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I had along drive beforehand so was limbered up, so to speak! I also had an idea where we might go, so practised some of that route, but I was unfortunately very wrong!
Managed to do 60 in a 40 limit within the first 3 minutes (hadn't seen the sign) which was a bit of a distraction for the rest of the drive! He said we all make mistakes, and that he would look on that as my one and only life, which was fair enough to me!
Only other mistake was not hugging the leftmost side of the road on right hand bends. He asked me about the system after I'd done it a couple of times, then asked me to do a commentary during some more bends, just to give me a chance. I explained the theory well, but didn't do it properly!
He also evidently laid on a few props, as we had to overtake a horse in a dodgy road, and allow a fire engine to pass in th emiddle of a junction!
All in all I was pleased, and it was actually very enjoyable. We chatted throughout, which usually ruins my concentration (I stopped chatting in complex situations) but it relaxed me a lot.
You doing/done the test Kinky?
Managed to do 60 in a 40 limit within the first 3 minutes (hadn't seen the sign) which was a bit of a distraction for the rest of the drive! He said we all make mistakes, and that he would look on that as my one and only life, which was fair enough to me!
Only other mistake was not hugging the leftmost side of the road on right hand bends. He asked me about the system after I'd done it a couple of times, then asked me to do a commentary during some more bends, just to give me a chance. I explained the theory well, but didn't do it properly!
He also evidently laid on a few props, as we had to overtake a horse in a dodgy road, and allow a fire engine to pass in th emiddle of a junction!
All in all I was pleased, and it was actually very enjoyable. We chatted throughout, which usually ruins my concentration (I stopped chatting in complex situations) but it relaxed me a lot.
You doing/done the test Kinky?
Tobeee,
No, I've not done RoSPA yet.
I've done IAM and passed, and thanks to Don, my next thing is to take RoSPA.
I might have to leave it until early next year due to work committments, but I'm committed to do it.
I would say that should I take it today I would guesstimate I'd be borderline silver/bronze. I don't know.
As for your 'props' LOL - I know exactly what you mean - I had a nightmare with cyclists, bikers, pedrestians and a little girl - I'm convinced they were all planted.
But well done again.
So you have to wait a year now to take the test again (to get Gold) - correct?
K
No, I've not done RoSPA yet.
I've done IAM and passed, and thanks to Don, my next thing is to take RoSPA.
I might have to leave it until early next year due to work committments, but I'm committed to do it.
I would say that should I take it today I would guesstimate I'd be borderline silver/bronze. I don't know.
As for your 'props' LOL - I know exactly what you mean - I had a nightmare with cyclists, bikers, pedrestians and a little girl - I'm convinced they were all planted.
But well done again.
So you have to wait a year now to take the test again (to get Gold) - correct?
K
Hugh at Cadence is notorious for his clairvoyance when it comes to "props".
If you get the chance to go out with him (which you should make any effort to grab with both hands), and he should say something like:- "Blind left hand bend, nice Sunday morning for a ride, might be a horse", get off the gas and watch the horse come hoving in to view!
He might confess later to seeing steaming dung, hoofprints filling with water, or whatever, but deep down you'll know that he *must* have slipped the guy a fiver to be hiding there.
If you get the chance to go out with him (which you should make any effort to grab with both hands), and he should say something like:- "Blind left hand bend, nice Sunday morning for a ride, might be a horse", get off the gas and watch the horse come hoving in to view!
He might confess later to seeing steaming dung, hoofprints filling with water, or whatever, but deep down you'll know that he *must* have slipped the guy a fiver to be hiding there.
""So you have to wait a year now to take the test again (to get Gold) - correct""
Don't think so - you can have another go IF and when you think you have sorted out the problems.
I took a year off before going for Gold - maybe shows what a slow learner I am...
BOF.
PS - Well done 2B!
>> Edited by BOF on Saturday 15th October 13:43
Don't think so - you can have another go IF and when you think you have sorted out the problems.
I took a year off before going for Gold - maybe shows what a slow learner I am...
BOF.
PS - Well done 2B!
>> Edited by BOF on Saturday 15th October 13:43
""Hugh at Cadence is notorious for his clairvoyance when it comes to "props".""
On my first Observed drive, the Observer took me to his home to collect some papers...a large cat jumped on to the car roof...back he comes and says 'out of the drive and go left'.
I mention the cat - "don't worry, it will go when you start the engine"...as I try to join quite a narrow road from a tight drive, I hear a scuffle and see a big black object sliding down the rear window.
He swears, years later, that he did not train the cat to do this...and declines my offer to give the cat the 'float test', which involves a piece of twine and a house brick and a river.
BOF.
BOF
On my first Observed drive, the Observer took me to his home to collect some papers...a large cat jumped on to the car roof...back he comes and says 'out of the drive and go left'.
I mention the cat - "don't worry, it will go when you start the engine"...as I try to join quite a narrow road from a tight drive, I hear a scuffle and see a big black object sliding down the rear window.
He swears, years later, that he did not train the cat to do this...and declines my offer to give the cat the 'float test', which involves a piece of twine and a house brick and a river.
BOF.
BOF
Nice one tobeee! 
Well done!
I agree with all that's been said about Hugh Noblett at Cadence. He's brilliant and a lovely chap to boot.
During my RoSPA test, an escaping cow dashed into the road in front
closely followed by an irate farmer. RoSPA Examiners must set up these props carefully in advance 
Well done! I agree with all that's been said about Hugh Noblett at Cadence. He's brilliant and a lovely chap to boot.
During my RoSPA test, an escaping cow dashed into the road in front
closely followed by an irate farmer. RoSPA Examiners must set up these props carefully in advance 
Hi Woody. Apart from an hour or so drive once or twice a week for the last few weeks, my final preparation was to read the Highway Code (first time in a few years!) and yet another flick through Roadcraft. Then, on the day, I drove to the meeting place (out of town superstore car park) a couple of hours early, and went out for a drive strictly to test conditions. I returned to the meeting place, and did the same again in a different direction. Quick toilet visit at the shop (!) then hovered by my car for 15 minutes fresh air waiting for the examiner.
Seemed to do the trick for me! Good luck in yours, whenever it is.
Seemed to do the trick for me! Good luck in yours, whenever it is.
Kinky said:
It is the IAM special assesment I was thinking of .....
Hi again Kinky,
Ah, the Special Assessment. Good luck! I did it about three years ago (partly out of curiousity, partly to help prepare me for HPC) and surprised myself by enjoying the experience.
What preparation are you doing for it? For me, the hardest thing was finding someone locally to coach me, until the examiner found a police colleague to take me out for the odd observed drive. (Which was the best bit, really.)
Cheers
tobeee said:
Hi Woody. Apart from an hour or so drive once or twice a week for the last few weeks, my final preparation was to read the Highway Code (first time in a few years!) and yet another flick through Roadcraft. Then, on the day, I drove to the meeting place (out of town superstore car park) a couple of hours early, and went out for a drive strictly to test conditions. I returned to the meeting place, and did the same again in a different direction. Quick toilet visit at the shop (!) then hovered by my car for 15 minutes fresh air waiting for the examiner.
Seemed to do the trick for me! Good luck in yours, whenever it is.
Hour or so drive? Do you mean with an instructor or did you just put in for your test?
I went out with an instructor for a few weeks. Before I started with the instructor I was very confident that I could pass the test, however after the first couple of outings it was clear I wouldn't! That's not to say that I didn't drive safely and within the law, but RoSPA teaches what they call the "System of Car Control" and it's this "System" that needs to be adhered to. All outlined in the handbook 'Roadcraft' so if you don't have a copy, you would do well to get one.
>> Edited by tobeee on Tuesday 18th October 12:31
>> Edited by tobeee on Tuesday 18th October 12:31
I can understand your concerns in that respect. You feel that, if they know you've not used an instructor, they might score you more critically than if you'd come to them through the 'accepted' route.
As it happens my examiner didn't seem to know my background, didn't know my instructor, and I'm not sure he was too fussed. I reckon they're professional enough to mark you according to your ability to drive safely alone, though hopefully someone in the know will wonder by here soon...
As it happens my examiner didn't seem to know my background, didn't know my instructor, and I'm not sure he was too fussed. I reckon they're professional enough to mark you according to your ability to drive safely alone, though hopefully someone in the know will wonder by here soon...
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