Can someone explain to me these strange things driving instructors teach you to do?
So I've passed my driving test for a few months now and have a lot more experience than when I was a learner, and thinking back on my lessons does anyone agree some things the instructors teach you seem quite odd? I did most of my learning with family and then some lessons before my test, and my instructor would always tell me off about things I never really understood as almost every experienced driver wouldn't think twice about it. For example...
Push pull steering - it just seems quite awkward and makes trying to turn the wheel a lot more effort than it really is. This and always using 2 hands, right now I steer with my right hand and do the gears with my left and it works a lot better this way. I'll only really use 2 hands if driving fast or on twisty roads - one just feels more natural and controlled than two. If you are moving slowly or turning e.g. at a junction, use the palm of your hand and you can turn the wheel twice as fast if not more.
Handbrake - why do the instructors insist you use the handbrake at every stop and red light when neutral + footbrake makes it a lot easier? The handbrake won't stop you moving if you are rear ended as it is really quite weak. For example, some people in my family do track days in their cars. I've been in the car at over 90mph before he noticed the handbrake was on as the car didn't beep. He said he barely felt it, just noticed it felt a bit less powerful that day. Meanwhile your foot brake is multiple times stronger than your engine - even in 1st gear at 6000-7000 revs, max torque, you won't even budge. Plus, in certain cars, usually older DCT gearboxes, coming off the brake with the handbrake on will destroy your clutch very quickly.
Lanes - why are the examiners so oddly strict on lanes? It feels like if you drive in the right lane for any more than 10 seconds, even if imminently turning right, you will fail your test. It's a lot safer to stay in lane if you know you'll need a lane soon. For example, if I'm on the M25, I'll usually stay in lane 2 when I know the left lane will move off the motorway. Don't be the guy who always changes lanes, you actually make traffic worse. There's a reason those signs say 'Congestion - Stay in lane'.
Further on this point, I understand hating middle lane pricks - absolutely fair enough - but my instructor even insisted I drive in bus lanes when the time allows. To me that feels like driving 78mph on the motorway under a camera - you probably won't get a ticket, but why risk it? One mistake and it's wraps for you. I'd never use a bus lane even if I'm allowed to and I don't know anyone who does
Mirror signal manoeuvre - This never once made any sense to me. If I know I need to change lane or turn left, why do I need to check the mirror before indicating? It makes more sense to check as you start to move - the indicator can't crash into someone but you can. Often if you need to change lanes, it's good to indicate even with no gap as someone will let you in. Either that or they just blow past you, no harm done.
Tires and tarmac rule. This feels like a big distance as a learner but in reality you can get much, much closer before even coming close to a crash. Leaving the 'tires and tarmac' distance you can usually fit a Fiat 500 / Mini / Citigo in the space in front of you. Plus, due to the standard London driving behaviour, I need to stop right up people's arse in traffic or someone who doesn't want to queue will push into the space. I mean, I once left a pretty big gap in traffic and saw a car overtake me, stop next to the car in front, and parallel park into the gap. I couldn't even be mad it was that funny.
In general, why aren't you allowed to communicate to any other car / road user? For example I once waved at someone who let me out to say thanks and the instructor told me off for that. In reality, if someone lets you into their lane give them a quick wave or flash of the hazards to say thanks, it goes a long way. And why can't we wave at people to let them cross the road if I stopped? After all we're all meant to give way to pedestrians now, unless the guy crossing is psychic he'll just think 'Wow, what a moron. Why'd he stop in the middle of the road?'
Overall what other things do you remember having to do in your lessons that seemed rather odd?