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

[andy10v]

Passed second time, I was failed the first time because my examiner did not see me look I got told to re book my test as soon as I could and come back, which I did and proceeded to wag my head like a nodding dog every time I looked anywhere and passed. So I would do anything to emphasize your head movement to show observation as just moving your eyes is not sufficient

Good luck anyway!

[gripper]

So I would do anything to emphasize your head movement to show observation as just moving your eyes is not sufficient

This will help you the most My instructor even suggested I put my rear view mirror slightly askew in order to physically move my head when using it !

I passed 1st time, but then again I had been driving illegally due to insurance in my late teens (sd1 V8's and tuned Rs2000's)

Good luck and try to relax

[bigdan]

passed first time, but i didnt learn to drive untill i bought my s2, 4 years later!

[DJones]

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......

[david]

first time for me.
it was over like a flash,to my amazement

[Jas11n]

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

I'm a year behind you Darren. Hell, makes you feel old don't it?

Passed first time. Examiner was the biggest, fattest, sweatiest bloke I'd ever seen.
Also stunk of stale BO Whenever I get that whiff now from someone, I think of my driving test.

Also passed bike test first time too. Back when you could learn on lawnmower engined bike, then jump on a sportsbike and kill yourself immediately.............like I nearly did.
(RXS100 Yamaha - GSXR1100wp)
I actually really enjoyed my bike test over my car test. The examiner was a nice bloke.

[Tap Towers]

Passed first time, been riding a motorbike for a year first tho, which instructor said he wished everyone would do as it helped with clutch control/ road sense etc..

Best thing I can think of is to try and relax, dont worry about it if you can, and like PRJ says, dont rush.

Anyway, best of luck.

[s2carlo]

Well, I passed my motorcycle exams first, a long time ago.
Then after 2 years I passed my car exam, first time

A few years ago I passed for the "trailer exam" also first time.

All exams had a theoretical and practical part.

In Holland you need an extra license to drive with a heavy trailer.
When I had my lessons & exam for that the instructor said he found it striking that, after more then 20 years of driving, I was still driving so "correct".
Two remarks; maybe a little less speed and keep the indicator out on an exit until it bends off.....

I found this a compliment, looking at the average dutch driver these days

[Dobby84]

Well I managed to pass my test first time twice! Yes twice.
After I passed my first test I managed to get 2 speeding fines in the first 2 years when you only have 6 points aloud on your licence. Dam 205 GTi, its not my fault its so fun to drive. I then had to re-take my test a second time but still managed to pass it although I had twice as many minnors than before so obveously picked up some bad habbits.

Think I drove my first car when I was only 12 around my friends farm so think that helped a lot.

My advice is to try remain relaxed whatever happens, mistakes occure when your flustered.
Im sure you will be fine but good luck anyway.

[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

[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

[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.

[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]

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.

[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