Should I postpone my driving test?

TheDruidWizard

I did the EDT last year and since then I have been practicing weekly with my Father.

As a gift, I got a set of lessons with an instructor, whom I've made good progress with.

I can drive around on busy roads in my area, no problem.

I can do the hill-start and three-point turn. They could be better, but I can do them.

I'm still having a bit of difficulty with the reverse around the corner and I'm a little bit slow starting off when stopped at lights and such. My instructor says that this problem could be due to me focusing too much attention on the biting point, rather than my observations.

He showed me how to adjust this last night and my starting off at traffic lights improved.

Initially I had a test booked for the end of August, but he recommend that I should hold off and was willing to work on me with this and other problems.


Should I take his recommendation?

spurious

I would do it in August and get plenty practice beforehand. You might just pass and if you don't just re-apply and take a cancellation and try again.

caldew

Why would you not take his recommendation?

You are paying an expert and are thinking of ignoring the advice. I find that strange. Would you do this in any other situation?

ProudDUB

TheDruidWizard wrote: »

I did the EDT last year and since then I have been practicing weekly with my Father.

As a gift, I got a set of lessons with an instructor, whom I've made good progress with.

I can drive around on busy roads in my area, no problem.

I can do the hill-start and three-point turn. They could be better, but I can do them.

I'm still having a bit of difficulty with the reverse around the corner and I'm a little bit slow starting off when stopped at lights and such. My instructor says that this problem could be due to me focusing too much attention on the biting point, rather than my observations.

He showed me how to adjust this last night and my starting off at traffic lights improved.

Initially I had a test booked for the end of August, but he recommend that I should hold off and was willing to work on me with this and other problems.


Should I take his recommendation?

It depends. How much practice driving are you going to be able to do between now and the test date? If you think you are going to be able to do enough, so that that finding the biting point becomes second nature & you don't have to think about it, then do the test. If you think you'll need more time to master it, then postpone the test. If you only learned this new technique last night, enough time has probably not elapsed yet for you to know how well you are doing & what your progress rate will be. Give yourself another few weeks. If you still feel that you need more practice time, then postpone it.

TheDruidWizard

caldew wrote: »

Why would you not take his recommendation?

Because I've been putting the test off for far too long.

Say I don't pass anyway and did it again in September or October, at least then I'll have some experience and can go over previous mistakes. Then feel better about it than just doing it the first time around in September or October.

MascotDec85

If your test is the end of August you've the guts of a month before you need to cancel it (10 days or more to cancel).

My advice is to keep working hard to improve the areas you need to. Re-assess the situation in August and decide then.

No point rushing into a decision this early.

djimi

6 weeks or so is loads of time to work on those issues. I wouldnt be cancelling your test just yet.

Finding the biting point is something that just comes as second nature; when youre driving long enough you wont even think about it. My advice would be to go off and find a quiet spot (empty car park at night or something) and spend some time working on standing starts until you are happy that you can take off without thinking about it. And just keep driving. The more time you spend on the road the less of an issue it will become.

tHE vAGGABOND

I did my test recently, having never gotten a clean pre-test and knowing I would need a miracle to pass..

Low and behold I did not pass, and got two "insta-fails" but I am a better driver for it and it was a great experience and I will be far more confident next time after a good bit more practice...

At end of the day, most people I have spoken too failed first time [I have met two people who admit to having failed more than 5 times].

ciamcon

I have completed my lessons almost a year and then was rellocated abroad with work and really could not find a time to do my test, I have been driving quiet a lot in the meantime (illegally) im afraid but I would consider myself a fairly good driver now. I was wondering though is there a time limit for when I must do my test after the 12 lessons? as I will be back in the country in September and can complete it then

MascotDec85

ciamcon wrote: »

I have completed my lessons almost a year and then was rellocated abroad with work and really could not find a time to do my test, I have been driving quiet a lot in the meantime (illegally) im afraid but I would consider myself a fairly good driver now. I was wondering though is there a time limit for when I must do my test after the 12 lessons? as I will be back in the country in September and can complete it then

No. Once they're done, they're done. Unless you were to let your learner permit lapse by 5 years

vandriver

TheDruidWizard wrote: »

I can do the hill-start and three-point turn. They could be better, but I can do them.

I'm still having a bit of difficulty with the reverse around the corner and I'm a little bit slow starting off when stopped at lights and such. My instructor says that this problem could be due to me focusing too much attention on the biting point, rather than my observations.

He showed me how to adjust this last night and my starting off at traffic lights improved.

If you are still having to think about biting points,and are only adequate at 2 elements of driving which need good control of the car,then I would take your instructors advice.
You say that you are practicing weekly with your father,any chance of it becoming daily ?