Thread 15 - Corona Cohort Year 12, 2021 Lateral Flow & Driving Tests

[orangecinnamon]

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@JustHereWithMyPopcorn yes that's the one. Plus a free one with extra hazard perception clips.

Oh no esther what a bore.

Was it the hideous hazard clicking?

Can I just ask..... theory and driving tests.... how have your DC's got one so fast when in year 12. So many year 13's (DD included), didn't get their provisionals until Easter last year (and into summer), only did a few lessons before lockdown in December, and are only just starting again. Mostly delayed until after their exams too, so DD realistically has booked her theory for August, and will plan to try to get a slot for driving test in Xmas holidays!

@estherfrewen yes ds had 2 questions that weren't covered in the app. He got those 2 wrong. So 48 out of 50. Lucky he only had 2 not covered. Apparently it does suggest in the app that they read the Highway Code too. Of course ds2 didn't. Ds1 only had the Highway Code books.

@BigWoollyJumpers I booked ds's theory back in November for feb half term. When we went into lockdown I moved it to 13th April. I was beginning to think it wouldn't go ahead. The day he passed I went online and booked his practical, the earliest I could get was September. But I am considering using an app that gives out cancellations. Mainly because the test centre is an hour away. Apparently the app is usually very good. But not sure what it will be like after covid. The app is £15 so I'd like to find out whether it's worth it first. Also be nice to book one in the summer hols.

The more I think about it, the more I think ds was bluffing about not answering 8 questions. He just shrugs when I ask. I never know with him.

Gosh never type whilst walking! My post made little sense. DS said he had several questions not on 4 in 1, which he had completed. He did fine on hazards which I would certainly never pass so good job I’m old! Got 41 on questions. He had done a practice test a night for at least a fortnight after finishing questions and had passed all of them. He said questions were worded differently and he was v nervous.

We were on waiting list for lessons since last Easter - January birthday and booked theory test as soon as we were able. Should have happened in January so then rebooked immediately third lockdown was announced. After he failed on Saturday we booked one for next week to retake. He has a different app from driving instructor to work on this week.

On the plus side he had an excellent French test today!

@icanbewhatiwant can you email his teacher and ask?

I'm sorry your DS didn't pass @estherfrewen, my nephews took it several times each before passing.

@BigWoollyJumpers I applied for DS provisional last year and it came within two weeks. I don't know why I could book June for the theory it just came up on a near(ish) centre so I thought I'd nab it. I haven't booked a practical test though.

Comefromaway and ealing yes it's 15 minutes after grade 4 so those who aren't on pointe leave then. She has less than 10 mins as has bunion guards, ouch pouches etc to put on then ribbons to tie. Really hope she doesn't snap the shank. It's a flexible shoe - balance European - so fingers crossed it lasts a while. She has a net bag for airing her shoes after class - is that enough do you think?

Monkey yes we used the passport pic much to DD disgust as she's 13.5 in it but looks the same to me although not to her. Guess I can upgrade it once she gets actual licence as prob will have a new passport by then. 6 weeks seems ages even with a new pic.

They were dd’s first pointes!

@BigWoollyJumpers Well it helped that DD’s birthday is early Sept!

She ordered her provisional licence when she was 16 to use as ID, and booked her theory test for November. She had a few lessons in the Autumn before they stopped and was all set for the test on April 3rd - at that point her luck ran out! She was given a rebook for June, so fingers crossed she nails it as Lord knows when the next one would be...

We had an annoyance with provisional licence. Did that use the passport thing, filled it all in, paid. Then got sent a bloody form to get a photo and a signature (so paying more money) and have to send it back (paying postage) and DS only went and signed in blue pen...

We went over it in black but it looks really shit...

Fingers crossed Kingscote and good thinking of using it as ID.

Oh no that's so frustrating Piggy. How come they didn't allow passport pic if you chose that route?

Loving all the en pointe talk.
Having 2 x ds's I've missed out on all this, because I don't have a dd!

Ds1 has had 2 official driving lessons. Dh and I have basically taught him to drive ourselves. His theory test is next week.

I am assuming maybe because it doesn't have a signature or the photo was deemed too old AoC. They didn't say.

He is cross too because he looks like a (spotty) convict in this new photo - with very sticky out ears owing to end of lockdown hair shearing.

Taking notes on all the learner driver top tips. DS is end of August so starting to think about booking lessons.

All a bit nervous here this morning as first of the A level maths assessments at 11am.

DS isn’t interested in driving at the moment as can’t see when he would use it as things stand. He has a good point but it feels a bit weird as he saved for ages so he could start lessons at 17.

@Piggywaspushed probably a bit late now, but we did photo at home and printed it in a photo machine at Asda. Means you can take lots until you get one you like.

@FoolsAssassin DS1 was not in a hurry when he was 17, but regrets it now. One good reason to pass early is that when you come to get insurance, it is cheaper if you passed a couple of years ago, even if you have never driven since.

Thanks monkey : I am not sure the photo is that annoying . He'll egt over it. It's just the bureaucracy!! We're not in a rush, though , I guess.

Worth bearing in mind if anyone doesn't know that the theory bit has an expiry on it. So unless they plan to sit (and pass!) practical pretty much straight away you can't store up your theory pass : annoyingly!

I hadn’t thought of that, thank Monkey. I had been thinking about seeing if he could hit it over the summer to get a fair chunk under his belt, hard when he’s only here weekends in term time.

@Piggywaspushed I think it’s to do with if you have updated their passport photo recently. If it’s new they have a problem accessing it. This happened to my friend and the people at DVSA said this was an issue. I sent off a paper one first time because I’d just updated Ds’s passport and it came through pretty fast.

Sadly, DS had to get new photos done for the licence and he also looks like a spotty criminal. 😂

Isn’t it a two year expiry on the theory test?

Yes it's two years Popcorn. Seems a long time but i bet it creeps up on lots of people.

God I hope he doesn't take two years to pass, who can afford the lessons!?

@Piggywaspushed

We had an annoyance with provisional licence. Did that use the passport thing, filled it all in, paid. Then got sent a bloody form to get a photo and a signature (so paying more money) and have to send it back (paying postage) and DS only went and signed in blue pen...

We went over it in black but it looks really shit...

DD had to do that last April.... I thought it was because of first lockdown, but I "think" it may have been that her passport had been renewed the year before, so not enough time on it????? Anyway, took bloody ages to come back, several weeks.

DD was really unlucky. First the provisional delay, then all the local driving instructors were fully booked, and working through their backlogs, and doing last Sept uni students as a priority. Then of course second lockdown, no lessons or practice, now she has exams.

So essentially the few lessons she had last Sept/Oct wasted, and we start more or less again. We are going to double up lessons every week to get going properly again, and then get her in my car for extra practice. Still amazed that some DC's have managed to get enough practice though lockdown, and get slots booked for theory and tests. Just lucky I guess.

BWJ; the driving package taken also helps, so in our case the instructor does all the booking. He knows if one of his students is not ready, he pulls them and swaps for another. And holds some capacity himself. I just paid for a total number of hours (20) and tests an he sorts the rest.

I hope you get sorted, I think Y13s have already had enough to contend with.