driving issue with the brother is a completely separate matter.

I think your dh's logic is squewiff to have passed and then not sent of the paper work - what is THAT all about?

itbird · 25/01/2011 10:33

I passed my test (2nd time) two weeks ago, the examminer kept my provisional licence and offered to send it off to the dvla who then issue the full licence, i received this yesterday - yippee!

I think the rule if you make a mistake on a roundabout is to go around again and get yourself in the correct lane. If he was in the wrong lane and then tried to cut someone up in order to get in the correct lane - that is a major fault.however on my test i was in the right lane but the guy coming up on the left should have gone off the roundabout but because the lanes had changed recently he was in the wrong lane and tried to cut me up, my examminer shouted at this chap who was waving his fist at me lol - thought i would have failed but it wasnt my mistake, i was indicating correctly and in the correct lane My test was amazing, lovely examminer, we chatted and laughed the whole way.

valiumredhead · 25/01/2011 10:40

I am sure I didn't need to send anything off either itbird after I had passed.

MackerelOfFact · 25/01/2011 11:03

Oh I agree. I have failed 3 times, each time for stupid little things. The test gets harder every year, the reason the roads are dangerous isn't because the tests are too easy - those driving dangerously aren't those who are driving as they were were in their tests - it's because punishments for road-related crimes (such as OPs example of drink-driving) are far too leniant. And removing licenses is all fair and good, but there's no real way to enforce a driving ban and most will never be pulled over during their ban. Ditto those who are driving without a license in the first place.

There needs to be harsher punishments for bad drivers, tests will need to be retaken after a set period (eg. 25 years - there are people driving today who passed their tests before indicators were invented, before motorways existed, or when there was only a fraction of today's cars on the road) or after a ban.

PinkCanary · 25/01/2011 11:26

YANBU. I have travelled with far too many bad or elderly drivers. In many cases they knew or suspected that they had medical issues which affect their driving ability that they refused to declare. They would not give up a licence voluntarily.

I would support a retest every 10 years for adults, decreasing to every 5 years for OAP's.

kreecherlivesupstairs · 25/01/2011 12:00

Of course YABU. My SiL has failed umpteen times and always has an excuse. Her best was similar to yours, the layout of the road had changed since she last drove along it.
When I asked her about driving on roads that were unfamiliar she said she would be fine because she would have passed her test and would be competent. I have issues with that attitude.
I do agree with testing OAPs. My dad shouldn't be driving and FiL definitely shouldn't. Neither are allowed to drive DD anywhere.

0karen · 25/01/2011 12:01

Why is retesting every 5 years a daft idea southeastastra, seems like a good idea to me.

Need to get rid of the cameras and replace them with police people monitoring bad driving

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