Your humble narrator has just passed his UK driving test, turning his green license into a pink one. Free on the roads for a much more reasonable price!
So how does the British test shape up to the American? Pretty damn well.
The American license allows the driver to drive manual or automatic regardless of what car was used in the test, so why bother trying to pass in a manual when you can just use a point-and-shoot car?
The test itself consists of a few questions about the car (Where's the handbrake? How do you turn the lights on? etc) followed by a leisurely drive around the neighbourhood. If you obey the speed limit, take a look around once in a while, drive smooth, and can steer into an oversized parking spot you've got the yellow card that lets you loose on the unsuspecting roads of the USA.
The British test, on the other hand, needed practice. Not only did I have to beat out the bad habits and learn to drive without crossing my hands, but the test was twice as long, involved pulling over and starting off again at random intervals along with the maneuvers, and involved car knowledge.
My first test was in torrential rain and I failed before leaving the car park after failing to do a safety check. The questions were on preparation for a long car journey, the maneuvers were the reverse park and the turn in the road. I got two more majors - one for coming into junctions two fast, the other for pulling out at a roundabout when the traffic was too thick. But if I'd be there still if I hadn't - test driving isn't real driving.
My second test was in glorious sun on the 4th July. The thought of and all-out BBQ in the evening coupled with the warmth of the sun shot my confidence through the roof. I was asked to go under the hood and point out how to check and change the oil, no problem. I was asked how to check the tyre pressure and what pressure the tyres should be - unexpected, but done it enough with friends to know the routine. Maneuvers were the reverse park, the reverse around the corner, and the emergency stop. All done with great aplomb. My minors were mainly for being too courteous on the road (overcompensating after the last test) and a stupid, stupid mistake with the brake and clutch coming into the space a the end of the test. But it's done.
The BBQ was amazing.
Now I just need to get my grubby hands on a car...
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