I failed - Help me to explain

Mssg

Hello, today I failed my driving test I would like to ask you, what I did exactly wrong and what I should do.

I fail because of two reasons:
1. React to hazards (3x grade 2)
2. Vehicle controls (Clutch 2x grade 1 and 4x grade 2)
3. Vehicle controls (Gears 3x grade 2)

So:
1. I don't understand this at all.
2. I was pressing clutch every time on every bump, I through that this will be better than just drive on 2nd gear through the bump.
3. Instructor say, that I have no idea about economic driving. I was going through the main street on 2nd gear always because of traffic, when we leave main street I drive on 3rd gear and never go up to 4th.

b318isp

It's hard say what you did exactly, but it is likely that:

1. You didn't act appropriately regarding speed, position or observation
2. Dropping the clutch in 2nd gear (I assume without a gear change) would explain this; this should not be done over bumps (I'm not sure on what you would be trying to achieve anyway). You should stay in the appropriate gear.
3. 2nd gear can be very low for town use, it sounds like you should be shifting up more and using at least 4th gear. Inspectors will be looking for competency in moving up and down the gearbox.

To be honest, it sounds like you need some more lessons to improve your knowledge of using the clutch/gears, and perhaps a pre-test.

chin_grin

1. How would you know? You didn't react to them? They can range from pedestrians/cyclists/cars exiting driveways/etc.

2. Practise a bit more. You shouldn't press the clutch going over a bump, would cause the vehicle to 'shudder'. Just decelerate and brake before and accelerate after the speed bump. Clutch up (after gaining momentum after) and down (when slowing down to the bump) if necessary, but don't disengage the clutch completely.

3. Yeah second gear is a little low. You should have geared up to fourth going the (50kph) limit.

Just keep at it and practise a bit more.

Mssg

Okey, I understand why I fail. Thank you for help!

I dont even know why I drive through every bump with clutch down, I guess I was trying to past bump smooth as I can . I also agree with gears, I should definitely drive on third and forth when driving 50km/h. I read article about economic driving and yep, I drive on to low gears.

TroutMask

Yeah, they hate extended clutching, it's called 'coasting'. 3rd should be fine over most ramps, depends on how good your shocks are. Allow the engine to slow you down approaching the ramp, then brake a little if necessary. If you can get an instructor to show you the driving test route - then go back on a quiet day and practice all of the moves. Oh, and rebook the test the same day if you can. Good luck next time!

chin_grin

Mssg wrote: »

Okey, I understand why I fail. Thank you for help!

I dont even know why I drive through every bump with clutch down, I guess I was trying to past bump smooth as I can . I also agree with gears, I should definitely drive on third and forth when driving 50km/h. I read article about economic driving and yep, I drive on to low gears.

If you have the clutch down the examiner would see this as "coasting". Coasting is when the vehicle is moving with the aid of only it's own momentum and not the engine. So you would be marked down for that. Try just braking and gearing down before the bump and be sure to keep the clutch up!

When out practising try to get a feel for when the car would need to go up or down a gear. You should feel it (car may 'judder' when going down gears) and/or hear it (if the engine is revving at too high a pitch you should go up a gear).

Try to accelerate 'normally', that is don't try to race up the gears. Be comfortable driving in third, listen to the engine as you accelerate, then move up to fourth if you can.

Also try to book a few review lessons with an instructor to go over your results and do a mock test if necessary.

Nasty_Girl

Reaction to hazard can be something like looking at the gearstick.

LizT

Reaction to hazards can be a lot of different things. For me, one of the biggest problems when I was learning was that if I saw the car in front of me (well in front of me by a good bit) indicate or brake, I would brake as well and slow down, even if I didn't need to.

You just need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. The only time I was in second gear in town doing my driving test was when I was on a very busy street with cars parked on both sides where people frequently walk out onto the street to cross.

You probably just need a few more lessons from an ADI to tell you what you're doing wrong.