Driving Test Dilemma

WolfSong2000 · 17 June 2012 at 8:13PM

At the grand old age of 25 I am attempting my driving test (again) next tuesday...have tried a few times and failed, even in an automatic. To say I dislike driving would be an understatement, but it's a necessity.

Anyhow, a few months ago I got an old VW polo - nice little car and I am used to driving it/know its quirks *but* there's constantly problems with it - and I mean constantly...it's been back to the garage 4 or 5 times with various problems (different each time) and since then the engine has died twice whilst its been driven.

I had a lesson it it today with instructor for first time and the bl**dy thing broke down again - engine was overheating. Left it to cool for 10 mins and it was fine, but my lesson got cut short (still had to pay full whack - not happy about that!).

Dilemma now is whether to pay yet more money to driving instructor to use his car, which I don't like/feel comfortable driving for the test next tuesday or to take a chance with my car and pray it manages to make it through the test without something going wrong.

Am speaking to garage I bought the Polo from first thing tomorrow, but doubt they can look at it/fix it before tuesday.

What do you guys think?

LincolnshireYokel · 17 June 2012 at 8:22PM

The primary criteria of a car is it must be reliable, otherwise there no point in using it, since the consequences of unreliability could be severe.

whitewing · 17 June 2012 at 8:27PM

I would have thought an examiner would be more comfortable in a dual control car, and that would help you feel a little less nervous.

Too late for this test, but why don't you see if your GP can refer you for CBT to deal with your feelings about driving as this may help enormously in the long term. I had to drive my dad's old bangers when I first passed my test and it was much more stressful than having something that felt and looked reliable (it did of course pass its MOT).

thegirlintheattic · 17 June 2012 at 8:46PM

I would go for the instructors car and pay for a few more lessons to get used to it.

jcsc01 · 17 June 2012 at 8:58PM

as an instructor i fully understand you being charged for the lesson, after all your instructor has booked the time with you its not his fault your car is unroadworthy.

Re your car on test, you have enough worries
about getting through your test without the added pressure of hoping you car will complete the route.

if you feel you want to sit the test in a vw polo find an instructor with that car, it makes sense.

WolfSong2000 · 17 June 2012 at 11:10PM

Thanks for the advice, guys...my polo is going to a garage first thing tomorrow morning to see if they can sort it.

I think the reason I dislike driving is related to my dyscalculia (like dyslexia, but maths related) - it's one of the "symptoms" and fits with me. I'm learning in an automatic as tried in a manual and just gave up...found it too difficult/stressful to try and co-ordinate clutch/gears, etc, plus do everything else required when driving (yes, I'm pathetic

).

I also live rurally so trying to find automatic driving instructors is a pain in the backside - tried one before who was hopeless and the guy I am currently using seems to be my only other option (other instructors I conacted refused to come out to me as I live "too far away"). His car's fine - it's a VW Golf, but it's a big, new, 2 litre turbo engine - compare that with my little 11 year old VW polo which struggles with hills. lol. Plus he charges £25 per hour for lessons (including the one today in my own car, which is why I am annoyed he didn't offer a discount, even if it wasn't his fault). So yeah...his car is completely different to drive and even he admitted I am much more comfortable driving my older car.

As you guys have pointed out, though, examiner would probably feel happier in dual-controlled car - it's just a case of whether or not I can comfortably drive my instructors car....personally I am doubtful.

It's getting to me more than it should as I have been trying to learn to drive for years now - failed 3 tests already, finally felt happy to take it in the little VW Polo, and now that's broken down on me. I'm stressed at the moment as it is (jobhunting, which is limited by the fact I can't drive!) and this is just compounding the issue, so I'm getting myself worked up into a tizzy about it...wrong, I know!

Strider590 · 17 June 2012 at 11:37PM

Sounds like you needed to figure out the basic maintenance side of owning a vehicle, topping up the engine coolant is not rocket science, checking the oil level is not rocket science.... But failure to do either can result in terminal damage to your vehicle.

If the car is THAT bad, it's not wise to use it for a driving test as the examiner will do a brief inspection before you set out.

jaydeeuk1 · 18 June 2012 at 12:12AM

Strider590 wrote: »

Sounds like you needed to figure out the basic maintenance side of owning a vehicle, topping up the engine coolant is not rocket science, checking the oil level is not rocket science.... But failure to do either can result in terminal damage to your vehicle.

If the car is THAT bad, it's not wise to use it for a driving test as the examiner will do a brief inspection before you set out.

I thought that was all part of the test now?

Not aiming this comment at you OP, it might just be nerves in your case, but some people just aren't suited to driving. Just like some people aren't suited to programming, learning foreign languages, playing an instrument or becoming an artist. And the fact the roads allow less able drivers to use them is imo the reason why things like speed limits keep dropping, despite massive advances in car safety, and constant hikes in insurance which can't all be down to uninsured / dubious claims .

Its almost pointless having a driving test, as all you need to do is manage to drive at just about a sufficient standard to earn a pass. Its like they're determined to hand out licenses just to keep the motor / oil industry happy. Govt can't increase difficulty to the level it should be as economy will suffer, and the car is seen more as an essential (but not a right imo), so instead more capable motorists are treated like idiots, with black and white penalties as the standard of driving over the years collapses.

I've had a few Ardbed uigeadails (very nice btw

so I'll save that rant for another day.

mikey72 · 18 June 2012 at 12:17AM

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

.............I've had a few Ardbed uigeadails (very nice btw so I'll save that rant for another day.

The only thing that makes me even a better driver than normal.

WolfSong2000 · 18 June 2012 at 12:27PM

Strider590 wrote: »

Sounds like you needed to figure out the basic maintenance side of owning a vehicle, topping up the engine coolant is not rocket science, checking the oil level is not rocket science.... But failure to do either can result in terminal damage to your vehicle.

If the car is THAT bad, it's not wise to use it for a driving test as the examiner will do a brief inspection before you set out.

To date, the issues with the car haven't been related to anything I've missed/done wrong, as far as I am aware - it's been "faulty wiring" and various other odds and ends. I am aware how to check oil - it has been checked since I bought the car and is fine. The coolant is sitting above the "max" line, which is concerning, but it was this way when I bought it and issue has not been raised by mechanic so far.

WolfSong2000 · 18 June 2012 at 12:32PM

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I thought that was all part of the test now?

Not aiming this comment at you OP, it might just be nerves in your case, but some people just aren't suited to driving. Just like some people aren't suited to programming, learning foreign languages, playing an instrument or becoming an artist. And the fact the roads allow less able drivers to use them is imo the reason why things like speed limits keep dropping, despite massive advances in car safety, and constant hikes in insurance which can't all be down to uninsured / dubious claims .

I will hold my hands up and admit I am not the world's best driver, but it is pretty much down to nerves. Driving a manual, I was hopeless because I was so nervous/getting so worked up about the fact I couldn't co-ordinate the clutch, gears, etc. Switched to an automatic and now if I am driving with someone day to day I am fine. My paranoia about other drivers ensures I don't take situations for granted and am cautious - I don't speed, take unecessary risks, etc. Things fall apart during driving tests for me due to nerves, which is why I wanted to take test in the car I have been driving and am used to - it's one less thing to worry about.

I do wonder about how some people manage to pass their test, though, I admit...got in the car with one girl years ago who'd just passed her test - never again. She drove like a lunatic!

Driving Test Dilemma

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