Miserble Learner Driver

sheraz2

can you not borrow someones car add your name to insurance and go for it that way thats what i did when me instructor said the same thing

student100

Try another instructor - explain the situation to the second instructor and take their advice!

As for this:

To be honest, yes, I am ready for my test, I'm nervous, but I am a competent driver, I have had plenty of experience, and would happily trust myself out on the roads and more importantly driving my loved ones around. I am very cautious which I think is a good thing

It's great that you're confident, although remember that you really don't learn to drive properly until after you've passed the test (some people never do learn to drive properly though even after years of driving...).

pippamannequin

Brilliant website http://2passforum.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php that link should go straight to the forum, you will get bundles of advice and hundreds of people their so friendly ready to help you with all the advice you will need.
Also loads of instructors with advice and even a couple of examiners!
Got to admit I used it frequently when I was learning and there really is nothing that isn't covered on there!
Good luck!

jswaminathanuk

ask local people for a good reliable instructor and change.
They are nice as you pay them but there is huge potential from you.
my instructor bullied me a lot. When i thought i am ready he started bullying me like why are you driving on 28 miles at 30 mile road. i stoped once and argue with him that look i will not fail on this point so let me drive(that road was new to me.)
He later said that you will annoy instructor and all blah blah...
Another thing I could suggest you or fellow mse.
DSA website have ssuggested test route
take a printout of those route (12-30 routes)
take ur local a-z 's photocopies
mark the route on photocopy and ask someone to sit with you. ask them to read out the route as examiner would tell (next left, next right , 3rd exit)
and this will give u an idea of potential hazard in your test area.
if you are changing test centre then I would advice you to get a feeling of common hazards in that area.
common mistake is driving on bus lane when the bus lane is operative.
or not using bus lane outside the timings.
when you sit on test you will be bit nervous so if you have been to those roads you know what to expect in test.
I was told 30% of the candidate fails for others mistakes on test day.

Good luck.
buy drinks to MSEs in your area from the money you save :beer:

rachnbri

I failed three tests before I passed. The first I just don't think I was ready - I had a mental block concerning a particular roundabout (Nottingham knight if anyone knows it). Came to it on my test, panicked, went into entirely wrong lane without looking or indicating, examiner had to take the wheel and give me a hug once I'd pulled off the roundabout and stopped!! Yes OK I deserved to fail!!

The next two were really stupid things which I don't think I should have failed on but there we go! 2nd test I stalled the car going through a set of lights on a hill. Started the car and drove on but the lights had changed in the meantime - examiner told me that if the lights hadn't changed I'd have passed - ho hum.

3rd test I had to take 3rd exit off a roundabout into a right turn lane. Got half way round the roundabout and saw that lane was backed up onto the roundabout. Rather than sitting stationary on the roundabout I went down the next lane then indicated and moved into the right hand lane. According to the examiner I shouldn't have done that but not sure what I should have done! Whatever the rights or wrongs I'd still do the same now - my driving instructor was also baffled!

Finally passed on my forth test - funnily enough I was convinced after about 10 minutes of the test that I'd failed because I'd overshot my exit on a roundabout a little (see a pattern emerging with me and roundabouts?) so for the rest of the test I didn't care as I was convinced I'd already failed and just drove naturally. When we got back to the test centre the examiner told me I'd passed (with only 2 minor faults) and I burst into tears. My instructor came running over, gave me a big hug and said "oh no, not again Rach". I told him I'd passed and he did a dance around the car park!

Anyway I think having the amount of driving practice I did (4 tests and two years worth of lessons) may have cost a bit but gave me a huge amount of driving experience and has made me a very confident driver. Even my dad doesn't criticise when I give him a lift and if you knew my dad you'd know what high praise that is!!

I was told that most new drivers have a prang within 12 months of passing their test. Well I did but it was entirely the other person's fault (and the insurance company confirmed this with their payout!) and I feel that if I'd passed my first test I wouldn't be any where near as good at driving as I am now.

That said I think some instructors will get as much as they can out of you before putting you in for your test and if you feel this is happening get a second opinion form an instructor a friend has recommended.

Stephen_Leak

I can't give much in the way of advice about your instructor, but I failed my first test and I think that I may have been a better novice driver as a result.

In fact, on my second test, I was stopped behind a PO van at a junction. He pulled out, I started to move forward and we both had to "drop anchors" as a car shot across his path. I stalled the car. I remember thinking that I'd blown it again, and just concentrated on getting it over and done with and getting back to the test centre to hear the worst. However, my examiner passed me. I mentioned the incident and he said that it wasn't my fault, I reacted quickly and didn't hit the van. OK, I stalled but I put it into neutral and restarted the car almost instinctively and then actually relaxed and drove better, for some strange reason!

I will wish you good luck, but I always say that if you've done the work beforehand, you've made your own luck.

anewman

Name and shame the instructor and company is what I say! They're taking you for a ride. Perhaps there should be an anonymous name and shame driving instructor website so if you have the forethought you can see if anyone else did not like that instructor.

JFuller105

Sounds like you are definitely ready to apply for a test, then work towards that date.

Your current instructor needs as much business from you as possible. The £18 per hour you pay will only work out around £12 for him once his fuel and insurance costs are covered, and it takes more than an hour of his time to get to you and teach you for a full hour. Taxi drivers earn more out of their cars than driving instructors do.

But that's not your problem.

You will easily find an instructor that will take you on, provided the test date is more than a couple of weeks away. Ask them to begin by giving you a mock test and take it from there.

Best of luck