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Driving Test Tips
21stCenturyBoy
Posts: 44,506 Forum Member
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Hi all,
I've been learning to drive since my 17th birthday in February 2009 and now, 3 years later, I'm about to take my first test (long story- first instructor used me as a cash cow, second moved to Spain halfway through instructing me and 3rd, who I'm with now, had to basically rebuild all of my confidence in my own ability!)
My test is next Monday, and although I'm not too nervous, the desire I have for me to be able to go out in a car, on my own, and not have to rely on friends, family or public transport is so overwhelming! Coupled with that, I go back to Uni in September so won't be so easily able to have lessons/ re-tests and also my theory runs out in December (:o)- so I'm pretty desperate to pass!
It's my first test as I had to cancel one earlier in the year due to weather conditions, so it's kind of virgin territory for me!
I had my last mock test yesterday and passed with 8 minors (which although not great, I'll more than take on the day!) so am feeling quietly confident for my test!
Just wondered if anyone had any advice or experiences from their own tests (both passes and not-quite-passes) and wanted to share them.
Thanks
N.B- I did trawl the thread to see if I could bump another but the most recent one had the OP scared of killing and maiming other road users during the test and I didn't want to jinx myself!
I've been learning to drive since my 17th birthday in February 2009 and now, 3 years later, I'm about to take my first test (long story- first instructor used me as a cash cow, second moved to Spain halfway through instructing me and 3rd, who I'm with now, had to basically rebuild all of my confidence in my own ability!)
My test is next Monday, and although I'm not too nervous, the desire I have for me to be able to go out in a car, on my own, and not have to rely on friends, family or public transport is so overwhelming! Coupled with that, I go back to Uni in September so won't be so easily able to have lessons/ re-tests and also my theory runs out in December (:o)- so I'm pretty desperate to pass!
It's my first test as I had to cancel one earlier in the year due to weather conditions, so it's kind of virgin territory for me!
I had my last mock test yesterday and passed with 8 minors (which although not great, I'll more than take on the day!) so am feeling quietly confident for my test!
Just wondered if anyone had any advice or experiences from their own tests (both passes and not-quite-passes) and wanted to share them.
Thanks
N.B- I did trawl the thread to see if I could bump another but the most recent one had the OP scared of killing and maiming other road users during the test and I didn't want to jinx myself!
0
Comments
Thanks- I'll use a breathing exercise I think to rationalise my thinking. The worst way to fail would be through a mistake I could easily have avoided!
Best just to keep the pressure on yourself in check. Yeah, it'll be inconvenient if you fail, but it will be far from the end of the world - may even be possible to book the next one to take place before you go back to uni.
Exactly, you'll be really annoyed with yourself and one silly mistake can panic you and make everything go wrong
You wouldn't be taking your test if your instructor didn't think you were ready so just relax and try not to be nervous.
Good luck and let us know how you got on
Remember even if you do fail no one will die, you can just take another one but you go in with a bit more knowledge of what a test is like.
Seriously, I remember my instructor giving me some good tips. Firstly look for any markings on the car that will help with manoeuvres. There was a dealership sticker on the rear window of the car that I used to line up with parts of the kerb when reversing round a corner. The thing is in the real world you'll never reverse around a corner in the same way as you do on a test.
Then check your mirrors. I mean really heavily check your mirrors. I received a minor point on my test for not checking the mirrors as I was accelerating. And don't look in the mirror as you would normally with a glance, but pretend you're a meerkat. Make it obvious to the instructor. So long as you're not taking your focus off the road ahead for more than a split second at a time you can't really check the mirrors enough.
Make progress. You can be failed on hesitating and I got a minor point for this too. I was at a set of lights and they had just flicked to amber. I could have made it across if I put my foot down and I started to rev, then I thought hold on best try to stop actually so instead I had a sudden halt. The tester said I should have gone through.
Most important bit. Passing a driving test means you're safe enough to drive on the road unsupervised. It doesn't give you any experience. All your experience starts at this point and that's how you build up your skills. I remember the first time I drove at night in heavy rain, that was an experience. Then weeks later it was drifting snow on an unlit country road, that was almost hypnotic with full beams on. Take your time and you'll become an excellent driver.
Thanks!
(Appropriate username, also
I passed mine first time last month, in torrential rain, and it was weird but i wasn't nervous for some reason. I just had belief that i could do it, and i know you can do it too. Confidence, not cockyness, and remember to come on here afterwards to give us the good news you ARE going to get.
Here is a tip:
On your maneouveur (sp), take.your.time. There is no extra points or marks for speeding through your reverse round corner, just go at your comfortable pace whether that be a slow speed, or a creeping snails pace. I went slow, and that was perfect for me.
Also if you have to redo your manoeuvre don't panic like I did. Ok so you have a minor for manoeuvre, but take a deep breath and check your mirrors and blind spot. I missed the blind spot when I had to redo my reverse park, luckily no cars were coming down, otherwise it could have been a major.
I had a song in my head when I was driving on the independent part of my test, calmed me down a bit.
Take your time when doing your maneouvres. That way you can correct any little mistakes before they become big mistakes.
Good luck!
Learning to drive was the worse thing i've ever had to do and my test is the one thing I would never want to retake. Took me 6 times before I could pass - and even then I was a very bad driver. 5 years of practice and i'm now a lot better - though I still can't park for toffee.
To add to this, if you find yourself in the wrong lane approaching a roundabout or junction, just go the wrong way unless it's totally safe to change lanes. They will give you new directions to get you back on the right track and you won't get a minor for missing the directions, whereas you could risk a serious or dangerous if you make a last minute panic change without looking properly.
Other than that the most important bit of advice is dont take any risks, if at a junction and not sure you can go, dont, they wont fail you for waiting they will if you go and anyone in the road your turning into has to break in anyway. They are only checking you can drive safely, they arent trying to trip you up in anyway. If your safe you will pass.
Oh and the independent drive thing, dont worry about it, i went the wrong way twice, as long as your in the right lanes and drive correctly it doesnt matter, they arent testing whether you can get to the place they say to goto, rather that you continue to drive safely when having to concentrate on looking at road signs.
And finally the best bit of advice ive heard, speed limits are exactly that, limits, not targets. Oh and good luck, hope you pass!
Just imagine your in a car with a mate. That's what I did. Passed with two minors first time.
Horses for courses, but it helped me immensely - That test was the first time I ever enjoyed driving.
I have my last lesson today before my test- I'm going to the test centre just to familiarize myself, and then going to run through all my maneuvers!