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

[sidrick]

And will turn your attention away from the test, and you will make a mistake and fail.

No. It allows you to relax and act more natural rather than over-thinking the situation.

[s2_bo]

When i was in Mombassa i met a guy that had lithely bought his test and all he had to do was start the car and drive out of the parking space. And he seamed to think thats how its done over there...

Just saying as some people think its so easy to pass it the UK, it all depends on circumstances.

I failed first time, due to a :corey: instructor. I gave up and have been driving with out a licence for 10 years..

[liggy]

i passed first time, twice... carried 3 points for speeding on my 50cc moped which i self de restricted when i was 16 lol, my parents never knew about this at the time
i was later stopped by the law driving my first car ('f' reg nissan micra) and they deemed it unsafe due to the battery being not secured so that earned me another 3 points :corey:...
6 points in first 2 years = disqualification and the need to re sit my test.
happily i passed both theory and practical tests first time twice...

[pixsaudisex2]

I like to see anyone reverse using RS2 mirrors

[pixsaudisex2]

Personally think the test man failed me on my 1st attempt because i was so blooming good.. :mischeif::mischeif::mischeif:

[Rusty]

How did you get on then?

[Christophski]

Badly I guess by the fact there has been no response? I hope its the other way and she has been out using all of the petrol Ross accidently forgot to drain out of the tank.

[Laurel]

Badly I guess by the fact there has been no response? I hope its the other way and she has been out using all of the petrol Ross accidently forgot to drain out of the tank.

I haven't been near a computer for a few days, busy life with two little ones chasing me around the house.

I haven't taken the test yet, and I'm not comfortable with disclosing the date It's a matter of days though.

Thanks again for all the advice! Oh and to the post re; attire. I had not planned on wearing anything immodest anyway. But I do have a question - do you wear smart trousers or is jeans with a smart jacket ok? I've not heard anything about a dress code.

I am a good, safe driver when my nerves aren't fried. So just trying to stay calm and find ways to keep my cool on the day! I asked Ross what he felt like before taking his test and he was like "oh it was so long ago I can't remember"

[Christophski]

Dress code from when I took mine 8 years ago and from when my sister took hers 3 years ago is comfy. Wear what makes you comfy so you have less distractions and feeling not at ease. There really is no dress code but dont turn up in just your underwear unless you have a nice tester of the opposite sex and you really are that bad at driving.

[Rusty]

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

[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!

[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

[rs2315]

Smooth and Stylish. Got it. Thanks xx

Us Leeds guy's always get the kisses

Well done Dan, smooth and stylish

rs2315.

[andy10v]

but do take a bath or something.

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

[Laurel]

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

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