Test in a van

The Volt

Hey all,

I failed first time around and I've just been penciled in for a cancellation in Naas on Saturday week. everything went wrong for me that day, the weather was atrocious, the tester was frightening and my nerves went to mush. I got plenty of marks for apparent lack of use of mirrors (although I'm certain I used them, just didnt turn my head obviously enough).

Something that's been bugging me though, I have a small wheel Hi-Ace van. I drive it due to my band needing to get from one side of the country to the other but I'm wondering if the fact that I'm 19 and driving a van is something that would put the tester off me straight away? It's not the most comfortable of vehicles and can get quite stuffy. It's a much bigger thing to have to manoevre around the place and my mother especially seems to think I'll have a better chance of passing in a smaller vehicle.

Any thoughts?

Midnight_EG

Voltwad wrote: »

Hey all,

I failed first time around and I've just been penciled in for a cancellation in Naas on Saturday week. everything went wrong for me that day, the weather was atrocious, the tester was frightening and my nerves went to mush. I got plenty of marks for apparent lack of use of mirrors (although I'm certain I used them, just didnt turn my head obviously enough).

Something that's been bugging me though, I have a small wheel Hi-Ace van. I drive it due to my band needing to get from one side of the country to the other but I'm wondering if the fact that I'm 19 and driving a van is something that would put the tester off me straight away? It's not the most comfortable of vehicles and can get quite stuffy. It's a much bigger thing to have to manoevre around the place and my mother especially seems to think I'll have a better chance of passing in a smaller vehicle.

Any thoughts?

A berlingo or transit connect you can borrow maybe?

The Volt

Midnight_EG wrote: »

A berlingo or transit connect you can borrow maybe?

With 9 days to my test Im not gonna look into borrowing a vehicle i'm uncomfortable with, especially another van. It took me long enough to get me used to this one!

Midnight_EG

You asked if we thought you'd have a better chance in a smaller vehicle, but now you say you don't want to drive one?


What exactly do you want me/us to say then?

The Volt

well a transit isn't smaller than a small wheel hi-ace? I was asking if it should make a difference to the tester if there's a 19 year old driving a van. Would I have a better chance of passing in a car?

Midnight_EG

Transit connect, like I said, is much smaller.

If you like, do it in a car then?

And, the choice of car should have no influence to the tester at all, as I can attest to it, passing my test in a noisy Civic

spudwiser

hi voltwad

i'd say have another go in the van-your experience/comfort with the vehicle counts for a huge amount.
my brother did his in a 93 transit at 19 and got on ok
on the mirrors point it seems that you have to be blantantly obvious when using the mirrors.

Wishbone Ash

Voltwad wrote: »

I got plenty of marks for apparent lack of use of mirrors (although I'm certain I used them

You may have used your mirrors but not at the appropriate times or in the appropriate manner. When driving a van, especially on with no rear windows, you visability is greatly reduced and you can't look over your shoulder. If you need to change lanes, e.g. when approaching a roundabout or when moving off from the kerb, you must ensure that you have checked your blind spots. This will usually require stretching forward to get a wider image in the mirror.

Voltwad wrote:

I'm wondering if the fact that I'm 19 and driving a van is something that would put the tester off me straight away?

The examiners do not make judgements based on age, gender or vehicle type. As you previous test was not abandoned, it must be assumed that your vehicle was suitable for test purposes.

Voltwad wrote:

just didnt turn my head obviously enough)

spudwiser wrote: »

on the mirrors point it seems that you have to be blantantly obvious when using the mirrors.

One can be penalised for excessively moving one's head to display use of mirrors (except as stated above when checking blind spot).

You also need to be 'processing' what you see in the mirrors. It's pointless going through the motions of using mirrors without actually reacting, when necessary, to what the mirrors are displaying.

brian076

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

You may have used your mirrors but not at the appropriate times or in the appropriate manner.

One piece of advice to anyone doing their test, whether using a car or van, is to check your mirrors immediatley after receiving an instruction from the tester, this is the point where they're watching you. So if they ask you to turn left at the next junction, check your rearview & left mirror straight away, and remember you'll probably need another check just before you turn.