To be absolutely bricking it!!! Driving test on Monday!!

[hungryhippo90]

Ive been kind of learning to drive, on and off since i was 17, my confidence is in tatters so I dont really stick to more than a few lessons because of money issues or that an instructor has asked about me doing my theory......until this time, Ive had my lessons, booked a theory test (and passed!!) and my driving instructor kept saying about booking my test. he thought I would be ready by the middle of Aug....I held off, and got Monday...Ive been looking forward to this for 8+ weeks.

Im now looking and thinking that I cant reverse around the corner to save my life, no matter how many journeys out i take with my husband, or time i spend trying to learn with the instructor it just doesnt improve. i get one right for every 4/5 i mess up!

I can just about parallel park... just! i dont feel comfortable with it, but i generally seem to end up where i should.

I can do a 3 point turn, no problem, much of the rest of my driving is ok, but the past week im all over the place. I am so nervous, Ive forgotten how to do roundabouts! and which gear I should use... I dont tend to make the car stall but Its not right.

I didnt even know what show me, tell me questions were until thursday night.

Im feeling a bit let down by my instructor, because i was only shown an emergency stop on Thursday, and ive only done one hill start. im feeling really deflated, as i honestly cant see a way that i will pass this.

Anyone care to share their driving test stories?

[Omgkitties]

When I first started learning at 17 I had 2 hours lessons pretty much every week for over a year and then when it came to booking my test I decided I wasn't ready to drive yet and stopped lessons because I was scared Then at 19 when DP passed his test and stared driving the car my mum brought for me when I was 17 I got jealous and decided to start again. I had one 1 hour lesson and my instructor said I should book my test so I did and had maybe 3 hours of lessons between restarting and my test. I passed 1st time though!!

Shouldn't of doubted myself the first time! I could've been driving for 2 years longer!!

[Queenbean]

There are loads of similar threads over the past few months, lots of people seem to have learnt to drive recently

My best advice is to relax and if you make a mistake, just move on. You have no idea if it will count as a major mistake or not.

I passed first time this week with one minor and can honestly say that the biggest thing for me was just relaxing and enjoying the drive rather than thinking it was a test

[hungryhippo90]

oh gosh, OMGKITTIES! im envious of you! with so few lessons too!

[hungryhippo90]

Congrats Queenbean,
Apologies if the thread is a bit samey, ive not seen any of the other driving ones!
Im not too concerned about the small mistakes, as i would only collect a few minors, its the majors that im worried about!....almost hyperventilating at the thought.

[CarolineSecretan]

I started learning at 17 I think and I had a few terrible instructors!! One kept cancelling lessons due to doctors appointments.

I passed my test 2 months ago (im 27 now) and it's been great! I only learned emergency stop like an hour beforehand. Also didn't learn show me tell me until about 20 mins before my test time. I was nervous as hell but only got 2 minors I was so proud!

I googled most common driving fails and worked on those in the days before and the day of my test and I guess it helped.

You'll be fine just take deep breaths and know you can do it otherwise your instructor wouldn't suggest it.

[Sweetandsour93]

Just try to relax and treat it as a normal lesson. You have all the basics sorted, just try to forget about the fact it's a test and focus on the drive. I know how nervous you must be though! I just started learning last month, after a long time putting it off and I know I'll be terrified before my test too

[LucyBabs]

Hi hungry I have my test in two weeks! I was going over the rules of the road and watching YouTube vids about what happens on the day earlier and I honestly thought I was going to have a panic attack
I love driving, I know I'm a good driver however I can't properly reverse around a corner or parallel park, these are the things that are going to let me down
I have a pre test booked for the day before so I'm hoping this gives me a confidence boost

[Blink1982]

Parallel park is a beast when ure learning. My advice is to keep the wheel straight until the wing mirror is directly in the middle of the other car. Then turn your wheel fully till your safely past it, then turn the other way. It's such an achievement when u parallel park the first time.... I took a photo 😁

[Queenbean]

Oh sorry OP - I wasn't having a go, just saying that if you search for them there are some really useful threads around full of tips on how to get the best out of your test. Good luck!

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

I failed my first test for being too cautious.
My second rest got off to a bad start when I had a disagreement with my examiner
However I passed possibly because I was assertive (and right)
My top tip is to tale 2 paracetamol an hour before your test for mild sedative effect on nerves.
And all the best drivers fail their first test!
I'm 30 years driving with a clean record

[Blondieblondie]

Go for it OP. I actually tried to cancel my test on the cut off date, but it was too late at night to text my instructor and check other available dates.

I'm so similar to you. I had lessons on and off for 16!years, had to book/resist my theory 4 times for numerous reasons. The thought of the money I spent over the years sickens me. Still don't attempt parallel parking, always struggled with reverse round the corner, etc. but could do the turn in the road. I literally did my show and tell questions EIGHT minutes before my test, and my first emergency stop in that same lesson.

But miracles do happen, because I passed first time. Adrenalin counts for a lot. As my last instructor told me, they're teaching you how to pass a test. You'll really learn to drive when you pass. I'm still learning a year on. Good luck. Honestly, if I can do it, anyond can.

[lordStrange]

They don't like practicing the emergency stop because it fucks up the tyres .

I was a bit rubbish during my test, my parking was awful. I passed though.

They are looking for safe drivers not clever nifty ones. Take your time on 3 point turns. Nobody cares if you do it in five instead.

LOOK AT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR OFTEN, they like that.

Good luck. Don't panic, it'll be ok.

[Queenbean]

I literally did my show and tell questions EIGHT minutes before my test,

I don't understand why people do this, the questions are available online - why wouldn't you learn sooner?

I did mock tests with my instructor every week for 4 weeks in advance and it was such a huge help. SMTM questions included!

[Blondieblondie]

Queenbean, I didn't think or know those were online TBH and my instructor never once mentioned it while talking about theory test, hazard perception etc. I had been told by others I might get asked how to check the oil, or something, so I kind of thought the kind of thing that I had to be able to find and show on that that specific car. I got asked how to check my brakes, and what height my headrest should be.

[YoScience]

I passed my test in June after having lessons on and off for 18 months before hand.

I knew all the tell me questions but my instructor literally showed me under the bonnet (for the show me questions) 5 mins before my test. But it was fine!

On the lead up to my test I did some of my worst ever driving!! I was so nervous doing my test I literally had sweat pouring out of me, but I passed first time! My top tip o read was to eat a banana or 2 id possible before your test!

Still feel like I'm learning now, I sometimes still don't feel overly confident but I'm getting better every day and the freedom is great. Good luck!!

[e1y1]

You sound like you're doing what I did, which is overthinking it.

I know it's cliché, but try to relax and show your examiner you CAN drive.

The emergency stop is only done on 1 in 3 tests, chosen at random, so you may get it or may not. As long as you bring the car to safe controlled stop, you should be fine. Also once you have done your emergency stop, before you set off again, ensure you do your all round observation/mirror checks - you will fail if you don't.

Practice your maneuvers as much as you can. Even if you make a mistake in the maneuver, as long as you can correct it, you may well be ok.

My experience is learning to drive and passing my test was hilarious, so you are not alone.

Gool luck :)

[e1y1]

*in

[e1y1]

Also if it makes you feel any better, I felt I did better in a previous failed test than the one I passed on.

[Togaparties]

I love driving, I know I'm a good driver however I can't properly reverse around a corner or parallel park, these are the things that are going to let me down

I'm sorry to piss on your chips, but if you can't carry out these simple manoeuvres then you're not a good driver. Let's face it, none of are good drivers when we pass our tests, it's once you pass that the real learning starts. Yes, I'm a good driver and yes, I have a natural talent BUT the learning never stops. There's always more to learn about car control or road craft and a good driver is one who continues to hone that skill through their driving career.

[SprogletsMum]

I passed my test almost 2 months ago after putting it off for years (I'm 27) It was nothing like I was expecting the examiner was lovely really put me at ease and we chatted most of the way through.
Parallel park was my least favourite manoeuvre and typically the one he asked me to do but I pulled it off and told the examiner I was rubbish at that one.
I managed to pass with 3 minors all for undue hesitation which was only because everyone had been telling me they'd failed their tests for pulling out on a car 3 miles away.
At the end of my test I had the examiner and driving instructor both really enthusiastically telling me to have confidence in myself because I was much better than I thought!
So just relax and go driving, the worst that can happen is you fail and resit, the best is you get your freedom!

[pinkieandperkie]

I passed my driving test 20 years ago and I was completely unable to reverse, no matter how much I tried I was useless. I somehow passed the test, luckily I just managed to reverse round a corner without hitting the path, tree and parked cars. For what it's worth I still can't reverse or parallel park. My three dc can all drive now and they have all tried to teach me how to reverse but nope, I'm useless.

[LucyBabs]

Well pinkie according to toga We're not good drivers!

I know I'm a safe, competent driver. I've been driving for over 6 years so when I do my test in a few weeks I'm not doing the test as a learner driver as such.

I'm in Ireland by the way

[hungryhippo90]

Ladies. Thank you so much for all your replies!
Just a quick update, I've spent two hours with my instructor today, and have spent two hours with my husband reversing around corners, and did a parallel park (surprisingly. It went well, because the ones I did with instructor earlier were AWFUL)
I failed my mock with instructor as my emergency stop was nothing like what it should have been, brakes and clutch went at the same time! But I'd double checked I could do it this eve, feeling a bit better now.

Thank you so much for the advice everyone. I just don't ever reverse, when I'm practising with hubby in the car.

[LucyBabs]

Good luck for tomorrow hungryhippo

[Queenbean]

Re emergency stop, make sure you don't put the clutch down until the very end. Then secure the car, 6 point check again before moving off

GOOD LUCK!!