Just got my new test date...

af_thefragile

And its in 2 weeks time!

Now i've got to make sure this time I pass my test. So any of you good people have any good tips for me?

In my last test I got 9 grade 2's for observation and position while turning left and right. I got 3 grade 2's for gears. I grade 2 for progress while turning left and 1 grade 2 for clutch.

I think I have improved significantly in all of these places. But I'm still not sure as to if I've improved enough to pass.

I think if I can manage to nail down my observation and position while turning left and right, I should be able to pass.

I'm still not entirely sure why I got 3 grade 2's for gears. My instructor says its probably cause I didn't change gears fast enough and says it shouldn't be because I went over ramps in 3rd gear.

And also do you have to pull up the hand brake every time you stop at traffic lights?
I only pull up the hand brake when stopped on a hill. Rest of the time I use the foot brake...

Well, cheers for the help so far. Just can't wait till I have a full license an I can drive around freely!!

**Timbuk2**

Good luck with your test! If you work on the faults you got the first time, you should be fine. Maybe take another lesson or two nearer the date if you are unsure about anything.

You did your first test a few days after mine (I failed my first one also) and I applied for another test on the evening that I failed, but I still haven't heard anything. Did you ring them to say you wanted to accept cancellations, or did you just tick the box when applying online?

af_thefragile

I had to ring them up and tell them I wanted to apply for the cancellation. I only did that last thursday so the date came up pretty quick. Wasn't expecting it to come up this soon.

When I was applying online, the cancellations page didn't open and gave me an error so wasn't able to apply then.

Gonna take a lesson with my instructor on sunday. See what he tells me about my driving...

**Timbuk2**

Thanks for the reply!

With regards to the handbrake, there is no hard and fast rule, but the generally accepted method is use the handbrake if you are going to be stopped for longer than 5 seconds. When I am driving, I would use the handbrake when stopped at lights if I am not the first in the queue, but if I was the first, I would have it in 1st gear with the footbrake, ready to go.

And also, use the handbrake in any situation where you feel like you are 'holding' the car with the footbrake.

When stopped at lights, handbrake and neutral is safer because if you are rear-ended by another car and you have your foot on the clutch in 1st gear, your foot might come up and you'll jerk/jump into the car in front of you (or even out onto the junction).

af_thefragile

Right turns...

This seems to be my biggest problem right now.
Can anyone help me out by telling me the correct method of observation, positioning and gears while taking the right turns?

My instructor says I rush into the turns a little and observe while I'm already midway making the turn. But I find it hard to find the balance between slowing down enough to get good observation before taking the turn and not slowing down too much as to get a fault for progress...

I'm also finding it hard to find the correct speed while taking left turns so that I have enough time to observe well before the turn and I'm not going too slow as to get a fault for progress... But left turns isn't too bad. I'm having most problem with right turns.
I've gotta make sure I get these turns perfectly nailed before I do my test as this is what I failed on in my last test...

So could anyone help me out with this...

cheers.

Mint Sauce

dont mean to gate crash your thread but also have my date coming on, is there any where on line where the test sheet can be viewed to see what exactly your maked on and how the grades work and what the guide lines for each grade are

af_thefragile

irish-stew wrote: »

dont mean to gate crash your thread but also have my date coming on, is there any where on line where the test sheet can be viewed to see what exactly your maked on and how the grades work and what the guide lines for each grade are

Google gave me this:
http://www.michaelsschoolofmotoring.net/downloads/test%20sheet%20j%20peg.jpg

Though there is another link somewhere I don't remember where you can view the info at the back of the test sheet about the grades and all along with the actual test sheet.