Driving Procedure Query

[needawin]

My grand daughter has been out with 2 driving instructors for some time. Has failed test few times.
I took her out today for a run. At the lights she was sitting in gear constantly with the hand break not applied. I thought there was a strict rule. Handbreak on, out of gear.
She says she was never told this by either instructor and the tester at the tests did not comment when she did it.
Have things changed? Surely it is common sense to follow that rule. If only to save the clutch!

[derekpara]

Are these things actually 'mentioned' by the examine ?

. I thought, as Chris Buencho has said, it is all on the failure form. Examiners are discouraged from entering into a dsiscussion after the test.

[TWR]

Handbrake on & out of gear.

[New Judge]

“It doesn't save the clutch, just your leg muscles.”

“When fully engaged, or disengaged, there isn't any plate wear”

It isn’t a matter of plate wear. When I took cars to pieces for fun there was a think called the “clutch thrust bearing”. This came under load as soon as the clutch pedal was pressed (it is actually a bearing between the static part of the mechanism that operates the clutch and the pressure plate).. That’s the bit that will wear out if the clutch is left depressed:

http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7420765_symptoms-worn-clutch-thrust-bearings.html

From a safety point of view remaining stationary in gear with the clutch depressed (not to mention the handbrake off) must present unnecessary risks anad I would be most surprised if the practice did not attract a failure in the driving test.