Test this thursday... Will I be third time lucky?...

af_thefragile

I've got my test again this thursday. Doing it in Rathgar this time. I'm really not sure if my driving skills are enough for me to pass the test. But then I guess thats one thing you'll never know.

In my last test which was 2 months ago, I got 2 grade 2s for position at roundabout and turning right (1 each) and 2 grade 2s position turning left, I got 2 grade 2's for observation at roundabout and turning right (presumably the same time as the position fault) and 3 grade 2's for observation turning left.
I got 3 grade 2's for progress at traffic lights. I got 2 grade 2's for gears. 1 Grade 2 for steering and 2 grade 2's for reaction to hazards.

Now I have driven about 400miles since then and my driving style and experience has changed a bit...

But still you guys got any good tips which can help me finally pass my test...
Thanks!

**Timbuk2**

The best tip I have ever heard is 'drive your normal drive'.

It sounds obvious, but a lot of people change the way they drive, being extra careful and maybe even slower than usual, because they think 'that's what the tester wants'. I failed my first test for going too carefully, much to the shock of my driving instructor. (9 Grade 2s, 8 of them for lack of progress!). My instructor told me to just drive my normal drive the next time around. He said if you are faced with a situation in your test, which you usually are, do what you would do if the tester wasn't sitting in the car and it is nearly always right. Low and behold, in my next test there was a huge lorry blocking my way with only a small gap, that wasn't going anywhere. I was going to wait, but it wouldn't move, so I said that if I was alone I would overtake, and I did, and didn't get marked for it. I passed, with 4 x Grade 1 faults only.

I'm very confident that you will pass on Thursday! You have given a lot of people, including me, great advice on this forum so you definitely have the skills and the knowledge of safe driving, it's just making sure you don't get too nervous about the test and apply all the skills that you have learned. You have put in many more miles than I have before either of my tests, and that will help you significantly. People who have travelled many miles can easily negotiate hazards and situations.

Best of luck!

Faith+1

One tip is to portray confidence. Let the examiner see that you are unfazed about the test and are comfortable to drive with him/her.
And don't worry if you hear them writing, they could be writing a shopping list for all you know! Good Luck!:)

erwinvr101

good luck AF. i hope you get it this time. you already have the skill, you just need a bit of luck

cf10

I know this sounds really lame but with regards to observation you just have to make it so obvious. I looked all around me constantly and had a crick in my neck by the end of it haha :L

I also think you need to relax and have confidence in yourself. You clearly can drive so you just need to show the tester you can! If you are unsure of anything ask him/her to repeat it!

With your steering try and keep your hands at ten and three and when you're taking off/slowing down/stopping at traffic lights take it easy and wrk your way down/up through the gears.

Be positive and good luck!

Reloc8

I agree with the following except specifically about taking it easy when moving off at lights/a stop sign - you want a nice smooth but brisk attitude, so that you are not picking up faults for progress at those location. Roundabouts too - when you have your moment, take it (of course competence and confidence must be equally matched).

Main thing I say to people taking the test is never presume you have failed, even if you have (or think you have) pulled a howler.

The tester is assessing the whole of your drive objectively. You are likely to focus on momentary instances during it and have a skewed view of what the consequences of what you just did might be. The test starts when you say hello to the tester, and ends only when the engine is turned off. Drive to the very end.

Two things I will say about observation specifically,

- some people say you do have to make it obvious. It will actually be obvious if you are not observing properly due to the manner in which you will drive but there is I suppose no harm in moving your head a little more than you might otherwise when you are going through your routine mirror check. But don't be checking the things every 3 seconds just because you are doing a test. Mirror checks as appropriate, following a sensible routine that you no doubt have learned at this stage.

- an additional tip which I found helpful with one aspect of observation was to look in the relevant external mirror almost immediately on being given a direction to turn. If you do this every time you are less likely to pick up a 'mirror-signal-mirror-maneuvre' type fault as you will always have looked to the mirror first.

Finally, take the car through a car-wash and vacuum it before hand. I did this. First thing the tester said, appreciatively, as we were about to move off was 'not a lot of people acknowledge that this is a place of work for us'.

af_thefragile

Thanks for the tips.

I did a pretest today and apparently my biggest problem is with being over cautious and going too slow around corners and hazards and stuff. Apparently I need to be more confident and just move off smoothly.

I guess I was being a bit too over cautious but then I decided screw it. I'm just gonna drive they way I normally do tomorrow for the test. Maybe a little bit more refined but I'm not gonna drive any slower than I normally do. The last two times I drove slow and cautiously and didn't get anywhere. So this time I'll just go at it the way I usually drive.
Should notice some change somewhere.

And yeah I've vacuumed up the inside of my car. Just gotta put it through a car wash which I'll do tomorrow. So the tester atleast has a clean car to sit in.

I'm not sure if I'll manage to pass this time. Looks like I've still got a bit to go before my driving becomes truly refined. I still tend to rush upto junctions a bit leaving the breaking till the last minute at times and I still end up having around one close call most of the times I'm out driving. Doesn't do much good for the confidence. Considering I've driven so many miles over the past few months and still end up losing concentration at times or make some stupid mistakes where I forget to look over the shoulder or leave the braking too late and stuff like that. I have good control over the car and all (which is sorta why I've avoided many accidents so far) but still occasionally end up in hairy situations...

**Timbuk2**

Best of luck today! Definitely drive as you normally do. Don't refine, or slow down, your driving for the tester - they know exactly what you are doing and it never helps. They can't test all your reactions, abilities and anticipation properly if you are doddling along, and you'll eventually fail.

Don't go too quick around corners though. Slow down for left turns especially - if you go too quickly, you'll swing wide into the middle of the road.

Good luck!

cosmic

Best of luck today! Hopefully your next post will be in the "Sucessful" thread!

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

Max Power1

+1 to all the best wishes. I've my test tomorrow. Hopefully there'll be two more new posts in the "successful" thread

af_thefragile

I finally passed! Thanks a lot for all the help and advice. Its good to finally be able to drive around freely...

murrayp4

Maith an fear af!

Faith+1

af_thefragile wrote: »

I finally passed! Thanks a lot for all the help and advice. Its good to finally be able to drive around freely...

Well done!:)
Safe driving!

Victoria.

Well done

Reloc8

Great stuff - well done & remember this is the start of your driving not the end. Enjoy it & be safe.

cosmic

Max Power1 wrote: »

+1 to all the best wishes. I've my test tomorrow. Hopefully there'll be two more new posts in the "successful" thread

Best of luck Max Power!

Alanstrainor

Congrats!:D

Max Power1

cosmic wrote: »

Best of luck Max Power!

thanks, but I failed in the end. Miserably!

More lessons methinks!

af_thefragile

Max Power1 wrote: »

thanks, but I failed in the end. Miserably!

More lessons methinks!

Aww... Well, one thing I learnt is not to give up.
I was absolutely gutted and pissed off when I failed the test the 2nd time. Even on wednesday in my pretest I got 18 grade 2's and 3 grade 3s! I really though I wouldn't make it this time either but somehow I just about made it!

Just apply for the test straight away and book a couple more lessons. This way you'll be looking forward to passing your test than thinking about how you failed it and feel bad about it.