observer Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 Seems you don't have to speak English in order to pass a UK driving test ! A Chinese interpreter for the DoT has been jailed for selling the correct answers to the theory test, to Mandarin speaking applicants ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted July 16, 2013 Report Share Posted July 16, 2013 The driving test is completely separate to the theory test Obs so even if the interpreter gave the answers to the theory test taker(s) anf they passed they would STILL have to then take and pass their practical tests on the road. Shame on the interpreter though and glad he/she has been caught out ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Seems you don't have to speak English in order to pass a UK driving test ! A Chinese interpreter for the DoT has been jailed for selling the correct answers to the theory test, to Mandarin speaking applicants ! You could say they spotted a little 'chink' in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Careful Algy - you could find youself on a charge of racism. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 as I type; Kije is massing an army of luvvies on the banks of the Mersey.... ready to smite Algy for daring to use such terrible language..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 as I type; Kije is massing an army of luvvies on the banks of the Mersey.... ready to smite Algy for daring to use such terrible language..... Perfectly PC - Having a chink in the armour. eg. To have flaw or problem preventing success. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Good one Algy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Diz, think the point is: what on earth are we doing accepting anyone taking any such examination in the UK, without the ability to read and write in English. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Well we have already had Polish road works signs in Crewe so why not Chinese ones? God knows we have enough street litter in the way of road signs in the town so a few more wouldn't matter anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Diz, think the point is: what on earth are we doing accepting anyone taking any such examination in the UK, without the ability to read and write in English. Fair point Obs and I do agree that anyone living over here and taking a test should be able to read English so they can read signs, warnings etc etc. I guess if they can read it and understand that means being able to speak it too . But then again you have to remember that we can drive/hire cars etc in other countries when on holiday for example (providing we already hold a licence for over here of course). I could drive in France, Spain etc but I wouldn't have a clue what their road signs said or meant or their rules of the road (if they have any). I may have read the following wrong but it seems that anyone from another EU country who already holds a EU driving licence can legally drive here anyway without having to take any sort of test. Scarey ! http://www.aboutimmigration.co.uk/driving-uk.html PS Wolfie... I'm trying to not comment on your post so I can claim ignorance as I'm sure that's probably not allowed on here. Blimey my eyes are still watery from laughing . That was soooo funny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Good point about UK people driving abroad Dizzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 Think I was aware of that Diz; but I'm not aware of any other country that provides a translation service in order for someone to take a local test? Any test, forms etc, should imo, be in English; want to claim benefits etc, learn to read and write the local language first - seems reasonable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 America does, or at least the State of Texas does, does that help you Obs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted July 17, 2013 Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 You only 'think' you were aware of it Obs. Blimey are you slacking these days I have no idea about other countries as I've only ever been to Spain once (in my late teens) and then Canada and Florida in my mid/late 20's and although I could at least read their signs I wouldn't have dared drive there. Wales had been the place for me for many years and they have theirs written in English and Welsh thankfully. It's funny but the only two welsh words that me and my other half instantly recognise and understand are Araf and Heddlu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 17, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 17, 2013 I'm on about the theory test Diz, or any written exam or claims form etc. presumably anyone with a valid foreign driving permit can drive in the UK, whether they can read the signs or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davy51 Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 I think the signs are supposed to be understood in most European & Commonwealth countries apart from the signs with writing on ,which will probably distract a foreigner long enough to cause an accident. Incidentally, has anyone "Happy Birthday Mary" in Urdu fastened to a lamp post yet ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Polish is now our second language ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Obs, are you moving this thread to talk about immigration ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Just stating a fact revealed by the last census - sorry, facts tend to interfere with your rose coloured view of the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 18, 2013 Report Share Posted July 18, 2013 Your name and facts just don't go together Obs, and oddly you have never let that trouble you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazj Posted July 19, 2013 Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 I have driven all over Europe (and in Germany at over 140mph..... grrrrreat!!!) but I always take a bit of time before I go to read the rules of the road in whatever country I am in... like in france, at traffic lights, a flashing amber means you can proceed with caution, in Germany on a motorway a white circular sign with a black line at diagonals through it (like our national speed limit sign) means you can floor it!! and other little anomalies like that!! RAC, AA all have guides detailing the local country rules so there is no real excuse apart from laziness and poor planning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 Seems Kije, you can't be bothered confirming or otherwise my statement about the last census; obviously doesn't fit your arguments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lt Kije Posted July 19, 2013 Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 What's your point, if it wasn't Polish it would be another language ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted July 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 19, 2013 Well, it certainly isn't Welsh or Gaelic is it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.