Driving test booked

[dozydavenport]

Hi all!
I've got my driving test booked, two weeks time unless there's a cancellation.
Has anyone got any recent experience of the driving test, just to give me a rough idea of what to expect.
I know everyone has different experiences but I'm panicking because I'm told different things, one friend telling me it's really hard the other telling me just to treat it as a driving lesson,

Cheers guys

[g3org3y]

Best of luck. Cool head required.

[adsvx220]

Good luck. Just keep calm and don't panic. The driving test is relatively easy if you are a confident driver (just not over confident). If you fail just re-book and try again. But I'm sure you have practiced and had enough lessons to pass first time ;-)

[Silverbullet767]

Just imagine everyone in their underwear. And try not to crash a bit.

You'll be fine.

[Big Fat Fatty]

I passed 10 years ago last month so my experience won't be the same for you but, as long as you keep calm and concentrate on the job in hand you'll be fine. Just don't be intimidated by the examiner, he wants you to pass but you need to do what he asks, to the letter.

Good luck with it mate and all the best.

[danjama]

Had mine aboutr four months ago now and passed first time with 1 minor.

Examiner was very relaxed and pleasant, gave directions well in advance and clearly, and just seemed to enjoy the ride.

I had to do one maneuver, some town driving and DC/B road driving.

The important thing is to keep your distance from other vehicles, check mirrors before any change in direction or energy, especially at roundabouts or on DC's, and always signal.

They can be very forgiving. I was in the wrong lane at a two lane roundabout, but because i proceeded with extreme caution, it was my only minor. Could easily have been a fail.

[Captain Muppet]

I stalled on my hill start, which was also the first junction out from the test centre.

I assumed I'd failed but had passed, apparently I'd done the right things when it stalled.

Good luck.

[chrissull]

My first driving test - Kept calm, confident, did all manoeuvres perfectly, then as I'm going 30mph down a road, an old lady steps out to cross the road, making me have to stop as she was taking her time crossing, and quote the instructor 'Shouldn't have stopped as it wasn't a designated crossing area' I'd have killed her...

[StottyZr]

I think it all depends on you and your personality. Before my test I heard of a few people describing their feet trembeling on the pedals as they were so nervous. Others, nothing, felt like a lesson.

Best of luck, keep a cool head. As long as you've prepared, you'll be fine.

[Baz Tench]

I passed mine 25 years ago, but the same thought process I went through then still applies now.

To calm my nerves, I just had a look around me. There are obviously cars everywhere you look. They obviously have to be driven and parked by someone. These people have all had to go through this test, so it can't be THAT difficult.

Sounds a bit patronising I suppose and maybe not actually 100% true of course, but it certainly helped me get things in perspective and really calmed my nerves.

[petrolsniffer]

I actually found chatting to them calmed me down alot just small talk weather,what i'm going to do with my freedom etc I was a very nervous learner and had little confidence passed first time with three minors

[threadlock]

Don't be too upset if you fail. All the best drivers fail their first driving test.

[tercelgold]

Check out http://www.2passforum.co.uk/ , the driving test is harder than it used to be but not impossible, most people will fail first time though.

Fact of the day: on average 4,736 people will be out on the roads taking their driving test today and 2,221 will pass.

That's not bad odds for passing first time, nearly 50/50 without including sex or age.

[Triumph Man]

My examiner said "We won't go down that road, my ex wife lives down there" Top chap, had a good natter all the way round, and he was perfectly relaxed, and so was I.

[chongwong]

Captain Muppet said:

I stalled on my hill start, which was also the first junction out from the test centre.

I assumed I'd failed but had passed, apparently I'd done the right things when it stalled.

Good luck.

That wasn't the balgownie road test centre in aberdeen by any chance? The Junction out of the test centre is a steep t-junction, that if your going left, takes you on to another steep hill. I gained a minor there.

[chongwong]

Edited by chongwong on Monday 3rd September 13:14

[DeadMeat_UK]

Sometimes it's your day and sometimes it isn't.

I had one test where it wasn't, and looking back I sort of knew I wasn't ready.

The second test seemed like a lesson, with slightly more pressure, but I felt on top of things. Passed that one. The pre-test lesson was a b*tch and everything I could do wrong, I did do wrong, so don't take any indications from that.

Remember the test examiner wants to pass you, he/she enjoy giving passes more than fails. And they know you will be nervous to some extent.

Good luck!

[AJordan]

I passed a only a couple of months back, so here's my slant...

Assume every other driver is an idiot, actually that goes for pedestrians too!But dont appear overly cautious (even if you are trying to be) as I got a bking from the examiner for a) not getting up the the speed limit enough, and b) stopping at every juntion, even if they were clear.

The examiner will make a huge difference, mine was a bit of a wker, but dont let them or their attitude sway you into thinking that you're not doing well, or you've messed something up, some of them are just miserable.

But ultimately, as the other guys have said above, try and stay calm, be confident in your own abilty, don't doubt yourself, and everything will be fine

Good luck

[LukeSi]

I've got my test on the 13th. My instructor says the main thing for me is exaggerate that I am checking my mirrors.

[Gilhooligan]

I passed my test 5 years ago last month (wow where did the time go?!) I always got told to make it very obvious when making observations. Just to make sure the examiner sees that you are checking the mirrors.