To ask for your top tips for passing first time

[Chuckitinthefuckitbucket]

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!!

Exactly as Emochild above, I stalled the car early on, assumed I had failed so used the rest of the test for experience - passed. I don' t think a first time pass is abig deal though, I know better drivers than me who didn' t pass first time.

Practically, while driving, I would just make sure you are really obvious about every single step of every manoeuvre - exaggerate looking into the mirror, obviously turn your head to check blind spot, etc.

You are fine to articulate what you're doing/going to do out loud if that makes it easier for you. I chatted a bit with my assessor (not about the drive, just about daughters and school/uni and his children and that sort of thing) as it made me feel calmer.

If you make a mistake on the independent driving bit, like forgetting where you were supposed to go or taking a wrong turn, don't panic, just fix it the best you can in a safe and competent way.

Again, good luck!

I'm a driving instructor, so my advice is...
Don't forget blind spots when moving off from the kerb.

Look ahead, plan ahead at all times, and be aware of what could be around the next bend, down the next road etc, and change speed accordingly.

After being asked to pull in, and being careful to check mirrors when pulling in, and signalling left if necessary, only signal right to pull away from the kerb when you have taken your hand brake off. Never sit with a right signal flashing as it can confuse other drivers and could cause another driver to slow down and let you out (big no no)

To follow on from pp advice re speed limits, as well as checking down side roads (great advice), also look out for repeat signs. i.e the smaller speed signs. So if you are on a road that you would deem say a 30, so it is fairly built up, and there are no smaller repeat signs that remind you that speed limit is actually 40/50, then you are safe to assume the road is a 30! The repeat signs will be on roads where the speed limit is not a usual one for the type of road you're on. Also look out for road marking speed limits too.

Definitely do go forward to correct a botched manoeuvre. And don't be afraid to stop and think about which way you need to steer next, or what steering you already have on. Also, really watch speed on manoeuvres and remember cambers that can speed you up on parallel park and turn in the road. Also good observations are key here.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about any directions you are unsure of, even in the independant driving section. You can't fail for going the wrong way/ask about a direction. However you can fail for signalling one way and going another!

There are certain levels of the same fault...for instance, if you stall whilst moving off from the kerb, no one around, you will be absolutely fine as long as you get going safely as quickly as possible. If you stall whilst waiting to turn right in the middle of a busy controlled crossroads, whilst waiting on a yellow box junction, and the lights turn back to red...yes you will fail!! Unless you get going before the lights change to red of course!
If you roll back on a hill start be it at a junction or moving off from the kerb, and there is nothing behind you, depending on how much you roll back of course, you shouldn't fail. If you roll back, especially at a junction, and someone is waiting behind you, then chances are you would get a serious fault i.e fail!
What I am saying is, that as long as you go through your test without doing anything that could be seen as hazardous to others, then you will pass. Drive defensively, be completely aware of everything around you and try to concentrate on driving, not the examiner, you should be fine. You don't have to speak if you don't feel like it. If you like, you can commentary drive i.e talk yourself through everything you are doing e.g a red light, check all mirrors, come off gas, start braking...oh light is changing, change down to 2nd gear, check mirrors, back on gas! I know it seems crazy, but it's amazing how it can make you focus. You can do it in your head if needs be, but the examiner won't be bothered by it!

Anyway, sorry for the essay, and I wish you very good luck

Thanks again everyone! Have read and taken on board all suggestions. Going to talk through what I'm doing in my head, will deffinitely help me process things better. Off for a mock test now. Fingers crossed.

If you muck up your reverse round a corner, ask if you can do it again. That's what I did and it was fine. The examiner just asked if that is what I would normally do and i said yes.

I'm another one who convinced myself I had failed within about 10 minutes of starting and then just relaxed and drove a bit more normally. I think it might be different if you've done an intensive course though, as I'd spent hours and hours practising with my parents, whereas with a shorter intensive course you're probably still a bit more formulaic and less natural with your driving - which is probably a good thing!

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.

Don't do this or you can get a minor for not adjusting your mirrors correctly. Examiners know when you are looking in your mirrors, you don't need to make exaggerated movements to make it obvious.

If you make a mistake, don't panic, you can still save it.

I made a significant error in mine, I was in entirely the wrong lane at a large roundabout. However, I noticed, mentioned it, and corrected it safely, still taking the correct exit. Obviously I was convinced I had failed, but the examiner said that it isn't about perfect driving, sometimes you'll be in the wrong lane, but about safely sorting out the situation.

Good luck!

I'm another one who thought I had made an early mistake and so thought 'oh well, I've failed, so let's just get through this' and I then relaxed. I also didn't get flustered when I was going uphill behind a very slow lorry, so had to keep changing gears. And another tip - when the instructor stopped me to ask me to do a reverse round corner, or a three point turn (can't remember), I did all the mirrors and indicators and was accelerating gently but the car did nothing. I then realised I hadn't put the car into gear. So I put everything back into neutral and started again, without any visible panic or embarrassment.
So my advice is to keep breathing and to stay calm. Good luck!

My tip would be.... try not to be nervous, which I know is easier said than done!

I just told myself it wasn't a matter of life or death, I could take it again, and all the best drivers pass second or even third time anyway.

I passed first time

My instructors two words of wisdom that stood me in good stead were -

1. Act as though you're trying put your examiner to sleep with your driving. No sudden jerky movements, just smooth and controlled.
2. It's a speed limit...not a target

You'll do just fine

Bit late for today, but for anyone else reading taking a test soon -
Make sure you can pass the eye test. I didn't even get in the car when I failed on eyesight. I knew I needed new glasses, but I'd spent all my money on driving lessons.

Double check you know how to use things like the air con correctly - we had a sudden downpour and increase in humidity during my test and the car started fogging up. I got one minor as it took me a minute to get the right setting to clear the windscreen.

Thanks everyone! I passed. No minors or majors! Thank goodness that's over

Well done! That's brilliant!

Yay!

Oh well done Chuckit.

Well done MN once again for providing last minute advice and hand-holding for someone clearly anxious.

Wonderful news!

Well done :)

Well done!

Well done OP

Awesome!

NO minors? From what I hear that is really rare, you did brilliantly! Well done

Congrats on passing!! First time with no minors is amazing!! Sadly I took six attempts (not something I'm particularly proud of ...) because nerves made me do silly things (failed at least twice for driving too close to a parked car, but not close enough to clip anything ).

For anyone else reading, I'd say, try and stay calm (easier said than done I know, I burst into tears halfway through my 4th one because I'd buggered up on my reverse around the corner), and know that just because you've made a mistake doesn't necessarily mean you've failed. I also found it helped to ask the examiner not to talk to me unless giving me directions,all that awkward small talk they do was really distracting for me. I almost didn't believe the examiner when he told me I'd passed (I had the same one from the third test onwards), I think I had to ask him to repeat himself

Cut back on caffeine in the run up to the test. Eat a banana while you're waiting. Have a bottle of water and use safe/appropriate moments to have a swig such as after completing a manoeuvre, ask your examiner If they mind and they won't.