Position on the straight

uli84

I actually can't believe I'm writing this but I got failed for position on the straight and progress, how lame...
For progress I just assume I have to do everything faster (not that easy when you don't know the town you're driven through but ok)
In any case - can someone tell me what's the correct position on the straight or what position is dead sure to NOT give me grade 2?
Thanks!

galljga1

You will get numerous different opinions on boards.
Have a look at http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/position.html#1.
I would have assumed your driving instructor would have covered this.

uli84

yes, I had a look there - ''mid-way between the central dividing line and the left-hand kerb, or a fault may be recorded for 'Position on the Straight' - does that mean 'in the middle of the lane' basically?
Something happened to my brain and I was driving close to the left on my test

Alanstrainor

uli84 wrote: »

yes, I had a look there - ''mid-way between the central dividing line and the left-hand kerb, or a fault may be recorded for 'Position on the Straight' - does that mean 'in the middle of the lane' basically?
Something happened to my brain and I was driving close to the left on my test

At least you know what it was. That's an easily fixed problem!

As for progress, you might want to talk to your instructor about it, as there's a lot of reasons for progress marks.

J_R

uli84 wrote: »

yes, I had a look there - ''mid-way between the central dividing line and the left-hand kerb, or a fault may be recorded for 'Position on the Straight' - does that mean 'in the middle of the lane' basically?
Something happened to my brain and I was driving close to the left on my test

NO, he marked you for driving too close to the left. All examiners use the left hand side of the road as a reference point (or parked cars, obstructions etc), if you drive too close, they mark you for driving too close, too far and its excessive clearance. The only other reference point they use is the white line when turning right.

What the examiner is looking for is to see you drive a safe distance from the left. This just might happen to be the center of the road, but absolutely no guarantee that it would or could be the actual correct position.

There are numerous factors that will dictate what is a safe distance. your speed, then road and weather conditions, traffic, lines of sight to name just a few. A good instructor should explain how to judge what is a safe distance and the factors involved.

The Rules of the Road is merely an interpretation of the law and that "position on the straight" is an extremely bad interpretation. That man should be sacked. The actual legislation is :-
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1997/si/182/made/en/print

9. Save where otherwise required by these Regulations, a vehicle shall be driven on the left hand side of the roadway in such a manner so as to allow, without danger or inconvenience to traffic or pedestrians, approaching traffic to pass on the right and overtaking traffic to overtake on the right.

The above is exactly what the examiner is going to mark you on, not whither you are driving in the center of the road or not. And also the above is what the instructors should be teaching their pupils.

So, travel from the left. Next time if the brain overloads, pull over, park, compose yourself then start again.