Our speaker this month was Stephen Brown a driving instructor based in Boston Lincolnshire who has over 40
years’ experience in this job. He outlined for us some of the many changes to both the Highway Code and to the tests
for achieving a full driving licence since he began his career, interspersed with some of the amusing moments
and scary incidents he has experienced along the way.
We were amazed to hear that 8000 tests are taken in the UK. The pass rate being just 50%. No-one can take the practical test without a pass in the Theory Test which covers a thorough understanding of the Highway Code,
something most of us didn’t have to take, and probably would not pass today. Food
for thought!
There is still the eyesight test at the start and pupils must know how to operate the cars features such as lights, horn, mirrors etc. the emergency stop is no longer the bang with a clipboard on the glove box we all remembered but a simple hand raise.
Some tests are directed purely by use of a Sat Nav others by direction from the examiner or by using road signs only, or a combination of any of the above with results recorded on an iPad.
Some of Stephen’s questions highlighted how much we either don’t know or have forgotten about driving on today’s busy roads.
On more amusing notes:
Instructor - “When approaching a blind bend what should you look out for appearing
in the road?” Pupil – “A rabbit!!”
Pupil - “How do I access the dual controls from my side?”
Pupil - “What time do the cat’s eyes get switched on?”

Stephen concluded with a short sketch involving our Chair playing the pupil from hell
amid much hilarity and some sympathy for the lot of a driving instructor or test
examiner. If you haven’t got nerves of steel and a good sense of humour, it is not the
job for you.