Testing occasions for older drivers

If you have been driving for decades, you are most likely pretty confident about your capabilities. But worrying new analysis reveals that even seasoned motorists have no grounds for complacency.

Insurer Direct Line put 50 motorists to the test, several of whom have had their licences for several decades, and found that much more than 3 quarters of them would fail their driving test if they took it these days.

Possessing failed my own test 5 occasions, and with an impressive 109 driving lessons beneath my belt, I will freely admit that I wouldn’t like to be tested again.

Nevertheless, I do consider that failing, at least when anyway, can in fact be a positive point, and makes drivers considerably more conscious of their every move behind the wheel.

Epic fails

Direct Line’s investigation definitely will have been a main wake up get in touch with for a lot of of the motorists involved, who had no prior practice or coaching ahead of their mock tests.

1 participant received 10 major fails, while the average quantity of minor faults recorded by these who failed was 16.

A significant fault is driving behaviour which could place the examiner, a member of the public or property at danger, even though a minor fault is a single that isn’t potentially hazardous.

Significant faults recorded during the study incorporated a single motorist driving at 40mph in a 30mph zone, while one more didn’t even spot the kerb when attempting a 3-point turn.

But probably the ultimate booby prize goes to the driver who didn’t notice a pedestrian following failing to check their blind spot, forcing the pedestrian to move back onto the pavement.

Gear alter

Among the most typical minor faults created by drivers was employing the incorrect gear, not moving off safely and failing to use mirrors.

To pass your test, you need to make no key faults, and no a lot more than 15 minor faults. The average number of minor faults recorded by these who failed in the study was 16, with a single driver racking up an impressive 42 minor faults.

[embedded content material]

Beneath observation

Pity the poor 46-year-old lady involved in the test whose driving instructor described her observations as “non-existent”, regardless of the reality she’s held her licence for almost 30 years.

She managed 4 significant and 21 minor faults.

The instructor stated: “She came into the path of an oncoming vehicle as she was in the centre of the road (no explanation for it, the road was clear)….”

Thankfully for the drivers involved, the final results of these tests have been not recorded by the DVLA and will have no impact on their licence.

Aiding and abetting

Maybe portion of the purpose numerous motorists’ skills are lacking is that we have so numerous driving aids to help us. Direct Line discovered that practically half of motorists use a sat nav, with a lot of of them taking their eyes off the road for 22% of their journey time.

Parking sensors are another typically utilized driving help, with a quarter of those surveyed saying they use a single – supplying a attainable explanation as to why so a lot of of the motorists involved in the study failed due to poor observation when reverse parking without having assistance.

Rob Miles at Direct Line said: “While drivers obtain knowledge with age, it is easy to choose up undesirable habits that could be potentially hazardous and put other road customers at threat.

“Driving aids are becoming increasingly typical and when employed appropriately, can outcome in a safer, a lot more comfy driving knowledge. Even so, it’s important that drivers do not rely too heavily on these aids, as it can be to the detriment of both their overall capability and concentration on the road ahead.”

Proof is in the premiums

If you’re confident your driving expertise could get you via your test again, you could potentially lower your insurance premiums by opting for a telematics insurance policy. This sort of policy involves a ‘black box’ being fitted in your vehicle, which successfully monitors the way you drive.

If you are able to demonstrate that you are a secure driver, your premiums will fall accordingly (in due course).  This kind of cover can be specifically cost-efficient for younger drivers, who typically spend eye-wateringly steep premiums due to the fact they are considered a high risk by insurers.

Nonetheless, don’t rush into this sort of cover unless you are particular that you do usually drive safely. Soon after all, premiums can go up as effectively as down, so if your driving expertise are not really as excellent as you believed, you could be in for a nasty monetary surprise.

Also, most telematics policies only permit you to drive a certain quantity of miles per annum (say, 6,000), so they won’t suit every person.

Testing occasions for older drivers