What to do in this situation?

[Allen]

That was of passing is crazy in my opinion. OK, in certain circumstances you may be able to see if anything is coming, but what if you couldn't, or the instructor couldn't. Anything (including a cyclist or motorbike) could come from behind the other car and you might not see it, which is why passing around the back of the other driver would be more sensible.

A friend of mine failed her driving test for one reason. She was doing a hill start and an old lady walked off the pavement, in between her and another car without and reason or notice and hit the back of her car with her walking stick. That was her only fault. Crazy, huh?

[Oakey]

How is it crazy? In that position you guarantee that anyone behind won't try to get over-zealous and turn before you. If you're behind the other car how do you stop people behind from turning before you? You can't. And now you're stuck too.

[Nox]

Method 1 was how I was taught, was a long time ago, and things are bound to change. The fact that you're both blocking two lanes isn't going to go down well though, but I wouldn't of thought it was a failing, saying that I failed my first test for being more than 6" from the white line when turning right and blocking the traffic behind from passing. I still dispute that I would of had to of been driving on the pavement to be more that 6" away, the road was that thin. Other than that, actually had it pretty easy when I took my test, not sure if i'd want to take it again though.

Nox

[Oakey]

We weren't blocking the lanes. There was enough room on the left side of each of us for traffic behind to go left or straight ahead, hence why we were waiting for the traffic to clear so we could turn

I've spoke to other people and the only reason they see is that because she planned to move but then stopped because I moved, that's considered an inconvenience to the other driver and results in a fail. This is all down to the 'not supposed to do anything that causes another driver to change course or direction' rule.

It seems a bit odd that it applies here though. It was her choice to hesitate and stop, there was no need to. There was absolutely no way we'd have hit each other (not without reversing, straightening up and driving at each other). And in all honesty, I hardly changed her course or direction... she just stopped... and we were barely moving.

[TiG]

The word you are looking for is "quota"...

Yep, Oakey, if i was you i'd sort this out with your instructor to get a clear appreciation of what they are saying to you, (hopefully it won't happen on the test) - the problem is that until you've got your licence i'm afraid you are bound by following the instructions provided to you by your instructor and then the examiner.

Nichomach is right tho, being passed at present is purely down to luck rather than skill. Being presentable, polite to the instructor and doing your best (and still being crap) is more likely to get you passed your test than if you are a cocky lad, in baseball cap who is incredibly talented at Driving and doesn't put a foot wrong.

Also don't take a test in late afternoon, because you might find todays "quota" has been filled, better to have morning tests, I can remember from school days when i took my test at 17, number of people who got failed on afternoon exams was stupid in comparision to morning exams.

I even had the chief examiner for bedford test me, and i passed first time, (almost failed tho - started off in 2nd gear on a hill!!!, and just managed not to stall it, he told me after i passed that if i had stalled it then he would have failed me!)

TiG

[Oakey]

Damn, my test is at 1pm! I know what you mean about pure luck and it irks me a little. It sucks that one person could do their test and the roads could be completely empty and they'll pass and yet someone else may do their test, have busy roads and fail for some questionable error (like the problem I had). It's less of a test and more Russian Roulette in my opinion.