Easy Peasy

Took the theory today. Wasn't concerned about the questions (missed one anyway damnit), but after staring (through what seemed like fog) at the Hazard Perception part of the DVD that I bought....I was a bit concerned. 70 of 75 on that test....the computer generated film clips on the test are very clear and the potential hazards that come up are pretty noticeable. If you go through one of the practice DVD's like I did......it shouldn't be a problem for people.

Woo hoo!  One test down, one to go!

The lady at the desk looked at me when I came out (kind of like, woooo you did well)....I just shrugged and said I've already lived in the UK for 14 years and another 5 in Japan (also left side of the road) and I didn't have to take the test while I was working for the Govt. Figure to book one lesson with the guy my step daughter used before I book the driving test. Just a quick "tell me how to pass the test".

The lady at the desk looked at me when I came out (kind of like, woooo you did well)....I just shrugged and said I've already lived in the UK for 14 years and another 5 in Japan (also left side of the road) and I didn't have to take the test while I was working for the Govt. Figure to book one lesson with the guy my step daughter used before I book the driving test. Just a quick "tell me how to pass the test".

Smart idea.  It's all about learning how to pass the test.  I mean, who reverses around a corner in real life?  That's just dangerous!

Great!  Yeah, the difference in clarity between the practice and actual hazard perception clips was really startling.  After practicing with those, the "real" ones were like having a new prescription in my glasses! 

Smart idea.  It's all about learning how to pass the test.  I mean, who reverses around a corner in real life?  That's just dangerous!

I'm really hoping I get the three point turn on my practical test.  I don't do too badly on parallel parking (no worse than in the US anyway    ), but not so great on the other two.  I'll never forget the look on my instructor's face when she asked me how I usually did reverse bay parking.  After clarifying what she had asked (I could have sworn she said reverse beer parking!), I responded honestly with, "I don't".  Never in my life have I reversed around a corner or into a parking bay until taking driving lessons in the UK, and honestly never felt all that deprived by it.   

Okay, I suddenly feel like a right weirdo. I reverse around a corner daily (I learned to drive in the UK but now live in Houston) and do a three-point turn after I pick up my mail at the end of my street plus my emergency stop skills in a manual car frequently. I'll blame the neighbor's dog and child for that skill being sharp. As for parallel parking, it's not every day but comes in handy when I go to Galveston Island and need to park by the seawall. I went yesterday, as a matter of fact. Trust me, they are skills that are good to have!

Reversing around a corner is stupid. Dangerous. Not smart. The only time I've ever done it is when running away from the Walking Dead folks Sooooo, when running from Zombie's....

Where/why the heck would anybody reverse around a corner on a regular basis? Most places don't allow you to park near a corner. So.....

With a little practice (which I don't get these days) I am a fearsome parallel parker. I can still remember some basic points from high school drivers ed (74-75?). Reversing around a corner...?? Trying to kill people?

I reverse around corners all the time, especially when I'm at my parents' house... because they live at the end of a cul-de-sac and I have to reverse out of their driveway, round the corner of next-door's garden and into their driveway in order to turn the car around and be able to drive out of the road.

I also reverse around corners of residential roads if I need to turn around and it's not convenient or there's no room to do a three-point-turn.

Of course, I would never reverse around a corner into a main, busy road because that is dangerous, but I don't see why it would be dangerous in a quiet, residential area with no other cars around.

So......since you do it.....it's safe? Is this something that should be in drivers training?

So......since you do it.....it's safe? Is this something that should be in drivers training?

It is in driver's training - it's one of the things you might be tested on in the practical driving test... or at least it was when I took the test back in 2001.

I was taught how to do it safely in my driving lessons when I was 17 and have been doing it ever since.

Edited to add:

Here's how they teach you to do it:
http://www.2pass.co.uk/reverse.htm#.VhLSHqRGRKp

Not quite what I asked......is it safe to reverse around a corner? I didn't ask this just to be a pain in the ass (which I am). If I just quote the highway code etc......then getting your license makes you experienced enough to drive on the motorway without any training on the motorway......which I very much disagree with. In YOUR opinion.....is reversing around a corner a good thing to do?

I took lessons in the UK (2013) and reversing around a corner is one of the things I spent a lot of time on with my instructor.

I've had to reverse around a corner when backing out of a driveway or a parking space (not exactly the same thing, I know), but it's one of those things they use to test your skills, awareness and ability to manoeuvre the car.

They do teach it and you could be tested on it.

Not quite what I asked......is it safe to reverse around a corner? I didn't ask this just to be a pain in the ass (which I am). If I just quote the highway code etc......then getting your license makes you experienced enough to drive on the motorway without any training on the motorway......which I very much disagree with. In YOUR opinion.....is reversing around a corner a good thing to do?

Honestly, it's not something I've ever thought about - it's what I do in order to get to where I need to go, and I was taught how to do it safely when I learned to drive, so as long as I'm careful and make sure there are no other cars coming, then I don't see the issue with it.

My objection is teaching something that is not something that should be taught. Everybody in Harrogate tailgates........that's not something that should be taught, but everybody (but me) seems to do it. Just because you "might" back around a corner (and I do it at times).....is that something that should be taught? If you have the skill to parallel park.......a useful skill.....isn't that carried over to other skills? Ahhh.......now I'm just arguing for the sake of it.....   As an ex teacher....out of topic requirements get me going......

But.....back to the topic at the beginning........those DVD's you can buy are really worth it. The test is easy if you go through those a bunch of times.