Panic buttons for driving examiners?

Normally the fail certificate is given to the driver in or near the car - he doesn't usually get to the office after the test. So you can make your own mind up.....

Ah but are we talking about the theory test side of things? That is office based (I assume - I've never had to take a theory test).

How did you get a car license then? I thought the theory test was mandatory?

It is now, but this has only been the case for around 10 years. When I took my theory test in late 1997 it was done on paper, but two years later when my sister took hers it was computer based.

The hazard perception test is much newer still.

The vast majority of motorists did not have to do a theory test, and only a tiny percentage have had to do a hazard perception test.

The problem is that once you have passed your test there is no subsequent examination of your competence. There is no equivalent of an LU train operators' annual test of rules, etc. The only exception to this is if you are involved in an accident, when your driving might be scrutinised, or if you are observed driving very badly. The reliance on speed cameras at the expense of humans is also a factor (imho a very big one). As this is not the rant board, I will refrain from further comment on this though!

I took my car theory in 2003 at Bournemouth, failed due to having cocked up the hazard perception bit (30 out of 75) though I did OK on the questions (32 out of 35), passed 2nd time though (Q - 30 out of 35 / HP - 59 out of 75) .

Practical was failed twice in Bournemouth (May and August 2004, had 3 serious faults in both and at least 15 minors!!!), then passed with just 2 minor faults at Paisley on September 2nd 2005.

Phil, the certificate (pass or fail) is given inside the car. The examiner will tell you your end result and will hand over the Driving Test Report.

According to statistics, in 2005 there were 858 accidents during driving tests; 90 non-test accidents; 386 near-misses on tests; 33 physical assaults; and 348 verbal assaults. (sourced from DFT)

I thought in that case, a 'None' result would be issued rather than 'Fail' and another driving test would be arranged.

1. My daughter took her Theory & HP tests in Southampton firstly. The office is in a horrible office block with no parking handy. There were a humungous amount of screens. So impersonable and daunting. The next time I suggested that we went to Salisbury, which is adjacent to a car park and inside it was wonderful: small office, with personable and helpful people and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

2. Back around 1970 Mrs X was taking her driving test in her husband's car out of the old Isleworth Test Centre in London Road opposite the College. Just the station side of the building is a small residential road, bounded on the left by a high pavement. Rather unusual but it had two or three steps down to the road. Mrs X turned right off London Road to go into the side street, and then overcooked the turn. Basically she missed the aperture between the kerb and centre white lien and overshot, which meant that she drove up the London Road kerb on two wheels, and then proceded to ground the chassis on the high-stepped kerb, with two wheels on the pavement and two wheels on the street! That was it, it was stuck like a stranded whale, causing Mrs X to go into floods of tears! Examiner had to abandon the test immediately and she failed. She then had to tell her hubby what had happened to his lovely car, and get it towed off!

3. Oracle was doing his motorcyle test in January 1972 at age 16 in Isleworth on his Honda C50 (ex-Dad's). In those days you were allowed to ride up to a 250 cc machine. Oracle had to drive round the streets as directed by the examiner and then when required to do so, said examiner stepped into the road as though he was a child, and rider had to stop and not skid. Of course it rained, and then rained, and poor examiner got soaked. Oracle was then invited into the building, and then shuffled off to the broom cupboard to do the Highway Code test! Examiner then said with bitterness, "I am sorry to say you've passed!".

4. Examiner was supervising a motorcycle test around 1970 and told the rider to go round and he would then step out, etc. Rider went round and round and could not see the examiner. He went round again and then came across an ambulance in the road. He stopped just in case, as it was blocking the road. The ambulance men were attending to the examiner, who was on a stretcher. Yes, you guessed it! Examiner stepped out inthe road to halt the candidate rider, only it was another rider who then promptly mowed the poor chap down!