minimum speed limit

[Azlan]

My son failed his bike test because he was doing 49mph in a 60mph Zone. Is there a minimum speed limit??

[Cathyhuns]

My son was taught that you HAVE to drive at just below the speed limit or it indicates that you are not paying full attention to the road.
Where we live there's one short stretch of road which is between two 30 limits but which is a 50 limit. They have to accelerate really hard to get up to 50 and most people who've been driving for a while don't bother but learners have to - which I think is incredibly unsafe as well as being very wasteful of fuel.

[Azlan]

Thanks for your prompt response. I agree that it is unsafe. We are appealing and quoting the highway code re "speed limit is not a target" & "maintain steady cruuising speed which you & your vehicle can handle safely". As a learner I think 49mph is adequate.

[Dassie]

By doing quite a bit less than the speed limit you must realise that he is holding up traffic behind him and in the long run HE will probably CAUSE an accident. This is also unsafe.
If he is proficient enough and ready to pass his test then he should be comfortable with this speed otherwise perhaps he needs to gain more confidence?

[ianess]

I have to say that I agree with other comments in that a limit is exactly that, a limit and not a target.
As far as I am aware there are no minimum speed limits enforceable in this country.
Different classes of vehicles have different maximum speed limits even in a 60mph zone, eg LGV and PCV limits are much lower.
Any accident that may be caused will be the fault of the impatient idiot at the back of a slower-moving vehicle and I think your son has at the very least reasonable grounds for an appeal.
Best wishes.

[ugly_bob]

I've heard rumours that they are bringing in a law that you cannot drive 20mph below the speed limit. Exceptions apply, obviously, such as traffic jams and driving behind a lorry who can only travel 40mph etc etc.

[Dassie]

If you check the driving test results sheet marked by the examiner you will find item 14 states....

" Make progress by driving at a speed APPROPRIATE to the road and traffic conditions"

If the limit was 60mph it sounds to me like it was a good stretch of road and that your son was not complying with the requirements as decided upon by the examiner.

As to ianess, an accident is an accident and unfortunately that impatient idiot will always exist so lets not create the situation in the first place.

[Azlan]

Dassie - many thanks for your response - it does illustrate my point that this is a very "grey" area. What one person deems as appropriate will be different to another. A set guideline would be better. If my son had a different examiner he may well have passed as 49mph may have seemed appopriate to them.

[Dassie]

Azlan - please note that an Appeal is... "strictly limited to the question of whether or not the test was properly CONDUCTED !....................the examiner's decision and test result cannot be altered"
In other words appeal or not, your son will still have to re-take the test.

[Azlan]

Hi Dassie - Please don't be offended - are your responses because you are in the know/an instructor or just your opinion. I would like to know so I can make an informed decision whether to pursue this matter or not

Mnay thanks

[Dassie]

Hi Azlan - no offence taken

I am reading the section about appeals on the back of my own test sheet read in conjunction with the following web page. ( Road Traffic Act 1988 - page down and see section 90 )

http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1988/Ukpga_198 80052_en_4.htm

It seems to me the best result would be getting another test free of charge ( or getting a refund)

[Azlan]

Dassie - You may be right. A refund or free re-test would be better than nothing. Thanks for the info

[xx cutie xx]

well when i was learning to drive my instructor always said drive at the speed you feel most comfortable (that is as long as it's not really slow!) son if your son felt 49mph was what he felt safest doing then fair enough. you should definitely look in to appealing. good luck!

[Azlan]

xx cutie xx - thanks for that. I have decided to send a letter anyway with an excerpt from the Highway code re speed and control of vehicle. So we'll just have to wait and see. A friend appealed against his HGV failure and WON. I will keep you all posted when I receive a reply. THANKS TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT - IT'S BEEN INTERESTING.