[Pippie2222]

Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this/reply

I've had 50 driving lessons so far and my test is in three weeks time. In that time leading up to my test I'll probably have another 6 hours worth of lessons.

I have had the worst driving lesson yet. I think what's frustrating is that I know I have had so many hours of practice and yet I am still doing things that would be an instant fail in the test.

My instructor is really good, he will go over anything I don't feel happy with as many times as I would like, so it's not to do with the teaching. It's just me.

So today, I have just had a really bad lesson and it's really getting to me now

But anyway, here are the main issues I had today and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for me - because right now I feel like I should just stop and stop wasting my parents money!

- not looking out of the back window long enough when parallel parking

- Reverse around the corner - I often go to wide on the sharper corners (however I do no now how to fix this after my instructor showed me a number of times)

- Stopping too far behind the "STOP"

[bad8oy]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this/reply

I've had 50 driving lessons so far and my test is in three weeks time. In that time leading up to my test I'll probably have another 6 hours worth of lessons.

This past week and a half, I have had the worst driving lessons yet. I think what's frustrating is that I know I have had so many hours of practice and yet I am still doing things that would be an instant fail in the test.

My instructor is really good, he will go over anything I don't feel happy with as many times as I would like, so it's not to do with the teaching. It's just me.

So today, yet again I have just had a really bad lesson and it's really getting to me now I feel like I am never going to get these problems sorted and i'm just doing worse and worse.

But anyway, here are the main issues I had today and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for me - because right now I feel like I should just stop and stop wasting my parents money!

- Tight lefts out of a side road into the main road - I keep going up onto the curb when I'm turning left. It is so frustrating as sometimes I can do it, other times I go up the curb everytime!

- Reverse around the corner - I often go to wide on the sharper corners (however I do no now how to fix this after my instructor showed me a number of times)

- Stopping too far behind the "STOP" lines.

- Parrallel park - I don't look out the back window enough

lol you make yourself seem like ur a really crap driver, but really its just you thinking you cant do it when you probably can. It really isnt that hard if you just take your time and think about what you need to do. you should not care about the car behind you. There is no need to rush turning left. lol and trust me worse drivers then you have probably passed there tests.

[SoNottingH]

(Original post by Pippie2222)

But anyway, here are the main issues I had today and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for me - because right now I feel like I should just stop and stop wasting my parents money!

- Tight lefts out of a side road into the main road - I keep going up onto the curb when I'm turning left. It is so frustrating as sometimes I can do it, other times I go up the curb everytime!

- Reverse around the corner - I often go to wide on the sharper corners (however I do no now how to fix this after my instructor showed me a number of times)

- Stopping too far behind the "STOP" lines.

- Parrallel park - I don't look out the back window enough

Loads of people struggle with exactly these, I did too. So don't feel bad about it, I had absolutely zillions of lessons before I got good enough!!

On the tight lefts, obviously you need to go slightly further along the road than you have been before you make the left turn. That one's tricky because you can't always see where the curb is when you're up close and it's a trial and error thing that won't click until you've done it loads and loads? So relax, even experienced drivers do it sometimes.

Not getting close enough to Stop - that's similar, just keep trying, don't be scared of going over it a little, just try going beyond where you think it is a bit.

Parking is a total nightmare, I found it very hard. My Mum and Dad gave me loads of extra tuition just in that! Again, try to relax and remember to look around more.

Maybe your hand/eye co-ordination is slightly less brilliant than some people's, mine is. You will need to compensate for that by thinking ahead more. The left-hand turn one is like that - it's a spatial awareness thing but you can compensate by sizing up the look of the pavement and the left-turn well ahead and then kind of guessing more where it is when you turn.

Sorry, it's hard to do this in writing and I am sure you will come through but a few tips from people may help. Do you do anything about nerves before you go out? Exercize helps with that. Can you work out a little before each lesson, like on a bike machine or something like that? Do you eat before you go out?

[Tycho]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
- Tight lefts out of a side road into the main road - I keep going up onto the curb when I'm turning left. It is so frustrating as sometimes I can do it, other times I go up the curb everytime!

- Reverse around the corner - I often go to wide on the sharper corners (however I do no now how to fix this after my instructor showed me a number of times)

- Stopping too far behind the "STOP" lines.

- Parrallel park - I don't look out the back window enough

Woah 50 hours! You seem like quite a nervous person based on this? Firstly try to relax. You will perform more accurately if you're relaxed.

- If you are cutting your tight lefts a bit too tight, then delay your turn by a fraction of a second more than you normally are. Remember you need to get the halfway point of the car at the apex of the right-turn before your back wheel will definately clear it. If you feel you are turning too tightly then straighten up for a fraction and then turn again.

- Left reverse just takes practise. You should see the cerb through your left mirror and you want to try to keep the distance between it roughly equal as you turn. If it starts to appear further away then you slightly increase the turn rate. If it starts to become closer then you relax the steering wheel.

- A "Stop" sign typically appears because there is a visibility issue around the corner/s. To be able to safely come out of the junction you need to be able to see around the corners. If you find you are stopping too early then on future approaches to such a junction just gradually slow down untill you are upon it and then finish off with a harder squeeze on the brake. If you've done it correctly you should be able to see some way around the corners. At this point you'd gradually push forward until you can see more around the corners, and then go when it's clear. Note though that you MUST have made a complete stop at this junction. It's illegal to not stop.

- Parallel park - look out your back window more often then. Just get into the habit of scanning all your mirrors and viewpoints in a certain order, and repeat the process.

Good luck!

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by SoNottingH)
Loads of people struggle with exactly these, I did too. So don't feel bad about it, I had absolutely zillions of lessons before I got good enough!!

On the tight lefts, obviously you need to go slightly further along the road than you have been before you make the left turn. That one's tricky because you can't always see where the curb is when you're up close and it's a trial and error thing that won't click until you've done it loads and loads? So relax, even experienced drivers do it sometimes.

Not getting close enough to Stop - that's similar, just keep trying, don't be scared of going over it a little, just try going beyond where you think it is a bit.

Parking is a total nightmare, I found it very hard. My Mum and Dad gave me loads of extra tuition just in that! Again, try to relax and remember to look around more.

Maybe your hand/eye co-ordination is slightly less brilliant than some people's, mine is. You will need to compensate for that by thinking ahead more. The left-hand turn one is like that - it's a spatial awareness thing but you can compensate by sizing up the look of the pavement and the left-turn well ahead and then kind of guessing more where it is when you turn.

Sorry, it's hard to do this in writing and I am sure you will come through but a few tips from people may help. Do you do anything about nerves before you go out? Exercize helps with that. Can you work out a little before each lesson, like on a bike machine or something like that? Do you eat before you go out?

Oh thank you sooo much for writing this for me!!!
It's helped me to clarify a few things so thank you!! Your tips for the corners have definitely helped thank you so much for making me feel a little better!xxx

That's quite a good idea actually! to exercise before! I don't generally do that before I go driving but I might try that next lesson! And yes I do eat - but usually not that much as my lessons are generally in the morning and I'm not usually hungry in the mornings but I think I do need to start eating more in the mornings, as often I will have two hours lessons and by the time it is over my tummy is rumbling!

Thank you again!!!

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by Tycho)
Woah 50 hours! You seem like quite a nervous person based on this? Firstly try to relax. You will perform more accurately if you're relaxed.

- If you are cutting your tight lefts a bit too tight, then delay your turn by a fraction of a second more than you normally are. Remember you need to get the halfway point of the car at the apex of the right-turn before your back wheel will definately clear it. If you feel you are turning too tightly then straighten up for a fraction and then turn again.

- Left reverse just takes practise. You should see the cerb through your left mirror and you want to try to keep the distance between it roughly equal as you turn. If it starts to appear further away then you slightly increase the turn rate. If it starts to become closer then you relax the steering wheel.

- A "Stop" sign typically appears because there is a visibility issue around the corner/s. To be able to safely come out of the junction you need to be able to see around the corners. If you find you are stopping too early then on future approaches to such a junction just gradually slow down untill you are upon it and then finish off with a harder squeeze on the brake. If you've done it correctly you should be able to see some way around the corners. At this point you'd gradually push forward until you can see more around the corners, and then go when it's clear. Note though that you MUST have made a complete stop at this junction. It's illegal to not stop.

- Parallel park - look out your back window more often then. Just get into the habit of scanning all your mirrors and viewpoints in a certain order, and repeat the process.

Good luck!

Hey! I'm generally not a nervous person, but I am really really hard on myself (especially when i'm driving because I know how much we're paying and its frustrating when I feel like i'm doing awful) which makes me nervous because i'm just scared of failing and not doing well. So yeeees i definitely do need to just chill out a little bit more!!!

And i know - 50 and it will be likely around 56 hours by the time I take my test Your tips really really make sense - especially when you say to readjust and straighten a little if I feel I will go up the curb! Thank you!! I have saved them so I will read over them again later when I have a little more time but thank you very much !! and thank you for the good luck - i'll definitely be needing all the luck I can get!!!! hahahaha!!xxx

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by bad8oy)
lol you make yourself seem like ur a really crap driver, but really its just you thinking you cant do it when you probably can. It really isnt that hard if you just take your time and think about what you need to do. you should not care about the car behind you. There is no need to rush turning left. lol and trust me worse drivers then you have probably passed there tests.

Hahaha I am a really crap driver though! pahaha! Yeah you're right!...just had a few confidence knocks in my driving and i'm finding it hard to find the belief in myself that I used to have.
Hahaha thank you lots for replying - and thanks for the heads up! haha but I think I will need some sort of miracle for me to pass my test anytime soon the way my lessons are going right now!!!

[pinda.college]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
Hahaha I am a really crap driver though! pahaha! Yeah you're right!...just had a few confidence knocks in my driving and i'm finding it hard to find the belief in myself that I used to have.
Hahaha thank you lots for replying - and thanks for the heads up! haha but I think I will need some sort of miracle for me to pass my test anytime soon the way my lessons are going right now!!!

Your instructor will often be a lot more critical of your driving than the actual examiner. So though you need to be able to drive at a good standard, do not expect the examiner to scrutinise your driving as much (I am talking about minors.) The posts above have helped out with your worries however, I will delve deeper into your reverse corner issue

When you pull up are are asked to reverse around the corner, before you stop just ensure your wheel is straight (so that you do not need to mess around with it at the start of your reverse. Once you start reversing just keep it nice and controlled with your clutch control and ensure you are constantly checking mirrors/view spots (don't reverse whilst checking.) When you come to the corner just follow it around like you would with a left turn, ensuring that you keep a drains width between the car and curb. If you get too close to the crub then simply take of some left, if your back is hanging out into the other lane then you have put right on (and you do not need right in this manouvere.) Once you have turned the corner, straighten the wheel and continue reversing until your examiner tells you to stop and proceed with your driving.

Remember, always stop and give other vehicles right of way (because you do not want to cause traffic.) If something happens, for instance your are unable to reverse the corner due to another car behind you. You need to return to your original position and wait, the examiner will not tell you this (SO DO IT YOURSELF!) Also remember to tell the examiner that you want to take your belt off (you're allowed) it makes the whole thing so much easier

[Tackla]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
Hey everyone, thank you for taking the time to read this/reply

I've had 50 driving lessons so far and my test is in three weeks time. In that time leading up to my test I'll probably have another 6 hours worth of lessons.

This past week and a half, I have had the worst driving lessons yet. I think what's frustrating is that I know I have had so many hours of practice and yet I am still doing things that would be an instant fail in the test.

My instructor is really good, he will go over anything I don't feel happy with as many times as I would like, so it's not to do with the teaching. It's just me.

So today, yet again I have just had a really bad lesson and it's really getting to me now I feel like I am never going to get these problems sorted and i'm just doing worse and worse.

But anyway, here are the main issues I had today and I was wondering if anyone has any advice or tips for me - because right now I feel like I should just stop and stop wasting my parents money!

- Tight lefts out of a side road into the main road - I keep going up onto the curb when I'm turning left. It is so frustrating as sometimes I can do it, other times I go up the curb everytime!

- Reverse around the corner - I often go to wide on the sharper corners (however I do no now how to fix this after my instructor showed me a number of times)

- Stopping too far behind the "STOP" lines.

- Parrallel park - I don't look out the back window enough

I have read what you said,, but you might want to change your instructor. My dad failed 3 tests because he couldn't do that reverse parking or something. He thought the instructor was really good, but when he changed to a new instructor he passed first time. People have different teaching methods, you might find another way more helpful.

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by Tackla)
I have read what you said,, but you might want to change your instructor. My dad failed 3 tests because he couldn't do that reverse parking or something. He thought the instructor was really good, but when he changed to a new instructor he passed first time. People have different teaching methods, you might find another way more helpful.

Hey, thank you for taking the time to read!!
I have actually already changed instructors and so my current one is my new one - I find his teaching methods really useful and helpful and quite easy to follow and I feel much more confident with him instructing me so I don't really want to change instructors.

They are my problems and I think that no matter how many times my instructor helps me and goes over them with me, it is down to me to do it right and think about it properly etc etc etc. xxx

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by pinda.college)
Your instructor will often be a lot more critical of your driving than the actual examiner. So though you need to be able to drive at a good standard, do not expect the examiner to scrutinise your driving as much (I am talking about minors.) The posts above have helped out with your worries however, I will delve deeper into your reverse corner issue

When you pull up are are asked to reverse around the corner, before you stop just ensure your wheel is straight (so that you do not need to mess around with it at the start of your reverse. Once you start reversing just keep it nice and controlled with your clutch control and ensure you are constantly checking mirrors/view spots (don't reverse whilst checking.) When you come to the corner just follow it around like you would with a left turn, ensuring that you keep a drains width between the car and curb. If you get too close to the crub then simply take of some left, if your back is hanging out into the other lane then you have put right on (and you do not need right in this manouvere.) Once you have turned the corner, straighten the wheel and continue reversing until your examiner tells you to stop and proceed with your driving.

Remember, always stop and give other vehicles right of way (because you do not want to cause traffic.) If something happens, for instance your are unable to reverse the corner due to another car behind you. You need to return to your original position and wait, the examiner will not tell you this (SO DO IT YOURSELF!) Also remember to tell the examiner that you want to take your belt off (you're allowed) it makes the whole thing so much easier

Thank you so much for this!!!! That has made things seem quite simple!!! I will try and follow this with my mum and practice later today! ohhh i'm so glad you included the bit about the returning back to the original position if a car is behind you because I actually had that situation today!

Thank you very much for your help!!!!

[ROG.]

It seems you are driving on L plates with a family member as well as with the ADI

Has that family member had a good chat with your ADI so that they are both on the same page?

Its worth paying the ADI for that time

[victormeldrew]

Hello Pippie2222

People learn skills at different rates. However, after 50 hours learning to drive you should have mastered the basics such as controlling the steering, and the footbrake.

Mounting the kerb after turning left, or stopping short of the ends of roads, are common faults with beginners. They are not minor faults. I would not want to share the road with you while you are at this level of incompetence, nor would any other driving examiner. If you are still committing these faults you are nowhere near ready for test, despite what others have said in this thread.

Perhaps you are naturally slow at learning to drive (possible, but unlikely), or your instructors are no good (very likely). Good teachers are rare.

Have a look at my series of YouTube videos on learning to drive and the driving test: 'Choosing a Driving Insructor', 'The Driving Test. Reversing around a Corner' and 'Life, the Universe and Driving Tests' , all by lacontrabasse.

All the best

Victor

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by victormeldrew)
Hello Pippie2222

People learn skills at different rates. However, after 50 hours learning to drive you should have mastered the basics such as controlling the steering, and the footbrake.

Mounting the kerb after turning left, or stopping short of the ends of roads, are common faults with beginners. They are not minor faults. I would not want to share the road with you while you are at this level of incompetence, nor would any other driving examiner. If you are still committing these faults you are nowhere near ready for test, despite what others have said in this thread.

Perhaps you are naturally slow at learning to drive (possible, but unlikely), or your instructors are no good (very likely). Good teachers are rare.

Have a look at my series of YouTube videos on learning to drive and the driving test: 'Choosing a Driving Insructor', 'The Driving Test. Reversing around a Corner' and 'Life, the Universe and Driving Tests' , all by lacontrabasse.

All the best

Victor

Hi - thank you for your reply. I'm not by any means saying I am a good driver - because I am still a learner - and by nature - it is acceptable for any type of learner to make mistakes or struggle.
I made this thread for people to give me advice or tips, not to be put down
- I do enough of that myself! Thank you anyway for your time to read


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[ROG.]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
Hi - thank you for your reply. I think it's slightly unfair to say I am 'incompetent' and that you would not want to share the roads with me. I'm not by any means saying I am a good driver - because clearly I am not! But I am still a learner - and by nature - it is acceptable for any type of learner to make mistakes or struggle with a few things. I am sorry I can't be as perfect as you and your students are and I do congratulate you for making my confidence decrease even more.
I made this thread for people to give me advice or tips, not to be put down
- I do enough of that myself! Thank you anyway for your time to read

Ignore the negative comments as they serve no purpose in assisting you

Some people thrive on putting others down

[Whey aye Cabaye]

I've been driving for a few years now and I still cannot reverse round a corner to save my life.

Remember to do maneuvers slowly.

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by ROG.)
Ignore the negative comments as they serve no purpose in assisting you

Some people thrive on putting others down

Hey! thank you lots - I think those sorts of comments are totally not needed! Obviously it makes him feel better about himself, like you said, when he puts people down!!

hope you have a good weekend

[victormeldrew]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
Hey! thank you lots - I think those sorts of comments are totally not needed! Obviously it makes him feel better about himself, like you said, when he puts people down!!

hope you have a good weekend

Hello Pippie2222

I'm not putting you down. I'm trying to help you by giving you the facts, straight. I certainly don't need to feel better about myself. I feel great, thank you.

My confidence and authority comes from the experience gained from, amongst other things, thirty years as a driving examiner. I know that the people who succeed, in the face of difficulty, are those who approach the problems practically, and without emotional baggage. Incompetence can be changed to competence, with the right attitude.

Driving a motor vehicle on the public highway is a huge responsibility. The mother of a child who has been injured or killed by a driver's incompetence is not going to console herself with the idea that the driver felt good from lots of positive encouragement from her friends, and never had to suffer the emotional discomfort of having to think about what the word incompetence means.

My knowledge is offered to you freely, without any hidden agenda. I really think you would benefit from seeing my YouTube video, ' Life, the Universe and Driving Tests ' by lacontrabasse.

All the best

Victor

[Pippie2222]

(Original post by victormeldrew)
Hello Pippie2222

I'm not putting you down. I'm trying to help you by giving you the facts, straight. I certainly don't need to feel better about myself. I feel great, thank you.

My confidence and authority comes from the experience gained from, amongst other things, thirty years as a driving examiner. I know that the people who succeed, in the face of difficulty, are those who approach the problems practically, and without emotional baggage. Incompetence can be changed to competence, with the right attitude.

Driving a motor vehicle on the public highway is a huge responsibility. The mother of a child who has been injured or killed by a driver's incompetence is not going to console herself with the idea that the driver felt good from lots of positive encouragement from her friends, and never had to suffer the emotional discomfort of having to think about what the word incompetence means.

My knowledge is offered to you freely, without any hidden agenda. I really think you would benefit from seeing my YouTube video, ' Life, the Universe and Driving Tests ' by lacontrabasse.

All the best

Victor

I agree with what you are saying. I was never asking for encouragement, that came out of people's own kindness. Only tips/advice. You must have misunderstood my thread.

I am not incompetent. I full well know the exact definition of incompetence, so please don't try to patronize me. I had a bad driving lesson when I had posted this and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful ideas to help me improve. Your post gave me no tips or advice and was written with a very narcissistic tone. My instructor is not deluded, he would not put me in for a test if he felt I was 'incompetent.' Clearly, that would not be in his interest, putting a pupil in for a test that was not ready, after all, he would most probably prefer me not to have a test and keep going with a load more lessons purely for the business benefits.

I know I am not a perfect driver, hence this thread, however you do not know me, in any way shape or form and therefore you do not know my "attitude" - I simply began a thread asking for any advice out there - the majority of posters gave me methods that I have been practicing with my instructor and all the advice has been really helpful.

I am only a learner, inexperienced and still prone to making mistakes. Regardless of whether I am test standard or not. I hope that in the future you will refrain from such posts when really, they serve no purpose in response to such a question.

[victormeldrew]

(Original post by Pippie2222)
I agree with what you are saying. I was never asking for encouragement, that came out of people's own kindness. Only tips/advice. You must have misunderstood my thread.

I am not incompetent. I full well know the exact definition of incompetence, so please don't try to patronize me. I had a bad driving lesson when I had posted this and I was wondering if anyone had any helpful ideas to help me improve. Your post gave me no tips or advice and was written with a very narcissistic tone. My instructor is not deluded, he would not put me in for a test if he felt I was 'incompetent.' Clearly, that would not be in his interest, putting a pupil in for a test that was not ready, after all, he would most probably prefer me not to have a test and keep going with a load more lessons purely for the business benefits.

I know I am not a perfect driver, hence this thread, however you do not know me, in any way shape or form and therefore you do not know my "attitude" - I simply began a thread asking for any advice out there - the majority of posters gave me methods that I have been practicing with my instructor and all the advice has been really helpful.

I am only a learner, inexperienced and still prone to making mistakes. Regardless of whether I am test standard or not. I hope that in the future you will refrain from such posts when really, they serve no purpose in response to such a question.

Hello Pippie2222

I have cast my pearls of wisdom before you. Pick them up, or tread them in the mud. It's your choice.

All the best

Victor