• Advice for a driving test (UK)
    68 replies, posted
So I have my driving test tomorrow and I'm currently very nervous (It costs over £60 so I really don't want to have to pay that again!) Do you have any advice? Or perhaps some funny stories of your driving test? I have a few of my friends stories, but the best one was when my female friend grabbed the male examiners leg during the test (Apparently she meant to grab the gear knob but...nearly grabbed a very different knob) He responded with "Was that on purpose?" :v: Edited: FAILED Two minutes from the test centre!!! >:( Had a red light opposite a cross roads, which turned green shortly after. I assumed it was for me because other cars started moving too. I moved off and the instructor said "Stop. Its a red light for us." I knew I had failed. Aggghhhh why did I do that? Never done that before, and the conditions today were perfect. All of the test route I knew. Just the last turn before the test centre and I made a stupid mistake. Now I'll have to wait weeks, maybe months to do it again. :smith:
Try not to kill anyone mid-test. It generally gives off the wrong vibes.
don't go around the outside of a roundabout if you're going more than one exit like I did (and failed)
Just don't think too much about it. The more you think about it, the more you're going to panic. I went in with clear head and passed it first time. Besides. Your instructor wouldn't put you in for it if you weren't ready.
[IMG]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ObA_WE1fM8o/S4p9TrjEmVI/AAAAAAAAAH0/KELl3abwPqU/s400/deadly-premonition-absurd-driving-controls.jpg[/IMG]
Everyone will tell you the same thing and it is this: Be Calm. I failed the first time due to being nervous and messing up right at the beginning of the test, then once I calmed down I did everything perfectly and the examiner actually said had I been calm I would've probably passed. Second time I slept for a ridiculous amount of time to make sure I wasn't tired and psyched myself up so I wasn't nervous, passed with only 2 minors.
If you're doing a manouver and you fuck up on it (i.e. during my test I was doing a turn in the road and i hit the kerb while i was reversing) don't panic, just say sorry and continue as if you had never hit the curb. My examiner said that even though I hit the kerb I was perfectly fine because I dealt with it compared to other people who just instantly think "Fuck i've failed now balls to it" and don't give it 110% on the rest of the test. Also, know the speed limits around your area, make sure you know how to answer the first 2 questions the examiner will ask you. When you're checking your mirrors, don't just use your eyes because the examiner won't see, move your head a tiny bit along with your eyes so the examiner notes it down. I passed first time, 2 minors, its really not that hard if you're relaxed. The examiner will most likely attempt to engage in conversation with you at some point to see if you are capable of safely using a car whilst distractions are taking place. Go with the flow and talk with them about crap. I talked to my examiner and he told me about how he used to be into computers and so I had something in common with him which I guess was quite lucky.
Be confident, if you act all nervous and shit you WILL fuck up and potentially fail.
The driving test in the US is simply going down the block and parallel parking. It takes about 5 minutes.
[QUOTE=W00tbeer1;27199816]The driving test in the US is simply going down the block and parallel parking. It takes about 5 minutes.[/QUOTE] ok
[QUOTE=W00tbeer1;27199816]The driving test in the US is simply going down the block and parallel parking. It takes about 5 minutes.[/QUOTE] That's probably because in the US you get taught shit by whatever learning establishment you go to whereas in the UK you have to fork out money for it.
No, they just don't have bends/corners in America
[QUOTE=Trumple;27199952]No, they just don't have corners in America[/QUOTE] Or roundabouts. My instructor told me about one girl she taught who took her test and got herself so worked up that she managed to put the car into reverse instead of first and drive into a bollard. She failed before she left the forecourt. So don't panic.
It's a good thing the car I'm doing the test in has a reverse lock, so I don't accidentally do that
Confidence is the main thing. If you haven't already, get another person to take you out on a lesson so you're used to having different people in your car. Also don't think too much about what you're doing, if you make a small mistake then gracefully recover and think nothing else of it.
I practised an absolute ton before my test, which helped calm my nerves. But in the waiting room the pressure got to me a little bit. My right foot was shaking quite badly as we got into the car. But normally your examiner will talk to you to pass the time between critical sections (parallel park, hill start etc.). As soon as we started talking about what I was doing at college etc. I calmed right down. Also, the examiner's mirror (which you stick on next to yours) kept falling off because my examiner was a complete dunce at putting it on. Surely she would have had experience with putting those damn things on the window? Had to stop 4 times in all. I hope you have a safe and successful test. Good luck!
Thanks. I will let you know how it goes tomorrow (It's an early one, have to get up at 7AM)
Just remember that even if you do well enough you still might not pass as it is a corrupt system which has quotas, even though they claim otherwise. Also all the people from my school year who passed first time were piss poor drivers, whereas everyone who passed 2nd+ time are much better drivers.
[QUOTE=markg06;27199869]That's probably because in the US you get taught shit by whatever learning establishment you go to whereas in the UK you have to fork out money for it.[/QUOTE] that's exactly right, us americans dont have to pay for anything ever in our lifetime.... that would be the life
Keep calm and try not to panic.
[QUOTE=brianosaur;27200249]that's exactly right, us americans dont have to pay for anything ever in our lifetime.... that would be the life[/QUOTE] Because I said that Americans never have to pay for anything ever and I totally wasn't going on what I've been told by people.
Don't worry OP, listen to your driving instructor says and you'll do fine. Also drink something and take a piss first, it really helps if you get a little shaky. [QUOTE=W00tbeer1;27199816]The driving test in the US is simply going down the block and parallel parking. It takes about 5 minutes.[/QUOTE] Brake at stop sign, reverse slowly, go back and make a left-turn after using the signal, and make a 180-turn within two lanes. That's how we do it in Florida, at least back in 2006.
Make sure you know the speed limit of the road you are on at all times. My instructor was asking me all types of useless shit and then was like "Whats the speed limit?". I guessed (wrong). If you're calm, cool, and collected, and know how to drive, I don't see any reason why you should fail.
Also keep a lookout on one ways and don't just go by how people park. I flew out my first time by thinking I was not on a one way edging to the sides like mad when taking turns :P I'd also say keep a lookout on your right, but you're british, so left might be more in order.
Don't try and rememeber everything, just go out there and do it. If you've had enough practice (any decent instructor will know when you have) most of it will be automatic. You can screw up, as long as you do it in a safe manner. I don't believe the guy who got off for hitting the kerb for a moment. If the instructor notices that they wont let you off. A couple of points though 1. Dont ask for your instructor to sit in the back. The examiner will feel under pressure to seem fair and probably go harsh on you. 2. The examiners dont want to let out anyone they feel is a danger on the roads.
Right foot brake, left foot pedal. Or is it the other way around. You'll be fine don't worry.
i failed 3 times passed on the 4th, if you do fail dont give up.
[QUOTE=RayDark;27201397]Right foot brake, left foot pedal. Or is it the other way around. You'll be fine don't worry.[/QUOTE] Um, they're all pedals. Way to fuck that up.
you'll probably pass they've made it extremely easy. i failed twice i think.
Just chill, but be confident but not cocky. Just don't think about it. I passed first time.
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