Failed driving test...

[theironduke]

Not me (obviousley) but a friend, she had it this morning and just text me

Just wondered what words of wisdom can be used to console her? i just asked what happened and got a rather short reply to the effect of "i can't drive"

Don't really want to sound patronising and ideally don't want my head ripped off.....i past first time 7 years ago so can't really offer empathy either... Any suggestions?

[Negative Creep]

Say the driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass. So it's no necessarily about being a good driver but doing exactly what they want to see

[roscozs]

Tell them to chalk it up as a fail and move on. After all its done now and theres no point worrying about the what ifs. Re apply for another test and get them back out into a car as soon as possible before they loose interest.

[The Wookie]

Send her a link to your local bus company's timetable, that ought to soften the blow

[Jayho]

Send her a text asking her to send you a pic of herself to put onto PH. That should help.

and tell her second time passers are always better drivers....

[theironduke]

The Wookie said:

Send her a link to your local bus company's timetable, that ought to soften the blow

lol...now that's a PH reply...

i believe they are reffered to as "loser cruisers"....

[theironduke]

Jayho said:

Send her a text asking her to send you a pic of herself to put onto PH. That should help.

and tell her second time passers are always better drivers....

Haha, no pics...should have said that in the OP. But for the record she is stunning

[davidjpowell]

Negative Creep said:

Say the driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass. So it's no necessarily about being a good driver but doing exactly what they want to see

Disagree. If you have not passed the test, you need to understand that the examiner does not feel that they have enough practice / skill to be on the roads on their own. They will be that much more experienced a driver when they do eventually pass.

[theironduke]

I said that a) the fact her instructor put her forward means she cant be a total numpty and can "drive" per se b) its a crap deal but its done, put it down as experience and don't beat yourself up

I await a reply...

[Ozzie Osmond]

Negative Creep said:

The driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass.

?????????????????

Like what?

[theironduke]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Negative Creep said:

The driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass.

?????????????????

Like what?

Signalling if you end up driving a certain marque...

:P

[z4me]

You could console her with the fact she probably won't have to wait too long for another test. Personally, failed first test July 1979, next available slot, April 1980.

[aizvara]

Tell her that those who pass the second time around are statistically safer drivers.

I failed my first test years ago, largely down to my own lack of confidence. Not helped by having a fairly useless driving instructor. I only realised this upon learning with a new instructor when I finally got around to having a second go; difference was like night and day. The second guy was a lot more up to date, calmer, and a lot less needlessly critical. Helped my confidence no end, and resulted in the test being literally a formality.

[monthefish]

theironduke said:

The Wookie said:

Send her a link to your local bus company's timetable, that ought to soften the blow

lol...now that's a PH reply...

i believe they are reffered to as "loser cruisers"....

That's not politically correct.

The acceptable term is 'Bus w@nkers'.

[redtwin]

I failed first time, despite having 17 years driving experience and holding a full UK motorcycle license, US car license, US motorcycle license, US HGV class 1 license and a US emergency vehicle operator's license at the time of the UK car test!.

The test is more about showing the examiner the specific skills they want to see rather than actual driving ability.

[Negative Creep]

Ozzie Osmond said:

Negative Creep said:

The driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass.

?????????????????

Like what?

3 point turn, which involves repeatedly applying the handbrake to look around before completing the next park, or reversing around a corner keeping a constant distance from the curb. Who seriously performs a turn in the road that way once they pass?

[theironduke]

I spoke to her earlier and she was very unlucky, the cock up was down to a nobber who hadn't demisted their windows pulling out in front of her

Rebooked for Jan if a last minute/drop out place doesnt come up.

[Gizmo!]

theironduke said:

I spoke to her earlier and she was very unlucky, the cock up was down to a nobber who hadn't demisted their windows pulling out in front of her

Rebooked for Jan if a last minute/drop out place doesnt come up.

If that's all it was then she does know how to drive, she just needs to make more allowance for the idiots. I drove for 8 years before moving to London and some of the driving in the south-east still leaves me speechless.

[theironduke]

Gizmo! said:

theironduke said:

I spoke to her earlier and she was very unlucky, the cock up was down to a nobber who hadn't demisted their windows pulling out in front of her

Rebooked for Jan if a last minute/drop out place doesnt come up.

If that's all it was then she does know how to drive, she just needs to make more allowance for the idiots. I drove for 8 years before moving to London and some of the driving in the south-east still leaves me speechless.

Pretty much what i said to her.

I've been driving 7 years and the numptys never cease to amaze me.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Negative Creep said:

Ozzie Osmond said:

Negative Creep said:

The driving test is like a school exam - you have to learn plenty of things that will be completely useless the moment you pass.

?????????????????

Like what?

3 point turn, which involves repeatedly applying the handbrake to look around before completing the next park, or reversing around a corner keeping a constant distance from the curb. Who seriously performs a turn in the road that way once they pass?

I either do a turn in the road or reverse round a corner, it's the safe, correct way of turning round....

Edit to say I passed first time with 2 minors, have pass plus and 6 years on-road driving experience....

Edited by Petrolhead_Rich on Wednesday 10th November 19:35