Conflicting opinions

The Young Wan

I've had several arguments with my mother about my "standard of driving". I have a test coming up soon and obviously, because I have to have a full driver with me, she comes along for the spin.

I've been driving to what my instructor has told me - as near to speed limits as I can (depending on road conditions, of course), indicate when passing a white line, etc. But my mother has often said this makes me a bad driver. I feel like it's going to impact me on the test day.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do?

Hemerodrome

Maybe find a licensed driver other than your apparently over-critical mother.

Rubberchikken

speaking from experience i doubt your mother will be happy being driven by you for a long time, maybe never. it's nothing personal just that she's worried about you and your safety.
the best thing to do is get someone else to come with you when driving. otherwise you'll drive each other crazy.
also, show her that you'll be a responsible driver by sticking to what you learn even after you get a full licence.

good luck

sammyjo90

Only yesterday,on a roundabout, my dad indicated right and immediately left to take the 2nd exit. Completely unnecessary. But hey! He's been driving for years! I should totally ignore everything the trained instructor has said to me right?

Definitely dont listen to your mother,she has more than likely picked up some bad habits along the way which will not help you pass the test!

Good luck!

The Young Wan

Hemerodrome wrote: »

Maybe find a licensed driver other than your apparently over-critical mother.

Single parent family, I'll be hard pushed.

The Young Wan

Rubberchikken wrote: »

speaking from experience i doubt your mother will be happy being driven by you for a long time, maybe never. it's nothing personal just that she's worried about you and your safety.
the best thing to do is get someone else to come with you when driving. otherwise you'll drive each other crazy.
also, show her that you'll be a responsible driver by sticking to what you learn even after you get a full licence.

good luck

Probably more worried about the state of the car too! 😂

Hemerodrome

The Young Wan wrote: »

Single parent family, I'll be hard pushed.

Lots of new drivers from single parent families manage just fine, me and all my siblings included. It doesn't have to be a nuclear family member, or a family member at all.

thattequilagirl

Out of interest, does anyone know if the mother is right? I'm just learning myself, but I think the instructor's advice sounds a bit dodgy - I always thought it was a limit not a goal?

Rolllo

Learned with the aul wan as well, she'd be put off the road if she ever did a test. She hadn't a notion how a roundabout works until I showed her the diagram in the learner's book and even then she disagreed. This is someone who's been driving for nearly 40 years like.

Redser87

thattequilagirl wrote: »

Out of interest, does anyone know if the mother is right? I'm just learning myself, but I think the instructor's advice sounds a bit dodgy - I always thought it was a limit not a goal?

In my test (Finglas) I drove just under the limit for almost the whole time. If you are crawling along, the person behind you might do something stupid to get past you. Think critically about road conditions, weather etc but on a clear day with steady traffic and a safe road, there should be no reason not to drive close to the limit.

challengemaster

thattequilagirl wrote: »

I always thought it was a limit not a goal?

It's both really. Providing road conditions allow, it's the speed you should be going at. You will be holding other people up if you're not driving at the speed limit, and you will get a grade 2 for progress.

Squidgy Black

Yeah if you're crawling along you'll get graded for lack of progress.usually they suggest you stick in and around the speed limit or with the flow of traffic depending on the road conditions.

VonVix

Yeah, my instructor has always encouraged me to keep up with traffic and get up near the speed limit.

thelad95

The Young Wan wrote: »

I've had several arguments with my mother about my "standard of driving". I have a test coming up soon and obviously, because I have to have a full driver with me, she comes along for the spin.

I've been driving to what my instructor has told me - as near to speed limits as I can (depending on road conditions, of course), indicate when passing a white line, etc. But my mother has often said this makes me a bad driver. I feel like it's going to impact me on the test day.

Has anyone else experienced this, and what did you do?

I see that you posted in the unsuccessful thread so hard luck. Did you get any marks on progress or indicators as indicated in your OP?

You are right to go near speed limits, crawling along at 30 or 40kmh is for drivers who have literally just started out, doing there first few lessons. Once you reach test stage they want to see that you are a competent and confident driver obviously within the remit of the Highway Code.

Don't get disheartened and keep working on the habits they want to see in the test.

Psychosis

thattequilagirl wrote: »

Out of interest, does anyone know if the mother is right? I'm just learning myself, but I think the instructor's advice sounds a bit dodgy - I always thought it was a limit not a goal?

They say to keep up with prevailing traffic.

But don't rush yourself at junctions and pull out in front of someone, never follow others blindly at junctions thinking its grand and end up pulling in front of someone.

Make sure the way is clear and safe to proceed, dont block yellow boxes or go into hatchways!

donkey balls

Ah sure most mammies must be like that Years ago while still living at home,My ma would have me drive her to the shopping center and she would be complaining about my speed etc.
The thing is I wasn't speeding and my lane positions when entering and leaving roundabouts would be spot on,At the time I held a full artic licence and use to drive around Ireland and the UK for a living.
As for the driving test when I did mine back in the 90s (car ridgid artic etc) you drove to the conditions of the weather and roads,If the weather and road conditions are fine you should be aiming for the speed limit for what ever road you are driving on.
When I use to drive and still drive occasionally I am scanning my mirrors (all 6) every few seconds while looking whats going on around me looking down the road getting the big picture etc.