driving test

[A M R]

i got my driving test tomorrow! yay!

anyway, anyone got any good tips for bay parking? i always manage to do it by sheer luck, but havent got a clue what the technique is.

oh also is it mandatory that i have to look over my left shoulder when switching lanes on a roundabout? my instructor says i this is the way its supposed to be done but its a pain in the arse when i have to do that as it just makes it even more confusing and youre more likely to crash. especially when driving in london (croydon to be precise). will the instructor give me a minor or a major if i dont do this?

cheers guys.

HOPE I PASS!

[SteveP]

Good luck dude...

But please, always check your blind spots - not just for the test either, you never know if theres something there without looking. Alot of people I know don't check their blindspots and I'm always scared of them cutting someone up!

[A M R]

yeh yeh i have to - or i wont pass

[germ]

Go For It -I Am Sure You Will Pass

i did at 16 so iam sure u can

[pettaw]

You'll be fine, and yeah, blindspot checks missed will get you a minor, and if you pull out/in front of someone who was in a blind spot then that's a major. If he sees you checking your blindspots properly, he's more inclined to think you're a safe driver and relax during the drive, rather than thinking he's got to check every single thing you're doing.

Finally, use the drive beforehand with your instructor to get yourself fully relaxed....and GOOD LUCK!!!

[antiekeradio]

if the 'getting relaxed' part doesn't work... dont keep struggling like I did (failed first test due to dodgy blindspot looking -stressed out- and my second one due to being totally stressed out, screwed up multiple things)

there's stuff you can ask a prescription for from your GP, which keeps your bloodpressure and sweatiness under control even when you are under stress - betablockers - These prevent the stressiness from taking hold on your driving style. I got a prescription for "propanolol" for my third test and passed with ease!!! still quite nervous but no dry tongue nor sweaty palms



PS i'm having some driving-related exams as well tomorrow and thursday!
Its for taxi driving, since a few years its mandatory to do a theory and practice test for this, much like the normal driving licence.
I also have to submit to a medical test and have to ask a document from the ministry of justice about my suitability for taxi driving (if you have been convicted for drink&drive or violent offences theres no chance you'll get such a document no problem for me there )

Tomorrow its theory, thursday practice. You're expected to know quite a lot about driving time regulation, general terms and conditions, 'what would you do if...' questions, how the tariff structure works, etc so the normal traffic regulations are not so important.
the practice test also is something totally different from a driving test. the examiner pays extra attention to comfortable and economic driving (even more than on a regular driving test!!) and ofcourse how you behave as professional driver towards the 'customer' (i.e. being the instructor)

Luckily this time i'm not half as stressed out as with my first driving tests, think it has to do with already having a lot of driving experience and being almost 6 years older already...


anyway I wish us both great luck tomorrow!

[petefarrell360]

Good luck both of you! Indeed, not getting flustered is the key. It helps if you've regularly taken different passengers in your car when you were learning, so someone different to your instructor isn't going to bother you. Just watch for the 'take the next available right turn' etc. whereby they are making sure you're paying attention to what they are saying and the road signs and junctions, as it will be a one way road with a no entry for your route snd they expect you to notice this as you should!
Good luck guys.
Pete

[petavius]

Good luck!

[MJ]

Yeah, try to stay calm and don't worry. If you muck up, just think it's one minor point, it doesn't matter and carry on.

I mucked up a reverse bay park at the very beginning of mytest by turning too late, but by holding full lock for a long time, then quickly to opposite lock, still got it in place in one go :. And I find that one of the easiest manoeuvre's that I'd done loads of times before Luckily I stayed calm and went on to pass first time

Good luck to everyone with a test, and drive safe

[redline]

I was told to imagine my driving instructor naked to help me relax,
trouble was a gorgeous 30 something blond with big boobs called out my name and I ended up taking most of my test with a second gear lever !!!!!
( well I was only just 17 )

[A M R]

lol. crap i must get to bed - the test is at 10.45 and ive got a quick lesson at 9.15!!! argh! just hope i dont kerb it anywhere...

[Chris_C]

I reckon you must just be being told the result.. hope it's gone well

[antiekeradio]

yesss... passed with 40/40 questions correct..

so, turned out quite easy (hardly any tricky questions), nevertheless a few people in the exam room failed

[Chris_C]

Well done mate!

[redline]

well done indeed now lets wait to see how A M R got on