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Tips for passing driving test?

Can anyone offer any tips or advice for passing a driving test?? it is coming on Thursday so hoping I pass!! Any advice would be appreciated.
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Comments

  • Not only do you need to look in the mirror regularly, but the instructor has to see it. So don't just glance; turn your head a bit.

    Good luck.
  • edited March 2014
    exagerated head movements for mirror and blind spot checking is a good bit o advice. I failed my first test for slowing someone down at a roundabout... So dont do that. if you do somethin wrong, don't assume you have failed. i remember my instructor testing me on what i would do if an emergency vehicle had its light on and wanted to pass during a test- said someone he taught didn't move aside and failed for it. Good luck!
  • Don't crash.
  • Self belief. You wouldn't be taking the test if you wasn't ready.


    Nerves vanished once i was a couple of minutes into the test.
  • Imagine the examiner naked, it will ease your nerves.
  • Be confident, but not cocky. Good luck!!
  • Have a couple of drinks beforehand to settle the nerves?
  • Beta blockers for nerves
  • If you get in the wrong lane for a turning/roundabout, don't try and change it, keep going, you won't fail for going the wrong direction
  • Try not to hit any parked cars or pedestrians.
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  • Don't imagine the examiner naked, it will either make you horny or anxious. You don't want to be in either state.
  • Get out in the car as much as you can between now and then.

    It's not just instructors pockets that benefit from having lots of lessons.
  • half way through your test ask the examiner if he fancies a pint
  • re the mirror thing already mentioned, this is a major, so my tip is offset the mirror just a tiny bit interior and exterior so you have to move your head to see view…it helps !
  • If you are young male:

    1. Wear a suit and tie
    2. Make sure a professional instructor escorts you the test.
    3. Invest in a deodorant
  • Talk to your own instructor. They know all the requirements of the modern day test. I could tell you how I passed mine 1st time in 1977 but that's not really much help to you now :-)
  • If you forget which direction they said on the self drive bit, you're allowed to just ask. Daft but there you are!

    Good luck!
  • edited March 2014
    Passed second time....probably the most nervous I have ever been even more so then when I've been in hospital for an operation or during the penalty shoot out v Sunderland, still I passed so maybe a 'few' nerves can be a positive thing...good luck.
    Good advice about the mirrors maddad.
  • Take your time with maneuvers! Don't be rushed by others on the road. Remember it's a test, once your through it you can drive your way. Safely I hope :)
  • +1 on the beta blockers. I literally did not give a shit on my test. I was ice-cold! No nerves at all. Was brill.
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  • Talk to your examiner, I found when I was 18 and did my test it calmed my nerves a lot remembering that they are people too. I was talking to mine about how he became a driving test examiner
  • DeeBee said:

    Talk to your examiner, I found when I was 18 and did my test it calmed my nerves a lot remembering that they are people too. I was talking to mine about how he became a driving test examiner

    Good luck with that, mine wouldn't even say 'Good Morning' to me.

  • Pretend you don't speak English, you're allowed to have your 'interpreter' in the car with you to translate the examiners instructions, gives you more thinking time.
  • Give your examiner some feedback after the test. Everyone knows how important constructive criticism is - and in my experience, driving test examiners are especially fond of it. If, for instance, he fails you for not checking your mirrors - ensure you reply with something appropriate, such as 'I was checking them the whole test you blind twat'. If he marks you down for driving too close to parked cars, ask him if he 'wants to borrow your fucking ruler'. If he comments on your nervousness in a light hearted attempt to ease tension, ask him if he got dressed in the dark that morning.

    Good luck, hth.
  • I thought @CharltonBoy was asking what he should tip the examiner if he passes. That wouldn't be a good idea.
  • I failed my first test at 17 for driving too fast through the town, even though I was well within the speed limit and keeping up with all other traffic. On my second attempt, (being a bit nervous) I made a small error and assumed I would then fail, so completely relaxed and just went through the motions. I passed. Have since passed HGV & PSV tests.

    If you're confident in your own ability and can get through the nervousness, you'll have no problems. Just be aware of other idiots who deem it fine to cut you up just because you've got L plates on.

    Don't dress chavvy, looking like you're gonna jump into a souped up corsa as soon as you pass. Smart casual that you'll be comfortable in whilst driving and as Grumpy says, apply some deodorant beforehand.

    The four most important things to remember are: Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors, mirrors.



    Good luck......................
  • edited March 2014
    Let someone with a license take it :-)...........Keep calm and if you make a little mistake it's not the end if the world, just keep going, good luck. Passed first time 45 years ago got criticised for waiting too long at a crossroads to proceed, my response with a cheeky grin 'Better safe than sorry'.
  • Try a handful of £20 notes.
  • Good Luck CharltonBoy. I failed 5 times many years ago. Most of them I learnt with private instructors. God knows why they thought I was ready for a test. I couldn't do the reverse park or parallel park. I was scared of roundabouts. That was 20 years ago. I restarted again recently and I am with BSM now and have a lovely female instructor Jo. She is superb. I've got to redo my theory test but we starting to work towards my practical test. What she has said to me is that she knows a driving instructor (and providing I am happy with it) she is going to have a "mock test" with myself and him.
    It is fair to say that my reverse round the corner has come on really well and I do fear roundabouts. I had a lesson today and made 2 bad errors. We are now doing elements of the test and she gave me routes to take. The best advice I can give you is that you are allowed to make minor errors, you will fail on the serious errors, don' worry if you stall you won't error on that but remember the start up drill. As for directions, they will either give you route directions either verbally or show you a map and they will give you 3 directions to such as "I want to you to take the next left, then at the end of that road and turn right, take the 2nd exist at the roundabout". That will be it and yes you are allowed to ask on route in case you forget. The driving examiner are not looking for expert drivers but drivers that can do all the takes safely etc.
  • Don't panic if you make a mistake. I stalled on a hill start 3 times in a row because I had it in third instead of first. I thought I'd failed but apparently I didn't because I acknowledged and corrected by mistake (I said oh shit I'm in third).

    Also street lights means 30 don't get caught out.
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