Driving tests

 

Driving tests

Tasker Dunham posted a blog the other day about hand signals when driving, and included a very amusing anecdote about his aunt’s driving test. This reminded me of the story of Barry’s first driving test.

Do all males fail their tests the first time? There used to be a theory that examiners failed boys and passed girls on their first test. The feeling was that boys passing their test would be overconfident and prone to showing off, and therefore a potential danger behind the wheel. This was less likely to happen with girls. In fact, statistics show that drivers between the ages of 17 and 24 are more likely to be involved in car accidents during the first year following a successful driving test.    

I was taught to drive by a retired police driving instructor and passed my driving test first time, when I was seventeen (small brag there!) My daughters passed first time, first time and second time, but my son had at least three tests. My examiner was unremarkable and I remember nothing about the test. My husband’s experience was rather different.

Driving along a quiet country road, the examiner told Barry he would indicate when he wanted him to execute an emergency stop. As I remember, the usual method was to strike the clipboard against the dashboard. Anyway, the signal was given and Barry duly slammed on the brakes.

A man came storming out of his house and banged on the passenger door, the examiner’s side, shouting, ‘I’m fed up with all you lot doing your emergency stops outside my house. Why don’t you go and do them somewhere else and leave me in peace?’

The examiner ignored him and told Barry to drive on. Barry pointed out that the man was hanging onto the car.

‘Drive on! Do as you’re told,’ said the examiner.

‘I can’t,’ said the hapless examinee.

‘Do as you’re told,’ the examiner shouted.

At that moment, the man relinquished his hold on the passenger seat door handle and rushed to the front of the car and draped himself across the bonnet. He persisted in haranguing the examiner and all the while the examiner kept yelling, ‘Drive on’. 

‘I can’t.’           

‘Do as I tell you! Drive on!’

This continued for several moments until the man on the bonnet grew tired of his uncomfortable position and withdrew, still shouting and gesturing.

The driving test resumed, examiner and his charge somewhat unsettled.

‘Take the next turning left,’ the examiner instructed, so Barry did. Unfortunately, it took them into a one-way street.

‘Why did you do that?’ barked the instructor.

‘You told me to,’ Barry answered.

There followed a more than three-point turn to exit the road and the examination continued.

Back at the driving test centre Barry was informed that he had failed the test. Later on, he took his test in the army and passed.