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Original poster

To ask for your top tips for passing first time

61 replies

Chuckitinthefuckitbucket · 28/07/2015 07:51

I've got my driving test this afternoon, I've just finished an intensive course and was wondering what everyone suggests for passing first time?
Feeling anxious!!

OP posts:
doublepotions · 28/07/2015 07:57

Don't tell anyone, it takes the pressure off. Good luck x

TobleroneBoo · 28/07/2015 07:57

If you balls up your manoeuvre, correct it. You'll get a minor for correcting yourself but a major if you just leave it. I wasn't happy with my reverse bay park so pulled back out to straighten up. If I had left it I would've failed.

Best of luck

farmerslife · 28/07/2015 08:04

Every time the examiner says anything check all your mirrors, height just be saying isn't it awlful weather but still check that way you can't miss doing it for a manoeuvre!

mmollytoots · 28/07/2015 08:04

use your mirrors like your life depends on it..even if your not really looking just pretend you aare

morelikeguidelines · 28/07/2015 08:10

I wish Mn had been around when I did mine (1996) as you have said two of the things I failed for - not checking mirrors enough and not correcting my reverse park.

I did pass fourth time, within the same year.

I've never had an accident and only ever 3 points, so, although I really hope you pass, perhaps the best approach is to think if you don't pass it gives you a change to improve before taking to the roads.

Good luck!

FlibbertigibbetArmadillo · 28/07/2015 08:13

If you are on a main road and not sure of speed limit glance down a smaller side road. If they have no signs your road is probably 30, but if they have signs saying they are 30 the main road is probably 40.
Hope that makes sense.
There are a few roads round here where the speed signs are hidden by bushes so I found this a helpful trick

Charley50 · 28/07/2015 08:14

Echo checking your mirrors and correcting any errors. I stalled twice on my test but I calmly restarted engine and carried on, and passed. Don't forget to breathe! Good luck.

farmerslife · 28/07/2015 08:15

Height = he might

theconstantvacuumer · 28/07/2015 08:16

Excellent advice from pps.

Also: eat a banana beforehand for energy!

LetThereBeCupcakes · 28/07/2015 08:20

The only thing that worked for me was convincing myself that I would absolutely not pass my test, this was just a dress rehersal.

I was 200 meteres from the end of the test when I suddenly realised I hadn't made any silly mistakes and might actually pass, and promptly got 7 minors. Grin. Still managed to pass though!

Good luck!

TobleroneBoo · 28/07/2015 08:25

Also don't shut your finger in the bonnet, as I did. Or do as it may have distracted me from the test Wink

MyPelvicFloorTrainsItself · 28/07/2015 08:29

I put my mirrors slightly wrong to I had to make a bigger head movement to check them. I wanted him to see me checking.

LetThereBeCupcakes · 28/07/2015 08:31

Toblerone's advice is excellent for all drivers, not just those undergoing their test. Grin

bangbangprettypretty · 28/07/2015 08:31

Try and treat it as though you're displaying everything you know to a friendly observer - you need to show you know to check your mirrors all the time etc. It helps recast it in your mind.

And if they are chatty, just join in - I talked throughout mine and passed first time - the assessor was asking lots of questions about my life so I realised he was probably on my side (or at least not trying to fail me!).

And GOOD LUCK!

EllaMenoPea · 28/07/2015 08:37

Good Luck!!

I passed on my fifth (yes fifth Blush) attempt in February and I think what helped was, like pp have said, correcting my manoeuvre, taking it slowly and not worrying that I was stuck in traffic and at a roundabout for parts of the test, they would rather you sat there for ages then did something dangerous and assuming I would fail!

kittycatz · 28/07/2015 08:38

Yes to all of the above and a tip I used was to pretend I was a taxi driver driving the examiner to where he wanted to go. Made me much less nervous.
Passed first time with one minor.

namechange4this123 · 28/07/2015 08:49

Over exaggerate looking at your mirrors. Don't just look with your eyes, but actually turn your head slightly so the examiner can see you are looking at the mirrors.

Emochild · 28/07/2015 08:49

What worked for me was making a mistake in my turn in the road which was really early in my test

I used 5 turns, not 3, convinced myself I'd failed and so relaxed for the rest of the drive

7 minors later, I had my test certificate in my hand Grin

Original poster
Chuckitinthefuckitbucket · 28/07/2015 08:52

Thank you everyone. I need to remember to check my blind spot! Always great with the mirrors but sometimes forget that- instant fail!
Like the idea of pretending im a taxi driver & also will try not to catch my finger in the bonnet!
I hate reversing around corners! Always struggle to work out of it's a long corner or a short so fingers and toes crossed I don't get that one!

OP posts:
echt · 28/07/2015 09:02

I always think of what an ex-boyfriend said: point the car in the direction you want to go and don't bang into anything.

So true. :o

Good luck, OP.

NorahBone · 28/07/2015 09:08

In my case: have about 3 years of lessons!

EatMyFoodFeelMyFork · 28/07/2015 09:20

I passed first time 2 years ago, best advice I can give is make sure you check mirrors, take it easy and even if you make a mistake, stay calm, safely correct it and carry on as if it didn't happen. This was always my downfall on lessons, I would over analyse every tiny error and in doing so made bigger ones, so on my test, I made a conscious effort to get over it and carry on. Best of luck Smile
Oh, and if you miss an instruction from the examiner, dont be afraid to ask him/her to repeat!!

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 28/07/2015 09:29

Good advice re putting your mirrors slightly out of true-so you obviously move your head... Do it lots... Look like a meerkat - bobbing continually! I did this - passed first time when dinosaurs ruled the earth-

Good luck!

HolgerDanske · 28/07/2015 09:32

MN wisdom says always have a banana and a drink of water beforehand.

I endorse this wholeheartedly as my daughter has always had a banana before exams and it's worked perfect for energy and focus.

I didn't pass first time (wasn't quite ready, looking back) but I did pass second time. I focused on the fact that I did not need to drive perfectly, that all the assessor was looking for was safe and competent driving. I knew I was a safe and competent driver, so I just did what I would do if no one was there. It worked very well.

Good luck!

FinallyHere · 28/07/2015 09:37

I'd add don't let silly mistakes early on get to you. I took the examiner to the wrong car. While i was trying to unlock its door, he was concerned that it wasn't showing any L plates.

Then I managed to stall about four times in the first few minutes. At that point, I assumed that I had failed, relaxed and got on with it. The kind examiner was coughing his lungs up, he apologised for this as he said i had passed.

I was so astonished, I had to ask him to repeat it and then asked him whether he was sure. Im assuming he passed me because he was afraid I'd complain about the coughing otherwise. It was my first time, an emergency appointment which came up after id been on holiday over Christmas and had no lessons or practice in that time.

Oh, yes, and if you are in an unfamiliar car, checked which instruments you are going to need. I spent ages furtively fumbling around to try and work out how to turn on the headlights, my lessons had always been earlier in the day when lights were not needed.

Good luck.