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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:
slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 13:39

Hey, show me tell me I was asked was about how do you know the tyres are in good condition and show me how to dentist the back window. I failed because I was asked to bay park, I felt I didn't do it properly and tried to correct it. It was right the first time 🙈

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 02/02/2018 13:49

*demist

cluecu · 02/02/2018 18:41

Thanks everyone Smile

I genuinely have thought so many times that I just won't ever pass. I'll be the one that just never does but I hadn't factored in the fact that I didn't know how much I was improving with each fail. I was ok failing the 1st...the 2nd i drove back into the centre the wrong way (so had passed until then)...the 3rd was meeting traffic and examiner took the wheel..the 4th i messed up my left reverse with observations (silly error on my part).

So much is down to luck on the day, as in life Hmm

Test was ok, sat nav displayed a different speed limit to what the instructor thought but he didn't comment on that (think they hate the changes). I messed up a right junction but was commentating on the reasons which helped.

Keep going everyone I can't believe I've passed knowing what I started out like Shock

Every fail is also practise to be a far better driver rather than passing and then being anxious and alone.

InBlackwaterWoods · 02/02/2018 22:34

Good luck Sunday! hope it goes well!
slapmyarse its bay parking I think I'll fail on too, I have no idea what I'm doing! We're working on it! sounds like you doubted yourself, but I bet you'll be a parking ace for your next test!
thats encouraging cluecu thanks, I figure if I fail, then that means I;m not ready yet.
Am manning up and putting the L plates on our family car. DH has been warned!!
Happy driving! Grin

cluecu · 02/02/2018 22:40

Inblack bay parking was my nemesis too and weirdly, once I didn't have my instructor's voice / opinions I found it came more naturally to me (i used the basic tips from him) and i was less stressed as if i was just playing some kind of computer game Confused

SundaySalon · 07/02/2018 14:17

Hi All!

I passed my test today! Got 9 minors, 2 of them for observations, 1 for control, 2 for safety, 2 on the manoeuvre and 2 for steering.

I stalled three times on a roundabout, then clipped the kurb when I made the exit. He pulled me over and told me calm down. I actually thought that I had failed with that so I wasn’t so nervous afterwards.

Satnav was tricky for me, but the route I took had about five major roundabouts (London) and the A3. The satnav misdirected me at one point and I panicked and ran an amber light, when I had time to stop. He gave me a minor for that.

At the end he said he wasn’t looking for a perfect drive just a safe one. He asked me how I knew my headlights are working at the start. But he actually didn’t ask me a show me question during the drive. Maybe because I was so nervous he was preoccupied with trying to calm me down Grin

Good luck to everyone else taking their tests soon! Hope this helps you all!!

TheMadGardener · 07/02/2018 16:20

Very well done, SundaySalon . Congratulations! Good to know that one can still pass without being perfect!!

I need major hand holding. My test is booked for 19th Feb. I was a total nervous basket case when I started lessons last autumn, but I have got much more confident and I have been feeling good about my driving lately (apart from reverse bay parking because I CANNOT get the turning point right!!!!! It is my nemesis).

But yesterday I had a terrible, terrible lesson when I just wasn't feeling it and I suddenly reverted to being very very nervous and hesitant and taking ages to get out of junctions and forgetting simple things. My instructor was really disappointed and started talking about maybe postponing my test if I don't feel confident. Going out in DH's car tomorrow to try to get some confidence back, but seem to be cracking up as the test gets close! So any hand-holding much appreciated. Or reverse bay parking advice obviously!

SundaySalon · 07/02/2018 17:22

Ohhh I know what you mean about the reverse parking. I can’t get my head around the point of reference at all. I did a bay park today, not reverse and all of the formulas just left me head. I parked by eye, I was in the line but not perfect. I went over into the space facing and just reversed back slightly. He gave me a minor for going into the next space but still not a fail. Honestly I think if you’re calm enough to fix the mistake safely that’s all they care about.

Does practising with DH help you? I really struggled to do any driving with my DH, I don’t know why but him telling me what to do annoyed me so much Grin

You’ll be fine! Don’t assume you have failed if you mess up, the car rolled back when I was sat at a traffic light, I put the handbrake on pretty quickly and he didn’t even mention it.
Good luck!!!!!

Fructis57 · 07/02/2018 19:43

I had my first lesson last February and passed first time having booked my test in June. So 5 months later...I did have lessons weekly so was fairly consistent.
I kept panicking that was too soon and got caught up on statistics about people usually failing on first go etc but instructor said he felt I was ready.
He was an amazing instructor!
My advise is stay calm, treat it as an ordinary lesson and try to remain confident. First time, can be done!
Good luck.

DextroDependant · 07/02/2018 21:22

I am booking my test for April, my 'Mock Test' I am thinking of it as. Haven't even started on manuovers yet or tried Sat nav so not sure if I will be ready but got about 16 lessons before then!

InBlackwaterWoods · 08/02/2018 13:43

Well done SundaySalon! Its reassuring to know that even if you boob, you can still pass! I boob a lot still, despite being 6 months of lessons in!

Have to say I struggle driving our car with DH as I don;t like him telling me what to do-we're working on it tho as I need to get used to our car!

Lesson on Tues we focused on reverse parking, not bad. I just can't figure out how many turns of the wheel to each side if that makes sense! I still need the instructor to remind me when to pull the turn out! Must focus more! Determined to get my licence!!

thecatsthecats · 08/02/2018 13:57

Can I ask if anyone else thinks my fiance's instructor is taking the piss?

He's had two lessons of driving around in circles at 15mph, and it's taken a month to have two because the instructor is rescheduling him all the time (not entirely his fault - DP can only do certain times due to heavy work schedule). Last lesson he arrived home 10m early of an hour.

The instructor doesn't even keep his diary in the car, so his pupils have to negotiate times after by text (none of my instructors did this - changes, sure, but you could always book at the end of the lesson).

Unfortunately he's booked in for 6 lessons pre paid, but it looks like it will be a waste of time. I was up to 30mph and 3rd gear in my first lesson and did a 3 point turn in my third. Not bragging (and I ditched that instructor later), but at least I was doing things!

TheMadGardener · 19/02/2018 20:50

Coming back here to blow my own trumpet - I PASSED TODAY!!!!!! I was convinced I wouldn't! It nearly got cancelled because the examiner was off this morning having a family crisis but she came back for the afternoon tests. During the test I got stuck crawling behind a cyclist for ages but it wasn't safe to pass him. Also the sat nav tried to take us down a road that was closed for roadworks. And I stalled once at a junction. But I passed with only 3 minors! (One was the stall). I was gobsmacked. I am in my 40s so feel really proud of myself for finally doing it. DH is now wibbling at the thought of letting me loose in his car. DDs (aged 11 and 13) are very excited about the prospect of having someone else to get lifts from! Very best of luck to all those still working towards tests.

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 19/02/2018 21:14

Congratulations @TheMadGardener !! So chuffed for you!! That's amazing!! I have my 2nd attempt tomorrow, I'm worried I won't pass again!! Fingers crossed I do pass!!

TheMadGardener · 19/02/2018 22:16

Good luck, slapmyarse! Keep calm, keep looking all the time and just be safe. I was determined to fail safely and ended up passing! :)

TheMadGardener · 19/02/2018 22:18

Thank gawd I didn't have to do a reverse bay park. I had to do a parallel park and I think I just grazed the kerb with my back tyre but I didn't get a fault for it.

APMom · 19/02/2018 22:24

My dd passed her test last week the first time. She’s only been driving since July and not that often as I have to be with her when she’s driving. Her test was at 9.15 but they took her in at 9.

Rainatnight · 20/02/2018 10:06

So glad I found this thread, I was looking for the other one.

My test is in a month. Like a PP, I learned in my late teens, but moved to London and then didn't need to. Now I REALLY need and want to.

I'm a competent driver but my head doesn't feel in the right place at all for the test. I've only been having lessons, rather than driving practice and that's making me feel as though I haven't done enough.

Any tips on getting the psychology right?

Huge congratulations, TheMadGardener! Great news.

TheMadGardener · 20/02/2018 19:37

How did it go today, slapmyarse ?

TheMadGardener · 20/02/2018 19:42

rainatnight, it really helped that my instructor constantly took me on all the test routes used around the town. Also we did two mock tests. And practised all the Show Me Tell Mes.

goose1964 · 20/02/2018 19:47

Don't panic, I did on all of mine,at the 4th attempt I decided it wasn't for me

Rainatnight · 20/02/2018 20:58

Thanks, TheMadGardener. We do the test routes a lot and did a mock test last week, which was really helpful and flagged up some things I need to work on.

I think my problem is that I'm only doing lessons and not in a position to do any independent driving, so I feel under-practised.

ItsNachoCheese · 20/02/2018 21:03

I was meant to have mine on 9th february but my instructor turned into a massive knobend and cancelled my lessons because i gave him 1hr less than the required notice period as my youngest dn got rushed to hospital and i had to watch older dn. Now learning with a brilliant instructor who after 2 lessons has me doing maneouvers so much better than old instructor as he takes his time and doesnt talk through me

NeganLovesLucille · 20/02/2018 21:19

Congratulations to those that have passed. I hated learning to drive, but really glad that i can!

My DD2 (17) has only been learning since End of last year and she has her test on Thursday. I'm so nervous for her. I think we're more worried than she is. I keep nagging her about the show me tell me questions and she just says that she knows what to say and to stop worrying.

Original poster
velvetroses · 04/03/2018 22:57

How did the test go Negan?

I need to reschedule my test again... Feel like I'm never going to pass.
Hows everyone else doing?

OP posts: