Driving test success

[scruff]

Today me and two mates passed our category G driving tests. You can drive a traction engine on a car licence but not a roller and despite having driven engines since before we could legally drive a car I'd never bothered before. However having spent all winter getting this one going again after 14 years resting I thought I may as well do it properly, and got two mates roped in too.

 

The test is the same as the cat F one I took when I was 16 to drive tractors. The examiner comes out to you and you choose the test location. I booked all three online and the lady examiner rang up full of enthusiasm, she had done a steam roller test before but not for a long time and not on her own.

 

After getting lost she arrived at 11 and we got going. I went first, two junctions, round a parked car, reverse round corner, another junction, another reverse, emergency stop and some Highway Code questions. Job jobbed!

 

All in all, the most enjoyable driving test I've done.

 

 

[trigger]

How cool is that guys! Well done!

[fordperv]

Congratulations that's awesome

[eddyramrod]

Top work!  Very well done!

[Danblez]

Fantastic!

[Isaac Hunt]

Top notch. Reverse round a parked car........I'd be tempted to reverse over a parked car in one of them.

 

Lovely bit of kit

[cros]

Would have liked to have seen that, good one. I was out your way in the series one this morning as well, didnt spot the smoke.

[taxi paul]

You are Fred dibnah. Well done.

[Jimbo]

coolest driving test ever. Congrats on passing.

[3VOM]

Congratulations

 

How do you do an emergency stop though without it looking like the engine room scene in Titanic?

[320touring]

Superb:)

[mercrocker]

Winner - 

 

Autoshite Driving Licence Category Top Trumps

 

 

Battered top hat truly doffed!

[mouseflakes]

Great news! You can come round and do my drive now.

[2MB]

Amazing. I'd love to see one of these do an emergency stop

[Tamworthbay]

Amazing. I'd love to see one of these do an emergency stop

just what I was thinking!

[dollywobbler]

She didn't make you do a three point turn then? I guess that would have been cruel!

[Felly Magic]

Well done, you would deffo need a pint or three after doing your test in that

[wuvvum]

I'm also wondering how you do an emergency stop in a roller.  Do they even have brakes?  Or do you just reverse the engine?

[anonymous user]

Well done, I'm most intrigued by this.

 

You can drive a traction engine on a car licence

I never knew that - goes off to look for a Traction Engine Driving Experience day

[scruff]

Don't pay for one Anon, just come down to ours for a day

 

Emergency stop is dead simple. Shut the regulator and bang the engine into reverse. They will stop quicker than a lorry but it's a bit cruel on it.

 

She reckoned we wouldn't be able to do a three point turn, I did not correct her...!

[Cavcraft]

Brilliant, hats off!

[The Moog]

That is brilliant!

 

Would love a drive of one, cruising Dibnah stylee

[SiC]

What's the little symbol that you get on your driving licence for one of these?

[drum]

Nice one Kev!

Full steam ahead.

[forddeliveryboy]

Bloody brilliant! I'm guessing there are a few steam people who aren't totally in accordance with government/VOSA/DVA/DVLC aspirations for them. Even more brilliant. Just a different front axle, after all.

 

Did you stick the L-plates on before or after beer? Would enjoy that government job - how many steam tests does she carry out, I wonder?

[scruff]

I think most roller boys are pretty good with getting it, it's quite a badge of honour and more events these days want you to have it. For me it's as much as arse covering exercise if some berk runs into us on the road. It's more fun driving it about, I've got a few dos booked in now so time to sort the trailer out and prepare for the first journey, county show at Oakham which is about 8 miles so with a lunch stop about two and half hours through the back lanes. Woot!