Driving test

[Allthegoodusernamesareused]

Unashamedly posting here for traffic.

My driving test is later this week.

I'm an older lady, been trying to learn to drive for a few years (health and financial issues keep getting in the way) but I'm finally feeling ready to take my test. I'm doing automatic only, sod adding gears into the mix!

Am quietly shitting myself though, and worried I'll fail because I do something really daft because of my nerves.

Any tips or words of encouragement gratefully received!

what’s “an older lady”’s age out of interest?

It sounds ridiculous but my advice is eat a banana before your test.

Keep checking mirrors. The tester will want to know you are safe, and you are aware of safety stuff.

Sorry... I comsider myself an older lady in terms of driving, but mean no disrespect to anyone. I'm very nearly 50.

What time of day, what sort of car and what colour top will you be wearing? We HAVE to know. Now. ( 🙄 )

Banana.. noted 🙂

This is something that worries me! I do, but maybe not obviously enough?

Definitely eat something beforehand, even if you're too nervous and don't feel like it, just have something small and plain.
Check mirrors a LOT. More than you probably need to.
Wait longer at junctions/pulling out somewhere if you're not sure. Better to wait a few more seconds and be sure than trying to appear more confident.
Slow and careful manoeuvres.
Try and take no notice of the examiner marking their paper. Focus on driving and not them.
Good luck!!

My bestie is taking her test this week. She has done the intensive driving course. She is mid 50s and 💩 herself .
Good luck to you OP 💪

Excellent advice .

I agree with checking mirrors more than you think you need to. If you can, do some box breathing just before. It slows down the heart rate.

You have managed without driving for over forty years. If you don’t pass this time, you aren’t any worse off and it’s good experience for the next time. I do hope you pass though and wish you the best of luck and a pleasant examiner.

Thank you so much for all of this.

Good luck to your friend also!

Thank you!

I pretended my test was a practice run for the real test.
I was very sure I wouldn't pass, was just so nervous, so I decided I was going to use this opportunity to see how the test actually feels before I paid for another 'real' test. I thought that if I got to know how it would feel actually arriving at the test centre, the paperwork involved, the sitting in the car with a stranger etc then when it came to my test I'd feel more prepared and be more likely to pass. This took away a lot of my anxiety and a huge pressure off me. I knew it was an expensive way to go about alleviating my stress but I thought it was worth it.
Well, on the day, I arrive, feeling cool and calm. I'm looking forward to seeing how this all works and off I go into the centre, then the car and actually enjoy the experience.
When we pull over at the centre after my 'practice' drive around one of the test routes I was told I'd passed my test!

because mid forties isn’t an older lady IMO! 😆

1. I'm not mid 40's, I'm (very) late 40's.

2. I was thinking in very specific terms, in relation to the age at which most people learn to drive.

3. honestly, probably wasn't entirely relevant, was just trying to provide a little context. Perhaps I should not have.

Yes - definitely do this! The lucky banana worked for a very nervous DD and she passed first time

This is probably a good strategy, and I do view it as failing will at least give me the experience of taking the test.

If you have long hair make sure you put it up so that the examiner can definitely see your eyes checking the mirrors. Over exaggerate your movements too

I think there is always an element of luck with a driving test. The right time to take a test is when you are good enough to have a decent chance. Not passing doesn't mean you're rubbish, sometimes it just needs a couple of runs at it. So no pressure, give it your best but if it doesn't work out this time you just try again. It doesn't mean you weren't good enough.

Definitely agree with having something to eat beforehand.

I tried to reframe my driving test as just being an extended driving lesson. My driving instructor picked me up 45 minutes before my test so I kept telling myself that I was just swapping instructors for the other 45 minutes. Seemed to put my mind at ease a little bit.

My only minor was use of mirrors, towards the end of the test I started to not exaggerate my head movements as much, so make sure you make it very obvious throughout!

Also, I found that quietly talking myself through the test helped. If I knew traffic lights were ahead I’d mutter “traffic lights”.

It really does just come down to your luck on the day. If you fail, think of it as experience. You know what to expect for next time and can work on the areas that caused you to fail.

Good luck!

Good luck OP!

It's important to take your time, and don't be afraid to ask for questions or clarification if the examiner gives you an instruction. It's OK to be nervous, and to let the examiner know this. The main thing is to be safe, you don't have to be perfect but you do have to be safe and aware.

I hope it goes well!

Driver narration!
A police driving examiner told me they teach students to do this. It means the examiner knows what you're thinking about while driving. So talk about what you're doing, what you've seen etc.

Good luck! I'm taking mine soon at 54. Also automatic as manual just didn't gel for me. We've got this!!!!!