Failed Driving Test

newfoundglory

briona wrote: »

Surely it's better to have to wait another month than be expected to drive in conditions that even experienced drivers struggle with?!

I was going to do the pass plus, but then i realised that over the last few weeks I have driven in some of the worst winter weather I can ever remember including a blizzard, fog, heavy rain storm, strong winds, ice and snow. There doesnt seem to be much point now.

DaveMacD

newfoundglory wrote: »

I was going to do the pass plus, but then i realised that over the last few weeks I have driven in some of the worst winter weather I can ever remember including a blizzard, fog, heavy rain storm, strong winds, ice and snow. There doesnt seem to be much point now.

Well, the potential saving on your insurance should be cause enough to do it.

aah

on different instructors:

its difficult to categorise them on how they deal with people. I recommended an instructor to a colleague (after a first time pass, 2 minors in the test, examiner said it was the best test he had examined in a long time - follwoing only 2 months of lessons - unfortunately, no it was not me driving! - another competent female).

My colleague has been 9 months, theory test passed, but as yet no sign of test date - she thinks I was completely wrong in my recommendation. She cannot see that it may be down to her!

newfoundglory

DaveMacD wrote: »

Well, the potential saving on your insurance should be cause enough to do it.

Unfortunately, the saving isnt worth it! I wish it was because I would have liked to do it. Its cheaper to just use a cheaper insurer through a comparison website. The saving is massive that way.

I have instead decided to get my instructor to give me a 2.5 hr lesson on the motorways and country roads.

And the my Dad is going to come with me on a longer motorway trip.

slscarborough

My instructor thinks there is no point in me doing the pass plus either as we have covered everything except motorway driving.

slscarborough

Just managed to get a cancellation for 4th feb so going to still go ahead with my current instructor. Just going to get out alot with OH over the next few weeks as soon as the weather improves!!

newfoundglory

slscarborough wrote: »

Just managed to get a cancellation for 4th feb so going to still go ahead with my current instructor. Just going to get out alot with OH over the next few weeks as soon as the weather improves!!

Cool the 4th is good! You wouldn't want it within the next few weeks in case there is more snow!

If its the maneuvers you need to work on, just remember to go slow! Its not a race on test day, and most of the time if things go a bit wrong you can always make corrections if you are going slow enough I have found.

I was lucky I didnt have to do the left reverse, but if i had to I would have been going very very slowly indeed.

slscarborough

yeah they had a cancellation for wednesday but roads wont be cleared by then even if there is no more snow. Anyway dont have a lesson now until 21st so just waiting for the roads to clear abit to get out with OH. I am due back to work on 29th march and am desperate to be driving by then so dont have to get Oh to give me a lift and drag the kids out. So I really need to pass this time!!

MrF_2

VfM4meplse wrote: »

OMG it's a "she", I am really surprised.

Sadly I'm not, the female instructors round here are HORRENDOUS, their pupils drive like either old ladies (25mph in a 50 or 60 mph posted urban dual carriageway) or drunks (wavering everywhere), look into the car as you pass and they are on the phone, nose in a book or doing makeup.......
I'm not saying this to be sexist either (I'm really not..honest), I drive a lot and overtake a lot of learners, and the terrible learners round here always have a woman in the passenger seat for some reason

I got lucky, my instructor was DSA grade 6 (which I think is the highest grade?), and was offered an examiners job, turned it down due to money and preferred teaching people than testing them.

Though there was one guy, branded his business "new hope"....the other instructors referred to him as "no hope" as his pupils had "no hope" of passing their tests....I think he gave up and found another career thankfully.

MrF_2

slscarborough wrote: »

My instructor thinks there is no point in me doing the pass plus either as we have covered everything except motorway driving.

To be honest I found it worth it, my pass plus instructor took me out on some really tricky rural roads over several sessions (tight bends and steep slopes in the dark and in foul foul weather) to really test my ability to drive safely in demanding road conditions and to see how I reacted to the unexpected.
He finished up the course with a 3 hour lesson broken up into a nonstop 2 hour and 1 hour session down the motorway.
Really boosted my driving ability and confidence and I feel I'm a better driver for it, my reactions are sharper, any post test bad habits got nipped in the bud etc
Plus my local council offered a subsidy to encourage people, I think it was 50 - 75% of the cost of the test. Worth asking your local council...worst they can say is "eh??" or "no we dont do that"