Why The Speed Limit Is Also A Target? Driving Test Great Britain

[@benguest209]

My instructor really hammered home "get as close to the speed limit as is safe"

[@jamesh1758]

Exactly. In all fairness I think the first few lessons / hours of driving should be done with the mindset of “Do Not Rush”. Once you’re nearly test ready you should not be holding up others from a lack of confidence or ability (as you therefore aren’t actually test ready). Obviously though in the earlier hours of learning to drive, you should be driving on appropriate roads (not motorways etc.).

[@michaelajali]

I also failed once due to slow speed. Your videos are educational. Keep it up Richard

[@ricequackers]

"Drive as fast as possible given the legal limit, the limits of the environment and (this is important) the limits of your car" is how I've phrased it to others. The last bit caught me out once - there's a roundabout near me that in my car I can comfortably do 15mph when going straight ahead if it's all clear and conditions are good. Drove my parents' RAV4, did the same speed through that roundabout, nothing actually dangerous happened but the car felt very unsettled negotiating that curve at that speed and my head rocked about quite a bit (another reason I really dislike crossovers). The vehicle you're in is also an important factor when choosing the right speed!

[@jacobthompson8507]

Completely agree with the cars limits. My past 4 cars have been from the same class (A3, A Class, 1 Series etc) - so I got used to their handling characteristics - and I can take comfortably negotiate roundabouts and bends on A roads at much higher speed than my work’s Citroen C3. There’s nothing dangerous about doing similar speeds in the C3, but it definitely doesn’t leave you with any confidence that the car is settled.

[@raphaelcaceres9129]

What kind of roundabout is it that you can hardly to 15 on?

[@VikingPowah]

Passed today with only 3 minors, learned only from your videos. No mock tests, no driver instructors, only youtube and practice with my own car for couple of months. This channel is gold, will keep watching even after passing just so I can learn something new.

[@01firewind]

Hi Richard! Passed this morning first time - 3 minors 🥳 you’re the first instructor I started watching on here back in July. Thank you for all of the help with these videos!

[@thetiredoldtiger4711]

As an instructor I've been saying it the other way round for a long time. Treat it like a target but you have to justify it. That's the crucial part. Justify going the speed limit here in this situation. If you can't, then slow down. If you can, you should be as close to the limit to make effective and efficient progress. Not enough people correct this very outdated and somewhat incorrect phrase. Love the video. It's about time it got a bigger voice.

[@axam102]

Totally agree, your comment " If you can, you should be as close to the limit to make effective and efficient progress" is 100% correct and couldn't agree more

[@rory90FiVe]

Not sure that's the best way to look at it. There's a difference between "can" and "should". Anyone "can" drive 30 on a street with parked cars either side, but they definitely shouldn't

[@thetiredoldtiger4711]

@rory90FiVe then you definitely didn't understand what I said. Justify going that fast for the conditions is what I mean when I say justify going that fast in that situation 😊

[@thetiredoldtiger4711]

@rory90FiVe how about instead of "if you can" if its safe to do so...

[@legion162]

@@rory90FiVe I think you've missed the point with the "can" part especially with the parked car scenario, is it possible to do 30, yes it's possible, can you do 30, no you can't because parked cars and hazards etc

[@manveersingh1971]

very true, i got a minor for going slow, although i did not feel it was safe to go faster. I guess it comes down to the patience of the examiner lol

[@gaminggmail-h6l]

it's wild tbh. If I'm going 25/26 for too long in a clear 30 zone it's a minor and potentially a major if done too often

[@Brandon-ff9my]

Definitely, I was super nervous, so I drove slower than I should've been. But my examiner was really generous and even told me I really needed to go with the speed of the road. Thankfully, I listened as I passed but had 2 minors for it at the end.

[@jisoo1571]

⁠@@gaminggmail-h6l that’s because most speedometers overread, so at 25/26 you’re really going around 22/23 which is pretty slow in a 30mph and can hold up traffic (not defending it, just saying why. At 30mph on your speedometer, you’re probably going around 27mph, which sounds reasonable right?)

[@gaminggmail-h6l]

@@jisoo1571 fair point but going at 31-32 is also a minor mark and can become a serious. I guess I need to learn pedal control but it just seem so tough. I push the pedal less than 0.5cm at 20mp and I'm already going above 30 mph plus the constant change in road and situations makes it even harder. Passing a parked car with less then a inch between me and them also feels unsafe but I still need to do 30

[@Emmnoyhl]

​@@jisoo1571 isn't such a thing holding traffic as long is movement / Progress 😁

[@zakapholiac9377]

I have been driving for 7 years, have a full bike licence and an HGV Class 1. But still watch these videos as they are so well made and interesting

[@siras2]

Got a "minor" on my motorbike test a few years ago: There's a 3 mile stretch of seriously windey B road (no pavements or even verges for pedestrians to step clear of the roadway, lots of farms and horse owners) which is one of our local test routes. The trouble is that it's National Speed Limit ie 60mph. I already had a full car license, an HGV1 plus PCV. so was a very experienced driver. With so many blind bends and the very real potential for pedestrians/horses/tractors/ mud on the road lurking around any them. I chose to ride at what I considered to be sensible speed (40-45) for the conditions and when I caught up with a car travelling slighty slower, decided it wasn't safe to overtake. My examiner was a townie from Croydon he'd only ever held a bike license and had a reputation for "enjoying a good ride out" when taking tests. When we got back to the test centre he attempted to give me a lecture about "not making progress" and "not using the potential of the vehicle". From this it was clear that he'd have travelled that stretch of road a LOT faster and would definitely have gone for an overtake despite the blind bends. I tried to explain my reasoning, but he wasn't interested. Despite this, I passed, it still rankles that his school of thought (that it's perfectly fine to blast down b roads ignoring the many potential hazards) is what's being passed on to new riders.

[@Emmnoyhl]

Passing every day driver exams centre in busssy industrial area makes me feel bad for those pupils seated and chat inside the car without position light on or with head lights on and foot on brake is the least of wrong lesson they give them. Yeah theory is important but safer in a car park than on side of the road obviously building traffic etc

[@simoncreesuk]

Another interesting video. I tend to feel that if people constantly fail to drive close to the speed limit when it's safe to do so you could say they are driving without 'due care and attention'. Also, I'm sure most of us have followed people who drive at say 40 MPH in a 60 limit and are still doing the same when they come into a 30 limit so are then speeding. Keep the video's coming Richard and they certainly provoke lively discussion in the comments.

[@SiWeeMann]

The Average Speed Driver. I often get tailgated in a 30, only to lose them when the speed limit rises.

[@TheRip72]

I remember passing a lorry in a 60 once, then we entered a village so I slowed down to 30 to drive though it. The lorry caught me & sounded his horn a few times, which I felt was very unprofessional. I kept to the limit & accelerated to 60 again as soon as we were clear of the 30.

[@Pond721]

I live on the isle of man with derestricted roads, the amount of people who sit at 40mph EVERYWHERE is so unbelievably annoying. These idiots sometimes even proceed to continue doing 40 in a 30, literally no thoughts going on in their head. It's like no one is capable of doing 50+. Unsure and nervous drivers shouldn't be driving.

[@cmcnally99]

Just passed my test today after 25 lessons. Thanks for all the very helpful videos!

[@robertgrant5805]

Thanks!

[@me5969]

As a firefighter I have actually been called to collisions because a car was doing 25 in a 40 for example along with people doing 50 on motorways. It really is just as dangerous and there's a reason not every single road is 20mph. Granted it's not nearly as much as mobile phone use which is nearly always the issue but now and again you will get called to a scene because someone was going too slow or too quick and couldn't control their vehicle. Obviously bare in mind we only get called out when it's bad, so I'm not talking about people bumping into one another on mini roundabouts and stuff

[@fireburn95rs]

if it happens on the motorway then there is more to it than the speed alone, like someone didn't check their mirrors when merging left or the car behind went too fast than the lane allowed, or the car driving slow suddenly slowed which is not the same thing.

[@gaminggmail-h6l]

I mean, 25 in a 40 is a huge diff but 37 in a 40 isn't but it's still marked down for going too slow even with constant up and down hills

[@clivewilliams3661]

The problem is that people get fixated by the actual speed and not the progress they are making. If you have someone travelling in a 40mph at 25mph - ask why? If its because that person is not confident travelling at near the posted speed then they need further tuition. Also, the opposite may be true in that the safe speed is 25mph and the person doing 40mph is not assessing the situation correctly.

[@somerandomguywastaken]

50 on the motorway honestly isn't that bad, trucks go 56 usually

[@SiWeeMann]

​@@somerandomguywastaken Have ever been in a situation where you're following a car at 70 when they pull out to overtake a car only doing 50? Even at safe following distances that doesn't give you a lot of time to respond and that's why it's deemed dangerous - the police could well pull you over for driving too slow.

[@kaevinday1578]

Just wanted to say that I passed on first try with no minors thanks to your channel! All the best of luck to everyone preparing for their exam

[@KensDigitalDen]

I passed it this time around on my 4th trial today. I’m so happy that your videos were helpful. Your videos was recommended by my friend prior to my 4th test. Guys he is a rare gem 🎉

[@andrewrussack8647]

Thanks for the videos. For most people, driving a vehicle is the riskiest thing they do each day. Learning to be better at driving should be the aim for all drivers for life! 🇦🇺

[@samuelmcclymont33]

This is a massive problem on a road near me, the Acle straight. A 9 mile single carriageway stretch at national speed limit. People doing 40-45 on the road when it is safe to do 60 encourages people to overtake and then that has lead to many nasty accidents over the years. It seems many people go slow on the road out of fear because it is so notorious for accidents, not realising they are making the problem worse

[@Emmnoyhl]

Glad few doing less than the money collecting speed limit sign keep crash numbers down so you always arrive safely. Assuming you're super human never anything happens to you and speeding (yes stick on 30 speed limit is speeding) don't give you the right to tailgating etc 😁

[@samuelmcclymont33]

@@Emmnoyhl when did I say I speed, overtake or tailgate?

[@TheRip72]

The point of the video was that in a test, you need to prove yourself competent to drive at the road's limit. You won't do that by staying 10mph under it. Some may just not in the mood to drive faster. Maybe they just want a bit of peace on their way home & they are enjoying a nice leisurely drive? I can accept 40 or 45, but anyone doing under 40 in a hazard free 60 is likely to be incompetent.

[@samuelmcclymont33]

@@TheRip72 I understand people might be out for a leisurely drive. However, in this case there is an alternative route which is only 5 minutes longer at a push, that consists of 30 and 40 if people want to go for a leisurely drive. This is where peoples frustrations come from on this issue. When I was learning to drive years ago, the main advice my instructor gave me for this road was to do the speed limit if safe to do so to prevent others overtaking and not to tailgate.

[@axam102]

@@TheRip72 And when you have to drive 100+ miles home it's quite a pain in the ass! roads are functional, not leisurely

[@AnnaNibbs]

Great video! This chimes so well with what my own driving instructor teaches. I'm a nervous older learner and it's taken me a long time to get to grips with appropriate speed, but after very careful instruction I'm now starting to get the hang of it - remine myself to think in terms of the 'speed of the road', i.e. a combination of the legal speed limit/target speed, volume of traffic, visibility, hazards and so on.

[@SiWeeMann]

Like you, I avoid that phrase. Instead I remind them of the phrase they will know - "Speed kills" and point out the missing word. It should be "Inappropriate speed kills."

[@evelghostrider]

Tell me at what speed will I die please ? For every person who says speed kills, they can't answer it. Perhaps you can be the first. Because in my experience in almost 65 years, I've never seen speed kill a single person. I've seen people killed by striking solid objects or coming to a sudden stop... I've seen a friend killed at about 15 mph, and I've walked away from a crash at 185 mph on a motorcycle...

[@panther9450]

You should be making the most of the speed limit whilst keeping a safe distance from the vehicle in front- whatever that may be for the road surface condition- whilst factoring in any hazards. You should also be able to stop within the distance you see to be clear 😊

[@gamesmaster1060]

Nobody seems to care about distances. I'm fed up of being tailgated in icy conditions at 5am on the way to work lol

[@matt-ko4cc]

@@gamesmaster1060 people either on their way to work or leaving work are the worst drivers in the world. Doing everything in their power to arrive at their job they hate 30 seconds earlier and doing everything in their power to get home 30 seconds earlier so they can sit on the sofa and mindlessly scroll their phone for the evening. Zero thoughts going on in their head.

[@Emmnoyhl]

​@@matt-ko4cc unfortunately they still scrolling on the phone behind the wheel is what make me steam of my head 🤔

[@carlchapman4053]

Born in 1974, I was taught "Get up to the speed limit as swiftly and safely as possible" I also became a heavy goods driver and during that exam I was told "Brakes are for slowing and gears are for going!"

[@evelghostrider]

How many people today do you see pulling onto a carriageway or motorway who do not accelerate upto the suitable speed ?? Especially the accelerator lane joing motorways people don't do it until they are pulling onto the actual motorway.... They drive up accelerator lane about 30 or 40...

[@mryrius]

Especially in London dual carriage ways with tiny slip road merging

[@andrewjb1474]

Thank you so much for this video and the clarification it highlights. I spent some time as an IAM observer, trying to undo so many misinterpretations of this sentence. Making as much progress as you can, safely, and within the prescribed limit is far more accurate. In my opinion the saying is a bad habit in itself and should be reworded!

[@alexlawrence293]

It was a very long time ago (decades !), but I still remember my instructor saying that you need to show the examiner that you are aware of speed limit changes. So it was always best to drive at one or two mph under the signed speed limit, if it was safe to do so.

[@Lee2k4]

As a learner I constantly feel pressured by tailgaters who, at times have even overtaken me when I am doing the maximum speed limit. On some occasions even on a narrow road with parked cars.

[@thomasdalton1508]

Ironically, in that situation you need to slow down even more so they can overtake safely!

[@Lee2k4]

@ on one occasion I had to come to a stop because of an oncoming car which I gave way too and the guy behind me decided to overtake and the oncoming driver had to back up to let him past it was nerve racking

[@EmeraldIsle-f7x]

And if they have accident its on them for an unsafe overtake not you. Problem is these days people dont take responsibility for their actions. You would not be at fault they decided to speed and perform an unsafe overtake all because they didnt want to wait. It sounds like you were doing the right thing

[@thomasdalton1508]

@@EmeraldIsle-f7x It doesn't matter who is at fault - you still want to try and avoid crashing.

[@EmeraldIsle-f7x]

@@thomasdalton1508 It does matter because making someone believe they are at fault just because they are inexperienced or a learner when they are not and essentially blaming them for someone elses mistake is not going to improve their driving is it. Its going to reduce the learners confidence make them doubt themself and the “unsafe overtaker” will carry on doing it if they are not pulled up on it. Thus by knowing when you’re at fault and your overall attitude to driving prevents accidents because you learn from your mistakes

[@Vincent77654]

What you do when you talk and drive is exactly what I do when I drive. Concentrate on driving not looking at your camera or passengers. So many people spend more time looking at their passengers when they are having a conversation or looking at camera when filming videos. I was a taxi driver for 25 years and could talk and drive without looking at my passengers, when I came to a difficult junction I would stop mid sentence, deal with the junction, then continue the conversation exactly where I had paused. So many of my passengers commented on these skills and thanked me because they felt so safe ! I would make everyone take a 2nd test after a year of driving of which this would be part of the test along with other advanced driving skills !

[@ed_lifts]

This video should be mandatory viewing for all Cornish drivers. Everyone does 40 in the 60s, even in sunny, dry weather, on a straight road, with no traffic. It takes forever to get anywhere.

[@rory90FiVe]

I find the people who drive at 40 in a 60 tend to stay at 40 when they reach a 30

[@julianpenfold1638]

@@rory90FiVe Same!

[@tjtr29]

Same in Norfolk

[@CTC2002]

My dad’s a stereotypical 40 club driver. He’s done a speed awareness course and gotten 6 points over the last couple years for 39, 38 and 42 mph in 30 limits yet he’ll have a 20 car queue behind him on an NSL road because ‘limit not a target’ and he’s obsessed with his mpg in a 23 reg Polo GTI

[@julianpenfold1638]

@@CTC2002 I often trudge along in the slow lane on motorways at a steady 55 with the lorries but yes on an NSL road doing way less than the limit when it would be safe to drive close to the limit is just antisocial!

[@HypocrisyLaidBare]

At 2:56, there was no mention of slowing down when approaching a school with flashing amber lights, the school entrance markings on the road, or the presence of the school crossing patrol outside the gates. Instead, the focus was on slowing down for the road layout due to a roundabout. This overlooks the most critical aspect of driving near schools: protecting vulnerable road users, especially children. A good instructor prioritises pedestrian and vulnerable road user safety over the protection of their vehicle. Speed discussions should always centre on safe and responsible use of speed, particularly in high-risk areas. For context, I was driving 44-tonne trucks internationally since the early 1990's. I’ve been both a car driving instructor and an HGV driving instructor, and the first middle and last words should always be about the danger your vehicle and its speed pose to vulnerable road users-not just when to reduce speed for junctions or parked cars. There were additional issues in your driving approach that require critique. When you slowed to 10mph to pass the parked car, that was a poor driving decision. There was no requirement for you to press through the gap past the parked car on your side. You had an obligation to give way to the oncoming vehicle, but instead, you forced your way through at 10mph. This decision abandoned the critical philosophy of “leaving a car door’s width.” By pressing ahead, you failed to maintain a safe distance from the parked car, which could have left a cyclist, pedestrian, or even a child in serious danger if they suddenly appeared. Had you waited, you could have maintained a safe car door’s width from the parked vehicle, ensuring the space wasn’t packed tightly with two cars, reducing the risk for all road users. This was especially problematic given the presence of flashing amber school lights. If the oncoming vehicle had needed to swerve to avoid a child, you left them no room to manoeuvre, and the same applied to yourself. This lack of space created an unnecessary hazard. Additionally, you failed to mention the motorcycle as you moved across the centre line to overtake the parked car. Crossing the centre line near a parked car requires vigilance to ensure the safety of all road users, including motorcycles or cyclists who may be less visible. That vigilance is heightened given the flashing amber lights of the school crossing ahead sign and the presence of the school markings and school crossing patrol visible outside the school. This lack of heightened awareness is a serious omission. Once you passed the school gates, you accelerated-admittedly only to 20mph-but the fact remains that, had there not been a roundabout ahead, you likely would have increased your speed to 30 or 40mph if permissible. I’m not saying this to be a jerk, but I firmly believe that a good instructor should be that much more observant, that little bit more restrained, and a lot more descriptive. I hope you take away from this critique the intended message and use it to improve how you instruct your pupils in the future. A good driver needs a solid foundation in prioritising the safety of those more vulnerable-motorcycles, cyclists, pedestrians, and especially children. You get the picture. A proper commentary and driving decision in this situation would have looked something like this: *_"As I approach, I notice a bend in the road combined with a brow and a parked car ahead. More importantly, I see flashing amber school crossing lights, indicating an increased risk of vulnerable road users, especially children. I’ll reduce my speed, maintain full awareness of the footpaths for children who may step out, and keep an eye on the school crossing patrol near the gates. Approaching the parked car on my side, I’ll check my mirrors. I also note a motorcycle approaching, so I’ll maintain awareness of their position. I’ll carefully move up to the centre line in preparation to pass the parked car and give way to the oncoming vehicles, as I’m obligated to do so. I’ll wait until it’s safe to pass, ensuring there is ample room for all road users in case of sudden hazards. By waiting, I can maintain a safe car door’s width from the parked car and avoid compressing the space with two vehicles. As I pass the car, I observe the school crossing patrol and, given the proximity of the roundabout just 50 metres ahead, I’ll maintain a low and steady speed, as accelerating here would neither be safe nor economical. Once I pass the school gates, I’ll remain at a safe speed, as I’m still in a high-risk area. After the roundabout, I’ll reassess the prudence of increasing my speed in this area."_* This type of approach and commentary demonstrates the priority of vulnerable road user safety, awareness of all traffic, and the ability to make responsible decisions in good time, that ensure the safety of everyone involved. Ignoring these considerations, particularly near a school, reflects poorly on both the driving skills and the quality of the commentary drive and overall poorly on the instructor's ability to teach or be aware of the hazards presented.

[@SiRhodesDriverTraining]

Another great Video Richard, very well explained.

[@ottermanuk]

Great vid. 60moph on a dual carriageway I can see as harsh but if that's the guidance then that's the guidance. 30mph back roads with two sided parking is reasonable to do much less. Up here in Scotland plenty of main roads past the central belt being NSL single carriageways. Perfectly safe to do 60mph on these roads but constantly hampered by the 40mph-everwhere brigrade. Clear weather and roads and there's no reason to do 40. Rules 168 and 169 are often forgotten.... 12:13 is spot on. No space to overtake encourages poorer drivers to do even poorer overtakes.

[@ConquerDriving]

I really enjoy the north west of Scotland. I find on the single track roads when I catch up with someone they often let me pass at a passing place.

[@ottermanuk]

@@ConquerDriving Passing places in the proper rural are normally fine I find, and often completely inappropriate for 60mph! But the A82 to Oban and A9 are often perfectly reasonable NSL fast single carriageway constantly choked by people using less than reasonable speed!

[@KindredBrujah]

@@ottermanuk Indeed. You can tolerate being stuck behind a lorry, because they _are_ driving at the limit for a lorry. When it's just someone in a car doing 45-50mph, it's less forgiveable.

[@Emmnoyhl]

​@@ConquerDriving that's mostly over the waters common sense for whatever reason they stick behind you let it go is safer for everyone unfortunately here mostly accept Scotland like you say everyone thinks is train carriage must stick to the car in front

[@TimpBizkit]

With lorries being limited to 40, do you get large snail trains building up behind delivery vehicles?

[@chrislaing7153]

The line I used with a lady I used to work with (we both got the train into London each day) that would always emphatically tell me that the the speed limit is a LIMIT not a TARGET (her shouting btw) was "I'm sorry that we are 10 minutes late getting into Waterloo this morning - the driver three trains ahead decided the speeds are a limit, not a target, but we couldn't overtake him"

[@KieranDevvs]

I'm so glad a driving instructor has said this in a video I can now cite. I've been involved in tons of debates about people driving slow and I've said its always breaking the rules of driving with consideration and due care for other road users and no one would take my point seriously. Yeah ok, the police wont enforce it because its subjective and no one really knows if it should be enforced as there's been no clear directive from the courts or from management, but that doesn't mean its right. Slow driving annoys other road users and causes them to make silly decisions in order to pass you thus endangering everyone. You can argue that slow drivers aren't responsible for the actions of other people but the fact stands that unnecessary slow driving directly leads to increased road accidents regardless of reason.

[@benmacca1]

This video speaks volumes. I’ve driven thousands of miles in countries such as Germany and it’s easy to get around there. On their national roads the drivers always do 90 - 100 and it’s so easy to make progress. In the UK it takes forever to get to the next town as somebody is always doing 40 miles, but no matter what you do these incompetent drivers will never change annoyingly

[@benmacca1]

The driving culture is one of the reasons I may consider leaving the UK 😂

[@davelinkson1]

Yes,Over 50 years ago when I was learning my instructor would say you must be seen to be making good progress so keep speed up

[@Gopher31]

Speed limits are also decided in a very odd way. The speed limit close to me went from 40 to 30mph. This was because a small percentage were going over 47mph. NOT because 40mph was deemed unsafe.

[@davem9204]

I think a few roads have suffered with the same fate near me. Quite a few 40/50 limits dropped to 30 as the occasional driver going fast in the dead of night. I checked the accident records of these roads, and they had the lowest accident rates in the area before the speed limit drop, so the drop wasn't based on the safety record.

[@Roadridedotnet]

Indeed. In Ely we now have a blanket 20mph through the entire city. I agree with it outside schools etc, but 30mph is still safe on many of the roads. So, we now get people driving at 15mph and progress through the city is dire. It is irrational decisions like this, made without proper justification, that annoy the general safe driving public.

[@davidty2006]

Sounds more like a road design issue there, why does it even allow people to do 50mph? maybe some parked cars will fix it...

[@tristandunn4628]

Totally agree with you. Especially on dual carriage ways and motorways. The majority of the traffic will be doing the speed limit, therefore keep it at that level. If you slow down, you're going to cause all manner of traffic to have to overtake you. That can get particularly hairy when it's large lorries having to do so. That goes along with people not using motorway/DCW slip roads to get up to speed. Crawling up/down them at 30 mph, when you're joining traffic that's going at over double that speed is dangerous

[@bankrupt3am932]

I just passed my driving exam test. One of the miner marks was exactly for appropriate speed. It's just down to how good you can control the car. And for everyone else reading. Drive, don't get marked, pass. Anyways, great blessings from Lithuania ❤

[@GHOOGLEMALE]

When I was doing my motorbike test I was told I must, on a speed limit change say 30 to 50, to cog down the gears and accelerate briskly to 50 - not even just accelerate but gun it. It felt most odd, but I did it and passed with flying colours . Locally now though there are signs all over town advising "its a limit not a target" as you said - like the signage and road layouts these days, local road designers are clearly not drivers...

[@chrisl1797]

One of the joys of having a manually operated speedlimiter is being able to concentrate on traffic and not the speedo. Worth its weight in gold.

[@davem9204]

The situation isn't helped by so many roads having limits that are simply too low. It seems roads are given limits arbitrarily based on the category of road by the local authority without any consideration for what's appropriate for the road. I live near a few county borders, and often the limit changes as you change county, even though nothing has changed in the nature of the road. Outside of narrow residential urban streets (like the one with parked cars you had to rightly go slow along), I'm struggling to remember a road where the limit was too high to be safely achieved (except for junctions and tighter bends where you need to slow down briefly). The only ones I can think of are some rural single track lanes with NSL, but they are rarely used.

[@gavinreid2741]

Near me there are sections of clear country road with a 30 limit, but a narrow road entering a town with several junctions and many parked cars has a limit of 40. Never understood that.

[@MarsAres]

When I started my lessons, I knew I was going to hate the process when my instructor said to me "Speed up, you're going too slow" after being told "it's a limit, not a target". I passed my test over a year ago and now I drive at whatever speed I feel comfortable with that doesn't inconvenience other road users.

[@josephmarsh8235]

As long as you're not going over the speed limit it's appropriate and best. When I went past a speed limit checker, and it said 18mph I was doing as I was behind a cyclist waiting until it was safe to overtake in a 30mph zone it said thank you the speedo sign.

[@deebee3466]

When it is safe, a new driver needs to display the competence and confidence to drive at an appropriate speed in favourable weather and traffic conditions. The problem with new drivers going slow is that they seldom check the rear mirrors and react to any effects on following traffic. If they do check they mirrors, they often 'look' rather than 'see'. Too many instructors teach new drivers to drive slow thinking that this a display of safe driving. Unfortunately in a majority of cases learners are only taught to scrape through a driving test, rather than being taught to actually drive the vehicle, hence the deteriorating standard of UK roads.

[@SonOfSusan]

While taking my test, we went down a rural 'A' road, surrounded by farm land, with a national limit. I slowed a little way before some bends, and my examiner asked why. I said "Sprayer, not sure how wide it is after bends.", and he didn't understand, until the self-propelled sprayer emerged from around the right-hand bend ahead. I'd caught a glimpse of it in a very small gap in the hedgerow. I was pretty confident that, had I maintained my previous speed, we'd have met on the bend, and I didn't know how wide it was beyond what I could see. I wasn't surprised that the examiner missed it, as he was obviously in a different seat to me, and the sprayer only had a very dim, old beacon. I could tell I'd impressed my examiner though, as he chuckled and said "I didn't even notice that." Lol!

[@pineapplepenumbra]

I usually tell people that their perception of speed will change, and relate my experience with someone with mild Asperger's. It took me 3 double lessons to get him to drive back down his own road (a relatively straight, reasonably wide, 30 mph limit, which usually only had parked cars near the beginning when people were picking up their children from a nearby school). After a few lessons he was complaining that 70 mph was too slow on a local dual carriageway!

[@Howie57]

Aim to get to the speed limit....not unless road conditions suggest otherwise

[@picobyte]

This is why dutch roads are great. In our cities there mainly are 50km and 30km limits but roads are made to slow you down where needed. It all feels very natural due to proper design.

[@bjthedjdutchdude1992]

When I had an exam, I had to slow down on a slip road. Because there were three lorries on lane one on the motorway. The slip road was ending so I decided to go behind the last lorry and over take them all. I did get a minor mark for it. So I explained. And the examiner understood. It was a good option. So it became a save.

[@MrJamesl83]

Will agree with this, I failed my first test doing 30 in a 40. I also failed on something else too, but that one stuck with me. The reasons you gave for why you fail was the reasons I was given, as I did ask for clarification on why it was dangerous. I try and do the speed limit when able, sometimes go under as the road is unfamiliar or conditions like time of day.

[@shaun__3]

The truth is a lot of stuff a pupil gets taught for the test is wrong either at the point of the exam or when driving after passing. I remember having this exact conversation with my instructor!

[@hamzyk_05]

The speed limit is both a target and a limit, it is situational, that is the best way to teach it

[@prodlowd]

Exactly. Be careful. I got a minor on my test for slowing down too early for a roundabout

[@grim-upnorth]

Funnily enough I was having this exact conversation with my daughter (who's due to start taking lessons soon). I'm really happy to have my views confirmed by you an actual driving instructor. When I was learning to drive over 20 years ago, I was always encouraged to "make good progress" and to "get up to the speed limit as quickly and as safely as possible", for example when pulling out of a junction or coming off a roundabout. As many of us are, I am a commuter who drives (thankfully only 7 miles) to work. My journey time can be as short as 11 minutes (when travelling at the speed limit), or as long as 20 minutes, purely due to the added time of being stuck behind drivers doing 40-50 in a 60, and being extremely slow at accelerating to an appropriate speed. It also causes people to try and overtake where realistically, it's not safe to do so.

[@axam102]

Perfect perfect perfect. I agree 100% with everything you said. Thank you for putting your neck out on this. I totally agree with the congestion aspect of people driving at ridiculously slow speeds and bunching cars up. Tonight, 30 mph in a national and 20 odd plus cars behind them. Im not sure if they just don't give a shit or they have no idea. Sometimes I work around 100+ miles away from home and these guys put over an hour on my journey and two years ago I was trying to get my dog to the vet with a bee sting to his eye sat behind some old fart doing 40 in a national and nearly missed his appointment.

[@davem9204]

Drivers who tootle along seem completely oblivious to how much they are affecting other drivers and how much time they add to others' journeys. Just because you're not in a hurry and haven't got anything else to do all day, doesn't mean other people haven't got things to do and places to be.

[@johnkeepin7527]

I know it’s about urban driving and the normal tests, but there are long stretches of roads with low limits for various reasons. E.g. try running at 40 in the Newport area on the M4, and you’ll soon find out what happens (the limit under average speed monitoring is 50 - used to be 70 in the past).

[@keith6400]

I should say the safest speed particularly on dual carriageways, provide that everyone is not exceeding the speed limit is around flow speed. This means the fewest number of other vehicles will have to adjust because of your speed and vice versa.

[@andyg1957]

I've been saying this (and doing it) ever since I passed my test. I remember my instructor telling me not to drive too slowly - "appropriate speed" were the watchwords.

[@zitzong]

Look forward to when Richard uploads a video on how to drive a boat haha.

[@SwimminWitDaFishies]

🇺🇸 driver here! You just made me paranoid watching this footage of these street situations! I am going to attempt to get an automatic hire car for about 4 days. I will be driving in the Midlands, hopefully the most I'll have to deal with are sheep on the road! PS - i'm even thinking of bringing a small American flag with me that I could wave outside the window as I'm driving so people know that I am just not as experienced with your roads!

[@Otacatapetl]

Good video. This point isn't made enough; my take on it is this: you have the right to go as slowly as you like. What you don't have is the right to hold other people up unnecessarily (I stress "unnecessarily" - sometimes there's a legitimate reason). If you want to go slowly and look at the scenery that's fine, but the HC says that slow-moving traffic should move over and let people pass.

[@Rebecka_J]

I am sure this is true of car driving also, I only have a motorcycle licence, but the driving test is not about how you should drive but an exhibition of both safe and proper control of a vehicle and safe and proper use of the road. So the examiner needs to see you can drive at the speed limit otherwise they will be unable to know whether you are safe to hold a driving licence. This is why you can fail a test using objectively safer advanced techniques where it prevents the examiner seeing specific skills. Going unnecessarily slow affects both of those categories. Technically you need to show that you can maintain control of your vehicle at the higher speed, that you still have good observation, and can slow down and brake safely. But it also a legal consideration because "if a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place… without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an offence." That is paragraph 3 o the Road Traffic Act 1998 which defines the criminal offence of "careless, and inconsiderate, driving." Normally you would need to be going far below the speed limit without a good reason for the police to take action. But driving to the speed limit shows the examiner both that you have paid attention to the speed limit for that road but also you have consideration for other road users by not holding up traffic unnecessarily.

[@whichwasher2007]

i remember my tests, it rained for the entire test, with alot of flooded areas. part of the test route featured 2 70mph dual carriages streches with roundabouts between them. i did 53mph down them due to how heavy the rain was and how much spray was being caused. on a dry day they would have expected 70mph to be reached in the 1st stretch.

[@gingernutpreacher]

Im so glad you said this i was going to ask (another chanel sorry) that someone talks about this

[@SiriusXAim]

It's called the Solomon curve. The safest speed to drive at is 5% above the 85th percentile average. At those speeds, only 10 to 15% of drivers will want to overtake you. Drive at, say the 50th percentile, and now half of all traffic will want to overtake you. More cars overtaking, more chances of one of them doing a mistake and ending up colliding with you. This is why the lower speed limits feel so frustrating btw, every single car goes at said speed, creating a long procession of cars constantly creeping up then down again....

[@daviemac9925]

I suppose in the early lessons, the speed limit isn't a target, but as they get more confident Learners should be aiming for it. doing 20 when you could do 30 adds 33% to journey time. there's also the issue as you mentioned of people getting frustrated and doing risky overtakes.

[@DH-tv2yw]

I was told, with the exception of national speed limit on rural roads, speed limits are decided by highways engineers based on the hazards of the road (including risks to pedestrians, cyclists etc.). So if it says 40, that road should be safe to do 40mph unless there are bends/ junctions, or on the day hazards such as ice. National speed limit on a rural road is different, it means that the road hasn't been specifically assessed. So if a country road says national speed limit which would be 60mph, it might only be safe to drive at 40.

[@mryrius]

On a test I slowed down to 25 on a 40 road (in the left lane), to let traffic on the right pass and allow me to switch lanes (turning right). I got undue hesitation and appropriate speed minors, though the risk was okay (the road behind me was clear, affected no one), and had I missed the right turn I’d gone the wrong way in an area I didn’t know-I know, going the wrong way isn’t bad, but the examiner said “do what you’d normally do” so I did.

[@kapu3746]

I actually passed my test surprisingly going way under the speed limit. The last 10 minutes of the exam, I was driving down a dual carriageway doing 35-40 where the speed limit was 50, I wasn't comfortable overtaking cause at any point in time I could've had to come off the dual carriageway, so I did that for 1-2 miles. My instructor told me twice the speed limit until I finally got to overtaking the vehicle, and as soon as I got past it they asked me to come off... So now there's little space for me to change back lanes and slow down appropriately, I pretty much cut someone off cause I moved into 3 car length gap going 45mph, which I also thought would've been a serious fault but it wasn't.

[@gfdfdgdf]

would be fun to see you take a mock test yourself :D

[@Adam4]

Awesome stuff, always irked me when people said this. You can very easily pick up minors for not making progress. The speed limit is most definitely a target and the DVSA only have themselves to blame if they don't like that. Oh and keep in mind, like most things on the test, this doesn't apply after you've passed. Things like this just aren't enforced on the road, no one is going to pull you over for driving at 20 in a 30.

[@nigeltrc7299]

I feel like if they’re going to mark the test like this they need to really make sure the speed limits actually make sense. 30mph limit on that road with all the parked cars is ludicrous and I speak from experience as someone who overthinks things that this just puts pressure on me to go faster than I feel comfortable doing, which is way more dangerous (IMO) that driving at 20 along that clear stretch of road.

[@legion162]

For an experienced driver the speed limit should be a target where it's safe and appropriate. For a learner it's a target to work towards with more practice and experience

[@aj63]

The biggest wind up and annoyance with Speed Limit road signage is those temporary tripod metal signs the workman leave out. Cones all pulled back to the curb but no, let’s still leave the signs out 😡

[@zamf]

I got honked at and overtaken while doing 75-80 km/h in a 90 km/h zone on an no-overtaking road and for the first time I understood why being below the speed limit without a reason can be dangerous. Unfortunately, in my country, Bulgaria, you can cause queues behind you and get overtaken a lot even when doing the speed limit.

[@richardharvey1732]

Hi Richard, when I started driving all I wanted to do was drive as fast as I possibly could without crashing! far from being targets speed limits were something that I treated with total contempt!. Of coursed I ghad to pay careful attention to what the posted limits were and how fast I was going because speeding tickets were expensive!. As I got older and lazier I slowed down quite a lot but by that time I had become so accustomed to persistent observations of the speedo and even more reluctant to get pinched I have learned to stay just below the limit most of the time, there are exceptions of course, the main city street where I now live has been one where I rarely exceed twenty mph even while the limit was still thirty, this is because I find it very stressful going any quicker because of the time it takes to observe all the other traffic and all the pedestrians on both sides all the time!, not that I can avoid a collision if a bicycle or pedestrian jumps put late enough but I am determined to see it happen if it does!. There are a number of other situations where I will choose to drive at a speed other than the one posted according to my own judgement of the road and conditions. I was first chided for treating limits as targets and it stuck in my mind as a sensible reference, a particularly appropriate banter with other drivers. The points you make about the standards demanded for the driving test, this is one of those prescriptive elements that examiners use as a poor substitute for expert assessment and good judgement, I would like the think that they should pay more attention to the nuances of a drivers confidence and abilities, as for example the requirement to drive at a steady speed, any speed for a significant distance without looking at the clock!. Cheers, Richard.

[@UnimportantAcc]

Yes I also received a minor for going too slow

[@Lee5p33dy]

The crucial point is "when it's safe to do so". Unfortunately, lots of people think that means "all the time, because I'm in a hurry".

[@leenevin8451]

Just pull over for 10 seconds

[@alexwong402012]

If you are doing 20 in a 30 or 60 in a 70, you will definitely annoy the driver behind you, who may overtake you and create a danger to other road users. You also create a bottleneck and slow down everyone on the road.

[@DevinJuularValentine]

There's never a situation where you can do 60 in a 70 without room for overtake. 60 is NSL on single track roads. 70 is NSL on dual carriageways. So if you're doing 60 on a 70, there is always a lane to overtake in.

[@GamingStation-rn9th]

So everyone should do 70 in 70-limit road? I never heard something like this.

[@davem9204]

@@DevinJuularValentine Unless there's someone lane-hogging the overtaking lane.

[@HU-ez8fx]

Hi Richard, could you make a video teaching us how close we can be to a stationary car to fully steer past it in one go without needing to reverse back. Sometimes in reality you’re further away from the object than you think but it doesn’t look like it when you’re in the car. There’s a lot of these situations because the roads I drive in are very narrow and parked on one side. Thanks very much

[@Teverell]

"At the moment, my limits are very low, because I'm in a car... and I feel like I need a boat!" That made me laugh - and reminded me of a time I was coming home after dropping a friend off at Gatwick. The inside two lanes of the M25 on the way there were under water and I figured I'd take my chances coming home (I lived in Gillingham at the time) via the country roads. Passing Oxted station, there was a Land Rover drowning in a very big puddle that went right across my side of the road, and there's me in a little low hatchback. I think I was doing about 5mph, *tops*, probably on the wrong side of the traffic island. I don't think I have ever, before or since, wished so hard that I was driving a Dukw or a hovercraft!! I did not drown my car and I made it home safely. No idea about the Land Rover!!

[@barneylaurance1865]

@11:59 I think there's another reason for why you can fail for going under the speed limit. Even if it's safe and no problem to drive slowly in when you're just driving to get yourself around, by driving slowly on the test you're not letting the examiner assess your skills for driving at speed. Maybe you have slow reactions that make you a dangerous driver when you speed up, and you could be concealing that from the examiner by staying slow. They can't expect you to always drive as slowly after you get a a licence. It's also fine in daily life sometimes to to walk or get the bus somewhere instead of driving. But you wouldn't pass a driving test if you do that.

[@baron5747]

It's both a limit, and target. There is a time and place. Drivers need to make a dynamic risk assessment on the fly. If the road, weather, and conditions in general make it hazardous, you can slow down. But where safe and reasonable to do so, you should be doing the limit.

[@st200ol]

Use the speed limiter if your car has one. It's the best way to ensure you are driving exactly at the speed limit without worrying about exceeding it. The more time you spend looking at your speed the more chance you have of missing a hazard.

[@MGX93dot]

0:23 absolutely, I got a minor for doing 25 in a 30. Then another because somebody impatient over-took me. Also I saw a great study years ago about people going under the speed limit being a bigger cause of accidents than speeders (on certain roads, that is).

[@zakuraayame5091]

What would be your advice to flow of traffic that exceeds the limit and other fringe cases where safety and the law might be at odds/gray area. Go to the U.S. and take a casual business expense vacation cruising the Interstates through major metropolitan areas. Chicago. Dallas. Houston. L.A.. Atlanta. I'm sure if you inquired from your viewers, they could give a good list of places that the flow of traffic exceeds the posted by 20+ mph. I don't recommend it, it isn't safe! I think you do very well teaching people how to approach a situation when you can; probably why you are great at your job and with this channel; many of us appreciate genuine people. The other channel as well.

[@themartyd]

I'm in Northern Ireland. Can you do a tutorial on driving in high winds please??? Given the weather we've had today it would be useful 👍

[@voguegirl2218]

Last driving lesson I had there were a couple of times when I was slightly over the limit e.g 31/32 when I would go over the 30 sign or I would start speeding up and accelerating before I would get to the. 40/50 or national speed limiting not realising I was still in the lower speed zone it's easy to do. But then my driving instructor told me that if I went over a camera sign it would be me getting the fine not her. So I think that made me think More!

[@rinkadink404]

Similar to other driving behaviours that are "technically not illegal", driving too slow can indeed be considered driving without due care and attention, people have been penalised for this.

[@Destro7000]

Please do a video on driving on MUD, and what to do when you get stuck in the mud (winch + tractor or other tips)

[@JF-xx9yn]

I remember being told you should go at the lowest limit of legal, safe (including what's physically possible) and comfortable for passengers but that's probably too complicated for most learners and doesn't account for too nervous passengers

[@lloydwright3661]

People driving under the limit is the bane of my drivjng existence and imo the cause of a large amount of unnecessary congestion...

[@Asynthetic]

My driving instructor said not to drive too slowly, or you’ll be an obstacle on the road and cause traffic jam. Just drive at the traffic speed.

[@mauriciodiuleilomo7293]

Couldn't agree more. The sentence 'the speed limit is not a target' is not 100% correct. It is fine for learners to learn the use of speed and build up their confidence, but when it comes to the real world, inappropriate speed is going to cause more hazards than being safe. The finest example is lane hogging under the speed limit on a motorway. In short, those who cannot manage their speed (including speeding) should not be issued with a driving license.

[@Scoupe400]

All true, and… 9:38 and 12:00 I’d add that the dual carriageway (and I don’t see why it can’t apply to a single) situation it’s so clear to achieve the limit that the examiner could easily doubt the candidates awareness of the posted limit. Essentially driving without attention. 12:28 fascinating scenario and likely reflection of people’s attitudes about 20s. I’d invite you to drive around Warwickshire and Solihull counties and experience driving attitudes towards limits. It’s where some newly passes folk will learn bad habits. 30 they do 34-3X 40 they do 37-42 50 either do 40 or 52. 60 they’ll in the main do 50 spot on. So whilst there are many old national limits in these counties that have been scrapped for 50 and now 40s, (I’d argue it’s because people’s inability to make progress) however in these dropped limits they then drive below those 40s & 50s until it becomes very straight. You always get a queue on these roads, all drivers holding about 1 second gap. Therefore that comment about 20s being too slow applies in these dropped nationals. The only time I see the 50s and especially 40s in rural long roads being broken is at rush hour, surprisingly by the majority. It makes me seriously consider they’re not aware of the speed they do. They’d typically like to drive 35-45 everywhere. The danger of creating a queue is therefore an odd one (given behaviour in 50s). But add to that, whenever I drive through local towns that I’ll get a queue behind me in a 30, every day. I suspect their attitude would be: come on, 34 (thirty something) will be fine. Baffling when they’re also the ones complaining a limit is not a target (often in a national)… because honestly they’re terrified of those higher speeds. “Sensibly cautious” All of what you have said is heightened in the IAM test and your ability to make the most of the given posted speed is under scrutiny. An advanced level of driving that’s acknowledged by insurance; yet this technique probably controversial to most.

[@EmeraldIsle-f7x]

Tbf on that mock test yes you would be minor marked cos by going 70 your showing the examiner you are reading the signs making good progress and you have control of the vehicle at high speed

[@jamesh1758]

Usually the people who drive under the speed limit actually do drive very safely themselves, it’s everyone around that ends up causing the problem by being impatient. Therefore, the slow driver is by extension being unsafe. Moving on though, I find when people get confident at driving to the speed limit, they then loose the ability to drive with consideration and ample opportunity to stop. We need a video on people who drive like they’re driving go karts, those lot who stay at 40 until they’re 15ft away from the lights and slam on/ drive right up the arse of the car in front with less than milliseconds to spare if needed. I was taught to drive as smooth as possible and slow down gradually, well before coming to the lights/ junction. But I think far too many like wearing out their brake pads and tires every couple of months.

[@shaun__3]

Incorrect, slow driving is not predictable and can cause more harm than good. It's not 'by extension' - THEY are unsafe.

[@mimiworku4129]

Thanks 👍

[@douglasreid699]

achieving the speed limit and staying at it where its safe to do so is also a demonstration of skill and discipline. when i did my motorbike test, i had to rent a motorcycle to do the test as my 1980s 125cc could not reach 60mph (57mph was its max i think) and my instructor was worried because i could not reace the speed limit of 60mph for the test i would not get a full licence, only the A1 part so i can only ride 125cc motorbikes. the test is a demonstration of how you would drive unsupervised for the rest of the time you drive on the roads, and if you constantly are below what is expected of the standard, you are failing to make progress and need to improve on those skills which is why you may be marked down. you need to show you are competent you can reach the speed limits where needed and safe to do so and disciplined to hold those speeds for a period of time.

[@adelekeadebisi]

Awesome video

[@mattyx2009x]

Great video as always and I totally agree in some cases going too slow can cause danger because you will encourage overtaking, road rage etc... I also have a slightly unrelated question: when I try to lift the clutch up to the bite point and use the clutch in any way, I get a shaky foot and it is difficult to use the clutch after lots of practice (right foot is not a problem). Is this something you encounter with your pupils often or is this just me?

[@ConquerDriving]

It's very common. Make sure you're sitting close enough to the clutch. Doing roads that are too challenging too soon can also cause this problem. This video may help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bH7Weo2GpMqlbdksi=G_Y8Q2nn9R5FYD4h

[@pilotwhaleproductions5880]

I had that during my first few lessons, its just the strain of doing an unfamiliar action and perhaps being a bit tense. Once you get a bit more comfortable driving you will be able to rest your foot when you aren't using the clutch and you'll naturally hold your foot in a more ergonomic way. I thought there was something wrong with my foot because it ached and felt tight after my first two or three lessons

[@mattyx2009x]

Thank you these replies are very helpful

[@Loadarine]

Video recommendation. You could make a video driving on the M25, the most difficult motorway ive driven on. Due to busy fast moving traffic. London is insane

[@davem9204]

The M25 is horrible, but I find the biggest problem is the terrible lane discipline and observation rather than the speed.