Yeah, I saw that clip on the official DVD! At first I thought he was just playing a drunkard or something, but he’s much better at playing somebody who walks in a really camp manner.

As I’m retaking my ADI qualifications (having allowed my license to lapse some 15 years ago), I had to take this silly test. As it is designed to test learner drivers, it disadvantages experienced drivers who spot the “hazards” well before the scoring window. Consequently, they tend to score low. I managed to blow one complete clip. In this case, the clip showed the car on a dual carriageway approaching a junction. Now, come on, it’s blindingly obvious what the “hazard” will be – a car emerging from the left. Yup, sure enough, that’s what it was. As there was a truck overtaking on the right at the same time, I clicked for that, too. The computer said “no” as I’d clicked too many times.

I still passed the test overall, and still have a very low opinion of the test. Hazard perception will only be carried out effectively out on the road with real hazards.

I actually think the Hazard part of the test is a good idea though. Yes you know there will be a hazard in the clip, but you don’t know if the scoreable hazard will occur 5 seconds into the clip, or 1 minute 30. You are made to continuously scout the surroundings for the kind of things its easy to forget about or miss when you are actually driving. In addition, it tests your response time to hazards that unfold. I remember when I took my theory test, on the way to the test centre I took the bus in. Sitting on the top deck, I spent much of the journey looking out for the hazards. Up until that point I’d been much more casual about such things but now I was much more focused and aware, and when I took the actual driving part, I was much more confident.

Congrats on passing though. It really is a piece of piss isn’t it. I assume the only people who struggle with the theory tests are the same types who watch shows like ITV’s The Mint and actually believe they’re going to guess the number and win £10,000 or whatever. Bunch of idiots the lot of them.