Advice needed for learner driver who is sitting test tomorrow morning!

jamesol

Im doing my test in naas tomorrow. I am a reasonable driver and I was confident enough about the test until I did a pretest last week and completely got taken over by nerves and did absolutely desperate. I got into the car and forgot almost everything that I had learned and drove terribly. I am afraid this is going to happen to me again tomorrow, I have another pre test lesson before my test but so hopefully that will take away some of the nerves. Also, I'm still quite unsure on when I should use my handbrake at traffic lights, because one instructor told me to use it and then another told me there was no need. Also should I leave the car in gear ready to go while the handbrake is applied? Can anybody give me any advice?

Rightwing

RELAX.

Alanstrainor

jamesol wrote: »

Also, I'm still quite unsure on when I should use my handbrake at traffic lights, because one instructor told me to use it and then another told me there was no need. Also should I leave the car in gear ready to go while the handbrake is applied? Can anybody give me any advice?

The reason you have heard different things, is that there is no hard and fast rule for these things. My advice, just do what you have been doing, and don't think too much about it. Unless your instructor mentioned these things as areas you need to work on, forget about them.

As for the test itself, you just have to realise that feeling nervous, with butterflies in your stomach is normal. This is your bodies way of preparing yourself for important situations. Embrace it, take deep breaths and when you sit into the car just go for it. Don't dwell on mistakes, and don't throw in the towel. Just keep going is all I will say, even if you think you have made a critical error, just brush it off and follow the instructions from the examiner.

Best of luck!

JetJadore

My instructor told me to take a deep breath when the nerves got too much, and if you make a mistake at the beginning, don't dwell on it, chances are it hasn't failed you.

I passed on my third time a few weeks ago, and I was the most nervous person ever.

I made some stupid mistakes during a manoeuvre in the first 10 minutes and I thought I had failed, but I continued on calmly and tried my best to be perfect after.
I passed surprisingly, with 4 grade 2 faults.

The best advice is to remember that what may seem like a major boo-boo in your mind may be a minor thing.

Best of luck

JetJadore

Also, I tend to put my handbrake on just incase, the last thing you want is the car rolling.
I know sometimes I leave the cat in first gear when I stop, it didnt affect my test but all instructors are different.

rachiedee4298

I know it's easier said than done, but try and relax.

In regards to applying the handbrake, my dad who is a driving instructor always told me to use it "when a pause becomes a wait" so if you were coming up to a set of traffic lights that just turned red it's a good idea to apply the handbrake.
I recommend keeping the car in first gear even if the handbrake is applied..saves time faffing about, especially if you are at the front of the queue.

Best of Luck!!

MascotDec85

If, at any point in the test, you feel that nerves are overcoming you, tell the tester that you don't feel the best and that you need to pull in and park in a safe place. They are very used to nervous candidates.

Don't worry about bad pretests, they are when you want to make your mistakes. Your aid can then give you advice to prevent a recurrence.

Good luck

DakarVert

Don't worry about it, I was told I wouldn't pass during pre-test before actual test. Passed first go.

Basically I was told use handbrake if stopped in traffic for more than 20 seconds and take it out of gear, You can leave it in first if your first in the que.

jimgoose

Always use the parking brake after coming fully to a stop with the clutch down, unless you observe that you can move again more-or-less immediately. If you're first at the lights or don't otherwise anticipate being stopped for long, select first. If you're a car or two back, select neutral and clutch-up.

kerry4sam

jamesol wrote: »

Im doing my test in naas tomorrow. I am a reasonable driver and I was confident enough about the test until I did a pretest last week and completely got taken over by nerves and did absolutely desperate. I got into the car and forgot almost everything that I had learned and drove terribly. I am afraid this is going to happen to me again tomorrow, I have another pre test lesson before my test but so hopefully that will take away some of the nerves. Also, I'm still quite unsure on when I should use my handbrake at traffic lights, because one instructor told me to use it and then another told me there was no need. Also should I leave the car in gear ready to go while the handbrake is applied? Can anybody give me any advice?

How did the test goes for you? Have you any tips or advice for other nervous learner-drivers that may assist them now after your own test?

Hope it went well for you anyways,
kerry4sam

jamesol

Good news, passed the test with flying colours! Couldn't believe it, even though I knew myself I did a good test. I did a lesson an hour before the test and I was still nervous doing this and made plenty of mistakes, definitely wouldnt have passed if it was the real thing. But when I got into the car with the tester I relaxed myself and drove very well. I made a few mistakes which gave me 5 grade 2's. Would recommend to anyone who is slightly nervous to do a lesson the day of your test to familiarize yourself with the usual test routes and to get rid of any lingering nerves.
Thanks for all the replies.

Craftylee

I know I'm a bit late to this one but I thought I'd jump in just in-case this is useful for someone else.

When stopping you should use your parking brake - especially at red lights. If you're in the first 1 or 2 cars leave the car in 1st with the clutch down ready to go. If you're further back then apply the handbrake and go into neutral and foot off the clutch.

Reason for this is say you're stopped at a red light and you're rear ended - if you have the handbrake on your won't move far and the car will be controlled. If you're just using the footbrake the chances are the force of the smack will knock your feet off the brakes and you may go flying into a junction etc.