Hiring a driver for the driving test

ontheroad1970

Biggus_Dickus said:

alihd said:

Herzlos said:

Which is true. I was marked down in a test for flashing at a bus to let it pull out, because whilst it's the done thing it's not actually allowed.
Have you had any UK lessons?

Yes.

I had 5 lessons within 2 weeks. Had a test, failed.

3 weeks later: Took 2 lessons. The instructor said that's enough and I should pass. Had a test, failed.
The instructor urged me to be quick to find another cancellation as he had observed in the later lessons that I have forgotten some of the skills due to the time gap. Yet, he didn't have much free time for practising afterwards because we didn't know that I'll fail and he was booked fully.

2 weeks later: I found another test via cancellation. He cancelled another pupil and we practice for one session. He said I really should pass, there's nothing extra to teach me. Had a test, failed.
Then he said he doesn't know why I fail (most of his pupils pass very quickly). Also, he and most other instructors I found later on were fully booked, so it was hard to book anyone else. He doesn't seem interested in taking me for more tests/lessons as he is desperate. I'm desperate, too.

I just found another pair of instructors and had one session with each: very different cars (diesel, small petrol car, etc) with different reference points. They also said I should pass. Nonetheless, I have booked a few more sessions with one of them. They're apparently gonna charge me a lot for nothing and charge for almost 5 hours (125 quids) for a single test. 

Notwithstanding what your instructor says about you failing, what do the numerous Driving Test reports say?

Are you failing on the same points every time?...are there lots of failure points?..or just a few?

If you don’t improve your specific weak points you’re destined to fail time after time.

Quite by chance I came across this Driving instructors ‘blog’;...it’s quite long but it goes through each section of the driving test report (form DL25) sequentially with explanatory notes and advice.

You may find it useful.

https://www.diaryofanadi.co.uk/?p=2752#:~:text=It stands for “driver fault”.&text=You can get up to,dangerous” (D) faults.

 

One of my favourite posts on his blog is Cashew Nuts and Poop Colour  lol

gord115

sheramber said:

Why can't you drive to the test centre with a suitable person beside you. Why do they ned to drive/?
If you drove there yourself that would be extra practice before your test and could make you less stressed for the test.
If you pass you intend to drive home ?  What will be different from driving there except a piece of paper?
If you are so stressed about driving should you be considering driving at all?

Exactly what I was thinking.
If they're not confident enough to drive with someone with a full licence sat beside them,they are not ready for their test.

Scrapit

nottsphil said:

alihd said:

Scrapit said:

Paying for a car you cant use is a looser.

How could it be a looser?

You have been misinformed - it's spelt loser (pronounced 'loozer' ). Looser just means more loose (not as tight). 

You're now that guy that nobody needed.
Such a shame.

sheramber

alihd said:

sheramber said:

How will you ensure you do not revert  to your 'natural  defaults' if or when you pass your test?

By staying on the road and keep driving once I get the licence. That's what I did in my home country when I got my licence ages ago, and I never had any issues. The issue is with getting the licence.

 But there will be nobody to tell you if you are reverting to your old ways of driving and when you do you will be a danger to other road users.

It is possible to have your driving instructor  accompany you on the test. They sit in the back and observe only. My BIL  did that as he  failed despite the instructor being sure he would pass. The instructor was able to see how he went to pieces on the test and advised he was unlikely to pass a test as he became so stressed. He abandoned  driving.

winspiration

I wonder if doing an intensive driving course shortly before the next test would help - rather than trying to fit in here and there with other instructors? It wouldn't be cheap (but then your current strategy isn't proving to be that cheap either). There seem to be lots of them available in London, with varying levels of hours involved.

alihd

sheramber said:.

It is possible to have your driving instructor  accompany you on the test. They sit in the back and observe only. My BIL  did that as he  failed despite the instructor being sure he would pass. The instructor was able to see how he went to pieces on the test and advised he was unlikely to pass a test as he became so stressed. He abandoned  driving.

That's sadly not an option. The driving instructor has to wait in the parking of the test centre and can't be in the car due to COVID-19 risks. The issue with the lack of instructor time is also for the backlog due to lockdown. Creepy virus.

Herzlos

alihd said:

Herzlos said:

Which is true. I was marked down in a test for flashing at a bus to let it pull out, because whilst it's the done thing it's not actually allowed.
Have you had any UK lessons?

Yes.

I had 5 lessons within 2 weeks. Had a test, failed.

3 weeks later: Took 2 lessons. The instructor said that's enough and I should pass. Had a test, failed.
The instructor urged me to be quick to find another cancellation as he had observed in the later lessons that I have forgotten some of the skills due to the time gap. Yet, he didn't have much free time for practising afterwards because we didn't know that I'll fail and he was booked fully.

2 weeks later: I found another test via cancellation. He cancelled another pupil and we practice for one session. He said I really should pass, there's nothing extra to teach me. Had a test, failed.
Then he said he doesn't know why I fail (most of his pupils pass very quickly). Also, he and most other instructors I found later on were fully booked, so it was hard to book anyone else. He doesn't seem interested in taking me for more tests/lessons as he is desperate. I'm desperate, too.

I just found another pair of instructors and had one session with each: very different cars (diesel, small petrol car, etc) with different reference points. They also said I should pass. Nonetheless, I have booked a few more sessions with one of them. They're apparently gonna charge me a lot for nothing and charge for almost 5 hours (125 quids) for a single test. 

What were the failures?

An intensive course may be the best way to pass, it's usually about 4 days of lessons with a test at the end, and there's often some kind of guarantee about passing (in that they'll either offer a retest or a discount on more lessons).

alihd

Guys,
I just passed the test today.

I believe we approached the problem from wrong angles. The problem was all about stress, and the solution was to get rid of it.

My very first instructor called me yesterday and said he has just found a cancellation. He asked whether I want to take a test the next morning. I said yes. Because I didn't have time to overthink it, I didn't develop stress.
Also, the examiner was a nice, kind lady and this gave me more comfort. I passed with 5 minor faults. I think 4 of them were at the first 1-2 minutes. As soon as she stopped marking the faults, I stopped making them!
Also, I had a call to my GP and she advised me a simple anti-stress pill. That was effective, I think.

The most important of all: here is the golden advice: If you are stressed, pee before the test The toilet is closed due to COVID-19, but if you ask the examiner, (s)he'll open it for you. 

AdrianC

alihd said:

I just passed the test today. 

Congratulations.

Now, do not rest on your laurels... You have finally achieved the bare minimum standard...

Car_54

alihd said:

Guys,
I just passed the test today.

I believe we approached the problem from wrong angles. The problem was all about stress, and the solution was to get rid of it.

My very first instructor called me yesterday and said he has just found a cancellation. He asked whether I want to take a test the next morning. I said yes. Because I didn't have time to overthink it, I didn't develop stress.
Also, the examiner was a nice, kind lady and this gave me more comfort. I passed with 5 minor faults. I think 4 of them were at the first 1-2 minutes. As soon as she stopped marking the faults, I stopped making them!
Also, I had a call to my GP and she advised me a simple anti-stress pill. That was effective, I think.

The most important of all: here is the golden advice: If you are stressed, pee before the test The toilet is closed due to COVID-19, but if you ask the examiner, (s)he's open it for you. 

Congratulations!

For the benefit of other readers, your golden rule only works if the test centre has a toilet! Some don't.