Many of the questions seem to be testing the English vocabulary rather than driving knowledge
2.49 Mark ONE answer
What style of driving causes increased risk to everyone?
Considerate
Defensive
Competitive
Responsible
Notes
Competitive driving increases the risks to everyone and is the opposite to responsible, considerate and defensive driving. Defensive driving is about questioning the actions of others. Don’t be taken by surprise.
Personally I think the candidates should be made to think how they can drive defensively, rather than make their minds go into panic mode using long words that they may not understand with no alternative words or phrases being offered on screen or readers being allowed to substitute words not understood.
3.35 Mark ONE answer
Rapid acceleration and heavy breaking can lead to
Reduced pollution
Increased fuel consumption
Reduced exhaust emissions
Increased road safety
Notes
Using the controls smoothly can reduce fuel consumption by about 15% as well as reducing wear and tear on your vehicle. Plan ahead and anticipate changes of speed well in advance. This will reduce the need to accelerate rapidly or brake sharply
This is typical of the verbose questions AND explanation that just frightens many of my learning difficulties or ENFL candidates.
Poorly phrased questioned for people who think very logically such as Autistic suffers.
3.98 Mark ONE answer
As a driver, you can help reduce pollution levels in town centres by
Driving more quickly
Over-revving in a low gear
Walking or cycling
Driving short journeys
Notes
Using a vehicle for short journeys means the engine does not have time to reach its normal running temperature. When an engine is running below its normal running temperature it produces increased amounts of pollution. Walking and cycling do not create pollution and have health benefits as well.
One of my clients completely dismissed the “correct” answer and went for short journeys.
His explanation was “If I walked or cycled I would not be driving, so the best option was to use the car the least on short journeys”
When I explained this was not the answer The DSA wanted, he asked me why did they ask “As a driver then?”
Some questions are wrong or imply incorrect information.
4.8 Mark ONE answer
Anti-lock brakes will take effect when
You do not brake quickly enough
Maximum brake pressure has been applied
You have not seen a hazard ahead
Speeding on slippery road surfaces
Notes
If your car is fitted with anti-lock brakes they will take effect when you use them very firmly in an emergency. The system will only activate when it senses the wheels are about to lock.
This question suggests that ABS will only activate in emergency situations, I would say this is dangerous, as ABS can activate at very slow speeds (e.g driving on compacted snow/ice, mud) and cause the car to take MUCH longer than one would normally expect.
4.14 Mark ONE answer
You are on a good dry, road surface. Your brakes and tyres are good. What is the typical overall stopping distance at 40 mph
23 metres (75 feet)
36 metres (118 feet)
53 metres (175 feet)
96 metres (315 feet)
Notes
Stopping distances are affected by a number of variable factors. These include the type, model and condition of your vehicle, road and weather conditions and your reaction time. Look well ahead for hazards and leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front. This should allow you to pull up safely, if you have to, without braking sharply.
I know I maybe being petty here, but why can’t The DSA get it right?
They appear to not understand how the distances are calculated and have converted imperial into metric and rounded the result down.
At 40 mph
the thinking distance is 40’, the same in feet as speed in mph
the braking distance is 80’, 40 x 2
making 120’ total.
4.30 Mark ONE answer
You are about to go down a steep hill. To control the speed of your vehicle you should
Select a high gear and use the brakes carefully
Select a high gear and use the brakes firmly
Select a low gear and use the brakes carefully
Select a low gear and avoid using the brakes
Notes
When going down a steep hill your vehicle will speed up. This will make it more difficult for you to stop. Select a lower gear to give you give more engine braking and control. Use this in combination with careful use of the brakes.
This type of question appears to give no consideration as to how someone with off road 4x4 experience could picture the problem and select a low gear and avoid using the brakes and be marked down for giving the correct answer,
This question should be rephrased to enquire about in what situations would one use engine braking and how one would achieve this.
5.5 Mark THREE answers
What THREE things should the driver of the grey car (arrowed) be especially aware of?
Pedestrians stepping out between cars
Other cars behind the grey car
Doors opening on parked cars
The bumpy road surface
Cars leaving parking spaces
Empty parking spaces
Notes
You need to be aware that other road users may not have seen you.
Always be on the lookout for hazards that develop suddenly and need you to take avoiding action
In this sort of situation I would be expecting my clients to be aware of following cars….
BUT……
It would seem the DSA do not consider this to be a priority.
It would appear The DSA think all learners are youngsters and blatantly ageist.
5.13 Mark ONE answer
An elderly person’s driving ability could be affected because they may be unable to
Obtain car insurance
Understand road signs
React very quickly
Give signals correctly
Notes
Be tolerant of older drivers. Poor eyesight and hearing could affect the speed with which they react to a hazard and may cause them to be hesitant.
One of my mature clients asked me what The DSA considered to be elderly?
I replied probably your son!
This lady could easily have been mistaken for being in her mid 50s rather than in her 80s. She certainly picked up learning to drive quicker than many 17 year olds who were going onto University.
Surely this question could be phrased to encompass all age groups who may not be apparently confident , rather than apparently endorsing driving with poor eyesight and at the same time alienating learners against people with hearing difficulties.
Some of my learners have said 5.37 is wrong and I would agree with them.
5.37 Mark TWO answers
Why should you be especially cautious when going past this stationary bus?
There is traffic approaching in the distance
The driver may open the door
It may suddenly move off
People may cross the road in front of it
There are bicycles parked on the pavement
Notes
A stationary bus at a bus stop can hide pedestrians just in front of it who might be about to cross the road. Only go past at a speed that will enable you to stop safely if you need to.
The bus driver does have a door that could be opened into your path.
Confusing question as the information given is far too vague as are some of the possible answers, the information given in the notes is also confusing/wrong.
AND AGAIN refers to the person as a driver, which could cause some of my clients to dismiss the best answer.
5.54 Mark ONE answer
What advice should you give to a driver who has had a few alcoholic drinks at a party?
Have a strong cup of coffee and then drive home
Drive home carefully and slowly
Go home by public transport
Wait a short time and then drive home.
Notes
Drinking black coffee or waiting a few hours a few hours won’t make any difference. Alcohol takes time to leave the body.
A driver who has been drinking should go home by public transport or taxi. They might even be unfit to drive the following morning.
I feel this question would be better phrased as
What is the safest way to get home after drinking alcohol at a party?
What is a few alcoholic drinks 1 or 2, 15/20??
5.61 Mark ONE answer
You are about to drive home. You feel very tired and have a severe headache.
You should
Wait until you are fit and well before driving
Drive home, but take a tablet for headaches
Drive home, if you can stay awake for the journey
Wait a short time, then drive home slowly.
Notes
All your concentration should be on driving. Any pain you feel will distract you and you should avoid driving when drowsy. The safest course of action is to wait until you have rested and feel better
Again this question could suggest that one MUST home, again asking for the safest option must cause less confusion without damaging the integrity of the question, indeed the notes actually say this. However mentioning driving whilst in pain causes distress to some of my clients and knocks their confidence as to question themselves as to the fact they should be even considering driving.
5.66 Mark ONE answer
Is VERY confusing
You take the wrong route and find you are on a one-way street. You should.
Reverse out of the road
Turn around in a side road
Continue to the end of the road
Reverse into a driveway.
Notes
Never reverse or turn your vehicle around in a one-way street. This is highly dangerous. Carry on and find another route, checking the direction signs as you drive. If you need to check a map, first stop in a safe place.
Which way are we travelling??
With the flow in a one-way street or the wrong way against the flow??
John used this very question in his ADI News article, AND apparently it is still there even though I had complained to Trevor Wedge about it and he refused to tell me which way we were supposed to be travelling.
5.85 Mark ONE answer
You want to turn left at this junction. The view of the main road is restricted. What should you do?
Stay well back and wait to see if something comes
Build up your speed so that you can emerge quickly
Stop and apply the handbrake even if the road is clear
Approach slowly and edge out until you can see more clearly
Notes
You should slow right down, and stop if necessary, at any junction where the view is restricted. Edge forward until you can see properly. Only then can you decide if it is safe to go.
The picture is very poor and difficult to tell if it is a Give Way junction or Stop, but the best way of increasing one’s awareness of other road users in a situation such as this is not mentioned at all and in my opinion should ALWAYS be done if edging out into the possible path of others.....
WIND THE WINDOW DOWN TO HEAR APPROACHING TRAFFIC AND/OR AUDIBLE WARNINGS.
5.96 Mark ONE answer
After passing your test, you suffer from ill health. This affects your driving. You MUST
Inform your local police station
Avoid using motorways
Always drive accompanied
Inform the licensing authority
Notes
The licensing authority won’t automatically take away your licence without investigation. For advice, contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (or DVA in Northern Ireland)
This is WRONG or at least incomplete the illness has to be expected to last more than 6 months and should be included in the question as well as It should be a new condition or an already declared condition that has worsened, many of my clients would be only too aware of this requirement and would be expecting the correct answer to actually be there.
6.10 Mark ONE answer
Where would you see this sign?
In the window of a car taking children to school
At the side of the road
At playground areas
On the rear of a school bus or coach
Notes
Vehicles that are used to carry children to and from school will be travelling at busy times of the day. If you’re following a vehicle with this sign be prepared for it to make frequent stops. It might pickup or set down passengers in places other than normal bus stops
I am sure I have seen taxis with this sign in their window, which gives 2 correct answers.
6.48 Mark ONE answer
You notice horse riders in front. What should you do FIRST?
Pull out to the middle of the road
Slow down and be ready to stop
Accelerate around them
Signal right
Notes
Be particularly careful when approaching horse riders – slow down and be prepared to stop. Always pass wide and slowly and look out for signals given by the horse riders. Horses are unpredictable; always treat them as potential hazards and take great care when passing them.
Surely this is a potential hazard and MSPSL should surely be followed or am I teaching my pupils incorrectly?
I find it very difficult to explain to my clients why this question has to be answered
PLEASE explain why MIRRORS is NOT listed as this must be the FIRST thing to do.
Signal the SECOND thing I would teach my pupils to consider is apparently wrong
Position the THIRD action to be considered again seems to be wrong.
ONLY in an emergency would the answer be STOP and I fail to see that it has been explained in the photograph, question or the notes that this is the case.
THIS QUESTION REALLY UPSETS MANY OF MY PUPILS AS THE RULES ARE COMPLETELY IGNORED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME APPEARS TO BE STRESSING TO FOLLOWING A SET ROUTINE.
Perhaps the question should be rephrased to ..”What would be the safest way to approach these horses?”
7.9 Mark TWO answers
You are driving in heavy traffic on a wet road. Spray makes it difficult to be seen. You should use your
Full beam headlights
Rear fog lights if visibility is less than 100 metres (328 feet)