Driving test tomorrow

Galadriel

I have my 1st driving test tomorrow in Rathgar, I am so nervous, I have been learning to drive on and off for 14 years now :eek: finally biting the bullet!

Any one any tips on overcoming the nerves on the day? I can accept if I fail because I am not good enough to pass but I really don't want to mess it up from nerves, want to give it my best shot!

biko

Some people will get calming remedies from health shops.

Ardeehey

I did my test there last year, really thought I had failed it but passed, just try to relax especially if you think you have made a mistake. You'll probably be asked to do your hill start on that big hill just off the Breamore Rd, then the manouvers will be in around those small estates at the back of Churchtown probably. Don't worry about these too much, just take yout time, constantly check your mirrors, and as soon as the examiner gives you a direction start to slow down at that point....also don't be afraid to accelerate up to the speed limit as normal....they look for lack of progression just as much as braking issues.

Relax and best of luck

Galadriel

biko wrote: »

Some people will get calming remedies from health shops.

Thanks, have my supply of rescue remedy, not convinced it does much but it can't do any harm!

biko

Might be a bit late now but your GP can probably proscribe non-drowsy pills to help keep you calm. I'm not going to go into details, ask your GP.

Marks Motoring

Ardeehey wrote: »

I did my test there last year, really thought I had failed it but passed, just try to relax especially if you think you have made a mistake. You'll probably be asked to do your hill start on that big hill just off the Breamore Rd, then the manouvers will be in around those small estates at the back of Churchtown probably. Don't worry about these too much, just take yout time, constantly check your mirrors, and as soon as the examiner gives you a direction start to slow down at that point....also don't be afraid to accelerate up to the speed limit as normal....they look for lack of progression just as much as braking issues.

Relax and best of luck

One small correction, do not constantly check your mirrors as this will earn you marks for reaction to hazards. Good luck

Galadriel

Thanks all, I've done about 22 lessons since the end of January and god knows how many over the years, at least I didn't give up this time no matter the outcome tomorrow. If I fail I guess I'll just book it and do it again.

ProudDUB

If you have time between now and the test, driver over to the test centre & park your car where the applicants park. Look around you, then leave and drive around the immediate vicinity of the test centre for a bit. Pay attention to any pitfalls/hazards that you may overlook during the test itself. Then go back and do it again. Was told by an instructor that a lot of people make mistakes in the first 5 minutes of the test, that they would never normally make, and its usually all down to nerves. The more familiar you can get with where you'll be driving at the very beginning of the test, the better.

Galadriel

ProudDUB wrote: »

If you have time between now and the test, driver over to the test centre & park your car where the applicants park. Look around you, then leave and drive around the immediate vicinity of the test centre for a bit. Pay attention to any pitfalls/hazards that you may overlook during the test itself. Then go back and do it again. Was told by an instructor that a lot of people make mistakes in the first 5 minutes of the test, that they would never normally make, and its usually all down to nerves. The more familiar you can get with where you'll be driving at the very beginning of the test, the better.

Just back from a lesson around the test centre area, made lots of silly mistakes. I have another lesson before the test tomorrow so hopefully that will help work out the nerves!

LizT

If you make a mistake in your test, forget about it and move on. Don't obsess over it, once it's done, it's done. Best of luck

endacl

You're not going for a test. You're taking somebody for a short spin. They just happen to be a tester. No big deal. Relax and pass. Good luck tomorrow.

ILikeFriday

LizT wrote: »

If you make a mistake in your test, forget about it and move on. Don't obsess over it, once it's done, it's done. Best of luck

This is true. If you think you did something wrong, it might not be a very serious fault. I made a mistake in my test. Up to that point I had no faults, but I collected loads in the last 10 minutes because I sort of gave up after it. The tester said they knew what was going on in my mind. Forget about mistakes and give the rest of the test your best shot.

Good luck

Galadriel

Thanks everyone, I will report back tomorrow with the result!

endacl

biko wrote: »

Some people will get calming remedies from health shops.

Bananas. They're full of potassium, a natural beta blocker. Nothing you get in a health shop will do what a banana or two can.

ProudDUB

Best of luck OP. I have seen a lot of comments on here that people were made nervous by the examiner just sitting there and not saying a word during the test, other than turn right, turn left etc etc. So if you are used to having a chatty person in the car with you, don't let the sudden silence get to you. The tester may or may not make notes on his form as you go, or he may do it all at the end. Don't let any scribbling that he does, put you off. Try not to start wondering about what he is writing. It will only take your mind off your driving. Just ignore what the tester is doing or not doing and, concentrate on your driving. Am sure you'll do just fine.

Galadriel

ProudDUB wrote: »

Best of luck OP. I have seen a lot of comments on here that people were made nervous by the examiner just sitting there and not saying a word during the test, other than turn right, turn left etc etc. So if you are used to having a chatty person in the car with you, don't let the sudden silence get to you. The tester may or may not make notes on his form as you go, or he may do it all at the end. Don't let any scribbling that he does, put you off. Try not to start wondering about what he is writing. It will only take your mind off your driving. Just ignore what the tester is doing or not doing and, concentrate on your driving. Am sure you'll do just fine.

Thanks Yeah, you get used to chatting away to your instructor so it will be a bit weird, but on the other end I find I get distracted more by the chat so hopefully it will work to my benefit.

MascotDec85

Galadriel wrote: »

Thanks Yeah, you get used to chatting away to your instructor so it will be a bit weird, but on the other end I find I get distracted more by the chat so hopefully it will work to my benefit.

Chat to them then. Not while you're driving but if you're stopped at lights etc. small talk, "great weather we're having" stuff like that. They are human too and the vast majority are dead on.

Motor-Ed

ProudDUB wrote: »

Best of luck OP. I have seen a lot of comments on here that people were made nervous by the examiner just sitting there and not saying a word during the test, other than turn right, turn left etc etc. So if you are used to having a chatty person in the car with you, don't let the sudden silence get to you. The tester may or may not make notes on his form as you go, or he may do it all at the end. Don't let any scribbling that he does, put you off. Try not to start wondering about what he is writing. It will only take your mind off your driving. Just ignore what the tester is doing or not doing and, concentrate on your driving. Am sure you'll do just fine.

The testers now use tablets so the marking is less obvious. But if you are noticing what they are doing then maybe you're not noticing what YOU are doing

ThunderZtorm

Motor-Ed wrote: »

The testers now use tablets so the marking is less obvious. But if you are noticing what they are doing then maybe you're not noticing what YOU are doing

But we are still informed right away if it's a pass or a fail, yeah?

MascotDec85

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

But we are still informed right away if it's a pass or a fail, yeah?

Yeah

Galadriel

Yay...I passed, so happy

ThunderZtorm

Galadriel wrote: »

Yay...I passed, so happy

Congrats, hope the same happens for me, I have my test in little over an hour!

Galadriel

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

Congrats, hope the same happens for me, I have my test in little over an hour!

Thanks! Where are you doing it? Best of luck!

ProudDUB

Delighted for you OP. The bill for the advice is in the post. I accept cash, checks and all major credit cards.

ThunderZtorm

Galadriel wrote: »

Thanks! Where are you doing it? Best of luck!

Did in Finglas - no pass.

I don't understand it at all. I follow the exact advice from the previous guy as well as my driving instructor, but this guy told me that it was all wrong and bad, and gave me faults for doing exactly what the other guys have told me to do.

But apparently I'm supposed to be doing 50 on roads like Oldtown road where there's cars on both sides and pedestrians with dogs and kids everywhere - it makes no sense to me whatsoever - I don't see how I can get marked for driving 35 in those conditions. If anything, I should be friggin commended for driving SAFELY and SENSIBLY instead of racing off like an idiot.

The funniest part is - today I was told that I'm too slow in turns. Last test I was told I was way too fast in turns. Funny thing? I did the turns THE EXACT SAME FRIGGING WAY BOTH TIMES. So what should I do? Take them like Nigel Mansell or like a 90-year old pedestrian? It makes NO sense whatsoever.

I'm seriously so very close to just giving up and accepting that Ireland is not the country where I'll get a driver's license.

Galadriel

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

Did in Finglas - no pass.

I don't understand it at all. I follow the exact advice from the previous guy as well as my driving instructor, but this guy told me that it was all wrong and bad, and gave me faults for doing exactly what the other guys have told me to do.

But apparently I'm supposed to be doing 50 on roads like Oldtown road where there's cars on both sides and pedestrians with dogs and kids everywhere - it makes no sense to me whatsoever - I don't see how I can get marked for driving 35 in those conditions. If anything, I should be friggin commended for driving SAFELY and SENSIBLY instead of racing off like an idiot.

The funniest part is - today I was told that I'm too slow in turns. Last test I was told I was way too fast in turns. Funny thing? I did the turns THE EXACT SAME FRIGGING WAY BOTH TIMES. So what should I do? Take them like Nigel Mansell or like a 90-year old pedestrian? It makes NO sense whatsoever.

I'm seriously so very close to just giving up and accepting that Ireland is not the country where I'll get a driver's license.

So sorry to hear you didn't pass, I found that a lot in the past with different instructors one would tell you to do the complete opposite of what another one told you, it can be very confusing and frustrating.

Don't give up, if I can do it anyone can. If you have doubts about your instructor then change to a different one, I could never see myself even attempting to do a test until I finally found a great instructor (he does Finglas aswell so PM me if you want his number)

ThunderZtorm

Galadriel wrote: »

So sorry to hear you didn't pass, I found that a lot in the past with different instructors one would tell you to do the complete opposite of what another one told you, it can be very confusing and frustrating.

Don't give up, if I can do it anyone can. If you have doubts about your instructor then change to a different one, I could never see myself even attempting to do a test until I finally found a great instructor (he does Finglas aswell so PM me if you want his number)

Problem is that it's not the instructor I have, it's the guys doing the test with me that's giving me completely opposite instructions.

I honestly have no idea how to react at this point.

Galadriel

ThunderZtorm wrote: »

Problem is that it's not the instructor I have, it's the guys doing the test with me that's giving me completely opposite instructions.

I honestly have no idea how to react at this point.

My instructor used to be a tester so maybe that helped!