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Original poster

Taking American driving test... Eek!

24 replies

CarpeNoctem · 30/05/2012 18:10

Someone please slap me and tell me I'm being silly!

I have my California driving test tomorrow and I'm having a bit of a meltdown. I've been driving for nearly 10 years in the UK and love being on the road, so it's not that I'm an anxious driver. I just have bad memories of the driving tests back home- I go to pieces at the thought of it being a "test" and the idea that somebody is staring at me and waiting for me to make a mistake.

Had to take my UK test 5 times because I was so stupidly nervous. Before I moved out here with my husband, I naively assumed I would be ok because I've been driving for so long and that the test would be a walk in the park. Except it's now the day before and I'm starting to freak out again.

I was meant to go to the test centre with my MIL, except now FIL has invited himself along too, and he is a massive backseat driver. This will be x10000000 for me, because technically I don't have a license and therefore he will feel entitled to give a running commentary. He is going to wind me up even more on the way to the DMV, and I am struggling to think of a way to tell him to stay away without offending him.

Somebody please hold my hand and tell me the US test is less intimidating than the UK one. Or tell me to man up and that I'm making a big drama out of nothing :)

OP posts:
mumof4sons · 30/05/2012 19:06

I took my test in America, aged 16 (too many years ago to admit), and it was far easier than the test I took in the UK. You should be fine - Just know your highway code.

I took a driving lesson when I moved to UK and was told I needed 10 more to pass my test. I had been driving longer than the instructor. I booked test and passed first time.

Think positive - you will be fine.

PS Moving back to States sometime in 2012 and have to retake my test too.

FlipFantasia · 30/05/2012 19:09

No personal experience but my DH is American and assures me that the driving tests are way easier than the UK one (which he had to take when he transferred his licence over here). He said the practical is usually way shorter, on quiet streets and things like parallel parking are done in a car park between bollards. Like mumof4sons says, know your theory and you'll be fine Smile

We've talked about it as we're moving to the US later in the year and I'll have to take the test then.

Ettaras · 30/05/2012 19:11

Good luck Carpe! I don't have any experience with the US driving test yet (and I think it may be different state to state anyway), but just wanted to say good luck. I have been meaning to do my test (we're in Illinois) for about six months now, just never seem to get round to it - my husband assures me it is a very straightforward process. Hope all goes well tomorrow

NatashaBee · 30/05/2012 19:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VintageNancy · 30/05/2012 19:13

I took my test in California a few months ago. I failed the first time! But it was no big deal. I allegedly didn't check over my shoulder when changing lanes.
Main thing that took me by surprise was that they tested me on the hand signals for left turn, right turn and stop. Luckily I saw the driver in front do it so I quickly looked them up on my phone!
Take it steady, stop completely at stop signs, check over your shoulder when changing lanes and you'll be fine. Good luck!!

sharklet · 30/05/2012 19:14

Don't worry, the US one is so ridiculously easy it is a walk over. I ended up teacher my examiner how to use roundabouts as he had not idea. If you can start the car, pull away and stop you will pretty much pass. The theory takes a bit more thought - but I took my Nevada one with no studying and just used common sense, in honesty if you have taken the UK theory test you will be fine.

Good luck!!

bebemoojem · 30/05/2012 19:17

Good Luck. But really it's nothing like the UK one...tho I found the Uk on not to be all that difficult after 12yrs driving in USA. Just know your theory/ but even that's not all that difficult as most of it's common sense (except if I recall the stopping distances you need to know).

spamm · 30/05/2012 19:17

You will be fine - I took mine 2 years ago and I did fine. I am in Virginia.

One piece of advice - reverse park your car into the parking space when you get there, so that you can just drive out when you leave with the examiner. You will be fine. I am sure you will do well! I did not have to do any parallel parking or anything like that. Most important thing was keep an eye on your speed, as they may take you onto unfamiliar residential roads that probably have low speed limits - 15mph or 25pm. Whole practical test took about 7 mins for me.

I failed my theory test the first time - the silly picture of kids crossing the road was different to the one used in the UK - they looked like old people to me. So I studied a bit more, went back two days later and did fine.

PalmTrees · 30/05/2012 20:13

I took my US test last week, took 15 minutes and was just driving around the block and making sure you come to a complete stop at STOP signs. I hadn't planned to take it that day, just called in at DMV to get application form and they said I could take the test there and then! I had driven into a space when I arrived at the centre so I had to reverse out when we started the test so that counted as my maneuver, much easier than parallel parking.
Honestly, was so easy, the instructor was more interested in talking about the weather in England than watching the road! Good Luck

Original poster
CarpeNoctem · 30/05/2012 20:14

Thanks everyone.. You've made me feel better!

Love the idea about the boxes, NatashaBee :o Might be an option as we're moving house soon.

I did the theory part of the test in December. It's taken me this long to book the road test because of the stupid fear! Going to look up the hand signals now in case they ask. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

OP posts:
Hopandaskip · 30/05/2012 23:05

It was super easy when I did mine. I am a nervous nelly on tests and all the expats from dhs work said it was a piece of piss. They were right. Like someone else said, look real good and stop completely and behind the line. They said I rolled a stop when I know full well I didn't so be careful of that. I passed anyway. You will be fine, did you do the theory already?

Hopandaskip · 30/05/2012 23:08

Oops, didn't see that last comment! Oh make sure you know where all the things are on your car, e.g lights, flashers etc. not a problem if your car but I had to use an instructors one because we couldnt use our rental.

ThereGoesTheYear · 30/05/2012 23:13

It's easy peasy. As long as you don't turn up drunk you'll pass. Just take it easy, you know you can drive.

ByTheSea · 30/05/2012 23:21

I have taken the test in NJ and California, and also the UK and the US tests are so much easier. Don't worry -- it'll be fine.

CaliforniaLeaving · 31/05/2012 00:11

The CA driving test is so easy compared to the UK one. Just remember to use your mirrors and look over your shoulders before merging etc. You should fly thorough it no problem after 10 years in UK driving.

NatashaBee · 31/05/2012 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CarpeNoctem · 31/05/2012 23:43

I passed :o
Yay!

Took 3 hours from start to finish though- only one examiner working. I would have been so pissed off if I'd had to do it all again.

OP posts:
Original poster
CarpeNoctem · 31/05/2012 23:43

Thank you ladies for all the tips and support Thanks

OP posts:
VintageNancy · 01/06/2012 00:16

Yay well done!!

NatashaBee · 01/06/2012 00:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spamm · 01/06/2012 03:46

Well done!

ThereGoesTheYear · 01/06/2012 10:16

Yay! Well done!

mumof4sons · 01/06/2012 16:41

Well done!

mathanxiety · 02/06/2012 15:33

Whoopeee!

I failed my first one because I blew past a stop sign Blush. Went back the next day to a different centre and passed.

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