Learning to drive.

[Pussy Galore]

This is how it was pre covid, I imagine the only difference will be sanitisation and distancing (potentially masks until you sit down/for the duration).

You arrive at the test centre and book in. You’ll be given a locker to put all of your things away and they will check that you don’t have anything like your phone in your pocket to cheat. They will also check you have no writing on your arms ect. They’ll check your ID also, you take your ID in to the test with you.

you’ll be directed to a booth and your details will be there to confirm, then you’ll get instructions on screen with headphones on how the test works and a quick practice. If your unsure of anything or your computer is not working then you can usually raise your hand and someone will arrive to help you.

You’ll take the theory part first and if you finish early you just need to confirm on screen when you’ve done you’re happy to proceed to the next step. It will also give you the option of a break before starting. The hazard perception will then start. Once you’re done sometimes they ask you some research questions on screen but you can opt out of these.

You don’t need to tell anyone you’ve finished you just get up and see the person outside the test room. They print your result there and then and give you the paper. Only the person printing your results will know the result.

Hope this helps, once seated I always feel a bit more relaxed. If you have any other questions just ask!

Also the app I used with incredibly similar to the actual test experience so if you’re doing well on that it’s very positive!!

Thank you so much, made me feel better! Can I ask what app you use? I wondered if they would use the same videos for hazard perception x

 

[kittypaws]

I use the Testi app but they don’t always send notifications even though I paid for premium. 9 out of 10 times I check the app and there’s tests on there… no notifications!

Mine has been like that! I’ve looked, seen dates which disappear as soon as I click on them but never got a notification. Then other times I get loads of notifications

 

[Thank(space)you]

I'm with you there! I've had ten lessons and was finally starting to feel a *teeny* bit better about it, but then covid happened and now I'm gonna be right back at the beginning I'm so scared even thinking about resuming my lessons. Part of me thinks maybe I should just give it up

 

[Kim Mild]

I have just returned to driving after a break and feel very new driver so here is my two cents for what it is worth - don't want to offend anyone, just how I feel

Gears/clutch control are not the problem when driving. That does come naturally (and this comes from someone who took months to "get it")

The tricky bit with driving is other drivers. Merging on a slip road onto a fast road - are they letting you out? Are you quick enough? Hell, slow enough?
Judging when to turn right on a busy junction
Realising you are in the wrong lane and needing to switch

I'm not trying to frighten anyone, but I'd question if going full auto would actually help, to be honest.

With driving it is all experience and personally I found I learned how to drive more after my test, than before! As I was on my own

They say the things that are the most common things to fail on happen whether I'm a manual 0r auto , it's usually down to observation.

 

[under the ivy]

The ponytail tip is genius! Trying that on Thursday

 

[Thank(space)you]

Mine sells blocks of ten but it doesn’t work out any cheaper so I pay weekly.

How much does everyone pay for an hour? Mines £18.

£30 an hour, or if you buy a block of 10 it's £270

 

[Pixipoppy]

Update:

So my mock went Rubbish. Instructor said he's postponing my test to just wanna cry. 7 minors and 7 majors so I get it but it's frustrating. He even said the fact I was nervous is a sign I'm not ready

Not sure how it works these days but can your instructor change your test date? Also nerves isn’t a sign of anything! Everyone is nervous when they do their test, please don’t feel too disheartened!

 

[under the ivy]

I passed!!

So happy for you! Congrats!

 

[jawidjanqndn]

thank you all for your advice. couldn’t appreciate it enough will update you after my lesson!

 

[Snippysnips]

Can you fail the test if you get the show me tell me questions wrong

It might depend on your examiner, some might just give a little minor but mine couldn't care less an wasn't even Intrested if I got them right or wrong or even did them lol, he was a bit like "oh I need to do these but don't worry about it, it's nothing" but they arnt a huge part of the test

 

[Ef27]

That appears to be a really shitty reason, but it appears you had a really good drive and are clearly very capable! 2 minors

I failed.

only got two minors and did my manoeuvre well but there is a four lane roundabout in the city centre and a lorry was trying to get in my lane and apparently I didn’t move over to let him in quick enough.

You’ll get it next time that doesn’t sound too bad honestly and any competent driver could do that! Mine was way worse I had loads of marks against me but just don’t give up

 

[under the ivy]

I’ve not had a lesson for 2 weeks, been really busy with my work where I’ve had to work at weekends too Hoping to get back into it next week. Don’t worry @Belulah, you will do it next time! Just think to yourself that you’ve done it once before so you can do it again! X

 

[Minipizza]

Aw sorry to hear that. Have you booked another one?

I can’t because the uk will be in lockdown from Thursday, so there is no test slots now

 

[bolimepipi]

How often do you drive? What is it that particularly bothers you?

i never do! when i passed my exam i drove a few times with my dad and it didn't go so well let's just say he's the worst teacher ever with no patience at all very quickly after that i moved to a country where people drive on the opposite side of the road from me and just never had the chance to drive there. moved back home feeling terrified of driving. tbh everything about it scares me gear shifting is the most difficult part for me, and being aware of everything in my surroundings, all sides! seems like so much!

 

[BettyCrockerr]

I passed!!

I passed!!

Yesssss!!!!!! Well done you!!!!!!! Brilliant news to start the week!!!

 

[Ceebee]

I had this issue with the two instructors I’ve had, they’d tell you to indicate/brake/use gears before I had a chance to make the decision myself! I felt like I just wasn’t learning anything, and I really noticed it when I bought my own car.

I’m in Ireland too, and it’s hard going without lessons atm!

It's so frustrating! I'm hoping I can learn better and make my own decisions when I do buy my own car. Yeah, I'm hoping things open up soon. Have you done your full test?

 

[kittypaws]

As others have said, do not let this get you down at all. I was out of control on the lesson the hour before my test, I just fell apart. Me and my driving instructor had a break and a good chat, and I managed to calm myself down and passed my test with 3 minor errors. I only passed a month ago, and I love driving now, but I used to dread my lessons and try and think of every excuse not to go. I was a very nervous driver, i over thought everything. My driving instructor used to say that my driving was perfect when we were on the way back to my house and I knew where I was going without him giving me instructions, but as soon as he gave me an instruction I would crumble and do things in the wrong order, or try and do things too fast and mess them up. On my test, I probably sounded like a right weirdo but as soon as I got an instruction, I would repeat it and then talk myself through it, sometimes in my head and sometimes out loud.

To anyone else who is struggling with particular things, tell your instructor and ask for a lesson solely dedicated to that, I used to panic at roundabouts, so we spent a whole lesson doing roundabouts and how best to approach them. I also hated bay parking, weirdly driving forward into a space did not come easily to me, so we spent a whole lesson on that.

Bloody hell you're pretty much describing me here! A good while ago I used to always try and cancel my lessons, it was so bad! I was so nervous, hated being on the road and would mess up whenever I was given an instruction just like you. I also hated roundabouts and forward bay parks I'm so much better now, I just worry about going to pieces on my test and need to seriously calm myself down about it! I'll definitely use your tip and repeat the instruction in my head so I can talk myself through the process. It's just so much pressure being watched by a man you've never met lol and that 40 minute drive could literally change your life! When I pass I don't think I'll be able to stop crying for a few days hahaha

 

[LaurieLaurie]

It’s just trial and error with finding an instructor. Mine is so calm and we have a laugh. There’s no need to panic because you’ve got as much time as you need, start thinking ahead.

If I get a rude examiner that shouts at me or huffs and puffs on my test I’m pulling over and telling them to stfu.

 

[LaurieLaurie]

I’ve booked in the next city across from me. My instructor says the test route is in the city I live in, just the test centre in my city is completely full. I know that sounds confusing Keep looking, I hope a test comes available x

There’s nothing within about 100miles
I’m glad you got one.

 

[HoGi]

I had a very similar experience with my first test. I was reacting to a situation and the examiner pointed it out. Because they mentioned it it was classed as examiner intervened and immediate fail! Only had 4 minors otherwise.

I think having to do the test again helped as I knew what to expect that time so I was a lot calmer, however my second test everything seemed against me (the weather, the examiner, the manoeuvres) but I passed with 3 minors

And statistically second time passers are safer drivers