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Original poster

Scared about driving test

31 replies

DrivemyCar · 22/07/2022 19:23

I have my second driving test next Friday and I just don't feel up to it. My last one was in November- I am doing this one on my own car as I can't stand my driving instructor and he was very busy, couldn't help fit me in. I have had lovely instructors previously so I don't think it was me- I have heard others complain about him too. Anyway, I haven't had much practice in past couple of months really (my husband takes me out) due to work pressures and the kids.

Has anyone felt unprepared and passed? Was at test standard before according to my instructor, but I really need to practise my manoeuvres before this test and get some confident back with lanes at big roundabouts...

Not sure whether to cancel and book again but do really need to drive. I have used a cancellation app last time so I can get test quicker. Not sure I can face the crap feedback I will bound to get from the test and the absolute bloody anxiety 😨

OP posts:

mdh2020 · 22/07/2022 19:38

You need to get some practice in before the test especially if you are doing it in your own car, which the examiners aren’t so keen on. Qualified instructors can take you round the test routes so you are more confident. I got very nervous before my test and only passed third time because I was 6 months pregnant and knew I just had to do it.

mdh2020 · 22/07/2022 19:38

Sorry - good luck and let us know how you get on.

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 22/07/2022 19:44

Thank you! Ah bugger do they not like it as much? Is it safety reasons?! I have been out past couple of days and have driving planned nearly every day until my test, but still don't feel confident. I have been learning on and off for bloody years. Absolute biggest regret is not just sticking to it when younger... late 30s now

OP posts:

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KylieCharlene · 22/07/2022 19:47

I was so sure I wasn't going to pass that I went into it thinking of it only as an (albeit expensive) authentic test experience to prepare myself for a test a few months down the line - which I was going to book after this practice run.
This took away my nerves and I'm pretty sure I drove better that day than I'd ever driven before and I passed!

iklboo · 22/07/2022 19:59

Examiners prefer a dual control car in case something goes wrong & they need to take action (does happen!) but they shouldn't refuse to take you out in yours as long as

It's completely road-worthy
The tyres have legal tread
It's spotless inside & out (post covid rule)

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 22/07/2022 21:27

I'm just weighing up whether to go for it or cancel and rebook. I have had quite a lot of road experience in my own car and with instructors, but it is manoeuvres my mind goes blank with

Also bloody lanes at big islands, I feel nervous

OP posts:

vivalavisa · 22/07/2022 22:13

Are there any youtube videos made by instructors in your area? Somebody made a series for my test centre showing all the routes and had guides showing what lanes to take on roundabouts. Have you got reference points within your car to help with manoeuvres? When I was learning, I would line up my wing mirror with the back of the car I was going to parallel park behind, and it helped me to learn. All cars are different so you'll have to set your own. I felt confident leading up to my first test but failed within 10 mins, so I was very nervous for the second one but passed anyway, so nerves do not always dictate how it'll go!

Keroppi · 22/07/2022 22:25

Good luck!! I passed third time, kept making dumb mistakes as my nerves got the better of me!

I watched a lot of youtube videos of test routes and manouevers etc

You won't fail for a manouever unless you're dangerous (v unlikely) you can completely mess them up and just get a minor for control

Remember check all mirrors especially when you are about to turn the wheel in reversing manouevers. I wore dangly earrings so it would be obnoxiously obvious when I was checking mirrors. As soon as they give a direction check mirror and indicate

Helps to say stuff out loud eg "gunna turn left so popping indicator on now, just after this road, its all clear.. Ooh not sure if he is stopping so I'll slow now" etc

Roundabouts will be okay just stay in lane and imagine the roundabout as a clock - anything past 12o clock is right hand lane generally

If you miss an exit its chill just go all the way around again! If you're in the wrong lane go with it. The satnav will reroute.

Have a banana before test apparently the potassium helps and take some water along
too!!

You'll smash it and if not oh well just retake in your car again, there's no limit! And it's your car, they're in your territory, pretend you're an uber driver or ferrying a mate around 🏎️💨

Keroppi · 22/07/2022 22:28

You have ages really until next Friday so just get lots of practice in and watch some mock tests, dgn driving i think one instructor is called, I really liked his explanations

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 22/07/2022 22:31

Thank you so much! Yes I have found some great YouTube videos for my test area- going to watch them all and get in as much practice as I can! Going to find a reference point in my car too for parking etc.

You're right, if I fail can do again. I think I've been trying to talk myself out of it...!

OP posts:

Phoenix76 · 22/07/2022 22:37

I would take the test personally, agree with pps to see it as a "mock" test. Remember to take a mirror for the examiner to use ( have it set up ready). Agree car clean inside and out. I used to be a driving instructor and honestly and all an examiner wants is a safe and comfortable ride. They're not trying to trick you. Practice as much as you can, watch vids but try and enjoy it (I know that sounds odd), get those nerves under control and you'll be fine. My pupils used to use rescue remedy. All the best op!

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 23/07/2022 12:25

Thank you Phoenix!

OP posts:

Funnyfive · 23/07/2022 12:36

Go for it, get some serious practice in over the next week especially in the area of your test and you’ll be fine, and if you do fail get another test booked asap as you just need to keep at it until you pass!

My son passed last week and his instructor didn’t teach him how to parallel park until the day before as he says otherwise people stress about it too much.

Good luck and pray the instructor brings out the sat nav - apparently it’s easier!

Kindofcrunchy · 23/07/2022 12:42

iklboo · 22/07/2022 19:59

Examiners prefer a dual control car in case something goes wrong & they need to take action (does happen!) but they shouldn't refuse to take you out in yours as long as

It's completely road-worthy
The tyres have legal tread
It's spotless inside & out (post covid rule)

Examiners don't care about dual control cars. If you're actually test ready, why would you need it? As long as your car is insured and legal to drive, you're good to go.

Your car also does not need to be spotless. That rule was scrapped a few months ago. I took my test in May and my car was covered in mud on the outside and crumbs/sand on the inside. They just wipe down the passenger area and have the window cracked open.

Handyweatherstation · 23/07/2022 12:45

When I took my test I was so scared I was unable to speak and communicated with the tester in grunts. It was bloody awful. Somehow I passed.

Oblomov22 · 23/07/2022 13:03

It's not good that you don't feel prepared. You need to be. But this is easily fixed. Watch all the videos for your test routes. Ask Dh to take you twice, to those tricky places on the test route, then Your'll feel more comfortable. It will make a big difference. I did that with ds1. But he was a very calm very nice little driver. He passed. You can too.

homarr · 23/07/2022 13:06

I would just go for it.
You won't pass the test if you don't turn up so it's worth a shot.

I didn't learn to drive until my late 20's. Took test 3 times and finally passed. I felt unprepared every single test & truly felt like it was something I wasn't capable of.

I am also shite at manoeuvres. Fortunately they asked me to drive in to a parking space rather than any sort of difficult manoeuvre.

Go for it. Do your best and if you don't pass the nothing lost (apart from a bit of money)!

iklboo · 23/07/2022 14:18

Examiners don't care about dual control cars. If you're actually test ready, why would you need it? As long as your car is insured and legal to drive, you're good to go.

Your car also does not need to be spotless. That rule was scrapped a few months ago.

DH is a driving instructor. The examiners in this area do prefer a dual control car where possible - they don't insist on it though. Even test ready pupils can do silly things that need examiner intervention. It's why they have 'dangerous' as a fault on the test. They still want the spotless car up here too, so it's probably regional.

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 26/07/2022 00:54

Bloody up awake worrying about this test and not until Friday! This week is going to be awful, I was like this last time.

I can't decide whether it's best to visualise me passing and being really confident or thinking fuck it I'll probably fail. One thing for sure- I am doing everything I can do get my kids through their tests at a younger age and not leave it like I have.

OP posts:

Daisychainsandglitter · 26/07/2022 06:48

I feel for you OP. I'm due to take my test in August after hundreds of hours of lessons I'm finally there.
I really hated big roundabouts too. My instructor gave me a print out of one particular roundabout that I struggled with and I used to trace with a pencil the lanes I would need to take from each exit.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do. You'll get there!

ihearttc · 26/07/2022 08:15

DS1 did his test last week, on the hottest day ever! He had to do it in his own car with no air conditioning or dual controls as someone crashed his driving instructors car the night before so it wasn’t driveable.
The only think he needed was an extra mirror inside (his instructor bought his) so you might want to get another one of those. Good luck.

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 26/07/2022 08:49

Thanks everyone. I have the extra mirror already and some window L plates for my car as the magnetic ones kept flying off, even the fully magnetic ones not just the stripped one.

Have been out for practice with my husband and will be getting some in every day until Friday. Not as much as I would like because if kids and work but will try. Need to go over those show me tell me questions again as well as can't remember at all!

OP posts:

Funnyfive · 29/07/2022 14:14

Good luck for today - hope you pass!

Original poster

DrivemyCar · 29/07/2022 15:34

Thank you.... I PASSED!!

OP posts:

whowhatwerewhy · 29/07/2022 15:35

Well done 👏

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