How hard is it to pass practical driving test
For discussion relating to any and all aspects of learning to drive from finding an instructor to passing the test. Get advice, tips and support from other fellow learners.
| Announcements | Posted on | |
|---|---|---|
| Enter our travel-writing competition for the chance to win a Nikon 1 J3 camera | 21-05-2013 | |
-
- Reputation:
- New Member
- Posts: 6
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testPassed today with 2 minors after 3 previous failures. To be honest, in my opinion, unless you're getting bagloads of serious' per test, the driving test today has NO reflection on your driving ability whatsoever.
When you've passed.. WHEN are you actually going to go on a 40minute drive, carry out a pointless manouvre (reverse around a corner? WTF?) and be glared at by a guy with a clipboard who no matter how hard she/he tries to make it so there's no pressure on you, there always is? (Mainly cus driving tests are on the verge of £60 per test atm, followed by £40 per 2 hour driving lesson..... You'd have to be stupid not to be nervous when that kind of money is one the line, especially when its usually gonna take more than one try at the test, then, HELLO insurance..)
The odds are against the learner driver to learn to drive successfully and at a good price. You might aswell just get it over with. Thank god I've passed and don't have to go through the load of bull that is the driving test ever again.
Overall, the driving test is quite difficult in theory, simply because of the pressure. You've been waiting weeks for this one day! And remember, it's quite easy for driving instructors and examinors to hide behind the words 'safe driving'. Just keep calm and don't make any mistakes. It's harder than it sounds because one single mistake and you'll have to do it ALL over again.Last edited by Rawrr0; 29-11-2011 at 15:16. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 338
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving test(Original post by T-o dore)
just go really slowly
im a crap driver but passed first time with 1 minor
No, don't, you'll fail. -
- Reputation:
- Respected Member
- Location: Gloucestershire
- Posts: 168
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testI'm not going to lie, it was nerve racking hugely, the instructor just keeps looking at you and any kind of mistake could be marked as a fail or a minor. When I did mine I was very nervous, I couldn't afford to do another one so I had to pass that day. The instructor was a nice bloke and he calmed the nerves alot and it helped. All I can say is just relax, don't rush, take your time, double check everything and check in advance as well as checking when you get to the point of direction changing, Check the mirrors ever so often and make small talk with the instructor, it's pleasant. The practical is only hard if you make it hard, if you concentrate and take your time, it will be fairly easy. I passed the first time and was relieved it was all over! Good Luck! People say it's easy because they pass first time but they would say differently if they failed once or twice lol.
Last edited by Hunglikeamuuule; 04-12-2011 at 17:04. -
- Reputation:
- Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
- Location: Swindon
- Posts: 3,714
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testEasy, I got 2 minors. One for observation and one because the car slipped out of gear at the lights without me noticing and I revved the *******s off of it.
Car was knackered though, hence why it slipped out of gear, the syncromesh on 5th was gone so you had to match the revs to get it to go in
-
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testMy test score sheet disagrees(Original post by liam1994)
No, don't, you'll fail. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 338
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving test(Original post by T-o dore)
My test score sheet disagrees
Well mine doesn't. -
- Reputation:
- Full Member
- Posts: 118
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testthe best thing I can say is STAY CALM.
I failed first time round because I was so nervous and did stupid mistakes in the first 10 mins and failed with a major. I carried on the rest of the test knowing I failed and had no pressure so I only got 5 minors without trying!
Second time round I realised how easy it is if you don't think about it as a massive thing and passed with 2 minors! good luck! -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- Vengeful, Imperial Overlord of The Student Room
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testTouché(Original post by liam1994)
Well mine doesn't. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 338
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving test(Original post by WH1892)
the best thing I can say is STAY CALM.
I failed first time round because I was so nervous and did stupid mistakes in the first 10 mins and failed with a major. I carried on the rest of the test knowing I failed and had no pressure so I only got 5 minors without trying!
Second time round I realised how easy it is if you don't think about it as a massive thing and passed with 2 minors! good luck!
So hope that happens with me!
What did you fail on this first time round?
-
- Reputation:
- Full Member
- Posts: 118
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testI stalled on a hill before a junction i was meant to be turning into, panicked and tried to only use the foot break and start off + go. If i'd used the handbrake it would only have been a minor!(Original post by liam1994)
So hope that happens with me!
What did you fail on this first time round?
What about you? -
- Reputation:
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 338
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving test(Original post by WH1892)
I stalled on a hill before a junction i was meant to be turning into, panicked and tried to only use the foot break and start off + go. If i'd used the handbrake it would only have been a minor!
What about you?
Ah, yeah, I was told to always use my handbrake if you stall, but I'm not being funny but it would hardly be appropriate half way across a junction or on a roundabout?! As long as it is safe I think it should be fine.
I failed because of my speed, apparently it was too slow... It wasn't but hey. -
- Reputation:
- Banned
- Location: Wellington
- Warning points: 10
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testi agree with this chap, whilst it is fairly limiting in some ways such as renting cars and buying cheap second hand ones its a handy stop gap if you need a license quickly and dont want to spend weeks learning how to piss around with a manual, all you have to do in an automatic is learn the manoeuvres and how to steer it .. very easy(Original post by amaturestudent)
Have you considered learning in an automatic? You can sit a test in an automatic and you'll probably find that easier to pass. Of course, your license will only be for automatic cars, but there are lots of them now.
-
- Reputation:
- New Member
- Posts: 3
Re: How hard is it to pass practical driving testIn general the test takes like 40-50 minutes or something. It's not about 'if i make a mistake will i fail' they're assessing whether you can safely control the car, so if you stall, no problem. Just calmly neutral that bitch up, handbrake, start up and move off safely. Its only if you make a mistake that puts you, your passengers or other drivers in danger that theyll fail you on, so clipping the kerb is probably fine(Original post by singh246)
I got mine coming up this Wednesday but I don't really know weather I will pass or fail. I'm fairly good driver but i do make mistakes. Do you have to be like proper good/safe to pass.
What happens if you dont do one of the maneuvers. Is that a fail? Because realistically it shouldn't be. Just gimme a bit more info.
Cheers
