Taking a car test with a B1 exemption?

leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

Has anyone done this? Basically I'm hoping to take my car test soon, (I've had a car license before but they forgot to put it back on my license when I changed my address) and I have the B1 exemption meaning I don't have to take the theory test. What I want to know is will the examiner conduct the test a little differently to a normal, with theory, testee? Will he/she ask me more questions, (like the old style test) and test me a bit further on my road handling skills?

MattHirst · World Chat Champion Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Karma :

Hmm, how does having 'B1 exemption' mean you don't have to take the theory test?

B1 on my license allows me to drive milkfloats, quads and things like that Confused

Anyway, if you are exempt from the theory test, i can't imagine why you would have a different test to everyone else. The only people that have a different car test are those taking an extended test (after being banned).
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leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

It does. I've checked, checked and treble checked.
"As you have passed your motorcycle test before February 2001 you will have full category B1 on your licence; the B1 entitlement makes you exempt from sitting the car theory test. When applying for a B licence you are simply upgrading within a vehicle category, which makes you exempt from sitting the theory test again."

S1KE · Brolly Dolly Joined: 20 May 2007 Karma :

I have a B1 entitlement on my liscense.

I have still had to sit theory tests for car, bike and hgv liscenses.

It is gay as they are all pretty much the same and you should only need to do it once.

mike
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WildGoose · White Van Man Joined: 21 Mar 2002 Karma :

leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

OK. First read this page under 'UK license holders.'

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/TheoryTest/DG_4022531

Then this page under 'cars or light vans with or without trailers.'

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/WhatCanYouDriveAndYourObligations/DG_4022547

The first page explains that you don't have to sit a theory test if you're upgrading your category. The second page explains that cars come under category B. Therefor I will be upgrading a category from B1 to B.

I also wrote to Driver licensing and their reply was that which I quoted earlier confirming that I don't have to sit a theory test..

leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

zxrmike26. Did you take your tests car, bike, HGV? The B1 doesn't work that way round.
And WildGoose. Don't you think I did that? I took my tests pre-computer days (30+ years ago) and the test centre I used is no more. I even got a solicitor onto it but basically they have no record of my pass so I have to take my test again.

Tarmacsurfer · World Chat Champion Joined: 29 Jun 2004 Karma :

'goose, I can't point you at a web page, but as anyone who has tried to actually find a black and white, set in stone interpretation of any DVLA regs will tell you, a clarification is not always available.

Same as Leiba though, I recently (well, a year or so back) tried to book a theory test on line only to be told I wasn't eligible. On further research I was told that -as stated- due to the fact I'd held a B1 for many years then it wasn't required that I did a theory for a B entitlement, just the test proper, as it were.
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S1KE · Brolly Dolly Joined: 20 May 2007 Karma :

Yes I took all three tests that way, and none of them were before the year 2000.

Mike
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leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

Thank you. So, did you just take the car test? Was it, as far as you know, the same as a test for those who've taken the theory. Do they ask you any extra questions? etc.

S1KE · Brolly Dolly Joined: 20 May 2007 Karma :

TBH IMO all three theory tests were pretty much the same, just common sense stuff really with a few added questions aimed at what your taking the test for.

Mike
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leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

Tarmacsurfer, was the practical test in any way different for you because you hadn't taken the theory test? Did he/she ask you any questions or expect you to be more knowledgible in any way?

S1KE · Brolly Dolly Joined: 20 May 2007 Karma :

They do ask you a few questions.

But if you have been driving prior you shouldn't have no problem.

If your that worried buy a copy of the highway code and read it, it has everything you should know in it.

Few example questions the examiner might ask.

How would you check the oil on the car?

How would you change the wheel?

The examiner will probably want you to point out these things on the said car. Simples.

Mike
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leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

I have the theory test book here, with the highway code in it and I'm in the middle of reading it anyway. It doesn't do any harm to brush up on these things. I was already aware of the 'car' type questions that they could ask. I was just wondering if they'd be asking any extra questions just because I hadn't taken the theory test recently so to speak.
And by the way, it was in the front of the theory test book that I found out about the B1 exemption for the first time.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

I'm not the only one this has happened to. Not so long ago there was a TV program about it. They featured a police M/B mechanic, amongst others, who'd lost his bike license the same way. The police had copies of his original license on record but still the DVLA would'nt accept it. No photocopies allowed, only originals. But you send the original pass certificate or license in for changes to be made! (catch 22) The mechanic had to take his bike test again.
And it's difficult and costly to take some one like the DVLA to court, especially with no proof. My word against theirs.
And no, no insurance company wanted a copy of the license either so that's a dead end too.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

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leiba1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Karma :

I have no proof what so-ever of my full car license, it's not the sort of thing you think of at the time. (30+ years ago especially) So I'll just have to take it all again and as I said, I did go down the legal path a few years ago and got nowhere.
I'm also going to go to my local test centre just to clarify the B1 exemption before I take my test. I'm not bothered about taking the theory test but it would save me £30 odd if I don't have to.
And as for the test itself I think I'll go into it as if it was the old style test, with the odd questions thrown in. If he/she doesn't ask me any, so be it. If they do, I'll be prepared.
I could be one of the few people who pass first time then fail second time!