Originally Posted by Recce19

Is there a 'failed' driving license as well?

It is probably called a PROVISIONAL licence.

Originally Posted by Cyclic

Learning to drive a car is a very very simple thing to learn , if you think different you are in for some big surprises.

It's not the actual driving bit, it's every other cnut on the road that makes it difficult. I failed my first (and last) test: taken at 16:00 in rush hour Liverpool... on a fucking Friday! Yeah, I was going to pass that cnut wasn't I? Of all the things he could have failed me on he picked something that 'catches everyone out' (an unmarked junction in a heavily built up Victorian backstreet that should really have been marked as such).

I even failed my bike test first time for 'failing to make progress' - a 'first' as far as the instructor was concerned - and a 'last' as far as I was. I passed it the second attempt though. In fact I made that much progress I lost the examiner, as I had actually already been riding (illegally) for years anyway. But, still no car license. I'd likely be in Broadmoor by now if I'd passed, so that examiner probably did me a favour. I'm not prepared to fritter away many hundreds of pounds on the whim of an examiner who might or might not have been laid the previous night. It's that simple.

ISTR that if one does not have a driving licence by the time one arrives at the Factory they will get one through during the Commissioning Course. It does mean losing what little free time one has while there, though...

(Caveat - I commissioned over 20 years ago so this may no longer be the case).

Originally Posted by CQMS

I'd give up if I were you, you can't pass a driving test yet you want to command troops in battle. Get a grip of yourself.

That is getting on a bit harsh don't you think? He's passed AOSB, so clearly they saw potential in him.

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTango

That is getting on a bit harsh don't you think? He's passed AOSB, so clearly they saw potential in him.

If you think that's harsh, then you won't stay around here very long!

From the army website...

Trades require you to have a driving license, if you cant drive now you will before you leave for your first unit!


I wouldn't worry to much about a license, they will teach you how to drive without spending all your money.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Int_Midget

Passing a drive test is something anybody can do but on the day, anything can happen. My two sons passed first time but my daughter and my niece both took 3 or 4 attempts. The reason for the difference was that my sons took lessons but were also coached pretty intensively by myself and my brother. Hence on the day, they sailed through. My daughter and my niece both had a child each to look after and a household to keep clean etc and so could not spare the time for the intensive coaching. My daughter took 3 attempts and my niece took 4 attempts before they passed.

Is there any way you can get a few more lessons and book a test in and also get a family member or a mate to take you out in a car for additional coaching? Coaching is just building on the lessons you have been taught and giving you experience behind the wheel on top of your lessons. My two sons passed first time through that. Getting a family member or a friend to give you that extra experience is also cost effective and can be done in a few weeks.

Just as an aside, the Army put me through my test in Cyprus in 1976. It's obviously all changed now.

Anyway. Good luck with that.

While your travelling come down to New Zealand and see if you can do your test here then get it changed to a UK one.
The test is piss easy over here, I don't know of anyone ever failing, which you can tell from our terrible drivers.
If your into cycling don't do it while your over here or you'l get run over, no joke!

Originally Posted by Recce19

If you think that's harsh, then you won't stay around here very long!

I'm not really fussed myself, I just don't think its fair advice really.
My ideals in terms of polite discussion probably should take a back seat when regarding military issues mind...

Originally Posted by WhiskeyTango

My ideals in terms of polite discussion probably should take a back seat when regarding military issues mind...

I wouldn't worry too much about the choppers on this thread saying things like "If you can't drive a car how can you expect to lead men?" etc. I know quite a few people at sandhurst with no driving licence and although it may cause you a few dramas in terms of losing free time it's not the end of the world.

However- if I were you and you have the chance to take it again I would, if you have the license it saves the hassle.