Learning to drive #2

[leon19]

I passed my test in May and I still feel like I am getting used to my car
I haven't stalled in ages and general driving is fine, but I need to get used to how long & wide my car actually is!
Parking is still my weakest skill, I can go into bay forwards quite easily now but haven't managed to reverse park yet
For ages I drove to a car park 20mins walk away from work because it was quieter

I passed in March and I haven't reversed parked either I was so good at it in my instructors car and even had it on my test but the reference points in that car and my car are so different, so I don't dare do it. Weirdly I will parallel park ok though

 

[Thank(space)you]

I passed in March and I haven't reversed parked either I was so good at it in my instructors car and even had it on my test but the reference points in that car and my car are so different, so I don't dare do it. Weirdly I will parallel park ok though

My street you have to parallel park so I've definitely gotten better at it. My instructors car had a camera which made reverse parking a lot easier!

 

[jackieweaver’sauthority]

This makes me feel so much better, still buzzing when I forward bay park right

 

[leon19]

My street you have to parallel park so I've definitely gotten better at it. My instructors car had a camera which made reverse parking a lot easier!

Same here or I don't think I'd of even bothered with parallel parking either Was a good 2 months or so after passing I first attempted it, I used to park a few streets away where it was easier to park. Parking sensors aswell makes it easier and gives you more confidence which my car doesn't have

 

[Lalla]

Don't beat yourselves up about parking.

I've been driving for 6 years, I rarely parallel park (thankfully I don't need to regularly!) and I don't often reverse bay park either. I can, it's just I'm normally parking in a bay at the supermarket, and so it's much easier to go in front ways so I can load up shopping.

Parking, like everything else is just practice. It is a lot easier with sensors and/ or a camera (my car has neither!)

 

[KitcRed]

Honestly I’d say on the day almost 90% of it is mindset rather than actually being skilled enough to drive!

You know you can drive otherwise you wouldn’t be up for a test. So just keep your thoughts positive rather than thinking about fear of failing or being embarrassed.

To keep my nerves down on the day I sat my test I just repeated to myself “I’m here to get my driving licence” which meant I had a clear goal in my head and I passed first time and didn’t get worked up / stressed. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll pass!

Thank you so much! I feel much more at ease reading this back tonight. Just need to remember it's not the end of the world if I fail... but I had a job rejection last week so I almost feel a need to prove to myself I can achieve something, anything

 

[gossipgal21]

Thank you so much! I feel much more at ease reading this back tonight. Just need to remember it's not the end of the world if I fail... but I had a job rejection last week so I almost feel a need to prove to myself I can achieve something, anything

best of luck - totally easier said than done but try and remember you just need to drive safely not perfectly.

I don’t know if you’ve been doing 1 hour or 2 hour lessons but the test is, and feels, very quick in comparison.

Best of luck and remember the instructors do this all the time so IF you fail it’s not the end of the world and they don’t treat it like it is either. However try and think positive. Either way it’s a valuable experience.

 

[KitcRed]

best of luck - totally easier said than done but try and remember you just need to drive safely not perfectly.

I don’t know if you’ve been doing 1 hour or 2 hour lessons but the test is, and feels, very quick in comparison.

Best of luck and remember the instructors do this all the time so IF you fail it’s not the end of the world and they don’t treat it like it is either. However try and think positive. Either way it’s a valuable experience.

I failed you're right about it being a valuable experience though - really appreciate your message.

I made SO many silly mistakes - the first being that I left the car in reverse when I parked at the test centre, and for some reason didn't choose a gear when moving off, so went backwards immediately. Probably shouldn't have voiced "well, that's not a good start is it?"

My poor parents drove 2 hours up to surprise me as well. Awkward.

 

[gossipgal21]

I failed you're right about it being a valuable experience though - really appreciate your message.

I made SO many silly mistakes - the first being that I left the car in reverse when I parked at the test centre, and for some reason didn't choose a gear when moving off, so went backwards immediately. Probably shouldn't have voiced "well, that's not a good start is it?"

My poor parents drove 2 hours up to surprise me as well. Awkward.

Oh no! So sorry as I know it’s so disappointing. I failed first time too. If you know it was mostly on little / silly things it’s likely just nerves.

Weirdly I almost felt a bit relieved after failing because at least I now knew what the test felt like and that helped me enormously for the second time.

hopefully you can get another one booked ASAP and I’m sure you’ll get it next time!

 

[DaisySims89]

I failed you're right about it being a valuable experience though - really appreciate your message.

I made SO many silly mistakes - the first being that I left the car in reverse when I parked at the test centre, and for some reason didn't choose a gear when moving off, so went backwards immediately. Probably shouldn't have voiced "well, that's not a good start is it?"

My poor parents drove 2 hours up to surprise me as well. Awkward.

Aw I'm sorry, I failed twice before passing

The second time I was in the wrong lane to turn right at a junction. Such a stupid mistake and I hated myself for it.

But you do learn from the experience and ultimately it will make you a better driver

 

[Sallyspal]

I passed only on my 4th go… keep going!! It was nerves that got the better of me each time

 

[candyland_]

Reverse bay parking is my best manoeuvre Just got to find your reference points.

 

[Irishgirl14]

I have my test on Thursday really don't feel I'm going to pass still finding the reverse around the corner tricky

 

[KitcRed]

I have my test on Thursday really don't feel I'm going to pass still finding the reverse around the corner tricky

How did you get on?

 

[Thank(space)you]

Even though I've been driving over a year now, and I'm generally a good driver, I still live in fear of losing my licence or getting a speeding ticket or something

Also, I want to buy a spare tyre. How do I know what kind I need

 

[LeWylde]

Long time lurker, first time posting on this thread. I failed my driving test this morning for a silly reason and feel so disappointed.
But like someone said, it was great practice though and I feel like I know what to expect next time.
Just curious if anyone has any advice for the second time around?

 

[elloelloello]

Even though I've been driving over a year now, and I'm generally a good driver, I still live in fear of losing my licence or getting a speeding ticket or something

Also, I want to buy a spare tyre. How do I know what kind I need

If it makes u feel better I passed a year ago and I still haven’t driven on the motorway by myself but I’m starting a new job in January and I will have to do it everyday so I better start practicing

 

[DaisySims89]

Long time lurker, first time posting on this thread. I failed my driving test this morning for a silly reason and feel so disappointed.
But like someone said, it was great practice though and I feel like I know what to expect next time.
Just curious if anyone has any advice for the second time around?

I failed my first two attempts so I know the feeling! What did you fail on?

Try and treat the next time as just another lesson but with a different instructor. You don't have to drive perfectly, they just want to know you are competent and safe.
Don't put loads of pressure on yourself, remember that if you do happen to fail again it isn't the complete end of the world and life will go on
Go slowly, don't rush, brush up on road signs and markings, and try and anticipate hazards in plenty of time

 

[LeWylde]

I failed my first two attempts so I know the feeling! What did you fail on?

Try and treat the next time as just another lesson but with a different instructor. You don't have to drive perfectly, they just want to know you are competent and safe.
Don't put loads of pressure on yourself, remember that if you do happen to fail again it isn't the complete end of the world and life will go on
Go slowly, don't rush, brush up on road signs and markings, and try and anticipate hazards in plenty of time

Thank you, those are some great tips! Need to go through the whole shambles of booking a test again first but will take your words to heart.

My mistake was that I pulled out on a roundabout without spotting that the lorry to the right had already jumped out and was quite quickly approaching. The examiner put it down as a dangerous fault and I knew then and there that I had failed.

 

[DaisySims89]

Thank you, those are some great tips! Need to go through the whole shambles of booking a test again first but will take your words to heart.

My mistake was that I pulled out on a roundabout without spotting that the lorry to the right had already jumped out and was quite quickly approaching. The examiner put it down as a dangerous fault and I knew then and there that I had failed.

Booking another test is a whole different ball game

That's unfortunate, I guess maybe next time make sure you are fully observant at roundabouts. Better to hesitant than get a serious fault