Reaching the top speed in a driving test...?

[Natalie_123]

My grandad teaches me to drive and we were wondering in a driving test, are you required to reach the top speed on a dual-carriageway? i have heard off a number of people that you can fail for not being able to show you can reach this speed.

[kempie]

The Examiner will expect you to suit your speed to the road and traffic conditions. This is marked in the Make progress by/driving at a speed appropriate to the road and traffic conditions/avoiding undue hesitancy section. This does not mean you must reach the maximum permitted speed at all costs, but likewise you should not be below the limit when there is no need to be.

You also have to choose a proper speed for general driving and when coming to corners, bends, junction, roundabouts etc. This will be marked in the Exercise proper care in the use of speed section.

[Toureman]

Whatever you do, do not drive at the speed limit for whichever road you are on, keep just under it.

Drive at such a speed that you can pull up well within the distance you can see to be clear giving special regard to the condition of the road and the weather.

[johnny37]

I agree with everything above about road and traffic conditions etc. I almost failed (a long time ago now!) for driving too slow. It was an empty 40mph road and i was doing 30. Luckily everything else on the test was OK. The examiner asked me if I knew what a 40mph sign looked like and why did I not use it. I had to come up with a good answer!

ps Natalie - good luck but dont go stupid and show off to your friends when you pass!

[dustypuss]

as long as you get up two 62/ 65 that good enough for a examiner it just to prove that you can drive at the same speed as every one ells and not be a scaredy cat . ps i now i am a driving instructor 25 yrs

[dustypuss]

as long as you get up two 62/ 65 that good enough for a examiner it just to prove that you can drive at the same speed as every one ells and not be a scaredy cat . ps i know i am a driving instructor 25 yrs

[mortalman]

Are you sure thats a wise answer dustypuss, surely as a adi you would advise Natalie to drive to the conditions. (ref: Kempie first post). Although you are not wrong, perhaps you should elaberate more on your advise Dustypuss...including " making progress" and "driving to the conditions"....just a thought.

Natalie, kempie hit the nail on the head.

[dustypuss]

well common sense has got to prevail ie summer driving or winter driving , time of day , rush hour ( god knows why they call it that now a days) etc etc .we could go on for ever. good luck Natalie .let us know if you pass

[hedgehog661]

As driving instructors we should teach safe driving for life not just for the test that I am sure duttypus did not mean to imply. When you pass your test you are licensed to drive on roads of varying speed limits and will need to prove that you can confidently and safely do so.

Awareness of speed and driving to the prevailing conditions is very important and something you will need knowledge, skill and the correct attitude of.

[Natalie_123]

Thanks to everyone for your advise and help! it has really helped and hopefully i will pass this time round, thanks :p

[alexjohn]

The examiner will expect you to get to the speed limit as soon as possible and not cause others to stop or slow dow. Dont go over the speed limit as you will get a minor!