Learners waste £100,000s a year on driving tests they instantly fail - MSE News 16 July 2018 at 11:15AM in Motoring 17 replies 2.6K views

Former_MSE_Callum

Learner drivers are wasting £100,000s each year by instantly failing their test for reasons such as forgetting their L plates, their vehicle not being up to scratch, or - bizarrely - even turning up without a car...

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'Learners waste £100,000s a year on driving tests they instantly fail'

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marlot

I hadn't realised that you can't have a test with a space-saver spare tyre fitted.

AndyMc.....

marlot wrote: »

I hadn't realised that you can't have a test with a space-saver spare tyre fitted.

Makes sense, it would fail an mot.

henry24

AndyMc..... wrote: »

Makes sense, it would fail an mot.

Would it? Must be millions of cars passing the mot with a space saver or even no spare at all

bhjm

marlot wrote: »

I hadn't realised that you can't have a test with a space-saver spare tyre fitted.

makes sense.

maximum speed limit with space saver tyre is 50mph - a minimum speed is required of 62.

• have no tyre damage and the legal tread depth on each tyre - you can’t have a space-saver spare tyre fitted be
• be able to reach at least 62mph and have an mph speedometer

gpc273

The lack of L plates isn't normally a problem as test centres hold spare ones, until they inadvertently get left on the learners car...the same applies for a spare rear view mirror.

Space savers have a lower max speed limit than the minimum set for test vehicles, which is 62 mph and speedometers must read in mph not kph, though this really only effects cheap Chinese bikes.

As for not turning up with a car this generally is foreign candidates who come from countries where the vehicle is supplied for the test, though we have plenty of homegrown twits who have not read the rules that are highlighted when you book the test.

RichardD1970

henry24 wrote: »

Would it? Must be millions of cars passing the mot with a space saver or even no spare at all

Space saver fitted to the car, not in the boot.

arcon5

henry24 wrote: »

Would it? Must be millions of cars passing the mot with a space saver or even no spare at all

Tyres across the same axle must be the same size. A spare wheel isn't a requirement

System

marlot wrote: »

I hadn't realised that you can't have a test with a space-saver spare tyre fitted.

Can't exceed 50MPH with one so how would you demonstrate you can drive at the speed limit in a NSL?

Stoke

marlot wrote: »

I hadn't realised that you can't have a test with a space-saver spare tyre fitted.

Really? Surely it's obvious? Having a space saver wheel fitted to the car makes it 'unfit for purpose', as it is unable to perform at the normal operating specifications. Personally, I think space savers are dangerous and should be banned. Either a can of foam should be included, or a proper full size wheel. Space savers change the dynamics and handling of a vehicle, quite drastically. Drivers are often too stupid or incapable of adapting their driving techniques to suit. My old VW Lupo had a full size wheel and it was ideal.

When I took my test, I was told quite openly by my instructor that an examiner can reject a test if the test car (that for all intents and purposes appears to be working correctly), has an EML or other warning light illuminated. It's not as if this is secret information and with respect, these youngsters will be operating a dangerous piece of equipment if they pass their test. Do we want to give them free reign to take their cars out on the road, put other road users at risk, if they can't even prepare for a simple driving test correctly?

Herzlos

Space savers are very much a 'limp to garage' option and not a tyre replacement.