Every now and again a story pops up on Facebook about someone, somewhere taking their Steam Roller test. The Group G, to give it its correct term is not actually a steam based test, it is the capability of the driver to control the Roller that is being put the test - be they driving a steam or Motor Roller.
Jim Huntley recently took his Group G and has kindly given us a run through of not only the test process but also how he went about booking things up, which we hope will be of interest and help to those of you considering taking your own steps towards acquiring a Group G........
“Test booked online at: https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test giving your preferred location for the test – the examiner will come to you. Test cost: £62.
The DVSA then contacted me confirming a date and time. Two of us booked to do the test from the same location so our tests were scheduled for one after the other.
The examiner arrived at the yard, and we discussed a suitable route considering the slow speed of the roller and explaining some of the quirks of a vintage roller (i.e, starting a single may need a rock etc). They’re looking to see the same things as in a normal car test; starting, stopping, turns in both directions, emergency stop, reversing and manoeuvres.
The driving part of the test ended up taking about 45 minutes. Two loops out of the yard, onto the road in one direction for left turns, and two in the other direction showing right hand turns. A couple of controlled stops and one emergency stop (quite easy at 2-3mph!) and then starting from a stop again. The driving ended with reversing around a corner and an ‘angled start’ - pulling out from behind a parked car.
The examiner then asked a set of highway code questions relating to rollers/specialist vehicles and then asked to identify a selection of road signs from.
All in all, a fairly trivial test, certainly nothing complicated and anyone able to drive their roller and car sensibly should have nothing to worry about! Just make it completely obvious that you’re looking around at all times and perhaps a brush up on your road signs.”