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

[andy10v]

Lind4hl was younger than you both still

And it was an RS2!

I passed a couple of months after turning 17, pesky exams got in the way

And got my s2 when I was 19, 21 now though.

[Jamo]

Lind4hl was younger than you both still

[simon20vq]

Failed fisrt time although my instructor disagreed with tester:corey:!
So I asked my instructor for more lesson and he said no! Failed first time in an xr2 passed second time in my sisters caviler which was like a bus!!
Past my bike test first time and reckon all drivers should be made to do a bike 'test/awarness coarse' to improve driving standards

[GT500]

First time for me. Two weeks after my seventeenth birthday.:mischeif:

Best advise is to get your instructor to take you on all possible test routes. Get him/her to point out any odd parts to the route like strange junctions.

[Sonic]

I remember when i was the youngest as well... getting old now.

[Laurel]

I'm just turning 21 now and I've recently finished building my second S2 (read 15th car) which is 3076 powered! maybe i've done too much too soon

WHAT? I thought I was the baby of the forum!! I'm turning 23 two months from today. Depressing!!

[twenty valve]

I took my theory test on my 17th birthday and passed first time 5 weeks later

I then learnt to drive properly (sideways) in my first car which was a capri with a hot 2.1 pinto. Moved onto bmws for a while (e30s and e36s) after a few more cars in between I bought my first S2 at 19.

I'm just turning 21 now and I've recently finished building my second S2 (read 15th car) which is 3076 powered! maybe i've done too much too soon

[andy10v]

Oh and if you do mess up a manouver, parking etc, just check its safe, move out and do it again properly.

[Laurel]

Lots of advice! Thanks guys! I'll remember to make over-exaggerated motions towards the mirrors and checking the blindspots Short skirt, low neck top (yeah I can see Ross happy about that) but forego the stilettos (ha) All of the examiners in Swindon are male, except one woman who works Saturdays (and my test is on a Friday)

I'm so surprised that loads of you lot passed first time!!! I had anticipated a lot of "don't expect to pass" comments.

[Sonic]

5. You're female so wear a shirt skirt and low cut top, unless you get a straight female examiner or you are a complete heiferlump it WILL help

6. don't go down too slowly, at least when I was taking mine more people were failing for going too slow than too fast.

Always wondered how you managed to pass mate

[KaraK]

1st time 25 years ago.... gulp....!

A friend of mine made a mistake when he was taking his test and whilst feeling really bad about his mistake he lost his temper with the examiner for pointing out what he already knew..., pulled over and kicked him out and drove off home.... he tells me he didn't fail he just didn't finish it......

A friend of mine nudged a kerb about a quarter of the way through, he was then convinced he had failed and just drove pretty badly for the rest of the test. When the examiner asked afterwards why he had changed attitudes mid way through as he had been doing fine, he explained and the examiner said he hadn't even noticed anything and that it had taken over 20 minutes of him driving badly to rock up enough minors to fail - moral of the story is don't try and second guess the examiner just get on with it and do the best you can.

[andy broke it]

2nd go for me...only got 2 minors on the first but got half way through pulling out in front of a beemer who was going way too fast, scared the sh*t out of the instructor lol!
3 minors on the second go and was all ok

Your gonna hear this a lot but just try not to panic, you should be able to drive if your instructor has put you in for your test so have faith in yourself. And make sure you do everything in sequence like you do in lessons, dont try and be cocky by balancing the clutch on hillstarts etc just use the handbrake like your lessons.

[KaraK]

Passed first time... IMO the UK driving test is dangerously easy to pass. No-one I've ever known during their "test" phase has been a good driver. There might be the odd exception out there but the vast majority are ****. The most important thing a new driver can know is that in the grand scheme of driving they know **** all.

Top tips:

1. the head movement thing, peripheral vision is great and examiners understand that but they can't see you are using it so with out some visible sign you have looked they have to assume that you havent. Also true for carrying out lifesavers - I don't care how good the visibility from the mirrors is in the car you are driving ALWAYS check the blind spot.

2. don't hit anything

3. If the examiner gives you an instruction contrary to the law or the highway code (such as ignoring road markings for a filter) don't do it but explain why. They might have made the initial mistake but you will still be the one to fail.

4. If it's wet (and given it's November in the UK it probably will be) make sure you either have shoes that don't get too slippy when wet or dry your feet off on the carpet before touching the pedals. Slipping off the clutch mid maneuver will not go down well.

5. You're female so wear a shirt skirt and low cut top, unless you get a straight female examiner or you are a complete heiferlump it WILL help

6. don't go too slowly, at least when I was taking mine more people were failing for going too slow then too fast.

[goodall]

For my first licence, passed first time with no lessons might I add

However lost that after a year and a half, then the test for my new licence was an extended test, pretty much the same as regular one just half as long again with same amount max minors, plus an extra maneuver and driving on dual carriageway, not a real issue just closest place to do was 80 miles away and I wasnt for taking lessons, bad habits, unfamiliar roads and city congestion meant it took 3 goes, however nearly passed 1st time, however was icey so I wasnt using inside lane as was un salted and some knob over took me on it, apparently a major, second go was way to cocky, racked up the minors, 3rd go kept my cool and passed easily

Actually hate driving now, and I'm only 21

[20Vcqdriver]

1st time 25 years ago.... gulp....!

A friend of mine made a mistake when he was taking his test and whilst feeling really bad about his mistake he lost his temper with the examiner for pointing out what he already knew..., pulled over and kicked him out and drove off home.... he tells me he didn't fail he just didn't finish it......

Never heard of that happenning.

I passed first time 3 months after reaching 17 then learnt car control properly when i took every conceivable driving experience there is at around 20years old, rally driving, skid pan driving, Formula first etc.
Oh and I beat you, as it's now 31years since I passed mine in of all things an Austin Maxi that needed double clutching on down changes