Is taking your driving test in your own car just asking to fail?

[whattodowith]

I’ve had almost 50 hours of lessons now with two different instructors. The first instructor was a bit useless hence me changing instructors after around 20 hours of lessons. He didn’t teach me how to steer properly, how to adjust mirrors and never even prompted me to check them... Anyway I’ve had the last 28 hours with a more competent instructor and I’m pretty much test ready.

I explained to my instructor that I really wanted to pass before September so he was aware. He kept umming and ahhing when I mentioned test dates, saying he ‘might be on holiday’ despite having nothing yet booked . I just went ahead and booked one in the end and asked if that would be ok, again he said he ‘might be away but we will see’. Anyway he’s finally said he will be away then but said I’m welcome to do the test in my own car.

I’m absolutely desperate to pass at this point after spending hours of my life doing lessons and I do feel ready. Is it a terrible idea to do it in my own car, am I setting myself up to fail? I’ve only driven for a few hours between lessons in my own car with DH in the car and I don’t like it as much as the instructors because it’s petrol. Just fed up because the driving test dates are fully booked up until the 8th of October . I keep checking 15 times a day for cancellations in September but nothing yet.

That is all I feel I need at this point, an hour or two solidly practising hills and I’d be sorted. I have another lesson on Friday so will ask the instructor if we can do that. I’ll also be practising lots with DH in my car. DH’s car is diesel but it’s also absolutely massive so I don’t think it’s a good idea to use that.

Will buy a mirror, £5.99 from halfords so not bad.

i took my test in my own car and passed first time. id say do it!

I took my test in my own car, years ago.
Test inspector adjusted the mirror, it came off in his hands.
Not great start.
Doing mini roundabout, joined flow of traffic, had loads of space, inspector disagreed, he had to pull handbrake on. Mortified.
I failed, had to wait 1.5 hrs for my dad to collect me from test centre!
Anyway, passed in same car next time with extra mirror and a new air freshener .

If you’re going to do the test in your own car, would it be possible for you to have a few lessons in your own car?

The test is two weeks on Friday. I have a two hour lesson this Friday and was thinking about asking the instructor for four hours of lessons next week then if he has the availability, four hours the following week too. He is claiming to be on holiday either that week or just the day I have my test booked (I don’t think the holiday is real...) so will have to see. I’m also planning on going out driving with DH for four hours each weekend and maybe an hour every evening if we get chance? I hope that’s enough.

I’ll have had 50 hours of lessons after this weeks lesson so I think that’s enough really. I accept I’m not 17 or even 21 so naturally takes a little longer to learn but I think I’m just about there now.

I've been driving for over 20 years and I still use the handbrake on hills sometimes! No idea why your instructor is so hung up not using the handbrake. Tbh a new driver should use the handbrake more until clutch control becomes like second nature and you don't have to think about it too much.

I have an automatic handbrake in my car now which is great. It comes on when the hill gradient in 3% or more and really it comes on when in a manual car I wouldn't necessarily use the handbrake.

I sat mine in my own car, passed first time.

Don't worry Op, you'll be great! You know your own car and will be more relaxed sitting it in that than anything else.

I think your instructor is being weird, mine when on holidays still let his car be used.
Different strokes n that but.
Look I would go out as much as you can in the car, do a hill start at least 3x in every journey. Always with a handbrake.
In your test you'd be expected to use the handbrake Im positive