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- Garry Edwards
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My own history - I started driving a moped at 16, a motorbike at 17, a car at 18 and an HGV at 21. I haven't taken a test for well over 50 years and so have no idea what's involved.
My youngest daughter has failed 2 car tests, we've got her an old Honda Jazz to practice in, with her mother, brother and myself sitting next to her whilst she practices. She is also taking lessons, with a new instructor.
Some of the things that she has been taught to do just seem so wrong to me, so any advice from anyone with recent experience would help . . .
Handbrake - only use it when parking. Hold the car steady with the footbrake in stationary traffic.
Hillstarts, using the handbrake - not taught. Apparently there were no hills in her previous test area.
Always be ready to move off, which in traffic queues means keeping it in gear with the foot on the brake until she is ready to move.
Stationary spacing - always be far enough behind the car in front to be able to see part of the rear tyres.
Speed, basically as fast as the speed limit allows, except near schools or when cars are parked both sides and space is tight.
Mirror use - clear movement of the head is unnecessary, as long as there is SOME head movement.
Joining a major road - no other road user must ever be inconvenienced, which means that she mustn't move forward if there is another vehicle basically in sight.
So, is she correct, as far as the test is concerned?
My youngest daughter has failed 2 car tests, we've got her an old Honda Jazz to practice in, with her mother, brother and myself sitting next to her whilst she practices. She is also taking lessons, with a new instructor.
Some of the things that she has been taught to do just seem so wrong to me, so any advice from anyone with recent experience would help . . .
Handbrake - only use it when parking. Hold the car steady with the footbrake in stationary traffic.
Hillstarts, using the handbrake - not taught. Apparently there were no hills in her previous test area.
Always be ready to move off, which in traffic queues means keeping it in gear with the foot on the brake until she is ready to move.
Stationary spacing - always be far enough behind the car in front to be able to see part of the rear tyres.
Speed, basically as fast as the speed limit allows, except near schools or when cars are parked both sides and space is tight.
Mirror use - clear movement of the head is unnecessary, as long as there is SOME head movement.
Joining a major road - no other road user must ever be inconvenienced, which means that she mustn't move forward if there is another vehicle basically in sight.
So, is she correct, as far as the test is concerned?