The Practical Driving Test...Did you Pass First Time?

[Rikki Kitto]

Magic roundabouts are easy, just treat each one individually and work your way round them safely.

[BRY]

I like to see anyone reverse using RS2 mirrors

I have seen you trying to reverse with standard mirrors.............
"Sal, will you reverse my car out for me"

[Error404]

did you just leave the corpse in the car when you arrived back at the test station, or dump it en route?

[djh]

I shot my driving instructor and filled out my form. I have my licence to kill

[Christophski]

I live in Hemel and deal with the magic roundabout daily and it is really easy as long as you know where you are going. Most people who dont know it or where to go really screw it up haha

[djh]

Hmm interesting idea, I'm just showing the examiner how brilliant I am at Driving :mischeif:

I took a formal mock test today and passed with no minors, the examiner said "you drive like a driver"....as apposed to?? I took it as a good thing even though I didn't understand what he meant!

Just need to keep my cool...easier said than done!! And pray they don't make go on the magic roundabout!

both the swindon and the hemel one are the easiest bit

[Laurel]

I passed first time, had been driving machinery on a farm since i could reach the pedals! anyway, (not read all of thread, maybe i am covering old ground) but try your best to stay relaxed!!!!!!! if you are too nervous it will show, remember its not an interrogation!!! try to get in the mindset of that you are only demonstrating to the tester that you can operate a vehicle nothing more!

hope this helps

Hmm interesting idea, I'm just showing the examiner how brilliant I am at Driving :mischeif:

I took a formal mock test today and passed with no minors, the examiner said "you drive like a driver"....as apposed to?? I took it as a good thing even though I didn't understand what he meant!

Just need to keep my cool...easier said than done!! And pray they don't make go on the magic roundabout!

[campbellWS]

I passed first time, had been driving machinery on a farm since i could reach the pedals! anyway, (not read all of thread, maybe i am covering old ground) but try your best to stay relaxed!!!!!!! if you are too nervous it will show, remember its not an interrogation!!! try to get in the mindset of that you are only demonstrating to the tester that you can operate a vehicle nothing more!

hope this helps

[Laurel]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWXXEuwUB-U

[Laurel]

What kind of opinion do you have about the users one here?

I have to say I did laugh at that one too!

[andy10v]

but do take a bath or something.

What kind of opinion do you have about the users one here?

[rs2315]

Smooth and Stylish. Got it. Thanks xx

Us Leeds guy's always get the kisses

Well done Dan, smooth and stylish

rs2315.

[Laurel]

Some last minute tips from me:

Now:
Swot up on highway code, particularly signs and lane marking/positioning. Keep driving right up to the test, just to keep yourself comfortable with it and your movements natural.

Beforehand:
Dress in a smart, but comfortable fashion. No strong perfume, but do take a bath or something. The examiner will probably be lower midle class, so you don't want to come across as chavvy, nor hoity-toity.

Test Centre:
If you drive there, reverse in, so you can drive straight out. The examiner will probably be fairly cold and clinical, don't mind that.

Test:
Don't worry too much about the theory questions - answer if you can, but you won't fail on them alone.

Cockpit drill before you set off - check your mirrors, seat position, etc.

Be careful leaving the test centre. People do fail in the first 100 yards.

Tell the examiner what you're doing. They're not expecting a full commentary, but do tell them if you're doing anything that might not be 100% obvious. For example, if you're moving well over to avoid a perceived hazard that isn't obvious, say that, don't let them question whether you're driving on the wrong side of the road for the fun of it.

If they give you an instruction that seems unsafe, ask. Remember that safety takes priority: if they tell you to go right and you're stuck in the left lane, just go left. Do not comprimise safety or smoothness for route.

If in doubt, signal. With the DSA test they won't fail you for being signal-happy.

Remember that your position is also a signal.

Separate your actions and act slowly and calmly. When approaching a corner: Information (mirror, then signal), Position, Speed, Gear, Steer, Accelerate; separate and in that order. Just give yourself a massive amount of time. The worst thing you can do is plough into a corner, steering round, braking in the corner AND changing gear at the same time.

Be smooth and stylish. Remember that the passenger feels g-forces stronger than you because they're not holding onto anything. Keep your actions in the car slow and deliberate. Car speed != speed of your limbs. It's possible to tackle a country road at 90mph while being incredibly slow in the cockpit (ask a police class 1). Now repeat after me: smooth and stylish.

Don't be afraid to adjust mirrors for maneuvers - but put them back afterwards!

Don't dry steer or hold the steering on 100% lock during maneuvers.

Post-Test:
If you fail, don't grump, listen to what the examiner says. They want you to come back with your mistakes fixed.

If you pass, don't just drop everything you know and start driving like it's a point-and-squirt cruise missile. Whatever you do, do not start "learning how to drive proper" by copying everyone else. Everyone else is an idiot. Just keep doing what got you through your test until you start working out how to change your own behaviors for the better.

Hope that helps!

Smooth and Stylish. Got it. Thanks xx

[Dan]

Some last minute tips from me:

Now:
Swot up on highway code, particularly signs and lane marking/positioning. Keep driving right up to the test, just to keep yourself comfortable with it and your movements natural.

Beforehand:
Dress in a smart, but comfortable fashion. No strong perfume, but do take a bath or something. The examiner will probably be lower midle class, so you don't want to come across as chavvy, nor hoity-toity.

Test Centre:
If you drive there, reverse in, so you can drive straight out. The examiner will probably be fairly cold and clinical, don't mind that.

Test:
Don't worry too much about the theory questions - answer if you can, but you won't fail on them alone.

Cockpit drill before you set off - check your mirrors, seat position, etc.

Be careful leaving the test centre. People do fail in the first 100 yards.

Tell the examiner what you're doing. They're not expecting a full commentary, but do tell them if you're doing anything that might not be 100% obvious. For example, if you're moving well over to avoid a perceived hazard that isn't obvious, say that, don't let them question whether you're driving on the wrong side of the road for the fun of it.

If they give you an instruction that seems unsafe, ask. Remember that safety takes priority: if they tell you to go right and you're stuck in the left lane, just go left. Do not comprimise safety or smoothness for route.

If in doubt, signal. With the DSA test they won't fail you for being signal-happy.

Remember that your position is also a signal.

Separate your actions and act slowly and calmly. When approaching a corner: Information (mirror, then signal), Position, Speed, Gear, Steer, Accelerate; separate and in that order. Just give yourself a massive amount of time. The worst thing you can do is plough into a corner, steering round, braking in the corner AND changing gear at the same time.

Be smooth and stylish. Remember that the passenger feels g-forces stronger than you because they're not holding onto anything. Keep your actions in the car slow and deliberate. Car speed != speed of your limbs. It's possible to tackle a country road at 90mph while being incredibly slow in the cockpit (ask a police class 1). Now repeat after me: smooth and stylish.

Don't be afraid to adjust mirrors for maneuvers - but put them back afterwards!

Don't dry steer or hold the steering on 100% lock during maneuvers.

Post-Test:
If you fail, don't grump, listen to what the examiner says. They want you to come back with your mistakes fixed.

If you pass, don't just drop everything you know and start driving like it's a point-and-squirt cruise missile. Whatever you do, do not start "learning how to drive proper" by copying everyone else. Everyone else is an idiot. Just keep doing what got you through your test until you start working out how to change your own behaviors for the better.

Hope that helps!

[Rusty]

Just make sure you're not going to get over-heated when the nerves kick in