Driving Test Tomorrow - I have a question!

tina23

Hi all,

I've my driving test tomorrow afternoon. Got my very last lesson today and I'm fairly optimistic about passing it.

I have a question though. Where I'm taking my test (limerick), there are alot of housing estates in the area and it is very likely that the examiner will take me around them rather than going towards the city because the traffic will be crazy (test is at 4:30).

So, in these housing estates, there are ALOT of parked cars - I must therefore cross the centre line alot in order to give clearance. When the centre line is a white continuous one however and technically you should cross it to give a car door's width in clearance, but legally you shouldn't what do you do?

My instructor says I must ignore the continuous white line and always cross to give clearance (if needed). I think that to do that could result in a fail? Is it not an offence to cross a continuous white line?

In my opinion, I should just slow down and pass the car with caution, anticipating that a car door could open at any time. The only time I think I should cross it is if I'm literally about to take the car's wing mirror off and I've no choice. Any advice??

Thanks

Permabear

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Alanstrainor

Your instructor is correct. A single continuous white line can be crossed in the situations outlined above, and you should give a doors width of clearance between the parked cars, also you must give way to other traffic coming from the opposite direction if the obstruction is on your side of the road. The rules of the road are rarely black and white, if this were the case, coming to an obstruction like a parked car on a narrow road with a continuous white line would mean you would "technically" have to stop and wait for the obstruction to be cleared. But of course that would be ridiculous.
Keep your cool and give it your best shot.
Best of Luck.

dudara

Your instructor is right. The Rules of the Road state that you can break a continuous white line in certain circumstances such as to navigate around an obstacle or to use an entrance. (I did get asked this scenario in the questions part of my test.

Don't try to go two abreast with another car when you're over the white line. This might seem like blindingly obvious advice, but when faced with oncoming traffic in such a situation, take your time, let them pass, and then pull out safely. Return to the correct side of the white line as soon as possible.

Good luck.

tina23

Thanks so much guys for the speedy replies!! Appreciate it

Permabear

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Wishbone Ash

Just another thing - if there are cars parked intermittently all along the road, don't constantly move in and out.

If safe to do so, take your position in the centre of the road or enough to give clearance to the parked cars. It makes life much easier for you and makes you more visible to approaching motorists. They may even 'give way' to you making it even easier.

Your drive will then appear more smoother and competent to the tester. Obviously, if the other drivers don't co-operate, you'll have to move in when necessary.

It's all about common sense and the tester isn't out to trick you.