Preparing for Test

Mr Arrior

Okay, Im preparing for my driving test for the third time.
First two fails, I simply wasn't ready but now I feel that I'll have a good chance of passing but I have a few points I was wondering about.

1) Revving when taking off - I have my own car and it's a 1.0 litre and Im very happy with it but I find that if I am taking off on a hill or trying to take off quickly at a junction I find myself revving it. I've practiced trying to give it less petrol but I almost feel that Im about to cut out. Now the revving isn't massively over the top but it doesn't sound right. Will I need to crack down on this?

2) My observation isn't brilliant so how often should I check mirrors when reversing or simply driving etc.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Speedwell

Ok, I have been driving an automatic for 30 years so my observation is really not something I think about anymore, but you should conspicuously observe enough that you are sure you are aware of what is around you at all times. If at any time you are surprised by something you should have seen but didn't, you are not observing enough.

If you have to rev too much before you take off, you are probably not using the hand brake as you should, especially on the hill. Apply the hand brake and keep the engine at the "biting point" or above before you let off the hand brake to go. The car should have enough energy to get you moving off. When taking off quickly at a junction, you may just be jumping out too quickly anyway; you should be taking enough time to make a quick observation as you work the gears.

I have a 1-litre car too and I won't let the other cars around me bully me into trying to do more than the car is capable of. Respect your machine and its limits.

Dravokivich

Mr Arrior wrote: »

2) My observation isn't brilliant so how often should I check mirrors when reversing or simply driving etc.

Did you not have an instructor to guide you on this?

After failing twice, did the examiner not suggest what you need to assess?

Observation is meant to be constant.

When reversing you should only use the mirrors as a guide to your car's position with regards to obstacles, such as kerbs, walls, road markings. You should be regularly looking out your windows when reversing, and not just in the direction you are going either. You need to be sure nothing is coming up around you.

Edit:

Also to add, when you need to look around you while reversing, there's nothing wrong with stopping the car to do so also!

mansoff

Hi

I passed my test first time but I got seven errors for being too cautious. It’s better to over check than not check (which is a direct fail). You’re driving instructor should advise you on how often you should check your mirrors, especially when reversing.

During my exam I was asked to reverse around a corner and kids were starting to walk behind me. I stopped the car and said to the tester I cannot go until these kids are gone. He agreed, if I had continued I would have probably failed. So this is what I am on about just be extra careful at all times. You may get lots of errors but you should pass. I constantly checked my mirrors every 4-5 seconds regardless.

Best of luck