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Original poster

Learning to drive

114 replies

velvetroses · 15/01/2018 10:56

There was a thread which had tips and success stories for those learning to drive but it seems to have disappeared.

I was wondering where it went.. A few posters had their test booked and wanted to see how it went. I had mine booked for 26th Of January but rescheduled to end of February.

Anyone got a test coming up?

OP posts:
Ilovecoleslaw · 20/01/2018 20:23

Op I had three failed attempts before I aced my 4th!! Good luck I'm sure you'll do great 😊

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 20/01/2018 22:00

@SundaySalon same here, I think it would make me more nervous though!! My test is on 2nd Feb

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 20/01/2018 22:05

I took 7...and it was something different each time so nothing could work on. Definitely down to nerves as one I passed thought sod this.. This is just a nice drive around and finally!

InBlackwaterWoods · 20/01/2018 22:22

Ah, I was on the last thread too! wondered where it had gone! Been having lessons since september, theory is booked for end of Jan (been avoiding it as so nervous!)
Then looking at practical end of feb! Working on parallel park, reverse parking and focusing on whole driving thing!
Also gone thru show me,tell me-bit more confident!
Still not sure how I'll know what to do without my very patient instructor!!

InBlackwaterWoods · 30/01/2018 22:02

Hows everyone getting on with the driving? I passed my theory test tonight, so pretty chuffed! Just need to practice reversing and parallel parking!
Hope you're all doing well? Grin

Jimbobjovi · 30/01/2018 22:06

Following as have my test this week!

InBlackwaterWoods · 30/01/2018 23:05

@Jimbobjovi theory or practical? Good luck either way!

Jimbobjovi · 31/01/2018 12:41

It's my practical, thank you Smile

InBlackwaterWoods · 31/01/2018 14:02

How you feeling? Hope it goes well! I would be interested to know how you get on? Perhaps you could tell us what you had to do in the test?
Really unsure about the sat nav as haven't done much practice on that!
Good luck! Smile

MadisonAvenue · 31/01/2018 14:10

Can I just ask how long the waiting times for tests are in your areas? Back at the start of December our son was told to book his practical (he'd already passed his theory by then) and the earliest availability at the centres in the area was the end of March, almost a wait of 4 months.

missingthemidlands · 31/01/2018 14:18

I passed in September - and I only have a couple of tips. I was a really nervous driver, but passed with five minors on my first go, which came as a big shock. I always got told by my instructor to fail safetly, which seems mad, but when I did absolutely hash up a manouvre on my test, I made sure that with every move I check my mirrors and all that jazz, and so even though I got minors, I didn't get a major. I also tried the whole "this is just a practice" mindset. And then also I tried to get as much practice in with my DM, who took me out. When I couldn't understand the lanes on a roundabout, which was near the test centre and bound to come up, we went round it 7 times just to make sure.

Sleepflower22 · 31/01/2018 14:19

I passed my test last month, third attempt but first with the new style test. I much preferred the new format. One thing to be ready for is the 20-minute sat nav section isn't just a drive - they'll pull you over at various points and you might even do your manoeuvre midway through (I had to stop and parallel park).
My test started with the sat nav part so once that was done I knew I just had to get back to the test centre without any major disasters.

TheMadGardener · 31/01/2018 18:38

I'm on the Devon/Cornwall border and the waiting times don't seem too bad, a few weeks. It's quicker to get an appointment in Launceston than Plymouth.

I need to practice my manoeuvres and Show Me Tell Mes. I'm feeling mostly ok about the sat nav driving as I've done a lot of practice with that.

NonePlusFive · 31/01/2018 22:15

.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 31/01/2018 22:31

I have my test this week, I'm trying not to get too worked up, but I am not doing very well with that lol

InBlackwaterWoods · 01/02/2018 22:37

Thanks for the tips missingthemidlands and Sleepflower22 they're helpful! I'm pooping myself! I've been a very nervous driver too and still get anxious every time I get behind the wheel! Am going to start going out with DH in our car to get more experience-we do tend to fall out when I;m driving tho!!
Still figuring out reversing/parking!
Good luck slapmyarse

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 07:25

Thank you @InBlackwaterWoods

cluecu · 02/02/2018 11:15

I've been following this thread but was too nervous to ppst. Had my 5th test this morning and I passed. Hadn't realised how much it meant but the tears flowed. Financially I refuse to count the cost Grin

I was so nervous when I started learning and it's taken well over a year. Can massively see the difference in my confidence and control of car improve with each test and the sat nav wasn't as scary as I'd thought.

Huge amounts of luck to you all it is a wonderful feeling and I'm so glad I perservered Smile

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 11:37

I failed my first test this morning, I'm trying to take the "it's fine, I didn't think I'd pass, at least I know what to expect next time" stance. I am gutted though.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 11:37

Congratulations @cluecu SmileSmileSmile

TheMadGardener · 02/02/2018 11:48

Congratulations Cluecu!

Commiserations Slapmyarse. Onwards to the next time!

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 12:09

Aw thanks, although I could bloody well kick myself for the stupid mistakes I made!!

InBlackwaterWoods · 02/02/2018 12:32

Well done Cluecu it bodes well for me that another nervous driver passed! I'm 6 months in and getting there!
Sorry to hear that Slapmyarse but according to my instructor, the best drivers don;t pass first time! Do you mind me asking what you failed on?
Also, how was the show me, tell me?

Original poster
velvetroses · 02/02/2018 12:37

Still haven't got back to lessons and my test is end of this month! I'm thinking having 2hour lessons a week should be enough.

Well done cluecu, how was the test?

Sorry to hear that slapmyarse, what did you fail on?

OP posts:
SundaySalon · 02/02/2018 13:31

Glad some people have passed! Congratulations!
I have mine on Wednesday so will update with all the details. I am going for the it’s a practise mindset too! I heard they coach you through the show me tell me questions, how did you everyone find these?