Test in late January...Plan required

CorkFenian

Just posting here as would appreciate input for a plan from some posters, was very disappointed not to get it last time, I kept a driving diary of how long i drove for, areas to improve etc, it worked well...have been getting lessons, instructor is quite hard on me and said i could get it all things going well. I think i had a bad day, would appreciate a plan in mind for this until late January, all advice appreciated...Thanks....

CorkFenian

Not looking for someone to write anything detailed, some short words of advice would be good :-)

Sir123

Where did you fall down in your last test? Firstly, I would look at that and see where there could be room for improvement? Did the tester give you any feedback as to why you were unsuccessful?

Also make sure that when you are getting rid of these bad habits, do not develop new ones which may affect you in another category of the test. The only real way to improve is to keep practising.

Observation and roundabouts are quite common reasons as to why people fail (so I've been told). Have a look at this sample driving test if you haven't seen it before http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdVoy3SUJ5Y

threein99

I did a lesson every week for a month before my test

TGi666

are you going to use your own car or the instructors?

CorkFenian

Sorry should have said , my own, driving around with friends and myself (half and half) I am a lot better and confident than say 6 months ago, I need to get more test smart though

TGi666

do you do the lessons in your own car too?

CorkFenian

Yes I would only drive my own car, sometimes the parents one when I am home..

TGi666

that's grand just asking as when your in a testers car the bad habits stay away, if your near the test centre I would practice the route in the days leading up to the test around the time of the test so you can gauge what traffic will be like etc and iron out any flaws you may have also give you a good indication of where the tester might ask you to go etc

CorkFenian

I am trying to break down the whole driving thing and treat it as steps i find though that observation is one thing that i get caught out, i realise its practice, but any drills i can do to improve it?

Motor-Ed

CorkFenian wrote: »

I am trying to break down the whole driving thing and treat it as steps i find though that observation is one thing that i get caught out, i realise its practice, but any drills i can do to improve it?

Without sounding too obvious but the MSMM (mirror, signal, mirror and move) routine is what you need to concentrate on. Therefore as soon as the examiner speaks check the centre mirror, apply a signal if required, and before you steer check the mirror you're turning into. By the way, take in what you are seeing, there's little point in looking in the mirrors but not noticing what's there.
To practice this then just talk yourself through this at every opportunity while out driving it will then become more natural and hopefully easier for you.

Good luck with test.

Dingle_berry

It's not enough to look in the mirrors either, for the purposes of the test you have to make it obvious to the tester that you have done so. Also your checking your blind spots is very important.
I know how ridiculous this sounds but you have to try to stay calm. Most people I know who failed a test did so because they thought they did something that the tester gave them a mark for and ended up concentrating on that. Or panicking. Focus on your driving, not what the tester is doing or what you have done.

Hailhail1967

Most people I know who fail the test do things they would never do while out driving on their own. I never really understood it, maybe its a psychological thing. I just winged mine never even had a lesson and passed first time, I think the reason was I didn't have a million bits of information to try process an make me nervous in the process.