h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Took it again last night, was more nervous than the first time! Hadn't revised as much But I used common sense on the questions I didn't know! Me, sense? I know!

Anyhoo, got a higher score on the multiple question, and now I knew properly how to take the hazard perception, I passed that bit too! Hurrah!

Next step is the 'real' test, for which the target is October.

Well done (but not if you're driving )

So, I should avoid the roundabouts of MK from October onwards?

: I thought most* people just avoid MK as a matter of course? Congradulations : Knew you'd do it hte second time, once you'd got the hang of that funny perception thinggy whatsit

Just saw your thread by chance and thought I would say congrats. It caught my eye because I am a driving instructor and know it is not an easy thing to do, especially the hazard perception. If you want any hints or tips on the practical test just ask and I'll get back to you. Congrats again

You do know that's the easy bit, right?

But anyway.

B

Thanks Kelli, 2legs, James, Big Head

I know it's the easy bit... started cracking onto reverse works yesterday

James, I may pick your brains as time goes along!

Hmmm. I have also passed the Advanced Driving Test, if that's of any use to you.

B

oooOOOOOOooooh!

What do you have to know for advanced?

We were discussing the proper technique for parallel parking yesterday.

Pull up alongside car in front of space (don't know how far away from car)
Reverse in straight line until wing mirror is level with their rear tyre.
Turn steering wheel left 1.5 turns
When front of your car and rear of parked car are level, turn steering wheel left 3 turns.
Turn steering wheel right 1.5 turns to park. (Not sure at what point though, obviously, before you hit the kerb.)

Er, yeah, if you like.

I tend to reverse park by instinct. If I think about lining up and numbers it just doesn't happen.

The number one rule is to be comfortable enough with the capabilities of yourself and your car so that you devote all your attention to what is happening outside.

B

That may take a little more time

Hi there

Yes you may pick my brains from time to time. You are correct in the way you described the reverse park, the part you are not sure on, I tell my pupils to use the reference points in the back window, i.e when you turn the wheel to the right three times, watch for the kerb travelling along the rear window to roughly the middle of the rear window, then just before it gets to the middle start to straighten the wheel up by steering back 1 and a half turns. Hope this makes sense, try it and if not I will give you more pointers. The idea of using reference points in the back window is to ensure that you look out the back and not be over reliant on your mirrors.

Thanks Bond

We're practicing parking again tonight, so I'll try that and see how we get on.

We were reversing round a corner yesterday, and obviously found adjusting the wing mirror so you could see exactly where the back wheel was made things a lot easier. However, we were not entirely sure that doing that is allowed - are you allowed to adjust your wing mirror when reversing round a corner?


Queegle

Do you mean *before* reversing around a corner? I'm pretty sure maneouvring of any sort while adjusting your mirrors is frowned upon.

B

yes, that's what I meant

Hi,

Yes you are allowed to adjust your mirror BEFORE starting the manoeuvre, remember though to adjust it back again before you drive off after the manoeuvre. If you do not have electric mirrors you can ask the examiner to adjust them for you to save you leaning over him. He has to do this if you ask him, be careful though not to over use the mirrors because thats what he will be looking for if you do move them, just quick glances at the mirror when you are doing your all round observations. The mirror should only be used to confirm what you already know, not as a substitute to looking over your shoulder. Hope that helps.

It does help! Because I'd been mainly using my mirrors, and just glancing over my shoulder every now and then, but that's obviously wrong.


Oh, came across another question today - pigeons in the road. I know you are allowed to run them over, I understand you're probably meant to run them over if avoiding them means endangering other road users. But on a clear road - avoid or plough through? I'd rather go on a murdering spree on my driving test!

Aviod, the examiner may be a bird lover, the feathered type. Even on a busy road, you should slow down first, giving them the chance to fly away, if you go too fast into them, they may fly up suddenly and into the path of another car that hasn't seen them and frighten them into swerving, so take it easy on approach. This is one of the clips that I have seen on the hazard perception video and it is recognised by the DSA as a hazard so take the normal hazard precautions i.e. mirrors, signal if necessary, position, speed and look. If safe to do so overtake.

Oh, and another one!

When you're driving down the road and there are cars parked on your side, you slow down, check your mirrors signal that you're coming out to your right to pass them...

Are you meant to be signalling right the whole time you're passing the parked vehicles, or just at the beginning to indicate your intentions. And, do you then indicate left when you've passed the vehicles/obstruction?

When I eventually get a proper instructor, I'll nag him with all these Mind you, I still tend to forget, because I'm too busy concentrating on the driving

Hi queegle,

As soon as you've changed your position, cancel your indicator, i.e. when you have moved out and are passing them. There is no need to indicate to pull back in as that is your normal driving position, people expect you to move back in anyway. The only time you would signal to move back in is if you were to leave it too long and there are cars on your left hand side behind you, for example you are moving in, in front of moving vehicles.

I don't mind you nagging me about these things so keep going if you have any other questions.