Driving Test.

[Bazzlad]

Ok, I'm a little late in learning to drive (22) - but I found out I have 1 1/2 months left on my theory.

Do NOT want to do that again!

Booked 4 driving lessons, then a 4 day intensive course.

Any tips?

[kalniel]

Have you got access to a car and a willing observer? If so, practise, practise, practise!

If you haven't, spend as much time visualising scenarios as possible. The actual driving skill isn't usually the problem, it's the not knowing what to do in a situation that causes mistakes to creep in. If you can visualise most eventualities then you won't be taken by surprise, and you'll be calm enough to get through it ok.

[tiggerai]

^ That's what I was going to say...

Lots of Practise, drive EVERYWHERE.

[IBM]

As kalniel and tiggerai pointed out, nothing compares to experience. A driving instructor will point out your mistakes, but 99% of fails on driving tests are simply because people are nervous. The more comfortable you are in the car, the less nervous you'll be.

Seems obvious, but for some reason while I was learning, the only time I was out in a car was during lessons, even though my father would have happily taken me out, even if it was only to the local car park. Daft really, could have saved a fortune in driving lessons.

[chriswood_7]

Hi there,

Im not being critical of you, but dont you think your putting yourself under pressure a bit?

Giving yourself a month and a half to pass your test is going to put you under pressure which is more likely to induce mistakes when your taking your lessons and also on your test. These 4 day intensives, in my opinion, are no good. They get you to rush all of the technique and skill that driving requires, not allowing much time for you to develop as a driver.

I completely agree with above statements though, practice is the only way you can get to grips with road and situations. You need to be out as much as possible between now and then to get as much in as you can. There is only so much the brain can take in though, so if you think your getting confused and a bit flustered then your lesson may be going on too long and doing you more harm than good

Either way, good luck in the lessons and test, just dont pressure youself otherwise it will end up bum over booby and you be back at square one (obivously minus all the money you have already paid)

If you need any pointers or tips, let us all know and im sure we can help or offer advice

[Bazzlad]

Cheers for the advice, I'll be practising like a mo-fo, believe me!

I'm feeling quite good about it, would have preferred more time, but this is how it falls, so it's put up and shut up.

First lesson last night, Drove around town moving up and down the gears, learnt how to check your car before moving. Chair, gear in neutral, handbrake on, start engine, find biting point, check mirrors from left to right, before checking over right shoulder, releasing hand brake, and go go go!

Learnt how to change gears with correct hand position, learnt to mirror signal manoeuvre.

Did a bunch of junctions, only same side though, not crossing over the road, and only stalled the damn thing once, so I think I did ok, the instructor seemed happy with it

Im not being critical of you, but dont you think your putting yourself under pressure a bit?

Pressure? I honestly don't feel pressure, anything like that brings out my determination (tm)!

[chriswood_7]

Pressure? I honestly don't feel pressure, anything like that brings out my determination (tm)!

Thats a good thing then, however still dont rush anything. It will come to you! Once you get used to the controls of the car, then the real learning starts

Good luck either way

[Brucelles]

Do you bike? A lot of road skills are transferrable between biking and driving, so a biker has a bit of a start. Apart from that do what everyone else said, and remember how many morons you know who have a license. If they can do it, you can ace it.

[Agent]

Do you bike? A lot of road skills are transferrable between biking and driving, so a biker has a bit of a start. Apart from that do what everyone else said, and remember how many morons you know who have a license. If they can do it, you can ace it.

The great thing about going from bike -> car is that observations and predicting situations is already second nature

[finlay666]

The great thing about going from bike -> car is that observations and predicting situations is already second nature

watching out for inconsiderate car drivers?

I know the feeling being a 0cc biker for a while

[tigerboyce]

Just dont worry about it at all, or else you will completely mess up and once you make one mistake you will keep thinking about it and then do another...

Best thing to do is just forget your actually bieng tested and just DRIVE, deriously, it is really really easy that way.

i thought like that and got 4 small minors passing 1st time

[ajbrun]

You only need to pass your theory in 1 1/2 months don't you? You get as long as you need for the practical afaik? My advise - get the theory over with if it's due (easy part anyway tbh), then take your time with the practical part.

[Bazzlad]

You only need to pass your theory in 1 1/2 months don't you? You get as long as you need for the practical afaik? My advise - get the theory over with if it's due (easy part anyway tbh), then take your time with the practical part.

Ive only got 1 1/2 months left on my theory.

[ajbrun]

Yes, so concentrate on your theory for now - do the practical bit later. No point rushing what you don't need to.

[Agent]

Yes, so concentrate on your theory for now - do the practical bit later. No point rushing what you don't need to.

I think you're missing what Bazz is saying....or im reading it wrong?

[K3T]

law is gonna be change at september :O !