To the think the driving test is so hard for young people

[Sunnyday1203]

I learnt to drive over 30 years ago boy how things have changed. DS 18 has just failed his theory for the 3rd time, missing out by 2 points. Can't help thinking that that is has almost become yet another why for the Government to generate revenue. One of the questions was what is the speed of a mobility Scooter, whaf. He is great driver and really needs to pass so he can get to work, we live in a rural area with no public transport, so very frustrating

But this is not my point

Well no, your point is that you son can’t learn all the things he needs to pass the theory part of the test. That doesn’t mean it is too hard.

I have two DSs learning right now BTW.

It’s not hard enough IMO

You need to be aware of all other road users, and the restrictions and issues surrounding their form of transport. You can’t be a competent driver if your ignorant to the others around you!

It is hard.
My DD passed on her 4th attempt.
A colleagues daughter took 8 attempts to pass it.
I did 'mock' tests on-line and failed and I've been driving for 40 years!

I believe driving is a privilege, NOT a right. I've passed in the last five years and yes it was bloody difficult but it should be!

Yes. It is much harder, but having been a passanger with people who passed their test years ago I think it’s better.

Like most things awareness brings improvement and that doesn’t always make things easier.

I hope everyone due to take or retake their tests pass this time around.

"A colleagues daughter took 8 attempts to pass it"

Well I am even more proud of dd then

Do these repeat failures have good driving instructors?? Dds went through loads of theory as she was driving around.

It's not hard at all if you make an effort to learn it!!

Hells no doubt I would fail and have been driving for over 30 year never had an accident. I believe to become a good driver takes experience hence my comment that a black box and tougher practical would be more appropriate

How much theory revision did he do? I only passed my test this year, theory 1st time, practical 2nd time.

You pretty much have to memorize the answer to every single question on the app. I think I spent about 2 hours a day for 2 weeks studying it on the app.

I really don't think you can just walk straight into the theory and assume you will pass if you can drive.

I did mine 4 years ago and I downloaded the official app. I practised the test 4-5 times a day. Nearly every test had the scooter question in...

He may be a good driver to you but what does his instructor say? He obviously needs to do more revision.

To the pp who said scooters aren’t allowed on the road you are wrong. Class 2 scooters aren’t allowed on the road but class 3 scooters are with a speed limit of 8mph.

The theory test is piss easy if you are vaguely academic. I found the practical problematic but it was right that I didn’t pass. There are too many idiotic/inept drivers on the road as it is so I have no problem with the test being seen as hard. I was a better driver by the time I did pass and appreciated my license.

Frankly, the way some people drive I don't think the test is hard enough.

I passed my theory first time through hard work, I revised every morning and evening for six weeks on my two hour (round trip) commute to work. If people fail the theory it's because they haven't revised enough (it's nothing to do with intelligence, you just have to revise solidly, simple as that).

I passed my practical first time through many hours on the roads and as much experience as possible in different situations, so that I gave myself the very best chance. I was ready and that gave me confidence so I had v little nerves on the day, which helped a lot.

You have to work for these little triumphs in life, it's a good learning curve for young people.

Ds did it recently & passed 1st time, he only didn’t 3 practise tests as revision beforehand but had had some lessons at school earlier in the year.

Our local library has online resources & I logged in and had free access to the test questions so if prepared to practise it shouldn’t be quite straightforward. Do you have a library nearby? Definitely worth checking if they have this.

At least it sounds like your son will be a competent driver when he finally passes!

lolly his instructor think he is excellent. By the sounds of it he just needs to memorize the questions then.

You do need to know the speed regarding trailers. Although you might never be actually pulling one yourself, there will be many occasions when you need to overtake one.

Scooters aren’t allowed on the road AFAIK

Yes they are. Class 3 Mobility Scooters with a top speed of 8mph are allowed on roads.

Judging by the way some people drive towing trailers it’s not surprising there’s questions about them on the theory test either.

Both our 2, and the vast majority of their friends, passed their theory tests first time. They used the app. The ones that didn’t hadn’t put the work in tbh.

Yes it is. Its a test of competence of course its hard for them.

Not really. I passed in 2014 and the theory I have to say was very easy. The physical test did take me 3 tries but then I wasn't a very good driver, so it seemed fair.

Get him the handbook and make him learn it properly.

I passed my theory first time, Im not sure how much it has changed but all the Motability scooter speeds and trailer stuff is in the highway code, I remember learning it for the test and I remember it coming up in the practice questions quite a lot. I just read the highway code and then had a computer disc of practice tests and hazard percteption tests. My instructor told me all I needed to do was read the highway code book and we went through it throughout the lessons and the week before I just did the practice tests. It wasn't actually difficult at all.

The theory test isn’t difficult by any stretch, if anything it should be harder! out of interest I've just done a mock test online, and I’m shocked by how easy it actually is. With the exception of a few numbers and signs to remember, most of it is common sense!

I passed in 2013 so it might have changed but most of my friend passed first time, a few people I know passed second time.

Just out of interest, how often do all the seasoned drivers posting here check the updates to the highway code ?

Personally I think it should be hard and people should be made to retake it every so often. Some of the driving I see (I do a loooong commute) is atrocious! Makes me wonder how they passed in the first place.
As my dad always said to me when I first passed - you are now in charge of a deadly piece of machinery. Treat it so.

Both DDs passed the theory test first time because they revised. Their instructor has a few places on an online course and when you sign up for lessons with him, he gives you a login.

I'm afraid OP that I only know one person who failed their theory test (and I work in a secondary school with a 6th form so see a fair few 17 year olds). This person was taught by their dad who hadn't realised that there was a theory test at all.

Failing to prepare means you prepare to fail.