Plan to do the test soon, but have a few problems.

Bobby42

Hi all,

I'm planning to sit my driving test in 2 months and I'd love to pass it first time.

I'm having a few issues though. Every time I'm out driving I stall a couple of times. I'm driving six months and I'd thought I'd be passed it at this stage.
No problem initially but if I'm waiting at the top of the que at lights I panic when they go green and stall. I can usually recover pretty quickly though.

Another issue I find is that I brake heavily sometimes, like when I'm coming up to a junction. Should I just start braking earlier?

For the test itself I'm unsure what car to use. My instructor's car is a 1 litre Toyota Yaris whereas my dad's car is a 2 litre Saab 93.

While the Yaris is "easier" to drive I'm afraid that I just won't be as familiar/comfortable with it.

Had a pre test today and failed. Managed a grade 3 within the first two minutes. I think a problem I have is that I take too long to make a decision myself.

Any tips would be appreciated, anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks.

**Timbuk2**

It just sounds like you need more experience. Stalling and braking too hard are problems that will iron themselves out with practice - take more lessons if you can, and get as much practice with an accompanied driver as you can! Remember though that stalling doesn't mean automatic fail in your test - if you stall, just quickly but calmly recover and move on, and usually it'll be fine - whatever you do, don't get flustered!

If you are stalling a lot, it's possible you aren't giving it enough gas when you are trying to move off - if you want to move off quickly (e.g. lights go green, and you're first!) give it more gas - you still take the clutch pedal out at roughly the same speed - most learners who stall do so when they are trying to move off quickly!

I can't answer the braking question without having seen you drive - your instructor will be able to answer this question easily! Generally, if you can see that the light ahead is red (for example) there is no point in driving fast up to the lights then slowing down quite suddenly - it's smoother to start slowing down earlier, and better for fuel economy also. However, don't start slowing down too early - you may irritate drivers behind you!

The "taking too long to make a decision" thing is very common. My advice is, imagine if you were driving alone and the instructor/tester wasn't in the car when you are faced with a situation - what would do if the instructor/tester wasn't there? Chances are, what you would do in that case is the correct thing to do - it's often better to go with your instinct, rather than doing something just because you think the tester would want you to do so! This is vague, I know, obviously it's situation dependent, but if in doubt!

Bobby42

Thanks for the reply, it's cleared up a few things.

I think you got my braking problem - i tend to drive up to a junction/lights and I just don't know how much to brake/what the stopping distance will be so I think I tend to panic and slam on, usually giving my sponsor/instructor a jolt.

I'll try and slow down a bit more but not too slowly.

Thanks.

**Timbuk2**

When braking, I always tend to slow down smoothly and gradually, then just before coming to a stop (i.e. at the line) I would ease up off the brake pedal, so the car will just come to a stop without too much of a jolt! It's hard to explain in writing like this though!

Begin to slow down good and early. That way, you can judge if you are braking too hard or not hard enough. If you start braking and think you will stop too early, ease up a bit - it'll all come very naturally with practice, soon you'll never need to think about it again, you'll just automatically be able to judge it.

When I was taking lessons, my instructor's car (a Yaris also!) had much sharper brakes than my mother's car (which I was practising in), so on my first lesson I remember rolling up towards lights and going to press to brakes (with what I thought was a gradual slowdown) but actually it felt like I had dropped an anchor, so that was something I had to remember for the rest of the lessons!

DidYouSquirt?

Bobby42 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm planning to sit my driving test in 2 months and I'd love to pass it first time.

I'm having a few issues though. Every time I'm out driving I stall a couple of times. I'm driving six months and I'd thought I'd be passed it at this stage.
No problem initially but if I'm waiting at the top of the que at lights I panic when they go green and stall. I can usually recover pretty quickly though.

Go to a quiet car park / road and practice starting from stationary. Do it over and over until your feel like your getting the hang of it.

Another issue I find is that I brake heavily sometimes, like when I'm coming up to a junction. Should I just start braking earlier?

You should get into the habit of braking early softly and smoothly and increase the pressure on the brake pedal as you get closer to the junction/car infront, just before the car stops come of the brake genitally and and easy back on genitally, it will stop the jolt.

For the test itself I'm unsure what car to use. My instructor's car is a 1 litre Toyota Yaris whereas my dad's car is a 2 litre Saab 93.

Which ever your feel more comfortable driving

While the Yaris is "easier" to drive I'm afraid that I just won't be as familiar/comfortable with it.

Had a pre test today and failed. Managed a grade 3 within the first two minutes. I think a problem I have is that I take too long to make a decision myself.

Its good that you recognise you are slow at making a decision so start to plan ahead and decided quicker.

Any tips would be appreciated, anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks.

Really you should be going out doing lessons in the car you will be driving most (dads car) so your not confused trying to judge two completely different cars (they are all different). It wouldn't hurt to maybe do more lessons with a different instructor? wouldn't do you any harm.. who ever you're doing lessons with should have taught you about braking etc

Bobby42

Thanks a lot. I was out driving yesterday and it went well.
My braking was a lot more gentle and I stalled a lot less.

I think I can improve on the decision making aspect of my driving. I think I'm just used to my instructor/sponsor telling me what to do in every situation. So if I get out a bit more and have the confidence to react without prompts I should be well on my way.

Thanks for the replies.

veXual

With regards to the stalling the only advice I can offer is don't panic.

When everyone starts out driving you feel as if you're holding the world up any time you stall. Don't worry about it because you aren't. Just remain as calm as possible. Remember a green light is an indicator to proceed not the start of a race.

Like everyone has said practice is key just don't get frustrated and you'll be fine.

Bobby42

Yeah I'm stalling less than I used to when I was starting out.

I was getting really frustrated with it for a while. But I realised that when I was stopped at lights and they went green, in my haste to avoid holding up the entire world I would always bring up the clutch to quickly and stall.

Still having my ups and downs with learning to drive but I'm happy I'm out on the road learning.

Never thought I'd get driving. I got knocked down by a car when I was 13. For a long time I had trouble crossing the road never mind getting behind the wheel.

Thanks for the tips folks. I'll keep practicing for the next few weeks and then see about booking the test.

surime

Hi, don't mind if I ask one question in your thread (the title is right ) ?

So, my problem is joining major roads, I cant judge and decide if I have enough time to drive before the next car and it usually takes too long! Any tips? How far is safe? I mean how close can be car on left or right. I know its up to speed, but in general I always think they are too close and I wait too long until there are no cars (which is sometimes not possible!)

DaveyDriving

surime wrote: »

Hi, don't mind if I ask one question in your thread (the title is right ) ?

So, my problem is joining major roads, I cant judge and decide if I have enough time to drive before the next car and it usually takes too long! Any tips? How far is safe? I mean how close can be car on left or right. I know its up to speed, but in general I always think they are too close and I wait too long until there are no cars (which is sometimes not possible!)

Generally I would say to students to think of themselves as a pedestrian. If you feel that you would have time to walk across safely then you can probably drive out/across safely. Hope this helps. Safe driving.

WillyWonkaBar

Bobby42 wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm planning to sit my driving test in 2 months and I'd love to pass it first time.

I'm having a few issues though. Every time I'm out driving I stall a couple of times. I'm driving six months and I'd thought I'd be passed it at this stage.
No problem initially but if I'm waiting at the top of the que at lights I panic when they go green and stall. I can usually recover pretty quickly though.

Go to a quiet car park / road and practice starting from stationary. Do it over and over until your feel like your getting the hang of it.

Another issue I find is that I brake heavily sometimes, like when I'm coming up to a junction. Should I just start braking earlier?

You should get into the habit of braking early softly and smoothly and increase the pressure on the brake pedal as you get closer to the junction/car infront, just before the car stops come of the brake genitally and and easy back on genitally, it will stop the jolt.

For the test itself I'm unsure what car to use. My instructor's car is a 1 litre Toyota Yaris whereas my dad's car is a 2 litre Saab 93.

Which ever your feel more comfortable driving

While the Yaris is "easier" to drive I'm afraid that I just won't be as familiar/comfortable with it.

Had a pre test today and failed. Managed a grade 3 within the first two minutes. I think a problem I have is that I take too long to make a decision myself.

Its good that you recognise you are slow at making a decision so start to plan ahead and decided quicker.

Any tips would be appreciated, anyone else have a similar experience?

Thanks.

Just curious.... Would you have to take your seatbelt off for this manoeuvre? would there be an alternative for the ladies? :eek: