Driving tips for driving test

EagerLearner

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay and thank you all so much for the comments. I need to clarify that I am not starting out as some seem to think, I have now had 45 lessons, so i do feel I can drive and most of the time, have no issues at all. I have driven motorbikes before, so my general road awareness and confidence is fine, I just think that failing 1st time did hurt and I am trying to boost myself up for round 2.

I totally understand that to a driver, it's hard to sit next to a learner and have your heartbeat racing, I would be the same. My OH is not trying to teach me, we just drive normally, and he points out if I am making any errors as I go. To LandyAndy who said my OH is right to criticize straight away because we don't have 'a few seconds to think about it in real life', I do agree. However, all I need at that point is him to say 'move to left lane quick', not 'oh you need to move, what you did there was bla bla and the other lane etc' whilst I am still trying to check mirrors to move to the left lane... Also, l didn't say driving always reduces me to tears as such, it's my self criticism combined with the odd comment here and there, tears have only happened twice so far and that was recent (last week, hence my post).

New Collier yes I might ask a friend, it may help if it's someone separate. Would be great to do a long trip, except the next long trip is at Xmas, involving motorways... only of use if I pass my test soon

To those who say anyone who needs more than 20 lessons 'shouldn't be driving', I would say they clearly do not know the current system, or how much it has changed since they took their test... These days 45 lessons *is* average, car technology has changed, and the industry is self serving, to ensure everyone involved makes money of me, the learner... taking 45 lessons average even with private practice. Don't take my word for it, search stats online...
JD82 I think retests should be obligatory every 20 years, as yes few folks who have their licence now have told me they def would not pass today!

So in terms of my test location, it's not in my town, so I don't even have the advantage of knowing it well. I have been there a few times and obviously for test 1. We drove there this weekend and I will take some driving lessons there again this week.

Thanks Squeak or the tip out giving the instructor a ride, rather than being tested.... I essentially want the instructor to feel I am relaxed and capable, so they don't sit there nervous! My instructor last time gave me good feedback and was as disappointed as I was, he said it was the roundabout and otherwise I would have passed with less minors than average (9 is average, I got 7).

Mum24boys thank you, your post,is inspiring and I can't imagine how pleased you must have been when you passed!
Also heard chewing mint gum helps nerves, plus taking Kalms a few weeks before. Might try those but I wasn't shaking or really nervous on the test, just 'average' nerves I would say.At least next time I know what to expect.

DaveF327 I struggle with right hand turns around roundabouts, or tight right turns to some extent, also failed my test as I went onto a roundabout when a car was on it approaching, I wanted to show confidence so grabbed a gap. They were not so close as to cause me breaking or any prob etc but they slowed somewhat according to my instructor so I failed.

Thanks again all, I will respond to any other queries and I will take a look at the site for the learner forums...

Mankysteve

jd82 wrote: »

I would have thought that is crap, I am sure if that was the case it would show up in the stats. I took my test at around 1:30 as there less traffic at this time. The gamble of that is you can be made to do a much longer route.

You'd think its crap because it is. They don't have qoutas. Its an urban myth.

Mankysteve

EagerLearner wrote: »

Hi everyone,


To those who say anyone who needs more than 20 lessons 'shouldn't be driving', I would say they clearly do not know the current system, or how much it has changed since they took their test... These days 45 lessons *is* average, car technology has changed, and the industry is self serving,

Ignore him/her clear troll post.

Mankysteve

Statistically people who pass there tests second or third time are safer drivers than those that pass first.

cyclonebri1

Mankysteve wrote: »

Ignore him/her clear troll post.

Or maybe they just have a different point of view to you????;)


My concern is that just maybe someone that has difficulty reaching the desired standard, and maybe fails the test a good few times, will not suddenly become a good driver when released onto the roads. How does anyone think "Maureen" is driving now?:eek:

Sorry OP, this isn't aimed at you, just general.

EagerLearner

cyclonebri1 - I agree totally, that's the thing. I think it shouldn't be down to a 38 minute test, it should be more about their general driving. A not so great driver who has only had 18 lessons and 'fancies a go' at the test can book it whether instructor agrees or not, have an ok driving test and pass - then go onto the roads legally! I am a learner that is at test standard and I accept I made the one big mistake, so it means I have to keep going, whereas existing drivers on the street admit they might not even pass the test today, it seems something is amiss... rant over ;o)

PS: Who is Maureen?

bosseyed

I don't see that 45 lessons is unreasonable really. And I wouldn't say that having more lessons makes you a worse driver, it just means you needed slightly longer than some others to get it. Nothing wrong with that.

Problem is passing the test, often due to nerves which can result in a performance thats completely out of sync with your normal skill level - I was a perfectly competant driver when I took my first test but I was such a bag of nerves I messed it up. Second test I was even more nervous really but the examiner that time was a lovely man who helped make things a lot calmer and I passed - with a vast amount of minors admittedly, but still a pass

I had 28 lessons in total.

bosseyed

EagerLearner wrote: »

PS: Who is Maureen?

God, if its the Maureen I'm thinking of - there used to be reality TV show called driving school (I think it was) a few years back where they followed the (mis)fortunes of a bunch of learners. There was a lady called Maureen who just couldn't pass her test, she took a large amount of tests and was generally all over the shop on camera, failing repatedly on some terrifying things - starting off in 3rd, drifting lanes etc that kind of thing.

Even she passed in the end though.

cyclonebri1

EagerLearner wrote: »

cyclonebri1 - I agree totally, that's the thing. I think it shouldn't be down to a 38 minute test, it should be more about their general driving. A not so great driver who has only had 18 lessons and 'fancies a go' at the test can book it whether instructor agrees or not, have an ok driving test and pass - then go onto the roads legally! I am a learner that is at test standard and I accept I made the one big mistake, so it means I have to keep going, whereas existing drivers on the street admit they might not even pass the test today, it seems something is amiss... rant over ;o)

PS: Who is Maureen?[/QUOTE]

:rotfl:Can't recall the tv programme but she was filmed trying to learn to drive. Imagine the worst learner ever swerving from one side of the road to the other in oncoming traffic and you will get the picture;)

And to the others that think the test is more complicated and needs more lessons, what's the big difference now from the pre theory test days????

The highway code is largely the same but more encompassing, the rules of the road still have to be obeyed, and we all had to display a knowledge of these in a verbal test back then. This requires instant answering, not a considered written reply that you can go back and reconsider/alter.

Do you need more lessons to achieve the above, then or now?/

No, sit at home and study the Highway Code, equally as applicable today as back then. You are 1/2 way to a pass without spending a penny:eek:;)

Edited to say I think the prog was called driving school????

cyclonebri1

bosseyed wrote: »

God, if its the Maureen I'm thinking of - there used to be reality TV show called driving school (I think it was) a few years back where they followed the (mis)fortunes of a bunch of learners. There was a lady called Maureen who just couldn't pass her test, she took a large amount of tests and was generally all over the shop on camera, failing repatedly on some terrifying things - starting off in 3rd, drifting lanes etc that kind of thing.

Even she passed in the end though.

crossed in the post :rotfl:

Still wouldn't want to meet her on a dark night, or anyother time to be honest;);)