B and E licence scrapping
The additional test to tow trailers and caravans over 750Kg is soon to be scrapped by the DVSA, because the driving test examiners are under such pressure examining new lorry drivers, trying to address the shortage.
My own view is that it is the trainers who seem to be mostly complaining about lost income. Safety wise, I doubt it will make much if any difference - a bad driver is a bad driver, no matter what they are driving.
I am one of the ones who never had any driving lessons with a view to passing the driving tests, call me self taught if you like. I went from moped, to motorbike, passed the motorbike licence, then that was a full licence for three-wheels. Not much difference between three and four, so I then did the four wheels licence. I soon then bought a caravan and off I went. Along the route, I was very keen to hone my skills, so I read, practised and read everything I could find on the subject. One of the best of which is Roadcraft, plus taking police driver examiner friends out for their critical reviews of my driving standards.
One of my best teachers, was my time on two wheels. On two wheels you either learn quickly, learn defensive driving or you are dead - you really are that exposed. Two wheels ought to be a part of the apprenticeship, before you can move to four wheels. I always feel more confident in the passenger seat, when the driver has spent time on two wheels first.
No claims ever, in 55+ years, so I guess I am doing something right.
Having said that - I am an absolutely terrible passenger, because I see so many mistakes of the driver from the passenger seat.
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I'm not a perfect driver ... I cross my hands/arms while steering & don't shuffle the steering wheel, I left foot brake in my autos but wouldn't consider myself a bad driver. I also passed my motorbike licence. I made a claim 18 months ago when someone drove into the back of me while I was stationary .... apparently it was my fault though cos I'd not moved when most of the other traffic had. 🙄
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My grandson did that and blamed the driver in front for not moving. He paid dearly for it :-) and (hopefully) learned to never assume the driver in front has moved, but to look.
Well I don't agree with everything the AD's teach, I can cross arms with the best :-)
One thing I will always argue with them, is the need to give a signal or not. I always signal as a matter of good habit, to advise anyone I might not have spotted, of my intentions. The AD point of view is that you should always assess whether you need to signal. The signal should never be given as an habit - to force you to actually look before the signal. My reminder to look, is when I put my finger on the indicator switch and before I actually press it.
I learned when brakes were not as good as they are now, so tend to gently use gears to control my speed, supplemented with brakes. The AD's suggest you should only use brakes for slowing, whereas I can swap my styles at will, to suit the conditions. I can block change when it suits.
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I can never understand that argument about brakes are for slowing down .... not gearboxes. Why then do you see signs on down hill sections of motorways for those towing to use a lower gear? 🤔 😉
But re B+E .... I don't know why they brought it in in the first place
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The idea is that brake parts are much cheaper than clutches and gearboxes, whilst true my clutches and gearboxes generally see the vehicle out. I do find I like to generally control the speed with gears on a downhill, but supplement it with braking as needed, rather than a constant brake application.
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I anticipate and just let the van slow naturally, using brakes sparingly. Saves fuel as well.
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My father never actually took a driving test. He learnt to drive during the second world war, whilst he was in the army..... and for part of the time he was a driving instructor!! When he came out of the army, he had a licence automatically. I guess a bit like the 'grandfather's rights' many of us now have who passed a test before 1997 enabling us to be able to tow without having to pass a test..... 😀
David
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