Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Driving test - common mistakes to watch out for?

75 replies

Natsku · 18/07/2023 09:03

Got my test on Thursday (do not feel ready at all!!) and just hoping for some tips and advice on what to watch out for and how to keep calm. And how to always remember to change gears to first when starting off from a stop, I keep forgetting that.

I heard eating a banana beforehand is supposed to help you be calm, any truth in that?

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 18/07/2023 09:04

Mirrors. A lot of people fail on that.

ZacharinaQuack · 18/07/2023 09:20

Put your handbrake on at every stop sign so it's 100% clear that you've definitely stopped, even if it's just for a few seconds. Change into first as soon as you've stopped, then you can't forget to be in first when it's time to go again. Remember you just need to be a safe, competent driver, you don't need to be perfect.

TimeIhadaNameChange · 18/07/2023 09:23

I had a banana and 2 paracetamol beforehand and it helped. What I hadn't realised the first time was that, if you do a bay park, it's acceptable to reverse then in again (if gone straight in) to better position yourself. It didn't fail me, but the fact the examiner was questioning me "was I sure I was ok" threw me, affected my confidence and led to me making a huge mistake minutes later.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
Unexpecteddrivinginstructor · 18/07/2023 09:37

If you look on you tube there are lots of videos of mock tests and where they made mistakes.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 18/07/2023 09:42

Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. If you wear sunglasses make a point of actually moving your head when looking.

Original poster
Natsku · 18/07/2023 09:44

Not moving my head enough to show that I was looking properly was how I failed my cycling proficiency so I definitely need to watch out for that!

OP posts:
Telemichus · 18/07/2023 09:46

If you get an emergency stop, when you are asked to move off again remembering to do all your checks in just the same way as if you were moving away from the kerb.

unicornhair · 18/07/2023 09:47

If you make a small mistake, acknowledge it and they will do it over again. I went slightly over the white line waiting at a roundabout, told him I had done it, we went to another roundabout and it was fine. Mistakes and nerves are allowed.

luckydaytoday · 18/07/2023 09:52

Would agree with PPs about mirrors. I did a couple of word puzzles before my 2nd test (killing time, waiting in a cafe for my instructor to arrive) I genuinely think they helped me pass my test as they put me in a focused, problem-solving state of mind. Good luck!

Original poster
Natsku · 18/07/2023 10:43

luckydaytoday · 18/07/2023 09:52

Would agree with PPs about mirrors. I did a couple of word puzzles before my 2nd test (killing time, waiting in a cafe for my instructor to arrive) I genuinely think they helped me pass my test as they put me in a focused, problem-solving state of mind. Good luck!

I'll do my wordles and whatnot beforehand then. I have a lesson right before it and then just a 15 minute break before the test so I'll have to do them before my lesson, hopefully that'll help.

Thanks for the tips, I shall try to make sure I am very visibly checking mirrors and try to remember to change into first as soon as I stop. I was better at changing in my lesson yesterday at least, my instructor commented on it. Just feels so soon to have the test, I've only had 15 lessons and 2 hours in the simulator.

OP posts:
Seeline · 18/07/2023 11:02

I took my test nearly 40 years ago (!!) so probably not advisable now, but my instructor made me have my mirror very slightly in the wrong position for my test so that I had to move my head to look in it.

Minfilia · 18/07/2023 11:16

The driving test is performative. Which means you have to move your head more so it’s obvious you’re checking your mirrors. And also, narrate everything you’re doing 😂 it sounds crazy but I am sure that I’d have failed if I hadn’t done this. On my test I had to turn right across a dual carriageway (my priority, other lights on red) but a car came zooming so fast that I stopped in the middle… examiner told me it was my ROW and I said yes, but did you see the speed he was approaching the light, it looked like he was going straight through it and I’d rather stop and make sure I wasn’t going to hit him! He then agreed and just put it down as a minor, but as he intervened I’m sure it would have been a major fault otherwise…

And yes to mirrors. My dads wife failed because she didn’t check left before coming off a roundabout and there was a car on her inside.

Plus, learn your manoeuvres. DS failed twice because he took too long to parallel park and didn’t get close enough to the curb… the second time it was on a busy road and he panicked.

Good luck anyway. But don’t feel down if you don’t pass first time - it just means you’ll have more lessons and be a safer driver when you do.

Original poster
Natsku · 18/07/2023 11:21

Luckily I'm in a very quiet town and my test is at 9:45 when the roads should be even more quiet so I won't need to fear busy roads and panicking because of that. My parking maneuvers are good though, that I managed to get the hang of very easily.

OP posts:
LauK123 · 18/07/2023 11:25

If you stall, when you move off remember to check mirrors and blind spot.

Maverickess · 18/07/2023 11:25

Good luck!

I'm here to read the advice and offer good luck because my test is in 3 weeks!

I've noticed my instructor making it obvious that he's checking that I'm checking mirrors etc as in he gives me an instruction and then turns and watches obviously, so I have been exaggerating movements so it's obvious I'm doing it.

My friend failed because she genuinely forgot to put her seat belt on before preparing the car to move and would have driven off if the examiner didn't stop her - so watch out for obvious stuff like that I guess too!

morbidd · 18/07/2023 11:26

Even if you think you have failed, carry on as best as you can.

VikingLady · 18/07/2023 11:31

My instructor said the most common immediate fail is not following the road marking when you've made a mistake and got into the wrong lane. The examiner's main concern is the safety of other road users, so the appropriate response is to calmly apologise to the examiner and say something like "oops, wrong lane, sorry. I don't feel it's safe to switch lanes just here, I'm afraid we'll have to go this way".

You do NOT get penalised. It happens all the time in real life, and they know that. They'll give you instructions for getting back onto the route afterwards. It does no harm to go the wrong way as long as everyone is safe.

Good luck!

CindersAgain · 18/07/2023 11:33

Seeline · 18/07/2023 11:02

I took my test nearly 40 years ago (!!) so probably not advisable now, but my instructor made me have my mirror very slightly in the wrong position for my test so that I had to move my head to look in it.

I was told this too. And to count to three when looking in the mirror.

Original poster
Natsku · 18/07/2023 11:42

My friend failed because she genuinely forgot to put her seat belt on before preparing the car to move and would have driven off if the examiner didn't stop her - so watch out for obvious stuff like that I guess too!

Argh, I don't think I could have carried on with the test if I did something like that!

OP posts:
ZacharinaQuack · 18/07/2023 11:46

I failed my first test because (a) I came out of a junction too quickly and there was a car coming down the main road (I still think I had plenty of time, but it's true that the other car was maybe going a bit fast). Instructor did some practice with me afterwards making sure I slowed down sooner to approach the junctions, basically relax and not be in too much of a hurry to get out, and (b) because I forgot there was a 20 zone right near the test centre. Oops.

Second test I weirdly felt a lot more relaxed, because both of the above were obvious avoidable mistakes and the rest of the drive was absolutely fine, so I knew I could do it. I had a new examiner, so his supervisor was sitting in the back and it was Friday afternoon so we got stuck in traffic and I had ample opportunities to demonstrate my clutch control while making awkward small talk. But passed with 0 faults. It was annoying failing the first time but I do think it made me a better/more aware driver and helped me do better the second time.

WtP · 18/07/2023 12:03

Seeline · 18/07/2023 11:02

I took my test nearly 40 years ago (!!) so probably not advisable now, but my instructor made me have my mirror very slightly in the wrong position for my test so that I had to move my head to look in it.

Also develop a slight cough for the day so you just do a little clear every time you look at a mirror.
I took my car test 41 years ago but have since done HGV1 & PCV D+E.

I still regularly drive as though I'm taking a test just to remind myself of any bad habits I'm developing.
I'm in favour of regular re testing though as some people scrape through their test and seem to never progress from then on. I have been a passenger with a few of those people but only ever 1 time with each!

ManchesterLu · 18/07/2023 12:03

Don't use a large van as a barrier when you pull out at a roundabout. Although the logic of "if he can go, I can go" is arguably sound, apparently it's a major fault.

Ask me how I know.. 😂

Cheeseplantt · 18/07/2023 12:05

Move the mirrors slightly so that you have to move your head to look in them - then the examiner can physically see you using them.

RedHelenB · 18/07/2023 12:22

If you don't feel ready, would you feel you could drive on your own straight after your test? If not I'd cancel and wait until you feel more confident. I know so many drivers who pass but then don't drive. I failed a few but when I did pass I felt able to drive on my own straight away. Didn't feel like tgqt tge first tine I took my test.

LifeMakeoverSOS · 18/07/2023 12:28

My test was 16 years a go and I can still remember those pre test nerves.

Some tips from me:

Remember that a certain degree of nerves are a good thing. A bit of extra adrenaline could help rather than hinder. If you are particularly nervous right before the test, acknowledge it with your examiner. That helped me relax a little.

Yes to mirrors, mirrors, mirrors.

Relax your face, unclench your teeth and wiggle your fingers occasionally.

Don't focus on breathing too much, but take the occasional deep breath in.

If you think you've messed up, put it aside and keep going.

I didn't personally take paracetamol beforehand, but have heard it can help, so would echo that too.

Good luck! Sending lots of positive vibes.