Failed my driving test this week... How many attempts did it take you?

[TW]Fox · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:45

Al Vallario said:
It certainly hasn't gotten easier, has it? The procedure itself is now much more complicated and demanding than it used to be. The theory test was introduced in 1996, hazard perception in 2002, the "show me/tell me" questions in 2003, the theory test was made harder in 2007,

None of these changes affect how many minors you get on the test, which is the point you are disputing.

I don't doubt the written components are now more challenging but you were talking about the practical test itself.

Jokester · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:46

Al Vallario said:
It certainly hasn't gotten easier, has it? The procedure itself is now much more complicated and demanding than it used to be. The theory test was introduced 1996, hazard perception in 2002, the "show me/tell me" questions in 2003, the theory test was made harder in 2007, the "independent driving" segment introduced this year, etc.

Pass rates have shown a steady and consistent decline, consistent with the test becoming more difficult. But don't take my word for it. In 2007, Edmund King, now president of the AA, said: "It's not like A-levels where people complain that it's got easier over time. I don't think you can say that about the driving test - it has got quite a bit harder."

But if you pass all the additional bits that make the test harder, they haven't changed the way minors are accumulated have they?

mistercrabb · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:46

Second time for me. Tried to go through a gap my instructor thought I couldn't fit through, he moved my steering wheel half an inch and failed me :/

Squark · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:48

4

Got so bloomin' nervous that I was making loads of silly little mistakes. Having the examiner say nothing on the first 3 didn't help at all, plus the 1st and 3 test had the same guy, which didn't help me. The one I passed was great ~4 minors, examiner was really nice and chatty too, which definitely helped.

My driving in the lessons was never an issue, my instructor said I was great.

MrMeToo · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:52

1st time

cheets64 · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:54

If anything its got easier practical side, ABS, better clutch/gears, zero choke, power steering, better roads/signs.

Squark said:
4

Got so bloomin' nervous that I was making loads of silly little mistakes. Having the examiner say nothing on the first 3 didn't help at all, plus the 1st and 3 test had the same guy, which didn't help me. The one I pasted was great ~4 minors, examiner was really nice and chatty too, which definitely helped.

My driving in the lessons was never an issue, my instructor said I was great.

I hated learning to drive, never felt right to me but did and passed, glad I did at 17 wouldnt like to do it now, money wise!

The Badger · 24 Sep 2011 at 20:59

hesitating at a junction does my head in, would they rather you crash or be careful?!

Book your test for the beginning of a month, i heard that they are only allowed to pass so many a month!

Al Vallario · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:01

nick1988 · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:05

Second time.

The examiner was 100 times better second time round, the first guy was telling me to turn left/right as we were going past the corner which didnt help the nerves. I also totally messed up going up a hill on my first test and the examiner had to use the break which is an automatic fail :rolleyes:

I passed a month later to the day, first time driving since my previous test and got 3 minors oh and did the same hill again with no issues

[TW]Fox · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:21

Al Vallario said:
Both the "show me/tell me" questions

These are trivially easy and make no real difference to the overall difficulty level of the practical test.

and independent driving segments affect the actual driving test.

These were introduced this year - you were comparing passing 15 years ago with passing more recently, so few people in this thread have had to take that part of the test.

I have no doubt that other contributing factors have made the test itself more difficult; increased congestion, the proliferation of cycle and bus lanes and traffic calming measures, etc. Not to mention the DSA are always under pressure from safer driving organisations to make the test more difficult.

Or you could just give people a break and stop doubting what they say?

The most common manifestation is examiners blindly passing learners on their first test with a negligible number of minor faults.

Are you bitter or something? I'm amazed at quite how much effort you've put into trying to demonstrate... well, I'm not even sure what you are trying to demonstrate now, especially after that comment. If its really hard now compared to 15 years ago surely people passing with a negligable amount of minor faults are excellent candidates not 'blindly passed'?

ins0mn1ac · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:31

The Badger said:
Book your test for the beginning of a month, i heard that they are only allowed to pass so many a month!

What a load of crap, please tell me that's sarcasm and people don't actually believe this :/

Al Vallario · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:44

Munkyman · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:50

Passed first time with 12 minors

Lunatic Dreyfus · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:55

First time. 7 Minors.

Took me a long time to learn how to actually drive once I'd passed though. My clutch control was appalling.

manic111 · 24 Sep 2011 at 21:59

Six, although I'd argue that I should have passed second time. Two minors, and a major for observation. Passed with no minors on my sixth though

[TW]Fox · 24 Sep 2011 at 22:04

manic111 said:
Six, although I'd argue that I should have passed second time.

The fact it took you a further 4 attempts proves otherwise :eek:

rexehuk · 24 Sep 2011 at 22:06

2nd time here, makes me a better driver...

Frozennova · 24 Sep 2011 at 22:16

Practical 1st time, Theory 2nd although I hadn't even picked up a highway code and only failed by 1 mark.

StoutMeister said:
Passed first time, on my 18th birthday. Happy day!

edit: have to add; the car was written off 5days later as two of my chums were mooning some pedestrians, and we were subsequently rear-ended. No pun intended.

You friends would very quickly be asked to get out of the car for doing something like that with me driving, even if I was a year of 2 younger

Jokester said:
But if you pass all the additional bits that make the test harder, they haven't changed the way minors are accumulated have they?

All the same other than theory and hazard perception.

The new rules with 1 maneuver and independent driving makes its easy if your ask me. Its hardly independent, they tell you which sign to follow etc as you approach the sign, its not like they ask you to drive to tesco without help and leaves you with one less maneuver. Should have just added the independent driving and made the test 10 mins longer if you ask me.

Larkspeed · 24 Sep 2011 at 22:24

Passed in Canada at 18 first try with 0 faults.

12 years later at 30 after moving back to the UK I had to take my test again and it took me 3 attempts. According to third examiner, who was a really nice guy, the only reason I was failing as due to the fact I had a couple of bad habits I had picked up in 12 years of driving and I was a more assertive driver than the other examiners were probably expecting again as I was not a new driver but had 12 years experience.

Thank god when I moved here I just swapped licences I don't think I could have taken another test

Grimley · 24 Sep 2011 at 22:27

2nd time on both my car & my PCV.