Just Want to Have a Moan

[SheilaF]

Hi Everyone

I dont need anything (for once) just want to moan. My son failed his driving test this morning for 'going too slow round a roundabout' - he drove very well, had no problems, only 5 minors (allowed 15) but the examiner failed him for not going fast enough.
His Instructor had never heard of anyone failing for this, I am just wondering, as he is 17 - if the examiner's have a secret agenda in not passing too many 17 year old boys because of their safety record on the road, or do they simply have a quota?
He took it at 0840 so he was first out. Now we have to choose between a 10 week wait in this area, or decamp up north (to his Grandmothers) for a week for him to get used to the area and take the test there as the waiting time is only 5 weeks.
Time is running out for us as our house is on the market, as soon as it is sold we are leaving (yay !!) so there wont be too many chances to take his test with the current waiting list.
Sorry for moaning, i just feel so sorry for him, i take him out most nights and he is a good driver, passing would have given him the confidence boost he needs.
Gripe over - second time lucky !!

SheilaF

[jillizzy]

Hi Sheila

I know just how you feel, my eldest son had to take his test 3 times before he passed. I know that there is a long wait for his next test but do you know you can put in the paperwork straight away and then call for a cancellation. There is a minimum wait period until the next test,if I remember rightly, of 2 weeks.

Call the Newcastle number and ask for a cancellation, you can ask to pay extra for Saturdays here, not sure if its the same elsewhere. I don't think it makes any difference at what time they take the test, my son eventually passed on a Saturday morning at 08.40. My second son passed first time during a week day afternoon. They were both 17 at the time. Just one more son to go (next year).

By the way I failed my test first time for going too slow although that was 24 year ago!

Jill

[Ana]

That's a shame for him. I didn't realise there was a minimum speed you had to go around a roundabout!!

My son is taking driving lessons at the moment - on his second leson a bus ran into the back of him. As you can imagine, that shook him up quite a bit. Instead of being reassuring, his instructor said "now you see why it's important to get your clutch control right!" Needless to say we have changed his instructor.

If your son wants to take his test on the roads he's used to - you could phone daily and ask for cancellations?

[chrizzy100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by SheilaF
Hi Everyone

I dont need anything (for once) just want to moan. My son failed his driving test this morning for "going too slow round a roundabout" - he drove very well, had no problems, only 5 minors (allowed 15) but the examiner failed him for not going fast enough.
His Instructor had never heard of anyone failing for this, I am just wondering, as he is 17 - if the examiner's have a secret agenda in not passing too many 17 year old boys because of their safety record on the road, or do they simply have a quota?
He took it at 0840 so he was first out. Now we have to choose between a 10 week wait in this area, or decamp up north (to his Grandmothers) for a week for him to get used to the area and take the test there as the waiting time is only 5 weeks.
Time is running out for us as our house is on the market, as soon as it is sold we are leaving (yay !!) so there wont be too many chances to take his test with the current waiting list.
Sorry for moaning, i just feel so sorry for him, i take him out most nights and he is a good driver, passing would have given him the confidence boost he needs.
Gripe over - second time lucky !!

SheilaF


[/quote]

I failed my bike test many moons ago for the same reason....I know when I took my car test I was told I was the first woman the guy had passed in ages.....and he'd been told about it time and time again...my uncle was an examiner for many years.....but I can't remember if he ever talked about passing so many in a day.....it rings a bell.....but I can't be sure.....it was to long ago......

Good luck for next time........

[SheilaF]

Thanks for your kind messages, i had no idea going too slow was a fail-able offence!!! We are debating wether to take it up north but he would have to get used to a strange car, or take the test in mine which isnt ideal. Its 2 litre and a litte too powerful for him
Alternatively, we can do as you suggest and call for cancellations.
The problem with a cancellation is that he works, and not sure if he would be able to get time off at a days notice.
I hadnt heard of Saturday tests, must call about that sounds interesting.
I know in years to come he will say without another thought "I passed second time around" and forget the upset.
Wow Jill, 3 sons, how do you cope? I can barely keep up with one. I just hate it when he is down.
Made his favourite banoffee pie tonight..........

thanks everyone
SheilaF

[Fran19]

Sorry to hear your news Sheila. I too failed first time (too many years ago now) for going too slow. I have been driving for years now and never had an accident, although I don't go too slow now!!! If its any consolation to your son, I would rather more drivers like him on the road than the crazy drivers who make it dangerous for everyone. Tell him "Chin up" and he obviously is a good driver if that's all they could fail him on. We are all wishing him better luck next time.

So sorry but I would def go for a cancellation at this time of year I think you would get another test really quickly[msnwink]

[LiesaAnna]

i went to slowly up hill once on a main road and my instructer told me that i had to do the minmum speed which was 40 mph, so i learnt that way, i get so mad about this, we had major rows in my house last night, my daughter is seeing a nice boy, hes 18 never passed his test or have MOT or Insurance etc etc, i could go on, well she knows the rules! she is not allowed in his car, last night we found out she had been in it!! we are so mad with her! why do some kids feel that they should do the wrong thing and drive illegally, our daughter has been brought up knowing right from wrong so why does she do it???? and others feel like why should they do the right thing spend a large sum of money probably got 2 jobs for it as well in order to pass a test and become legal on the road,??????
i am fed up trying to explain it to her!!!!!!!!!!
i failed my test twice passed 3rd time! 17 years ago, lots of lads on the road today wouldnt know what insurance or mot's were if they fell and hit them on the head!

phew.............................................. .. get me started!

[SheilaF]

Fran, too true - he is a good driver, always observes the speed limit, does everything by the book. Thats what makes it so sad.

Mach 2 - We have just been discussing the cancellation issue, its the quickest way just have to get him completely 100% with my car, will start tomorrow. No point him having any more lessons as we can't guarantee the instructors car at the last minute.

Liesa - I know exactly what you mean, we have a lot of asylum seekers here and my nephew (who is a policeman) told me most of them are driving around without any insurance/tax/licence etc. How worrying for you though, is she too old to be grounded!!

Thanks again to everyone,

SheilaF

[sundowner]

Poor lad, I can imagine what you are both going through. Wish a few more young ones would drive slower, I would feel a lot safer for one.

Def try to get cancellation, does he have an understanding boss? Surely if he talked it over with him/her they would make allowances. Good luck to him anyway, and keep us informed.