The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

That's pretty much what mine said too.  But the first time I did it I took a second to check mirrors and he said I shouldn't do that.  If there were someone in my path there wouldn't be time, and just to hit the brakes hard.

That's how it's always been taught - No time to check mirrors in an emergency, the object is stop as quickly as possible on the examiner's signal while still maintaining full control of the vehicle, with minimal or preferably no skidding.

That's how it's always been taught - No time to check mirrors in an emergency, the object is stop as quickly as possible on the examiner's signal while still maintaining full control of the vehicle, with minimal or preferably no skidding.

This seems like one of the many fairly illogical, or at least arbitrary, things they teach here. Although none of us would want to hit a child, pet, pedestrian, or whatever that's suddenly in the way - slamming on the brakes without checking the mirrors and getting plowed into by whatever is behind us could kill whomever is in our car, the people behind us and, due to the laws of physics and momentum, probably whatever we were stopping for in the first place. I guess it mostly comes down to luck - if you don't look, you hope either there's no one behind you, that they're keeping the right distance, or at least that the vehicles/speed/situation will allow the impact to be survivable; if you do look, you hope your reaction time will be quick enough to make and enact the right decision. Although I could see blind stopping being a not entirely unreasonable choice in a neighbourhood, it's absolutely the wrong choice in a motorway or other high speed situation, IMHO. Anyway, it's good to know what they're looking for, at least. =)

just an f.y.i.
If you have not taken the theory test--I was reading the back of my appointment sheet (tomorrow!), and it states that after September 2009 there will now be "case studies" for a portion of the questions (instead of straight multiple choice). Now, as a teacher, I would suggest avoiding the first few rounds of that test--it is DIFFICULT to write case studies that are straight-forward--it's better to let them work out the kinks (I'm sure they've tried to do this already, but there's nothing like the real world for making you go back to the drawing board!).
Just thought I'd give everyone a heads up.

Are there any areas in the UK with no large, multi-laned roundabouts?  In terms of absence of roundabouts and light traffic, where's the best place to take the practical test?

Are there any areas in the UK with no large, multi-laned roundabouts? 

There aren't too many large roundabouts in rural Norfolk, although the nearest test center would be Norwich, which still has a good selection of roundabouts, though not as bad as in many other places.

In terms of absence of roundabouts and light traffic, where's the best place to take the practical test?

Probably somewhere in the Scottish Highlands.   

Are there any areas in the UK with no large, multi-laned roundabouts?

Crewe test centre in Cheshire doesn't have any large, multi-laned roundabouts on any of the test routes. Just normal two-lane ones and mini roundabouts.

There aren't too many large roundabouts in rural Norfolk, although the nearest test center would be Norwich, which still has a good selection of roundabouts, though not as bad as in many other places.

Probably somewhere in the Scottish Highlands.   

Too bad Guernsey and Jersey are not in the same system as the UK.  It's great there...no big roundabouts, light traffic and speed limit around 30 all over the islands!!

This seems like one of the many fairly illogical, or at least arbitrary, things they teach here. Although none of us would want to hit a child, pet, pedestrian, or whatever that's suddenly in the way - slamming on the brakes without checking the mirrors and getting plowed into by whatever is behind us could kill whomever is in our car, the people behind us and, due to the laws of physics and momentum, probably whatever we were stopping for in the first place.

So if you look in the mirror and see a car right behind you, what decision are you going to make based on that information? Plow right into the child that's run in front of your car? That seems more than "fairly illogical" to me.

So if you look in the mirror and see a car right behind you, what decision are you going to make based on that information? Plow right into the child that's run in front of your car? That seems more than "fairly illogical" to me.

A similar line of reasoning can be found for stop signs and lights.  The "official" mantra you'll hear over and over in British driving tutorials is "Check in the mirror to be sure it's safe to stop." 

And what are you supposed to do if you consider it unsafe to stop?  Run the light into the path of cross traffic or the pedestrians who are crossing in front of you? 

Checking the mirror to be aware of what's behind you when preparing to stop is one thing, and may influence some evasive action you take, but the "to be sure it's safe to stop" line is very poorly worded.

This is just an aside, but I've been working through the Theory test CD. 

I find it highly amusing that so many of the answer choices in the 'Accidents' section contain cigarettes and warm beverage as options for aiding victims.

It's just seems so lovely and British.

'My dear!  Look at all that blood.  Can I get you a nice cup of tea?'

Okay, so theory test=passed! Yay.  Of course, I still have the practical (eek). As an aside, I highly recommend the cd/dvd preps for the theory test.  I picked mine up from BSM, and I was really, really prepared. 

Now, countdown to Sept. 15th.  Everyone stay off the road at 11:11!

Okay, so theory test=passed! Yay.  Of course, I still have the practical (eek). As an aside, I highly recommend the cd/dvd preps for the theory test.  I picked mine up from BSM, and I was really, really prepared. 

Now, countdown to Sept. 15th.  Everyone stay off the road at 11:11!

Well done, Jennie!!  Bravo!!!

Now, countdown to Sept. 15th.  Everyone stay off the road at 11:11!

Oh wow, mine is also on September 15th at 10:14!  Let's hope that's a lucky day!  

Congrats on passing the theory!

I'm trying to book the theory test online but they want my driving license number.

   Am I supposed to have one of those yet?  I thought that's what I was trying to obtain.

I'm trying to book the theory test online but they want my driving license number.

   Am I supposed to have one of those yet?  I thought that's what I was trying to obtain.

Are you sure you clicked the right link?  Only the practical test requires a (provisional) license number to apply.