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Driving test tomorrow - instructor with me or not?

54 replies

SerenaJoy · 10/01/2011 20:57

I'm taking my driving test tomorrow. I'm strangely calm about it, which is worrying in itself (usually I'd be shitting myself). But I'm putting this down to being pregnant, and my mind being on other things .

My dilemma is whether to have my driving instructor in the car while I take my test. I worry that I might be put off by having him in the back seat - like I'd be outnumbered or something But then I wonder if maybe the risk of being put off is worth taking if I can learn more from any mistakes I make, should I not pass...

Any thoughts? Has anyone regretted having their instructor there (or vice versa)? Any words of wisdom in general for dealing with a driving test?

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Mutt · 10/01/2011 20:58

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SerenaJoy · 10/01/2011 21:07

Well that's kind of how I feel re the instructor thing, just not sure what the done thing is... Not that that matters I suppose!

Thanks for the encouragement, I hope so!

[crosses fingers]

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Mutt · 10/01/2011 21:11

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SerenaJoy · 10/01/2011 21:22

It's allowed but he's obviously not allowed to take any part in the test. But yes I think I might instinctively look to him if I was unsure about anything, so it's probably not a good idea.

Yup, you've helped me decide - Mr Instructor can stay at the test centre!

Ta, hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with good news...

(aiee!)

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marriednotdead · 10/01/2011 21:26

It is not the norm to have anyone else in the car. I passed my test donkeys years ago and I think it was permissible then, but frowned upon- may be different now.

All the instructors sat in the waiting room chewing their nails- they saw it as a personal failure if their pupil didn't pass.

Good luck

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Mutt · 11/01/2011 17:36

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SerenaJoy · 11/01/2011 18:22

It was bloody cancelled because of the weather! I'm so disappointed - had got all psyched up for it, took the day off work, made up a story and lied to everyone (including my mum!)... And the weather was fine - bit icy on some side roads but definitely not all. My instructor was surprised it was cancelled so I think they were being overly cautious. So I have to wait for another date, probably in about a month

Thanks for the positive thoughts though

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Mutt · 11/01/2011 18:38

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SerenaJoy · 11/01/2011 18:56

Will do! Hopefully I won't have too long a wait.

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MrsvWoolf · 12/01/2011 19:31

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 10:45

Hey guys,

Just joined cos' I was wanting to ask the same Q as Serena, and found some great answers. My instructor speaks as if it is the norm to have them in the back during tests.lol

My driving test is tomorrow, and I hope it isn't cancelled because of the weather. Anyway, I've also decided to chuck my instructor. I think it'll add pressure just knowing he is there and it'll make a uphill start easier., not that hes fat or anything.

(P.s. im male, and not pregnant lol)

Good luck Serena!

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 10:49

Also,

Shortly before your test, eat a banana or two. It's well-known among instructors as the driving test superfood, for the following reasons - bananas are full of B vitamins, which help calm the nerves. They contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into seratonin, the 'happy hormone' - which will keep your mood upbeat. And they're also high in potassium. When we are stressed our metabolic rate rises and potassium levels decrease. Eating a high-potassium snack like a banana will help rebalance the levels of this important mineral, normalise your heartbeat and send extra oxygen to the brain.

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SerenaJoy · 13/01/2011 11:27

Thanks for the tip kazaam, will stash a banana in my handbag! Good luck for your test tomorrow, come back and let us know how it goes! And if you have any other tips please do pass them on, I need all the help I can get...

I found out the new date for my test - 31st MARCH.

I'm due at the end of June so it's far too close to my due date for my liking. I'd planned to get a few month's practise in before the baby gets here but won't have much now, before I get too fat to reach the steering wheel. Hoping I can maybe get a cancellation.

Am NOT happy!

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Dropdeadfred · 13/01/2011 11:36

serena...go and look at the website and see if there are any dates sooner - mine was cancelled on 1st dec and i would have been offered something in 2-3 months apparently but i went and booked a cancellion for 5th jan - and i passed (without insructor in back)
Best of luck!

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 12:00

no problem serena, i dnt knw what it feels like 2 b pregnant but dnt think itd be nice to have a driving test so close to the due date.

Got 1 hour lesson today in an hour and 1 hour before 2morrow lesson.

I still cant decide whether i want him in the back

Also, I have made a thread here about this as well if u want 2 take a look:

www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=29347082#post29347082

im so nervour, the main reason I want to pass is cos ill hav 2 wait ages like u 2 get another test otherwise.

But as fred says, look out for cancellations!

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SerenaJoy · 13/01/2011 12:01

The website says that's the earliest I can get, but will keep checking for a cancellation. I'm in Scotland and my instructor has heard that approx 1000 tests have had to be cancelled over the last month or two due to the weather, so I guess that means there are 1000 other people in the queue ahead of me! But hopefully I'll get lucky - I really really don't want to have to wait till the end of March. The DSA website's in my favourites now anyway!

Well done dropdeadfred! How did your test go? I'm only a little jealous

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 12:05

Serena, where are u in Scotland. Apparently the pass rate is 42% here in central scotland which is really low.

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Eglu · 13/01/2011 12:07

I had my driving instructor in with me during my test. I don't think that many people do, but I had never really driven without him in the car so it made me feel calmer. Appreciate this may not be the case for everyone.

Hope you get another date soon.

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 12:11

Also, this video might be somewhat useful:

www.2pass.co.uk/driving-test-instructor.htm

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SerenaJoy · 13/01/2011 12:14

I'm in Edinburgh. 42% does seem pretty low, but you'll be fine - be positive! It sounds like you'll have plenty of practise beforehand, so you'll be well prepared. Just remember the secret weapon (your banana!), stay calm and you'll be grand.

People will always need to cancel for whatever reason, so I guess the key is just to check regularly. But you won't need to cause you'll pass nae bother!

Best of luck!

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 12:23

haha, thanks for the encouragement, my instructor said I will definitely pass as long I concentrate throughout. Just had a banana cos i have a lesson in half an hour.
It's also the fact that one little slip-up and u fail.

But think of it this way: most people who have been driving for 2 years or over would fail their driving test if they had to sit it now.

How do u feel about the independent driving? I always miss the signs, and there are loads of one-way roads where my test will be which is annoying because I like to keep my eyes on the road rather than looking for signs.

Let us knw if u get an earlier date! And I'll be on here tomorrow posting the results. lol. Arghhh...only you guys on here, my immediate family and a couple of cousins know about my test tomorrow so uz r extra priveleged [twink]

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Dropdeadfred · 13/01/2011 12:27

Serena - he est was great really... was soo nervous beforehand, my hands were shaking and i felt like i could puke..but the sun cam up..(first sunshine I have seen for ages) and I could almost imagine that I was driving in the summer. The examiner seemed nice enough but made no chit cha and I didn't either. I was dreading being asked to do the parallel park and within 3-4 min of the test I was asked to do the 3point turn.. A huge flood of relief came over me when I knew that was the reversing out of the way. I spent the rest of the test talking in my head, elling myself I could do it. I alked through everything in my head as I did it...left turn requesed..okay, left mirror, rearview mirror, indicate, slow down and turn. Right turn requested..okay..rearview mirror, right mirrorm blind spot, indicate etc etc - it really helped me..only got 3 minor faults!!

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Dropdeadfred · 13/01/2011 12:28

the test - sorry t key sticking

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kazaam · 13/01/2011 12:29

Good tips there Fred, cheers, im already nervous and my test is tomorrow!

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mummytime · 13/01/2011 12:32

For those of you in Scotland; has there been any debate up there about including motorway driving in the test? Its been in the news here in England, and my first thought was that people taking their tests in Wick or Thurso would have problems with that. Of course maybe Townees should be tested on what to do when your way is blocked by a herd of sheep etc.

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