Reply to: Highway code

[Scorp1]

The theory test was introduced in 1996, so there are a lot of drivers who've never done one; they just answered a few questions picked at random during the practical test. (I remember the old double-bluff about stopping distances: "They expect you to memorise them, so they never ask, so you can get away with not learning them.") I've seen people get caught out by newer changes, e.g. not knowing the difference between yellow lines (no waiting) and red lines (no stopping).

Now that photocard licences have to be renewed every 10 years, I'd like to see an extra requirement to pass the theory test and do an eyesight test (e.g. within the previous month). That would give some incentive to stay up to date with changes to the Highway Code.

I remember the theory test , think it was July 1996 it was introduced. It was in paper format back then.

I think it's also a good idea that people who have to renew thier license to undertake a 1 day basic motorcycle course like a CBT to understand the nature of the road . I did a course before and being on 2 wheels does give you a better reality for levels of speed and braking .

[ladymuck]

They wouldn't be able to administer the first.

The second could easily given to opticians to do but I doubt they want to do it.

I reckon the opticians would be happy to earn a few bob doing extra eye tests!

For those who regularly go for an eye test, I don't think it would be a big deal to schedule your normal examination to coincide with any licence requirement.

[hobnob]

They wouldn't be able to administer the first.

The cross-referencing aspect should be easy enough, and I assume they've got a lot of it in place already. I.e. when you pass a theory test, that gets logged against your driving licence number, and then it gets checked when you pass the practical test before you actually get the new category on your licence. All they'd need to do is add an expiry date, and they already have that for the licence itself.

In terms of capacity, this could use the same infrastructure as IT certifications. E.g. if I want to do a Cisco exam, I can either go to a Pearson Vue test centre or I can do it at home via online proctoring. The people who run the test centre or watch the webcam don't need any specific knowledge about the subject matter, they just have to check your ID and then click the button to start the test. If there was suddenly enough demand to create a waiting list, I'm sure that there would be a corresponding growth in supply to match it.

[SueEllen]

Now that photocard licences have to be renewed every 10 years, I'd like to see an extra requirement to pass the theory test and do an eyesight test (e.g. within the previous month). That would give some incentive to stay up to date with changes to the Highway Code.

They wouldn't be able to administer the first.

The second could easily given to opticians to do but I doubt they want to do it.

[hobnob]

As part of that they had to answer six random questions on the Highway Code. It was (not!) surprising how many failed the first time around.

The theory test was introduced in 1996, so there are a lot of drivers who've never done one; they just answered a few questions picked at random during the practical test. (I remember the old double-bluff about stopping distances: "They expect you to memorise them, so they never ask, so you can get away with not learning them.") I've seen people get caught out by newer changes, e.g. not knowing the difference between yellow lines (no waiting) and red lines (no stopping).

Now that photocard licences have to be renewed every 10 years, I'd like to see an extra requirement to pass the theory test and do an eyesight test (e.g. within the previous month). That would give some incentive to stay up to date with changes to the Highway Code.

[malvolio]

Didn't notice that bit has been taken out

Just for a giggle....

[SueEllen]

I had a flick through at the time, although I didn't have to take the test itself. I was slightly appalled at how much had changed from the last time I read one - for instance, you don't have to know how to use to your whip to make signals when driving a horse-drawn carriage any more...

Didn't notice that bit has been taken out

[malvolio]

Who reads the highway code?

I just google when I'm having an argument with someone to prove a point.

Had a gig with a constabulary a while back. All permies had to have their driving checked by a traffic officer in case they had to drive a police vehicle (not a blues and twos one, but the pool cars mainly). As part of that they had to answer six random questions on the Highway Code. It was (not!) surprising how many failed the first time around.

I had a flick through at the time, although I didn't have to take the test itself. I was slightly appalled at how much had changed from the last time I read one - for instance, you don't have to know how to use to your whip to make signals when driving a horse-drawn carriage any more...

[SueEllen]

No more cyclists, moped and bike riders please!!!!

The City has been turned into a traffic jam heaven thanks to unused cycle highways everywhere. Then, to counter it, Mayor Khan decides to increase congestion charge , increase the zone and reduce max speed to 20mph. I have seen many cyclists ride on the pavement despite the cycle highways being literally next to them. And, cyclists who jump red lights deserve to be hit by car drivers while the ones who whoosh past you on a zebra crossing also needs to be given a sound beating.

What's with moped drivers ( mostly illegals ) ? Riding abreast as they have a chat .... going into boxes for bikes ... going ahead from right/left only lanes

What's with bikes? None of the riders read the highway code? Riding in between lanes with hazard lights ... really?

Who reads the highway code?

I just google when I'm having an argument with someone to prove a point.

[Destiny2]

No more cyclists, moped and bike riders please!!!!

The City has been turned into a traffic jam heaven thanks to unused cycle highways everywhere. Then, to counter it, Mayor Khan decides to increase congestion charge , increase the zone and reduce max speed to 20mph. I have seen many cyclists ride on the pavement despite the cycle highways being literally next to them. And, cyclists who jump red lights deserve to be hit by car drivers while the ones who whoosh past you on a zebra crossing also needs to be given a sound beating.

What's with moped drivers ( mostly illegals ) ? Riding abreast as they have a chat .... going into boxes for bikes ... going ahead from right/left only lanes

What's with bikes? None of the riders read the highway code? Riding in between lanes with hazard lights ... really?

[SueEllen]

Agreed, and I don't have a problem with that. But only as long as they also recognise they are on a vehicle that is effectively 7 feet wide (if they are to have a safe passing margin) and travelling at a much slower speed than the motorised traffic - so mover over whenever it's safe to do so and let the other traffic go past!! While he was well within his rights as a road user, I was recently not over impressed at following a pushbike at 10 mph (head up display on my car, that was the peak speed) for just over a mile on a narrow country lane with regular passing places. Ten seconds at most for him to pull over into one and let me go would not have hurt anyone. Although it's more than possible he had no idea I was there, given no mirrors or over-the-shoulders the whole time.

If you don't have an electric car he knew you were there.

[vetran]

They're worse than cyclists for jumping red lights round my way.

indeed but at least the rental ones have lights.

The private ones just make a satisfying squelching sound as you run them ovetr.

[NigelJK]

[NigelJK]

The door opening thing has been around for ages. As a driver you are expected to check cars parked on your left for occupancy and give enough room for the door to open if occupied. Should be the same for Cyclist?

[La Petite Valse]

Agreed, and I don't have a problem with that. But only as long as they also recognise they are on a vehicle that is effectively 7 feet wide (if they are to have a safe passing margin) and travelling at a much slower speed than the motorised traffic - so mover over whenever it's safe to do so and let the other traffic go past!! While he was well within his rights as a road user, I was recently not over impressed at following a pushbike at 10 mph (head up display on my car, that was the peak speed) for just over a mile on a narrow country lane with regular passing places. Ten seconds at most for him to pull over into one and let me go would not have hurt anyone. Although it's more than possible he had no idea I was there, given no mirrors or over-the-shoulders the whole time.

That is my pet hate.

I cycle myself and always move over when there's something behind and often stop when on a narrow road to make it safer (only exception is when I'm struggling up a hill and don't want to lose momentum)

Ant the reason I do that is because I am also a driver and know how maddening it can be!