I have my driving test today, help me!!!

[velocitygirl7]

I'm early 50s, so to say I've left it late is an understatement
This is my first test and I'm so desperate to pass, it will literally be life changing for me and I'm worried that the enormity of it all is what's going to make me so nervous that I'll fail.
I think I'm a good driver, I'm generally calm and my instructor says I drive with care and make good decisions. My down fall is big roundabouts, my head just seems to explode when I see all the road markings and I'm notorious for messing them up. My parking can be a bit sketchy too....
I need tips, inspiration, hope, anything from you all!!!

Top tip - eat a banana at least one hour before hand; this massively helps calm the body.

Don’t think of it as your test, just a lesson where you want to impress your instructor.

What kind of roundabout are you likely to encounter and I can pass on tips.

I will almost definitely have to do a large roundabout, it has 3 lanes, traffic lights and 6 exits It's one I've messed up so many times!!

Oh and thanks for the banana tip!!

I don't mean to piss on your chips but you don't sound ready. If you mess up at a roundabout you could be a danger to others.

I just want to wish you luck. When you are deciding to pull out remember 'will this cause the other person to brake or slow down? ' if yes don't go.
Also if you are turning right out of a junction and someone is indicating to turn right into the junction you are coming out of wait until the other person is actually turning before you pull out.
You probably know this already but I didn't and got a major, then my friend did the same the other week and got a major.
If you DO fail which I hope you don't , go home and book your next test immediately.
I took 5 (you probably don't want to know that)

I second eat a banana. Apparently the potassium helps.

Think of it as showing the examiner how nicely you can do it.

Good luck.

@KnifeAngel er thanks for that! My instructor says I'm very much ready, I'm just worried nerves will get the better of me and I'll mess up.
Was there any need for you to comment?

@Northernsoullover thanks, I definitely will rebook straight away. I don't want to go into details but there is a reason I desperately need to pass, so I won't give up!

Good luck!

Are you having a lesson beforehand? I did and my instructor used that to firm up on my weaknesses.

Also, don’t be afraid to stop any manoeuvres and try again. I had a parallel park and stopped mid way as I was going to hit the kerb. I said this to the examiner and he said to just do what I’d do on a lesson. So I pulled forward and did the whole manoeuvre again, perfectly this time. I was sure I’d failed. However, the examiner said the fact that I’d realised the issue then corrected it was a good thing.

Deep breath and go and do this!

That’s a great tip about the impact on others.

I also think this is just nerves talking - if your instructor thinks you are ready then you are ready.

In the broadest terms on big roundabouts it is left lane for going left, middle lane for going straight on and right lane for going right.

However - and this is a big thing - people don’t realise you can mess it up and still pass, if you cope with the mess up.

For example. Your examiner asks you to go left but you find yourself with no space/time to safely move to the left lane. Tell him or her your thoughts process, cos you can talk to them. “Hello, I know you want me to go left but there is no gap in the traffic to allow me to get into the correct lane safely and in time. Therefor I am going in the right lane and will go all the way round the Roundabout and come back over to the left lane at the appropriate point. I am doing this as it is the safest driving option”

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER yes I've got an hour with my instructor beforehand, I'm hoping that will help with the nerves!
Thanks everyone for the good wishes

And yes to the poster above me about stopping a manoeuvre and starting again. This shows awareness and appropriate reactions to circa, so very good skills as a driver.

Good luck today 🤞👍😁

Remember that it’s about driving safely, not perfectly. For some reason that seemed to really help me!

Good luck! Remember, this is not an all or nothing test, I know people that have quite a few attempts, one passing on 6th go. The one bit of advice I'd have is, if you're unlucky, rebook straight away, don't leave months or years in between because of confidence or anxiety.

I am sitting my test soon at 50. My instructor said just think of it as giving a work colleague a lift home. It's how I've been practicing my mock tests and it really helps. Good luck!

Wishing you the best of luck, I failed my first after an excellent test with only one minor. Scored a major 5 minutes before end of test but I fortunately knew immediately it was a fail so didn't get a nasty surprise at the end. I was furious with myself for that day but rebooked immediately and sat my second last week and passed.
I felt no pressure on the first as I assumed I'd fail due to nerves but when I actually started driving I settled right down and just did what I was told. My tip is, when following the sat nav section of the test, if you get confused by its instruction it's perfectly ok to clarify the direction, the junction, or the exit etc with the examiner. They are happy to tell you again in person the complete instruction.
Good luck and allow yourself a little rage or cry if it doesn't go well but just book again straight away. I feel sometimes it's sheer luck on the day, you can be very able and confident but some one else may do something unexpected that throws you off. It's just one short 40 minute section, you can do it again! Also, it's not near,y so bad sitting the test as you think it will be!

Thank you everyone! I have my lesson in 15 minutes and hope I can remember all your brilliant advice

Good luck!

Good luck op!!

I hope it went ok x

How did it go @velocitygirl7?

How did it go?

I hope it went well Op !

Hope it went well!

I have my second attempt tomorrow I failed my first 7 weeks ago. No one knows it's tomorrow I haven't told anyone this time. I feel ok at the moment but I think if I fail again I will cry and I know that the pressure will get to me twice as hard this time.