Driving tips for driving test

DaveF327

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Mr perfect driving instructor? only if read from your perspective

Having re-read what I posted - which was actually intended to refer to the detail in a response regarding roundabouts - it does appear to give that impression, so I should make it clear that I am actually not a driving instructor. However, I stand by my assertion that there are plenty of unprofessional ones out there.

Sorry for any confusion. I have edited my earlier post.

optimus_primera

I had loads of lessons went i learnt to drive, I had an hr lesson once a week, as i could not afford to purchase a car at the time,so could only drive the instructors car. (yeah i know, but i was young and desperate for a driving licence,must have had nigh on 50 lesson in total)
Things improved alot when i got a different job that paid enough to get a car.
Changing driving instructors after i failed my first test paid dividends as well,he sorted out some issues in the first lesson, after that it was plain sailing.....

EagerLearner

Hi all,

Thanks again for the post. Cyclone & Dave, it's hard on a forum as things can get mis-understood, plus I am on my side, so you don't get my instructors point of view!
I do think my instructor is good and has my best interests at heart, he has been teaching for 30 years and well known in the area and seems to have good pass rates, mind you, who knows maybe I only hear about the ones that pass! I do think he is nice and wants me to pass, maybe it's me that needs to be more firm in these next 2 weeks. I did clearly state today that on my next double lesson I want to do lots of roundabouts and also that I will practice more myself on the weekend.

Dave - in terms of the car that was indicating on the roundabout, he had emerged from 2 o'clock and was indicating to go to 4 o'clock (I was at 6 o'clock), so it did mislead me to think I could go and even the instructor agreed it was unfortunate, however I learnt from that.... Do not believe indicators!

Dave In terms of when I change gear, I do so as I approach the roundabout maybe 3 car lengths or so, or 2 if no traffic - I try to change down to 2nd no matter what, so I just need to get rid of that bad habit of forgetting to do it. I would say it happens 1 in 10 times if that. At junctions I change to 1st when approaching a main road but I do that as I get to it. Then normal road turning onto a side road is 2nd. The only comments I get really are when I forget to downshift at roundabouts, but then I do sometimes forget what gear I am in and have to manually check, better than not doing anything!

Optimus, we are lucky to have our own car definately, and as far as the instructor goes, i guess if I failed this time then I would hjave to consider that, though my self confidence right now says it's my fault as everything my instructor says makes sense. However, for reversing for example (which I was not getting at all, instructor was getting frustrated but that's all, no real trying to get to the bottom of it), it was my husband that pointed out whether I could even see in my left mirror, turns out I couldn't. I just thought you did not have to be able to see there and had to use front mirror and judgement! My instructors car has a high back window, so for me (petite) seeing in the left mirror is absolutely essential and I have improved loads since then. I always lower the left mirror enough at the beginning of the lesson now.

Many thanks for the tips so far everyone, these experiences and comments are useful as a totally fresh set of perspectives.

Mankysteve

DaveF327 wrote: »

As for other drivers' signals, yes, pulling out in front of a fast moving car with a flashing light was indeed unwise, but that is not a roundabout problem; that can happen anywhere at any junction. A flashing light tells you his bulb is working, but not necessarily that it's good to go. Bonnet dipping and wheels turning tell you that. Judge the speed and direction, not a flashing light that no-one seems to know how to use properly anyway.

It beggars belief that learners can emerge onto a roundabout from a dual carriageway exit slip road (obviously one-way) in the belief that an indicating driver would turn into the road they're waiting at. They simply wouldn't be allowed nor able to turn down there anyway, so they must be indicating for the road just afterwards. Sounds silly, I know, but I've seen it happen.

My grandad told me a something his instructor told him about indicators was that "his indicators knows he's turning but does he"

As above say road position, speed and wheel position will let you really know what's going on.

deedeeliz

Good luck Eagerlearner!

I'm pleased to say at 26 years old I passed my driving test last week

Large roundabouts are the bane of my life and I took my test in Swindon so I commiserate with you!

Inactive

DaveF327 wrote: »

Having re-read what I posted - which was actually intended to refer to the detail in a response regarding roundabouts - it does appear to give that impression, so I should make it clear that I am actually not a driving instructor. However, I stand by my assertion that there are plenty of unprofessional ones out there.

Sorry for any confusion. I have edited my earlier post.

Agreed 100%.

cyclonebri1

Inactive wrote: »

Agreed 100%.

Yep, they are like any other profession, the good the bad and the ugly;)

newfoundglory

My tips for a driving test are just to get as much practice as possible.

It really is true, and i find it quite scary that after driving for a few months after passing your test you don't even really think about what you are doing (ie. clutch, gears etc), you relax more and just concentrate on the road ahead.

southoftheriver

I find it difficult because I rely on my lessons completely, I could pass so much quicker if I had a car to practice in. I am also on placement for uni during the week so have to fit in a lesson on a friday night which leaves me tired and stressed in rush hour traffic!

When I first started learning I didn't need to drive, just thought I should so I never really had that motivation to pass so it was easy to stop and start. None of my close family drive and when i'm at home (rather than at uni) I live on the border of the congestion charge zone so no-one drives anyway!

Must pass must pass....good luck to everyone in the same boat!

DaveF327

southoftheriver wrote: »

I find it difficult because I rely on my lessons completely, ... I am also on placement for uni during the week so have to fit in a lesson on a friday night which leaves me tired and stressed in rush hour traffic!

How about weekends? Saturday and Sunday mornings around 10am aren't too bad, but with just enough traffic to keep you on your toes. Of course, that does depend on how much you drink on Friday or Saturday nights.