Joe just called...

[meriad]

On an unrelated matter, now the clocks have gone back, not dipping your headlights on country roads when cars are approaching you the other way should be a hanging offence, let alone a breach of the Highway Code ....
About 1 in 10 don't bother down here, and it's bleddy annoyin'.

Never mind not dipping the beams; it's the people who have faulty head lights so have the one working one on full bright so the other can be on dim... Crumbs do I go mad - esp in this day in age when there are so many places that will replace faulty bulbs for you within minutes!

As for re-passing a driving licence... when I moved to the UK I had to redo mine as we couldn't exchange the SA one at the time; it took me 10 lessons to unlearn my bad habits but pass I did I'd probably take about 20 or more now

[cruiser2]

Regarding driving tests, I passed to drive a motor bike when I was seventeen on a hand change motor bike. It belonged to my brother. It was a BSA 250cc side valve.
I was 20 when I passed my test to drive a car. Did it at the first attempt.
In the 1970's I joined the IAM and passed their test and remained a member for several years.
Four years ago one of the councils near where I live was offering free examinations for older drivers. This involved driving for about an hour in town, through the country and on motorways. You decided where you would go and you had to give a commentary during the drive.
At the end the examiner gave you a report showing any bad points. The only comment I had was I did not use my door mirrors enough.
Regarding flashing headlights, I was told it only means the lights work!!
As meriad had said, you do not have to drive very far in the dark to see vehicles with defective lights.

[Kaz]

The one life skill that I don't, and wish I did! That's why I'm so keen for Becky to keep retaking her test until she passes, and why we are getting Harry driving lessons too

[Gal]

Well done Joe! And B will pass when it is her turn K xxx

Like WM, I keep pretty much to an even keel, 32 years after passing (first time, I think I was just lucky on the day!) I have some daft drivers overtaking me when I'm driving at the speed limit, which is just silly, and I try to avoid driving in the dark so no need to worry about dipped lights! If I have to, I dip though - but as you say, not many do! Nor do they often indicate - it's a thing where I'll shout "did you go for the optional indicator??" when this happens to me! I'm sure my personality changes when I get behind the wheel

[miasmum]

Gal, mine is "if you'd bought a better model you might have got indicators" Grrrr drives me mad that does.

Really struggle to drive in the dark these days. Its a necessary evil but I hate it. Especially hate being blinded by drivers not dipping.

With regards flashing headlights, I always thought you shouldn't do it? So much so that when there was a police car waiting to turn right, I thought of stopping and flashing but thought I shouldn't I bet they were cursing me.

[JanB]

The problem over here is that most of the Portuguese only got cars about 50 years ago and the driving test is so easy.

And we only have lights on one side of the road - and in rural areas like ours, none at all.

And no cats eyes.

The white lines in the middle of the road wear out very quickly as they use cheap paint and the road sings are after the junction.

[TheOstrich]

And no cats eyes.

They have resurfaced a stretch of the Dorchester to Blandford "A" road down here and installed LED type cats eyes in the middle of it; they are brilliant - you can bat along at night quite happily at 40-50 mph as they illuminate a long way in front of you .....

And then, where the resurfacing finishes, they suddenly stop! - if you don't immediately decelerate, you'll easily find yourself up the verge!

[Workingman]

I quite like those ESP (extra sensory perception) indicators, especially when I am sat at a roundabout and a handful of cars leave at the same exit. I cannot go because they might be going further round. Bump!

My big favourite, though, has to be the midnight "beep beep de beep beep" to let the pre-loaders know their show-fur is awaiting.

None of it is in the Highway Code, but it happens.

[Workingman]

Hey Joe, where you goin' .... (Jimi Hendrix, you'll have no idea so ask mum, or gran).

Stay safe kid, and well done.

[Kaz]

Aw Frank, one of my best friends at school was a huge Hendrix fan, so I know his music quite well!