[JackDef]

4th hour finished, really enjoyed it, did a lot of driving around on main roads, did a 3 point turn, and got to drive it home.

Really feel my control of the pedals and gears improving and I'm becoming more aware of whats around me.

Still some issues though, control is generally okay although my road positioning can be iffy, my hands are lazy on the wheel and sometimes I let them rest and do things one handed when getting ready to set off, sometimes not getting the clutch down early enough when braking.

Instructor seems really happy though, says I've really taken to it and should be aiming at mid october for my test.

[RyJ]

I have my test tomorrow morning. On my last lesson (Monday), I messed up all my manoeuvres and stalled a few times. Lets just hope I got my nerves out of my system there...

[Coffeegirl]

(Original post by RyJ)
I have my test tomorrow morning. On my last lesson (Monday), I messed up all my manoeuvres and stalled a few times. Lets just hope I got my nerves out of my system there...

How did it go?

[RyJ]

(Original post by Coffeegirl)
How did it go?

I failed

2 majors and 7 minors, all for stupid mistakes that I never make in lessons. I guess I was just really nervous...

What made it worse was that before my test, another person (who was just a normal driver) was trying to park their car in front of me. They hit the fence to the right of them, then hit the parked car on the left of them. The fact that I failed my test and that they can drive is just agonising...

Oh well, I've booked it again in about 4 weeks

Thanks for asking

[Coffeegirl]

(Original post by RyJ)
I failed

2 majors and 7 minors, all for stupid mistakes that I never make in lessons. I guess I was just really nervous...

What made it worse was that before my test, another person (who was just a normal driver) was trying to park their car in front of me. They hit the fence to the right of them, then hit the parked car on the left of them. The fact that I failed my test and that they can drive is just agonising...

Oh well, I've booked it again in about 4 weeks

Thanks for asking

Aww never mind Better luck for the next time

[Runninground]

(Original post by RyJ)
I failed

2 majors and 7 minors, all for stupid mistakes that I never make in lessons. I guess I was just really nervous...

What made it worse was that before my test, another person (who was just a normal driver) was trying to park their car in front of me. They hit the fence to the right of them, then hit the parked car on the left of them. The fact that I failed my test and that they can drive is just agonising...

Oh well, I've booked it again in about 4 weeks

Thanks for asking

What were the majors for?

[RyJ]

(Original post by Runninground)
What were the majors for?

Steering:
1 - Not steering quickly enough to avoid hazards; buses in this case.
2 - Was asked to turn right, there were no road markings to inform you of which lane to use; I almost went on to the other side of the road

Like I said, very stupid mistakes that I never make. Oh well, got my next test on the 23rd of August...

[Runninground]

(Original post by RyJ)
Steering:
1 - Not steering quickly enough to avoid hazards; buses in this case.
2 - Was asked to turn right, there were no road markings to inform you of which lane to use; I almost went on to the other side of the road

Like I said, very stupid mistakes that I never make. Oh well, got my next test on the 23rd of August...

Oh man, at least next time you will be aware of the errors you make and try not to do them again

[minthumbugs]

had my 5th hour today (with this instructor) and did left reverse round a corner, parallel park and turn in the road because it was a dead end And I only stalled once at traffic lights! I am meant to have 2 hour lessons from now but I'm fasting so don't think I'll be able to get up (it's 8.30-10.30) and I won't be able to concentrate. I also need to get a move on with theory. Want to get it done before september! I'm awful at hazard perception

[StrawberryKoi]

(Original post by minthumbugs)
had my 5th hour today (with this instructor) and did left reverse round a corner, parallel park and turn in the road because it was a dead end And I only stalled once at traffic lights! I am meant to have 2 hour lessons from now but I'm fasting so don't think I'll be able to get up (it's 8.30-10.30) and I won't be able to concentrate. I also need to get a move on with theory. Want to get it done before september! I'm awful at hazard perception

I'm fasting too so I feel your pain. Kind of awkward when you're trying to parallel parking and your stomach is making dying whale noises.

Are you using a CD for your theory preparation?

[minthumbugs]

(Original post by StrawberryKoi)
I'm fasting too so I feel your pain. Kind of awkward when you're trying to parallel parking and your stomach is making dying whale noises.

Are you using a CD for your theory preparation?

haha luckily no awkward noises yet- it was 1pm

I have a BSM dvd but it's not great. I've been using hazard perception clips and mock theory tests online. In some clips I get 1 and some I score 5, I don't understand!

[StrawberryKoi]

(Original post by minthumbugs)
haha luckily no awkward noises yet- it was 1pm

I have a BSM dvd but it's not great. I've been using hazard perception clips and mock theory tests online. In some clips I get 1 and some I score 5, I don't understand!

To be fair the online ones can be a bit unreliable. If you have £6 to spare you could get one of these on amazon, the hazard perception reviews tell you where you went wrong, it really helped me improve

[minthumbugs]

Ahh thank you I might pester my brother to look for his or ask my friends for theirs because a couple of them have passed. Booked my theory for 22nd August!

[nadiah]

(Original post by cfizzle)
Have booked my test for the 28th of August! But have a few questions that I feel my driving instructor would facepalm at if I asked her at this stage... I've had 22 lessons so far


1) when approaching a roundabout in 2nd, you see that a car is coming, but you misread it and have since moved down gears, but it's actually leaving and you're free to go - what do you do?! When I have moved into 1st and try to continue going, the car kind of does this jittery thing kind of on the brink of stalling, but I've no idea what to do to fix it!

I think this is more to do with making sure you check *fully* before stopping - it's something I always fall down on. I also wouldn't change down to first until you have fully stopped - if the car is struggling I think it means you should be in a higher gear! I always approach roundabouts in second and only change to first if I've actually stopped - then as I pull away I change into second if I can. If someone could confirm this though would be great!

2) if you put the handbrake on when you stop for less than 5 seconds (the rule my instructor told me) ie, if you only stop for 2 seconds or something, is it bad/a minor? Overcautious? etc.

I'm not sure if it's a minor but you shouldn't have to put it on for 2 seconds - your clutch control should be good enough to hold it there. I am actually often guilty of the opposite - not putting my handbrake on when I should and end up riding the clutch

3) Also, 22 lessons in and I haven't learned how to do an emergency stop. Is this normal? Can someone summarise what you do exactly?

It might be a good idea to mention this to your instructor (though it is pretty simple to learn so I wouldn't worry!) You basically have to press the break and clutch firmly and progressively - so don't just slam on the breaks or else you will skid (unless the car has anti lock breaking). But still do it quickly. If you see what I mean!

I hope this helps a little - good luck!

[Coffeegirl]

Does anyone know why we need headphones for the HP? In most of the practise ones there is no sound! will there be any sound in the real test?

[Runninground]

(Original post by cfizzle)
Have booked my test for the 28th of August! But have a few questions that I feel my driving instructor would facepalm at if I asked her at this stage... I've had 22 lessons so far


1) when approaching a roundabout in 2nd, you see that a car is coming, but you misread it and have since moved down gears, but it's actually leaving and you're free to go - what do you do?! When I have moved into 1st and try to continue going, the car kind of does this jittery thing kind of on the brink of stalling, but I've no idea what to do to fix it!

2) if you put the handbrake on when you stop for less than 5 seconds (the rule my instructor told me) ie, if you only stop for 2 seconds or something, is it bad/a minor? Overcautious? etc.

3) Also, 22 lessons in and I haven't learned how to do an emergency stop. Is this normal? Can someone summarise what you do exactly?


Cheeeers!

1) You are probably going too fast for first, or you bring the clutch up too quickly. What I do is change to second on approach, then if it's clear then I go, if not I change down to first when I am about a meter from the line. I only go to 1st earlier if there is a car stopped in front.

2) To get a minor, you have to do something to give the examiner a reason to give you it. Putting your handbrake on isn't something they can give you a minor for on its own. If you then roll backwards, or you are waiting for too long, then there is a reason for the minor.

3) Emergency stop is pretty simple on cars with ABS, although it does shake you a bit after doing it. Just slam the brake on and then the clutch, and when you stop you put it into neutral, handbrake on and look all around the car.

Ask your instructor about these points. I've asked my instructor things that i've forgotten or he forgot to tell me, there is nothing wrong with it. I like asking my instructor if I would get a minor for this, that and all the other stuff, but his answer is usually always that it depends on the situation

So yeah, ask your instructor and he should be happy to answer. The worst he can do is not give you the answer (then get rid of him )

[A Mysterious Lord]

(Original post by cfizzle)
1) when approaching a roundabout in 2nd, you see that a car is coming, but you misread it and have since moved down gears, but it's actually leaving and you're free to go - what do you do?! When I have moved into 1st and try to continue going, the car kind of does this jittery thing kind of on the brink of stalling, but I've no idea what to do to fix it!

Best to just stop, into first and go again, unless you've got enough momentum to keep going in second.

2) if you put the handbrake on when you stop for less than 5 seconds (the rule my instructor told me) ie, if you only stop for 2 seconds or something, is it bad/a minor? Overcautious? etc.

Nothing wrong with that. If you stopped on a hill you'd need to put the handbrake on to do a hill start, no matter how long you were stationary for.

3) Also, 22 lessons in and I haven't learned how to do an emergency stop. Is this normal? Can someone summarise what you do exactly?

I only did this once and on the lesson before my first test. Basically brake hard but keep in control so you don't skid or lock the brakes (if the car has ABS then it doesn't matter). When you're setting off again, check both blind spots.

Good luck

[Hillbilly101]

I failed my first test because my teacher had a hot flush and all of the windows steamed up, the examiner then wanted me to pull over to the side of the road to then pull off again, and when I was trying to desteam the windows I forgot to indicate and nearly went into a car.

I passed the second time .

[nadiah]

(Original post by Coffeegirl)
Does anyone know why we need headphones for the HP? In most of the practise ones there is no sound! will there be any sound in the real test?

If I recall correctly, you only need them for the multiple choice questions as they read them out loud. I think they say you can take them off during the hazard perception!

[Coffeegirl]

(Original post by nadiah)
If I recall correctly, you only need them for the multiple choice questions as they read them out loud. I think they say you can take them off during the hazard perception!

I hope you don't HAVE to wear them with multiple choice questions because I can't concentrate when someone else reads :/