30 - Point Test for Drivers A LTHOUGH it has been used
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mainly 1-1■ by commercial houses to whose travelling representatives cars and light vans are allotted, the service of the Rootes Driving School, Abbey Hall, 9 Abbey Road, London, N.W.8, whereby drivers are check-tested and their faults pointed out, is also offsred to operators of bigger goods and passenger vehicles.
During the past two years, the school's three examiners have checktested 400 drivers in various parts of the country and drawn up confidential reports for their employers. The cost of an hour's test is LI is.
In addition to checks on eyesight and knowledge of the Highway Code, there are 30 points of driving technique upon which drivers are tested. These are: Pre-start precautions; accelerator control; steering—general; left-hand corners; right-hand corners; clutch control; gear changing; gear initiative; use of hand brake; use of foot brake; hill start; emergency stop; signals (hand); signals (indicator); parking; use of mirror; approach to turns; quiet cross roads; road positions; roundabouts; speed on safe roads; speed at danger points; overtaking; passing parked vehicles; observation; pedestrian crossings; courtesy; general reaction; three-point turn; reversing (left-hand); reversing (right-hand).
For each of these a maximum of five marks is possible. The total of marks is expressed as a percentage. A score of 85 per cent, is reckoned to he equivalent to the pass standard for the Ministry of Transport driving test. Twenty per cent, of those tested failed to reach this standard, and 35 per cent. passed it narrowly.
Drivers are told their faults and given time to eradicate them. The attitude of most examinees is usually apathetic before a test, but grateful afterwards. Typical remarks made by examiners on report sheets have been: "Steering—
Used one hand only. Frequently also hand over hand," "Has a bad habit of shutting and opening window," and "Roundabouts—Taken too fast and late gear changing."
A representative of The Commercial Motor who took a check test lost marks for •coasting up to traffic halts and before engaging a lower gear before turns, also for faiting to give hand signals when no other vehicles could be seen either ahead, or in the mirror. The tester believed 'that the habit of giving signals at all times should he formed.
A school similar to that at Abbey Hall operates in Manchester. The check-test service is available to all operators and individuals, whether or not owners of Rootcs Group vehicles. Tests are conducted with the vehicles to which drivers are accustomed. Tuition for learners is also given