To think that the UK driving test system is in need of an overhaul?

[Stirner]

This thread comes from a comment a posted on another driving thread, but I thought it was worth its own.

I suspect this is going to get me roasted, I strongly feel that the test system is in dire need of an overhaul.

At the moment would-be drivers are faced with three month long waits for tests. Often the examiners at test centres are inconsistent, capricious, and invent reasons to fail candidates. In theory decisions can be appealed but this just results in a free re-test if successful, and in my experience driving instructors discourage pupils from taking this route (I strongly suspect they fear that their other students would get penalised if they're marked out as trouble makers).

This coupled with the long wait to get a test means that drivers are needlessly barred from the roads. A few months ago, on a rare occasion of taking public transport to work I heard a young woman having a conversation with the DVSA call centre, apparently an examiner has called in sick on the day of her test so her booking was cancelled, and as a result she faced weeks of waiting for another slot. She was another one that needed it for work too.

In my opinion, given that all the threads on the topic has shown driving is an essential skill for many, the UK system is a disgrace. I think the US system seems much more sensible.

So, AIBU?

(For full disclosure it took me a lot of attempts to pass my test)

@DGRossetti - you'd bring back the death penalty for drink driving, and drunk driving only? Even if nobody died? Are you on glue ?

Hyperbole, perhaps ?

That said, I'd happy see either the car or the phone crushed when someone is caught using their phone at the wheel ....

The rest of my ideas I stand by ...

@Abra1de "it seems like a lot of luck is involved" - something that is so crucial to be people's lives shouldn't be down to luck or the whim of an individual examiner though m.

I know—I’m agreeing with you!

Well looking at the percentage of fatalities on the road, I would say that the UK system is a lot better. I am not sure if I would feel safe driving on US roads.

Definitely, you should be failed if you make a lot of minor mistakes- it suggests you need more lessons. I'm not sure how you can get a 100% fair and consistent system, but I can't see much wrong with what we have now (or how it could realistically be improved). Possibly there should be some form of retesting.

And bring back the death penalty for drink driving ....
I don’t think that there has every been a death penalty for drink driving, unless you kill yourself of course!

Actually I think it makes sense for there to be a wait between tests.

I couldn't agree more that there are flaws in the system. I don't think it's reasonable to be repeatedly tested by the same examiner - there's too much scope for personal bias to come into play, resulting in more resits and expense. I had issues with one examiner when I was sitting a further driving test (not B license) and I complained about his conduct after a couple of tests. The response from the DVLA was absolutely pathetic, basically saying "we spoke to the examiner, he denies it, so we believe him" - even though they've had multiple complaints about him from others, and what I claimed happened would be a really bizarre thing to make up... I'm still angry about it now.

@DiseasesOfTheSheep - I'm not going to claim my experience was as bad as yours, but i believe you. This particular examiner was determined that I shouldn't pass, I had him three times, and each time he found a spurious reason to fail me. I didn't bother complaining, I suspected the response would be similar to the one you describe.

Thanks. It's nice that someone believes me - whenever it comes up in conversation (that I haven't passed that test yet), I always feel they must think I'm a total twit, blaming the examiner for not being able to pass. The instructor I was using was baffled - he was convinced I wouldn't have any problems at all - but now I have zero confidence to resit (at another centre).

I failed my first test for speeding - assuming a 40mph zone instead of 30. Which is not good and I deserved to fail for that.

When I booked for a retest it was a 3 month wait! That meant 3 more months of at least weekly lessons at £30 each when in fact I was capable of passing - but didn't have a car at home to practise in while I waited.

if I had stopped my lessons I would have lost the skills. That 3 month wait cost me around £300.

The wait at my local test centre was awful at the time and was featured in the local paper.

@DiseasesOfTheSheep - People don't believe it until they've gone through it themselves.

The problem is, is that certain sections of the public sector are allowed to operate with very little scrutiny.

by persistently failing me for no good reason.

Maybe you were a bit shit.... Most people think they are a much better driver than they actually are.

To be honest racking up a few minors in what, 20 mins of driving is pretty crap. Imagine a real life situation where you're driving a couple of hours each day. You'd be racking up tens or hundreds of minors.

The waiting list is a pain, but I guess there's simply not enough examiners.

I think there is a bit of luck involved, but that is life!

I thought one of my daughters was unlucky. She failed for driving in a bus lane. The bus lanes operate at different times of day and she got it wrong. She didn't have any other faults, and was on her way back to the test centre when it happened.

Fortunately she passed second time,

Yes, I'd agree with that, Stirner - when their bosses / internal inquiries blindly back them up, there's no redress against an examiner. The whole set up seems to me (albeit in hindsight), to be open to abuse.

Yes, it should be overhauled (although last done 4th December last year), but not in the ways you suggest.

There has been a massive recruitment drive for examiners for several years. Many don't want to work for Civil Service capped wages. Many don't even get through the initial assessment drive (most people think they are good drivers - most are not). Many who then go on to the extremely intensive training, do not make it through. If they do - they are still very regularly checked for consistency and standards. Although people still complain about having someone else in the car - but agree the examiners should be checked. How else are they supposed to do it?

Examiners do 7 tests back to back daily with 30 mins for lunch. In our area, there is a test centre that often has 7-10 examiners. So that's 70 tests per day! Sometimes demand just outweighs what can be done.

I think there should be pool cars for candidates, that are petrol (so no relying on diesel transmission to assist not stalling), and no electric handbrakes or hill-assist. So many people pass their test, then can't understand why they can't drive their own car without all the toys.

And if you can't drive your test without making 16 or more faults then it's right that you shouldn't pass.

Don't you find it amazing that people only think there are 'quotas' when they fail? No-one ever says "well I passed, but it was just because of the quotas".

I know an examiner so am doing a bit of venting by proxy!

@Titchy - A driving test lasts up to 45 minutes, you know that but you're trying to belittle me.

"To be honest racking up a few minors in what, 20 mins of driving is pretty crap. " where did I say I was "racking up a few"?

@leanetta - where in my op did I claim there was a quota ? I honestly have no idea if there is or not.

The waiting list is a pain, but I guess there's simply not enough examiners.

Hardly surprising either reading this thread.

Agree that luck is involved. I passed first time, but I didn't expect to, and didn't feel it was right that I was then free to drive around unsupervised!

I think my instructor was surprised too, and he said afterwards that my examiner was one of the strictest and rarely passed anyone, so I must have had an auspicious day when I just happened to do everything right (for a change).

This was before the written test was added, but I feel that was a good thing. I think it should be as tough as possible, so that only once you are thoroughly good are you allowed on the road alone. Some of the US tests described by PP sound positively worrying.

I passed my practical test last Monday. Uk, first time with 4 minors. I’ve had weekly lessons with my instructor for 4 months and driving my own car in between with my dh.
The wait in my area was about 4 weeks however I could of got a cancellation sooner if I’d of wanted so not too bad.
My test was 45 mins and to be very fair to the examiner I felt like she was on my team and wanted to pass me while acting professional. She told me to not talk when I started chatting and to concentrate and told me we were 2 mins away from test centre and end of test (looking back she was telling me not to mess it up now). My minors were fair tbh and she explained fully what they were for to me and my instructor.
Maybe I got lucky but to be fair to myself I’d worked very hard, put the hours in and prepared for my test in advance as well as making sure I knew my stuff theory wise. So my experience of learning to drive has been a positive one.

Well you said you failed because of a few minors. Which apparently were inconsequential. Except of course they probably weren't.

@titchy - I think you need to work on your comprehension.

@Stirner. I was not aiming the quota remark at you, just that it has been mentioned on the thread. Apologies for any offence caused.

I know there is a lot of talk about the cost. But once you pass, it's a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of buying, insuring, fueling and running a car! If you can't pay for the lessons and test/s then you're probably going to struggle owning a car.