I need to pass my driving test before 1st of next month....Eeek! Is this possible?

Car_54

Stoke wrote: »

Do you have anyone (friend, family) who can take you out, so you don't have to pay for the courses?

I'm not an expert, I'm really not, but when I learnt to drive and passed my test (and I passed very quickly for my age), I quickly worked out that it wasn't my instructor that helped me improve, much beyond the semantics and rules to follow (i.e. check mirrors at strangely unnecessary times). I went on long distance drives with my old man and it was that experience which improved me significantly. Poxy 1 hour lessons, once a week (all I could afford), were simply not enough to give me the skills I needed. However, my dad worked in a really really rough area so rather than having a nice car, he tended to have a banger to go to work in. He put me on the insurance which, because I was only a limited named driver, cost about £200. When I was learning, we routinely took distance trips (to Derby, Manchester, Nottingham, Birmingham and the longest Newcastle upon Tyne), usually to pick up equipment etc, only via A roads of course because motorway driving is illegal for learners. I quickly became very confident in my ability and learnt how to comfortably handle the car much better.

I'm not saying that solution is right for everyone, but for me, it was a life saver. I passed my test (second time round, ballsed my first in the first 30 seconds).

As a retired instructor, I wouldn't recommend anyone using family or friends instead of proper lessons, but I would heartily endorse the idea of getting as much practice as possible as well. Regrettably, fewer people are doing this because of the cost of insurance.

BTW can you give some examples of the "strangely unnecessary times"?

bigjl

Car_54 wrote: »

As a retired instructor, I wouldn't recommend anyone using family or friends instead of proper lessons, but I would heartily endorse the idea of getting as much practice as possible as well. Regrettably, fewer people are doing this because of the cost of insurance.

BTW can you give some examples of the "strangely unnecessary times"?

In fairness I suspect Stoke meant he took long distance drives to supplement his lessons.

Which is exactly what I did as I was fortunate that my sister was going to Uni 150miles away so I had plenty of miles under my belt, including snow and rain conditions.

The biggest delay to passing my test was the lack of test appointments which meant it took 3 months instead of 2.

FreddieFrugal

I agree with previous posters that it would be far better to simply do the theory test again and then do some proper refresh lessons with a good instructor rather than paying out for an expensive intensive course, which could still result in you not passing?


I barely passed my theory test, I got perfect score in the question part, but struggled with hazard perception and JUST scraped a pass. Despite having managed to get high scores on practice tests. It's the stupid system whereby you're afraid to click too often because that would stop you getting the point, but also afraid not to click often enough and miss the specific window for that hazard (even if you anticipated earlier than the computer did)

It's a really stupid thing and it's more about working out how to beat the computer system than actually testing anything to do with driving.

I'm glad I passed my practical a couple months later, I'd have hated to have to do it again.

You have my sympathies.

stator

I think intensive is an easier way to learn than doing say 1hr every week. If you can afford to keep it up until the day of the test then go ahead.

Stoke

Car_54 wrote: »

As a retired instructor, I wouldn't recommend anyone using family or friends instead of proper lessons, but I would heartily endorse the idea of getting as much practice as possible as well. Regrettably, fewer people are doing this because of the cost of insurance.

BTW can you give some examples of the "strangely unnecessary times"?

Yes but, no offence, as a retired instructor you're going to endorse other instructors over the free stuff

Like when changing up a gear? I'm sure as an instructor you can explain why this is the case, but to me, this seems totally illogical. Now changing down a gear, I totally get why you'd check your mirrors, but changing up ? The last thing you want to do is be looking backwards when you've just engaged a higher gear and start moving significantly quicker forwards.

Stoke

bigjl wrote: »

In fairness I suspect Stoke meant he took long distance drives to supplement his lessons.

Which is exactly what I did as I was fortunate that my sister was going to Uni 150miles away so I had plenty of miles under my belt, including snow and rain conditions.

The biggest delay to passing my test was the lack of test appointments which meant it took 3 months instead of 2.

That's exactly what I did. I had 1 poxy lesson a week where I felt other than learning new little rules that I needed to do to make sure the examiner was happy with my observation, I felt my driving improved negligibly.

Car_54

Stoke wrote: »

Yes but, no offence, as a retired instructor you're going to endorse other instructors over the free stuff

Like when changing up a gear? I'm sure as an instructor you can explain why this is the case, but to me, this seems totally illogical. Now changing down a gear, I totally get why you'd check your mirrors, but changing up ? The last thing you want to do is be looking backwards when you've just engaged a higher gear and start moving significantly quicker forwards.

No offence taken! I have no interest -financial or otherwise - in promoting professional lessons.

Checking mirrors when changing gear is a new one on me!

Checking before speeding up or slowing down is essential. But normally the first thing you'd do after checking is to use the gas or brake, not the gears.

FreddieFrugal

Stoke wrote: »

Yes but, no offence, as a retired instructor you're going to endorse other instructors over the free stuff

Like when changing up a gear? I'm sure as an instructor you can explain why this is the case, but to me, this seems totally illogical. Now changing down a gear, I totally get why you'd check your mirrors, but changing up ? The last thing you want to do is be looking backwards when you've just engaged a higher gear and start moving significantly quicker forwards.

You check mirrors if you're planning to decelerate surely. You should indeed also just make sure you're aware of what's going on around you before you accelerate as well, in case from behind a motorbike is just about to do an overtake for instance.

Also checking your mirror means a quick second eye movement up to it, then back down again. Unless someone is especially dim witted I'd hope no one actually needs to stare behind them to work out what's going on. If they do they shouldn't be driving!

FreddieFrugal

Car_54 wrote: »

Checking before speeding up or slowing down is essential. But normally the first thing you'd do after checking is to use the gas or brake, not the gears.

+1

Thats what I was thinking. It's changing speed not changing gears.

I tend to accelerate and THEN shift up. Not the other way around. Unless someone enjoys making their car chug along and stall.

Cubanista

FreddieFrugal wrote: »

I agree with previous posters that it would be far better to simply do the theory test again and then do some proper refresh lessons with a good instructor rather than paying out for an expensive intensive course, which could still result in you not passing?


I barely passed my theory test, I got perfect score in the question part, but struggled with hazard perception and JUST scraped a pass. Despite having managed to get high scores on practice tests. It's the stupid system whereby you're afraid to click too often because that would stop you getting the point, but also afraid not to click often enough and miss the specific window for that hazard (even if you anticipated earlier than the computer did)

It's a really stupid thing and it's more about working out how to beat the computer system than actually testing anything to do with driving.

I'm glad I passed my practical a couple months later, I'd have hated to have to do it again.

You have my sympathies.

exactly! I practiced for my theory test about 2 days before i took it by memorising the practice test questions. I was passing the practice theory exam questions with ease at home so was confident going into the theory test itself.


It is a stupid and i had the exact same issue as you with the hazard perception, so i ended up clicking on any things i saw as dangerous like i would in real life.


I just take issue with the theory test lasting 2 years. I think it's a rip off to keep charging people every couple years when the theory test is up.


I know people who've passed their test but haven't drove for years, then get a car and start driving again, they don't need to go back and take another theory test because their driving licence needed renewing.