On 13/11/2013 08:43, Adrian wrote:
On Tue, 12 Nov 2013 23:43:11 +0000, SteveW wrote:

I don't like the idea of a re-test.
The reason I don't like it is that I know that many people who get
nervous would fail unfairly.

If somebody cannot drive to a _really_ basic minimum standard for 20
minutes, how is that "unfair"?

While being observed by an examiner, which makes a huge difference.
Driving and driving while being officially observed are two vastly
different things and those that suffer from anxiety are no worse at the
former, but far worse at the latter.

I know my wife would fail

Then, perhaps, she should get some additional training.

She would simply panic. She is very nervous about driving anywhere she
doesn't know

Sorry, but that doesn't sound like a driver who is going to react
particularly well to a sudden and unexpected change in circumstances...

What sort of change in circumstances? She's fine with idiots doing
unexpected things or having to work her way around a closed road or a
jam, she worries about going somewhere totally different that she hasn't
been before - not a particularly unrealistic fear - and worries far more
if she is going to have to take a passenger on that unfamiliar journey,
hence travelling the route as a passenger the first time, instead of
feeling under pressure from having a colleague as passenger.

As I've said elsewhere, it's the thoughts of driving somewhere
unfamiliar that is the problem, not so much actually doing it. Having to
do it while under observation would really make her nervous. She suffers
from anxiety problems, driving she can cope with, a driving test would
likely push her over the edge.

I know that I am happy doing exams or preparing work that will be
reviewed by others, but I hate being observed doing it - as do many others

SteveW