Best way to start driving.

Scania · 9 Jun 2008 at 02:45

dmpoole said:
I've recently got back from Egypt and according to our guide all you have to do to pass your test is to drive 10 metres forward and 10 metres backwards

As scary as this sounds, I'm reliably informed that quite a few eastern European countries have similar arrangements! Not exactly shrine d in law, but, it certainly goes on!
Something to consider when you next see a 44ton artic alongside you with "LT" or "PL" on its registration plates..... :eek:

stigggeh · 9 Jun 2008 at 10:21

I passed my test today.. Wooohooo. passed my theory and practial first time...

8 minors mainly for mirrors. My lesson before was one of the worst i have done i was making stupid mistakes but it all came out ok in the test.

It aint sunk in yet, I still have jelly legs.

Janesy B · 9 Jun 2008 at 10:26

stigggeh said:
I passed my test today.. Wooohooo. passed my theory and practial first time...

8 minors mainly for mirrors. My lesson before was one of the worst i have done i was making stupid mistakes but it all came out ok in the test.

It aint sunk in yet, I still have jelly legs.

Well done! I had the same thing, the lesson the day before the test my driving driving completely crap but on the day of the test i pulled it off with only 3 minors (1 stall, which wasn't 100% my fault as the car in front was dicking about and 2 undue hesitations). At one stage tho when i was holding the biting point ready to pull of and my leg/knee went into this crazed nervous wobble thing and i didn't know what to do.

Stretch · 9 Jun 2008 at 11:15

AcidHell2 said:
always do 2hr sessions.
One hour:
a) isn't long enough for any decent driving
b) you will be driving for 2hours on test day.

My test lasted 45 minutes :confused:

Janesy B · 9 Jun 2008 at 11:17

Stretch said:
My test lasted 45 minutes

yes but its good to do an hour before the test to 'warm up'. This is what i did.

Borden · 9 Jun 2008 at 14:47

I'm learning to drive atm and have been having an hour and a half lesson each week since the beginning of april. As others have said, an hour isn't long enough to get the most out of it. Also, consider how far away you live from the test center you'll be doing your test at. My instructor has been taking me to the test centre area (Guildford) in my lessons to get me used to the roads around there, this wouldn't be possible with an hour lesson.

I had a mock test today and failed

I had 2 majors and a load of minors. The majors aren't serious though, just silly mistakes i can easily avoid next time. The same goes with the minors.

Just get as much pratice as you can. Find any excuses to go out driving, i keep volunteering to drive my Dad around places so that i get as much practice as i can. I'm just looking forward to being able to drive on my own now!

Janesy B · 9 Jun 2008 at 14:52

mark1 said:
Just get as much pratice as you can. Find any excuses to go out driving, i keep volunteering to drive my Dad around places so that i get as much practice as i can. I'm just looking forward to being able to drive on my own now!

Urgh i couldnt do that at 1st, my old man is a very bad passenger! I must have been doing about 25Mph and he was telling me to slow down!

stigggeh · 9 Jun 2008 at 14:53

If you live fair distance from the test centre i would recommend downloading the test routes from the DSA website.

I did the big 3 local roundabouts on my test today & I would have been shafted had i not known them. luckily i was on google maps last night looking then through knowing when to switch lanes.

1 & 2) Splits in to 3 lanes on the roundabout itself.
3) Left hand lane on approach is to turn left only, right hand lane for straight over if you miss the small road sign your cream crackered.

Borden · 9 Jun 2008 at 15:00

Janesy B said:
Urgh i couldnt do that at 1st, my old man is a very bad passenger! I must have been doing about 25Mph and he was telling me to slow down!

Yeh, my Dad does get annoying when i'm reversing. He sometimes grabs the steering wheel to try and control it himself :rolleyes:

Very annoying.

He's well behaved on the most part though

Janesy B · 9 Jun 2008 at 15:11

mark1 said:
Yeh, my Dad does get annoying when i'm reversing. He sometimes grabs the steering wheel to try and control it himself Very annoying.

He's well behaved on the most part though

If my dad did that he'd get a slap, if i done the same to him that's what i'd expect. I can park much better when he's not around, he's very off putting.

Ace Modder · 9 Jun 2008 at 20:52

well I have ben doing my 25hr intensive course today and for the last 3 days.

I have done parrellel parking 3 times, as I was excellent each time.
My bay parking, in an empty carpark took about 6 tries to get right
My reversing around a corner is I suppose my weaknees, I tend to go out a little wide on times (paranoid about kerb)
My weakness was my emergency stop, not applyiong the breaks enough - was worried about skidding!

But overall, my intrustor reckons after 10hours I was ready for my test, so the other 12 hrs will/have been for practising, hell my instructor even got in th back of the car today, to see how I coped with no1 in the front passenger seat! Perfectly fine today!

I have 4 hrs more tomorrow.
2 on Weds morning, then the last 2 hrs are for my pre-test lesson and then my test!