To ask who the hell has passed a driving test in exeter recently without killing themselves?,

[sannaville]

I have my test this week! Am nervous as hell! My instructor has purposely left the dangerous haldon hill Devon expressway until yesterday and today as he said it was too dangerous to do any earlier in my lessons. Suffice to say that was my first experience of slip roads and driving a 60mph down a very steep hill and I'm now shitting it for my test ! He has also kindly told me that another girl rolled her car on that route ! Aaaargghhhhhh!

Any exeter mummies out there that have done a test recently that can reassure me that they don't all get taken up haldon hill?!

It may well be RIP sannaville by the end of week!

Good luck! I drive up and down Haldon Hill every week. I'm drive too fast and I definitely use the brakes on that stretch.

I don't know that stretch of road as I live in London but... just think about driving safely. If you are not confident going at 60mph then go slower (well, within reason seeing as you are joining a main road).

Other posters are right... once you pass you will have to tackle scary and unknown bits of road on your own. Just look and think, and don't do anything rash. Don't take chances.

Good luck, I failed my test this week second time as well so annoying.

And good luck with your test!

I wouldn't do it at 60 & I've been driving a few years! Ach, just take a deep breath & do what you're comfortable with. You'll be fine.

I passed second time, aged 29 & 34 weeks pregnant! Best thing I ever did.

YANBU & very good luck.

"If you can't judge with mirrors do a quick look over your shoulder as you approach. That is how I do it and how I was taught"

You should always look over your shoulder to check your blind spot anyway - makes no difference if you can or can't judge with mirrors.

Good luck for your test. I'm not in exeter but can sympathise with you, i'm learning at the moment have failed twice and feel like I am just a bit crap at driving. Don't get how so many people seem to find it soo easy?!

Only time it doesn't work is when you're in a truck

Thanks for that wabbity.

Lavita what did you fail on??

Firawala I feel like that too! And I'm learning in automatic! What did u fail on?

If it makes you feel better, my ex p drives for a living and thinks he's the best in the world. He failed his test first time. One of the minors was "inappropriate use of the handbrake"

Obviously I couldn't possibly be as good a driver as him yet I passed first time with one minor! (Not sure how, I was a v.v nervous learner)

Good luck!

Haha how on earth did he manage innapropriate use of handbrake that's funny!

Exeter based non-driver here, just wanted to wish you all the best for tomorrow! X

He claimed he couldn't remember! Glad it made you laugh, on your test just think "Southerns ex drives for a living and he can't even use a handbrake" it might help!

I definitely use the brakes on that stretch.
I'm sure you know that's the wrong thing to do on a long hill. Use a lower gear to keep the speed in check.
I once saw a caravan overturn on that hill. The tow car slowed down where the road bends to the left, but the caravan carried straight on and came round to meet the driver. Then it rolled over several times and ended up as a pile of scrap and personal belongings spread over three lanes down the hill. What an end to a holiday!

Failed on pulling up too harshly at a red light :(

My instructor was in the back and thought I'd passed. So annoyed as it's an 8 week wait here for a re test

Good luck for tomorrow. I did two tests in Exeter about 6 years ago and didn't get taken on Telegraph Hill. Although (and I hate to say this) I don't remember my instructor taking me on there so perhaps it's a new test route?

I HATE that road so I don't envy you.

I passed in Exeter 13 years ago. Had a lovely examiner (hope he's still there for you!). Think I went Topsham way (iirc!).

Good luck.

Practical advice: keep in lower gear. stick to between 45-50mph. You'll be fine.
Horror story: my brake servo failed JUST AFTER I'd done Haldon Hill about ten yrs ago. Car would not stop.
Good luck for the test. as long as you're not driving a shitty Fiat Punto you'll be ok

Guess it's just me then that doesn't have a problem with Telegraph or Haldon Hill. Only time I ever had a problem was when a van pulled out of the petrol station right in front of me (rush hour traffic - couldn't move over for him at all).

Lavita that's a shame you failed on that that should've been a minor.
Well instructor has just rung and told me his car is off the road with a blown head gasket! Bloody good job it didn't go on me today! So he gave me choice to defer test or do it in my own car decided to do it in my car and am praying for a sympathetic examiner that will decide it is in his life's safety for me not to do haldon hill with out dual controls :)

Tictac it's an automatic so no worries about the gears or stalling phew

Like Ellies, I'm in London so don't know the road you're referring to but I have my test next week and feel scared too. I also don't get how some people seem to find driving easy!

Your instructor sounds like a bit of a wazzock, I'm afraid.

Good luck for tomorrow Sannaville. Will be sending positive vibes.

Good luck for tomorrow. Agree that your instructor is an arse leaving it so late... I am another one who took their test in newton abbot so didn't have to do telegraph or haldon, but having a lother of experience with those hills, I would say that the time that you have your test should be fine. Ease off the accelerator and take a quick look over your shoulder.

Hope it goes ok.

Good luck!!! I have my theory test tomorrow so will do positive thinking for is both! :)