It's no different in the army
Page 31
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AS AN ex-regular soldier (22 years) and a qualified testing officer on vehicles from motor cycles to 52 ton tanks and their transporters, and all hgv groups, I take great exception to David Ian Armshaw's assumptive remarks that "he would have no problem getting a hgv if he joined the army". The test on any army service vehicle is exactly the same as a civilian test except for special types where it's probably more difficult.
If the candidate cannot satisfy the examiner of his competence to control and manoeuvre the vehicle then he fails. I respectfully suggest that if Mr Armshaw cannot pass a test of his ability at 32 and 15 years driving, he does not drive to the required standard.
There are no "irrelevant" parts of the test, they all help the examiner assess the candidate's ability.
I would accept the fact that all examiners are not equal, in the same way as all test routes are not the same, or traffic conditions, but generally our standards are high, and rightly
SO.
The standard of driving is exceptionally high in the services, it has to be when the loads they may be carrying are considered.
It has taken a long time to get rid of a bad image (mainly due to the wartime system "if you can handle it mate it's yours"). There just wasn't time to train and test everyone. Just let Mr Armshaw watch a CM LDoY, round and he may see what I mean. The service class is usually well contested.
In closing I would like to say that if he cannot pass the test on a modern vehicle, he would not stand a snowball's chance in hell, of passing a pre 1930 RAF 6 x 4 Leyland or army seven ton Dennis with fully air conditioned canvas cab, to say nothing of a simple Hippo.
He may as well take up knitting, our roads are very well stocked with incompetents — we really don't need another one.
"CASEY DORSET" (Name and address supplied) • David Armishaw's views on
hgv tests (CM, July 2)) have provoked several letters similar to those of "Casey" and Miss Richards which space has not allowed us to publish. Unless Mr Armishaw has anything to add in response, we must declare the subject closed. — Editor.