I'm a bit skint after the lessons, test, new car etc. But I passed first time with 0 minors after only 20 lessons with an instructor and no driving outside of that, as I recently moved away from family and friends. It's the best I can do for now, but lunch is on me. It wouldn't have been possible without your videos. If I'd won the lottery I'd say I owed you so much more. You've given me my freedom. Thankyou for what you do. Best videos on the platform.

I've been driving for 60 years and still learning through watching your videos. Thank you.

When I did my LGV tests (C and CE), we were taught to always signal when passing an obstruction on our side of the road. This is likely because the vehicle is larger, and its larger size may block the view of the traffic behind. It would not always be clear why the vehicle is stopped and waiting. Having the right signal on makes it clear that I intend to move out.

I took my test last week and passed. I first took the test sometime in the mid/late 2000s and got 2 serious. Decided to leave it and come back to it later and finally started lessons again early this year. People say the test gets harder year to year and I'd agree but resources like this channel also make it much easier to prepare. Cheers Richard.

Finally my turn to say thank you Richard for helping me pass first time last Wednesday with 0 minors ! Thanks!!!

Useful video. Also helped me a lot when my instructor kept pointing out "The obstruction is on our side of the road, so we're the car that waits!" for judging priority through parked car 'tunnels'.

I passed my driving test today at first attempt. I learned much from your videos. Keep it up. Thank you so much ♥️

Off topic bro : Feel very soothed hearing the sound of rain in the video. It rained right before the test really chill and help made me laugh.

Excellent set of examples with appropriate descriptions. Nicely explained.

I am new here in the Ireland and it is really helping me to learn driving by looking into your videos. Thanks million brother.

I spent a lot of time with my instructor on the ambiguity of signals and when to do so. This has been an additional help so thank you very much.

Simular to the van with lights on but whenever passing a bus indicating left in a bus stop I always indicate right so the bus driver clearly knows my intent, pretty common I see cars go for it just as bus pulls out...

Thank you so much for your videos Richard! I'm a learner from the US (specifally Florida) and I'm getting my license in 2 weeks. Today I drove a manual for the first time and because of your videos I got it down right away! I understand what you mean by knowledge vs skill now too. I had all the knowledge necessary, honestly more than I needed, but it still took me a good 2 hours to develop my clutch control good enough to drive in control of the vehicle on main roads. And thanks to you I only stalled a total of 7 times learning during the first 4 hours! I can't thank you enough. You've given me so much knowledge about road safety, fuel economy, clutch control, and everything else about driving a car. Really thank you! I'll provide another heartfelt thank you when I pass the full driver's exam.

Richard, thank you for all the wonderful videos you produced throughout these years. I’ve passed my test yesterday with 3 minors, and the driving test appeared to be easier than the usual lessons with my instructor (he was way harder on me than the examiner seemed to be 😅). To prepare for the test, your videos were extremely useful and full of practical advice. I wish I could offer you a beer or any other beverage for all the work you do and passion you put into it. Peace!

Your videos were quite helpful to prepare the test and I got through it. Much appreciate for your guidance.

Passed first time today, your videos have helped immensely! Thank you Richard

I do all these things, but had no idea I was doing so many little things like those. But I'm not simply bragging, my point is that it is easy to see why less experienced drivers might miss these details. So there is a need to be patient - it is nice to be the more experienced driver now, but it also means you cannot expect too much from everyone else. Presumably the roles were reversed a couple of decades ago and people were (sometimes) patient with me!

Passed my test last year. Still I come back to see these videos.

I passed my driving test (manual) today. I cannot thank you enough for all your videos. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! :)

I passed my test today big thanks to you and your videos you helped me so much thanks again 🎉

'My actions were obvious'. Not always to the car behind or if they are your archetypal (not knocking them all), German car driver. If I am letting a bus through I will put my right hand indicator on to advise traffic behind. I have had cars overtake me before despite doing this then making themselves look stupid when faced with 7 tons of PSV/PCV vehicle, they usually end up driving over the pavement. I will also indicate to overtake parked cars when not waiting for oncoming traffic, just more information for the cars behind of an obstruction or to the cars facing me that I am coming through. 47 years driving and ex London Transport bus driver, also trained on the legendary skid pan at Chiswick.

Hello Richard, I have passed my test today - I just want to say a huge massive thank you for all of your videos, they all proved to be a huge amount of help!

This is one of the another best video I was looking for. Good job. 👍

I passed my test in Cyprus 2 years ago and I was told to signal every time I passed a parked vehicle. My cousin who passed his test less than a year ago and was doing lessons with a different instructor was told to do that as well. But, outside of lessons no one really signals for parked cars here.

Have a safe driving everyday. Keep safemy friend. Thanks for sharing

An excellent video, as ever. A couple of things: when driving on the continent, a driver flashing their headlights tends to be a warning that they are coming through - NOT a signal to encourage you to go. Also, I tend to right signal more than most in the situations shown because I drive a larger van and it is harder for car drivers to see around my vehicle. Experience has shown me that some drivers are a bit more impatient when it comes to passing larger, slower vehicles. The right signalling is something I picked up when I used to drive a 7.5 tonner many years ago. If driving a car which drivers can see around more easily, I would signal a lot less.

Maybe signal if it may be seen from a car behind that you looking like you are parked when actually you're not

I teach my pupils to signal if there's someone in a vehicle that's parked on the left, or if there's just enough time or space, but otherwise not to bother, and, if doing so (as you pointed out) not to do so if there's a junction on the right. I've seen cars signal where there's a junction, and we've thought that they were going to turn when they weren't. The moving out early, and positioning parallel also helps as the car takes up less space when straight, compared to an angle, and oncoming vehicles to know exactly how much space you're taking up. Research has shown that people notice flashing lights up to 3 times earlier than a continuous light, so

They taught us this in N.Macedonia to do at all times, even if theres a turn right after the car(which i found ridiciolus). When I asked about the turn, I got told "Oh just cancel it quick". This made it much more stressful to drive. Noone uses their signals like that (unless necessary)

Excellent class, Superb Instructor. Horrible streets and weather though.

Its funny you mention the change in approach over the years. I had a huge argument with my mum about this when I was learning, it was really the straw that broke the camels back, shes a very anxious passenger and I was a learner.

I agree with your video but many insurance companies wouldn't. My wife was giving way to an incoming vehicle behind a parked car. The car behind my wife wasn't concentrating and overtook my wife just as my wife was pulling off, a split second disaster and they collided. It was even caught on a home CCTV as it was near home, my wife knew the homeowner and sent the CCTV footage to the insurance company. But it hindered my wife and not helped her, as the insurance company said my wife should have indicated right. It went 50/50 even though the other party was so apologetic.

Good thing the British driving test is more common sense than the one in my country, as we are expected to signal every time we cross the centre line, even if you go around potholes. It's especially daft when you have to move in and out of your side of the road and you keep signaling left and right for one or two clicks.

The DVSA pass and fail who they want. i know what i said and i am still mad over the way i failed in July Last year. Nice explanation in end Richard Can’t wait for summer and hopefully by this time i have a test slot booked.

Looking forward to this!

As a learner driver in Hong Kong, I am taught to signal right before overtaking and signal left (and check mirrors) before moving back to the position. I think it might be from the old British convention

I got my PCV licence last year and, in the course of training for the test, I was taught to always put a right signal on when waiting to continue. This is particularly important when driving a bus, as you need to discourage other road users from attempting to overtake you. I'd argue the same can be true when driving a car. Ultimately, you not only need to consider whether a signal might be misleading, but also whether no signal might mislead and encourage risky driving by others.

5:45 would it be wise to pre-emptively sound the horn before the bend, given that the horn's "correct use" is to warn people of your presence?

As a Norwegian, i always cry when i see my brothers and sister from the same genetic spunk, suffering the wrath of constant rain, their entire lives under a soggy umbrella, passed down since the first britons that felt the elements on craggy island. .

Very well explained video thank ou for sharing!

I was looking forward to this video 🙂

Hey Conquer Driving. I passed my test with no fornal lessons from instructors. Just watching your videos and passed with 1 minor for grazing a kerb when parking

Brilliant video. I often think that people 'over signal'. Such as merging from two lanes into one after traffic lights and turning in designated left or right lanes. or just keep the indicators on whilst stood waiting to turn. Why not give a short signal to show your intension when approaching lights. turn it off, then put on again when the lights show red & amber? especially at night.

I agree with everything you say about signalling. However there is one instance where I do this where perhaps you would deem it's not necessary, but I do it more to warn the vehicles behind there is an obstruction. The one instance is near my house, the road ascends and bends to the left. with vehicles parked mainly on the left side of the road, with a lot of gaps on the right. There is a vehicle transporter which parks nearly on the apex. This leaves the rear of the vehicle jutting out into the road slightly, and because it's on the apex the tail is quite elevated. As the bed is designed to tip to the floor, the tail by design is very thin and not that easy to see with no signage at windscreen height. It's best to give it a wide berth because to really don't want that embedded in your nearside A pillar.

Good to see most oncoming vehicles had lights on in the rain! 👍

In some area (e.g. Hong Kong) it is mandatory to signal in this scenario

Speaking of signalling should you signal when parallel parking, reverse bay parking or forward bay parking?

For the case at 5:30, as for that distance of the right side road, if I still gotta signal here, I'll only flash 1 to 3 flashes before I straighten my wheel, to look the least misleading. 1 to 2 flashes are fairly enough for the stopped car and vehicles behind me, if they are really looking to the road, meanwhile I look less like I'm gonna turn into that right side road.

When it comes to indicating past stationary vehicles it really depends. Usually where I encounter the problem there is a right turn just beyond the parked cars. I don't indicate there as it often leads to confusion as people think I am going to take the right instead of going straight ahead.

I passed my test in the 70s and was told by my instructor whenever you move from your lane you indicate. I do agree that if nothing is coming towards you or nothing is following you there is not a need for it.

Of course over in France oncoming traffic flashing their headlamps means they are coming through and expect you to yield, so be careful once you come off that ferry

60 years ago I took my Advanced Driver Test (Car and Motorcycle Drivers Association) and although I passed, I was marked down for signalling to pass a parked car in a built up area.

4:08 not my dumb ass laughing at the guy holding a giant banana cardboard

I think the flash of headlight means' look I am here' be aware.

🇯🇵 In Japan, it's a legal requirement to signal whenever moving a vehicle sideways including overtaking, but actually we don't always signal for fear of misleading except for learners and police cars.

Here's a daft but somewhat related one: modern Toyotas (as many other cars do) have a "lane assist" mode that gives the steering a little nudge if you are crossing a white line. Some (all?) models of Toyotas switch this on every time you start the car and the option to switch it off by default is not there. It will always reset to "on" with every new start of the car. So, if the system is active and you pull out to pass an obstruction, and doing this takes you close to, or across the white line, the system will beep and try to nudge you back towards the obstruction that you are trying to avoid unless 1) you have remembered to switch it off or 2) you have indicated right. It's not that big a deal, because the "nudge" is easy to overcome with a bit of manual steering, but it is disconcerting. It can even give you a nudge if you are getting close to the line (safely) when cornering. Having your car try to alter its own course while rounding a bend can be quite alarming, and potentially even dangerous. It's been quite a point of discussion on the various Toyota owners forums. Perhaps these systems have some value on multi-lane roads such as dual carriageways and motorways (I'm not convinced, they are no substitute for good observation and alertness, but maybe) but they are all but useless, obtrusive and even dangerous on smaller roads. Where I live, nearly all the roads are rural with almost no multi-lane roads and most "urban" driving is through villages with parked cars at the sides of the road. So, you have to remember to switch the system off every time you drive unless you want the "nudge" kicking in. It seems utterly daft to not be able to choose to have the system off by default, especially if you live in an area where the system is highly unlikely to be of benefit. Anyway, nice clear descriptions, as ever Richard. You (and Ashley) have become my family's go-to people to find out how to tackle various road situations (as in practical, safe advice, more so than merely the raw text of the highway code). As something of a "petrol head family", with four drivers, we often discuss what you should and should not be doing when driving and analyse our own driving experiences. You now have such a wealth of videos online that we can usually find one with the answer or which at least helps enhance the discussion. Thank you.

Hi! I just passed my driving test yesterday on my 4th attempt and your videos helped a whole lot so thank you

Hello, i caught this video while browsing "youtube", and it prompted the following question in my mind. Should you still indicate at "country lane" junctions even when there is no other traffic? Have you done, or would you consider, doing some videos on "country driving".

The only time I do it is when it’s unexpected, say if I’m on an A road and someone’s broken down, or if a car is following too closely behind.

I agree with most/all of this. I can think of a few rules of thumb that go on in my head. Like: If you want to occupy space which another road user may also potentially want to occupy, then signal your intent to use that space with your indicators. On a bicycle in urban traffic I would use this a lot more literally with my signals. If I wanted to come out round a parked car, with traffic behind, I would not just stick my arm out like a muppet, I would look behind me at the car behind and then point at the bit of road I was about/intending on occupying. Then move. Same for moving out to turn right. "HEY! I am going here next, ok?" Similarly to the car though, if there is no sensible opportunity for me to complete that manouever I won't signal this way, but expect to come to a stop behind the parked car, or to the side and wait on an opportunity to cross. I just wish more cyclists would do this. I absolutely HATE them swerving out round parked cars with no observation. I have personally came within inches of squashing a cyclist. Dark rainy night. Cyclists with no lights, dark clothing. Both side of the road are lined with sparatic parked cars. Oncoming I have a bus moving out round such a car in the bus lane. It is already 1 wheel into my side of the road and I am slowing as there is a pinch point and a parked car on my left too pass. Then ... out of nowhere this cyclist appears swerving out round the parked car. There was no room for the cyclist, the bus and me. Luckily I did not get rear ended when I floored the brake pedal. Luckily my reaction was not to swerve right or I would have been collected on the front of the 20mph bus! PLEASE, look over your shoulder. The rules may say they have responsibility for your safety, but they may not even have seen you! PLEASE indicate, just point even. PLEASE expect to have to stop behind a parked car if it's not safe to pass. This happens for cars, it happens for motorbikes, it happens for vans, trucks lorries. YOU ARE NOT excluded. The obstruction is in YOUR path, not other peoples. Other people have NO OBLIGATION to let you pass the parked car. You have no priority to do so either.

This is a great use case of the one click indicator that just does 3 flashes or so

Can you make a video maybe or provide information here on how time of the day effects driving test pass rate? If there's no data on this do you have any anecdotal evidence from past experience? What times are most common to fail and pass test on?

Not criticising or calling you out just confused now. My instructor told me that you can't use hand signals to wave people on or say thanks for giving way but you did. Is it ok or not?

when reversing are u allowed to use the rear view camera on the centre console?

the way i do it, if im on the "give way" side (vehicles parked on my side) then i indicate to show im coming out, if theres no vehicles, or vehicles parked on the oposite side, i dont indicate unless it is for a junction

I have had several discussions about one aspect of signalling. The IAM used to (and may still) say not to signal automatically - check only signal if there is someone to see your signal. The reason for this is to make sure that you observe properly - check everywhere for other road users. I am always told that this is silly - just signal anyway. The purpose of the advice was not to save on the effort of signalling, but to ensure that you really look and think before signalling.

Hello 👋🏻 do you have a video explaining how to or if we should overtake buses dropping pedestrians? I couldn't find any in your channel. Thanks

More importantly , given that an early course will generally eliminate the need for a signal , is the need to emphasise an already given mechanical signal ,usually by giving a supplementary hand signal , if in addition to merely passing a parked vehicle , you are actually turning right or entering an entrance on the right ( also works if you have adopted the right hand lane of a dual carriageway in order to make a right turn , and you have following traffic ) . ( Sadly , hand signals ceased to be part of the MOT driving test back in the mid 1970s , although still were when I sat mine , and are not always taught nowadays , although it is my opinion that they ought to be ! ) In these cases , when i taught advanced driving , we would , and I still do , give a supplementary hand signal to make it absolutely clear I am actually turning right , and not merely passing something on my left . This is catered for in the 'old' System of Car Control where you have 'Mirrors , signals and speed' at feature two , then at feature four ( after the gear selection ) you have a further opportunity to either again consider a signal , where it might not have been needed earlier , or to emphasise an already given signal by giving a supplementary hand signal . The following video , which I made a number of years ago , does not illustrate a supplementary signal , but it does on multiple occasions illustrate The System of Car Control , as outlined in older versions of Roadcraft , and how it is put into execution . I may have another video showing a supplementary signal , but nothing currently uploaded . kzfaq.info/get/bejne/a611bNFmrK_GZGg.htmlsi=nP1PFRKVjIWEJE1Y

As an Institute Advance Motorist I beg to differ in your opinion, you stop behind parked car in middle of road to allow oncoming vehicles to clear, you then change direction to move out to pass car without thought or consideration for other road users by not using indicator, then bang, you’ve collided with a motorcyclist who closing behind you had no time to react because you hadn’t notified other road users of your intentions. I always signal if other road users are in my vicinity, if no other road users in nearby vicinity then there’s no need to use indicators to notify no one of your intentions.

Thank you soo much...I passed my test today with 1 minor error(reverse parking - control)

Something I see with indicators which lacks a little fore-thought in people, is the example of trying to get out of a parking space at the side of a road. A lot of people will immediately put their indicator on and leave it on regardless of whether there is a realistic opportunity or not. The result of this is that it presents a potential hazard for every single driver that passes to consider. Additionally, some people pre-lock the steering to the right (UK). "Are they going to come on out in front of me?", "Should I, can I let them out?", "What if their foot slips off the clutch?", "Will they drive into the side of me if there is a gap behind me?" etc. If traffic is flowing at moderate speed, I will keep my wheels straight and the indicator off. I will wait until there is at least a reasonable opportunity and only then put the indicator on. Only when I know I can commit to the manoeuvre do I turn the steering. Even then though, while you commit, you should always consider stopping. Wouldn't be the first time a boy racer zooms in to fill the gap, inconsiderate or unaware of your movement. It's better to get awkwardly stuck mid junction/manoeuver than get hit.

Dear car drivers, you rarely signal for any maneuver. Among cyclists there are a couple of sayings such as "how do you know a car wants to turn? it's signals are off!" or "any car can change trajectory in any direction in any moment"

Extending the idea of only signalling if you think it's helpful, would you recommend that for dual carriageways and motorways when either changing lanes or use of slip roads, if your observations give you confidence that there is no around to see it (other than your instructor/examiner)? Or does the higher speeds mean a different mindset is needed compared to slow movement through built up areas?

would be interesting to learn more about how to deal with emergency vehicles in your way

As bus driver, we should be using signal when allowing cars to pass though tight areas as driver behind are either impatient or stupid as they think, since ive stopped, im obviously getting passengers either on or off. Too many times ive stopped to allow cars to pass ahead to be overtaken by cars behind nearly causing collisions or blocking roads.

Passed my test on Friday with 4 minors. I had a driving examiner who is notoriously strict and is feared by all the driving instructors in the area. The minors I picked up were pretty minor and I honestly think I drove half as good as I usually do due to nerves. For anyone with their test coming up, as long as you drive safely and confidently you will pass.

Without watching the video, I was taught that if you need to cross the broken white line to pass an obstruction, you are required to indicate so any potential oncoming vehicle is aware of your intentions.

Richard, have you got any plans to do some more difficult city driving videos again? Like the Bristol and Brighton ones?

Any idea when the learner videos will be coming back?

My view is that if there is no one to see your signal, then there is no point in signalling (for any reason), but you do have to be absolutely sure about that.

Please could you do a video on flashing cars to contextually "go", "thank" or "warn". Please!

I would signal to pass a parked vehicle under these conditions, first if i were to enter the space of an oncoming vehicle that was some distance away but close enough that I would want them to notice me, second if I was passing a vehicle that was difficult to see as it was around a bend to alert any vehicles behind me and third if a bus or lorry was stopping in front of me again as a warning to the vehicles behind me that an obstacle has appeared

always manages to avoid coming across as patronising, a rare treat

Richard, I would like to improve your comment about learner drivers looking at a junction. I had a brand new driver crash into me at less than my stopping distance. simular thing as the learner in this video, the new driver was on the junction to the left of me, parked cars did obstruct his view to the right. an experienced driver will be watching for movement of the vehicle in the junction, so something like front wheels turning, as usually the car on the main road can see a side junction better than the person pulling out of the side junction. so therefore they should use their horn to warn the other driver if they cannot stop in time. they will also pull out into the road slightly more if safe, and able to do so, so I could see the novice driver looking left because traffic infront of me was blocking his view of the road when he decided to pull forward/go as there was a gap of 3 car lengths infront of me, he failed to look right when the biggest obstruction was to the right of him, and failed to look right even though sounding my horn to the danger. so the new driver/learner driver should also be aware of this, and be ready to stop, and not go, as at the time the new driver started pulling away I had around 19 feet to stop my car which at 27 mph is impossible to do in less than 25 feet.

Always slowdown and if you are waiting very inside then yes have to indicate when moving forward ,i think

After you passed. You're still learning!

On a motorcycle its called a pass light ,flashed when passing another vehicle.

As i was signaling right to gey past parked car on narrow road and happy to wait , i was flashed by popuce driver in her police van , i refused to go as it was her right of way , and waited my turn. I almost waved at her to explain what " flashing yiur lights " means, but i gave up. Police seem to have poor standards now . 😅

Back in the 1970s, when approaching parked cars on the left, my driving instructor told me: "If you think you might have to stop (to give way to oncoming traffic), then indicate".

I really like your videos, as alot of stuff like this also translates to RHD countries :)

at 5:56 why not also make use of your horn?

What I have learned from watching this video is that driving on such narrow roads with so many parked vehicles is too hard and I should stick with my bicycle!

If passing a parked vehicle and there's a side road to the right and you signal, does it matter if you pass the vehicle or turn into the side road?...what danger is there?

The only people who signal to overtake parked vehicles are the Police on their advanced driving courses (IPP and above) to keep the Instructors happy

What’s bad is that where you’re looking to enter that oncoming lane by crossing the white line, and there’s a vehicle that’s very close, you’re now forced to predict if it’s going to seek an overtake. I say unfortunately because the vast majority in the UK do not drive to the rules. Most drive with a gap much less than 2 seconds - and yet they’re not seeking to overtake. It’s incredibly rare for anything to overtake in an urban area - the more typical ones (that do) look like they’re stolen and will drive literally 2ft from you with a couple tyres on the line. But rural national roads, it’s impossible to tell; yes still many are not looking to overtake, but some do, and do so legitimately. Far too many bad driving habits break the perfect test model. It would be safer to use an indicator when you’re breaking the white line, unless : it gives a false indication of action, or there’s nothing else around. I’m personally happy to not indicate, but feel the onus is now upon me to carry sufficient momentum and close enough timing to dispel any notion that I might have stopped for good. And that’s how I’d interpret the rule - once stopped I am no longer continuing in a flowing motion. The lane change within an urban zone can be more drastic as you illustrate and may catch people out. Whereas on a motorway I’d say your argument of “obvious” is more apparent - and yet there are people who self police the roads when you choose not to signal past that one lone car in the middle lane. I think driving standards to pass should be higher. And so instances like this could be explained more closely to a stark rule, but then place onus upon the student to realise they need to take judgment of & where they feel it’s not necessary. Making them think. It’s essentially what you’re doing here… but could be spelled out like that.

Try pressing the horn to make them aware you are there.

I didn't signal right on anything that I passed in my test last year and I passed with one minor, unrelated to that, they didn't even comment on me not doing it, they don't care about it test wise it seems

Just curious, how tall are you? I’m looking to buy a Mazda mx5 and you seem tall

You'd wear the bloody stalk out! lol

what about passing cylcists?