Depressed...new driving test tomorrow...

DaveF327

Ok, for your first problem.. you need to distinguish between a pause and a park. If you're paused in a queue or lights, you know you'll be moving again almost straight away, so always shift into 1st as you roll to a stop, as 1st is the gear that gets you going. On the other hand, when asked to pull up at the roadside, the aim of the game is to park, so just think about what you'd do before getting out at the shops. Handbrake, then neutral is what your instructor should have taught you. In summary, think of the purpose of the pause before selecting the gear.

Even if you make a mistake, you have to be quick on the uptake. Even if you stall or start to roll back, think emergency stop and hit that footbrake quickly! That should lessen the effect which will lessen the weight of the fault marked.

As for lanes, there isn't really much reason to be in the right hand lane unless overtaking or turning right. Make that right hand lane the exception rather than the rule. As a rule, we drive on the left, so think left lane in most cases. Of course, always be guided by the lane direction arrows as these can differ with each junction.

Finally, if you think you're nervous, remember that tomorrow is the first day of a new procedure for the examiners too. They haven't done anything like independent driving on test before, so they will be just as nervous!

crystaltipps

Many many thanks, Dave. I had never put it into neutral driving on the road before. Kicking myself seems an inadequate way of describing my feelings at that point. However, your advice is brill...my instructor has been great, but I must admit, I expected a more chilled lesson today! Still, 1 hour tomorrow, before I go again.

Your advice is great, and I will bear it in mind, certainly. Thanks. xx

bigblackdog

be confident , you can drive fine , the examiner will be thinking of what is going to happen when he/she unleashes you onto the roads , he/she does not want any doubt in there head that by passing you you will be any less capable than the rest of the traffic, you are as good as any other driver ,probably better , no problem

SailorSam

Is it the thing they were talking about on 'Breakfast' this morning that you need to drive for 10 mins without prompting. They said even if you go the wrong way it's not a fail. On the bright side to make time for the new idea they are dropping one of the other procedures such as parallel parking.

BOOM_3

I wonder how the test went? :cool:

BOOM_3

SailorSam wrote: »

Is it the thing they were talking about on 'Breakfast' this morning that you need to drive for 10 mins without prompting. They said even if you go the wrong way it's not a fail. On the bright side to make time for the new idea they are dropping one of the other procedures such as parallel parking.

I think parallel parking should be a mandatory part of the driving test! :cool:

crystaltipps

Hi people,
Thank you for your support, all.

Unfortunately I have to report a big fat fail! (boo-hiss)

I was much more nervous this time, despite having a good lesson beforehand.

I deserved the fail completely - and it WAS the independent driving that scuppered me. I had to get into the right lane (CURSED LANES) to make sure I could 'follow the directions to Sutton in Ashfield' and I couldn't get over in time - didn't look over my shoulder at one point and managed to give the poor examiner a heart attack by nearly pulling in front of someone. I did manage to avoid disaster completely but KNEW i had been dangerous and deserved the fail.

I then proceeded to get stuck behind a bus, that was parked up...no one would let me in despite indicators flashing away so got marked down for that too. And 8 minors (5 more than last time!).

So all in all, a disaster and one I would not like to repeat..unfortunately for me I will be in two weeks as I managed to get a cancellation for Oct 20th. Will be banging in another 10 lessons and making my beloved endure my driving as well.

The 'following the signs' thing is tough - despite them saying I can't fail for not - you just feel so pressured to get it right as well as be safe!

In conclusion, I deserved to fail - but I am hoping I can do something about my nerves for the next time around!

Many thanks for support and interest!

xx

crystaltipps

Oh, and just to let you know, I got parallel parking, and emergency stop as my maneuvers. Last time (pre change) It was turn in a road and parallel park - so maybe they will pick parallel parking as the 'main' one to do.
xx

nobby24

Don't look nervous and drive with confidence even if you make a slight mistake. Good luck!

LandyAndy

crystaltipps wrote: »

Hi people,
Thank you for your support, all.

Unfortunately I have to report a big fat fail! (boo-hiss)

I was much more nervous this time, despite having a good lesson beforehand.

I deserved the fail completely - and it WAS the independent driving that scuppered me. I had to get into the right lane (CURSED LANES) to make sure I could 'follow the directions to Sutton in Ashfield' and I couldn't get over in time - didn't look over my shoulder at one point and managed to give the poor examiner a heart attack by nearly pulling in front of someone. I did manage to avoid disaster completely but KNEW i had been dangerous and deserved the fail.

I then proceeded to get stuck behind a bus, that was parked up...no one would let me in despite indicators flashing away so got marked down for that too. And 8 minors (5 more than last time!).

So all in all, a disaster and one I would not like to repeat..unfortunately for me I will be in two weeks as I managed to get a cancellation for Oct 20th. Will be banging in another 10 lessons and making my beloved endure my driving as well.

The 'following the signs' thing is tough - despite them saying I can't fail for not - you just feel so pressured to get it right as well as be safe!

In conclusion, I deserved to fail - but I am hoping I can do something about my nerves for the next time around!

Many thanks for support and interest!

xx

May not be what you want to hear but you don't sound anything like ready to be let loose on the road on your own.:(

Understanding and using lanes properly is vital to safe driving and being able to find your way from one place to another is fundamental to solo driving.

One of the reasons new drivers have accidents is because once they are on their own they have to think about more things than car control.