Anything really...
2006-12-13 01:54:23 · 111 answers · asked by Kayle xxx 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I passed my test recently and I was only learning for 3 months with no car to practice in.
You need to buy a book/DVD that has all of the info you need for your theory test and revise for half an hour a day for a couple of weeks. Getting a DVD that has a hazard perception test on it is a REALLY good idea. It helped me loads.
For your practical, I took my lessons quite intensively, two or three 2 hour lessons per week whenever possible and I think this was the best way to do it. It gave me time in between each lesson to think about what I'd learned but it wasn't such a big gap that I forgot anything. Your instructor is key. I had 3 instuctors in as many months. 2 weren't great but the last one I had was really good and I wouldn't have passed if I'd stuck with one of the other two. If you're in the slightest bit unhappy with your instructor then try to find a better one.
On the day, just stay calm and take your time. One of my friends was always really nervous and panicky when she got in a car so she got hypnotherapy and she said it really helped. She was really calm and relaxed for the test.
Ihope this helps. Good luck!
2006-12-13 23:17:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
CHECK ALL THREE MIRRORS!!! Stay relaxed -- These people see a lot of newbies every day and they're pretty "Nose to the grindstone". They really just want it to be over like you do. Drive slow, drive safe, when preparing to turn, turn on your blinker a little while BEFORE you should (100 feet or so). Keep a WIDE distance between you and the car infront. As for the mirrors, I can't stress this enough. What I did was I'd find an oil spot on the road, or a spot, or something, and once I passed it, I'd watch in all three mirrors until I saw it again, then I'd go back down the road, and every minute or two, I'd look for a new spot in my mirrors. Good luck -- It's really not all that bad!
2016-03-13 06:28:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello,
No.1 keep a cool head during your driving test, getting dreadfully nervous only gets in the way and wont do you any favours.
No.2 Think carefully about any questions the test instructor might ask you, or ask you to do.
No.3 Try and have atleast x1 practise hour in a vehicle for every paid for driving lesson. (for example I had x3 practise hours each week in my sisters car for every x1 hour paid for lesson each week). So that's x4 hrs of driving each week & often several hrs at weekends too. I passed my test after my third attempt, I've held a license for 20yrs, driven daily for well over 10yrs now.
No.4 Try & memorize the most basic things like "Mirror signal Manouver". (I know that probably sounds abit daft but you have to use whatever works for you!).
No.5 You should know exactly which gear you are driving in just by the sound of the cars engine, thats how familar you should be with driving.
No.6 During the test, if you make a small mistake you can show the instructor you are aware of what you just did and then correct it. But you need to do this with confidence to pull that off. (some minor faults the examiner will let pass and it wont go against you too much or fail you completely so dont assume you/ve failed just because you made a minor error).
**Finally, just remember passing your test is NOT the full story, you only really learn to drive once you have actually passed your test. You will only understand what I mean by this when you drive a car for the first time on your own after your passed your test. THEN you learn to really drive!! Good luck with your test, Best Wishes.
IR
2006-12-13 07:08:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi Kayle, sorry about the late response - I've only just seen the question.
Lot's of good answers so far but, unless I missed it, one thing left out. Don't turn up looking like a boy-racer or a woman possessed. First impressions are very important; look responsible and intelligent (not overly conservative), smile and appear attentive, speak only when spoken to and take the advice of a previous poster - you are just out for a regular drive and you just want to get your examiner home safely and ready to sing your praises about what a good driver you are.
Keep that in mind and I am sure you will do well. We should all assume that you are a competent driver otherwise you wouldn't be taking the test yet.
Good luck and don't worry. The examiner is just another person like the rest of us.
2006-12-14 00:19:09 · answer #4 · answered by saljegi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
KEY tip:
1) Observations, observations, observations.
You can drive like a pro yet not meet the test-pass criteria, you can't over-observe. You can be doing a reverse around a corner and not really be focussing on the manual driving as your head will be moving back-and-front, left-and-right, mirror-to-mirror...
Other tips:
2) If you're likely to get nervous, try a stress-relieving technique. For 10mins before driving to the test centre I sat on the roadside and listened to my fave album, yet some friends took Kalms (as advised by their instructor!). Keep a straight head throughout.
3) Even if you think you've messed up, persevere. Chances are you haven't done as badly as you think, on one test I passed a really hard uphill reverse around a corner at a crossroads, yet failed for *touching* the kerb on a turn in the road. Some instructors may give you a third manoeuvre if one went particularly badly, some will pass you even if they did go badly but you showed careful and skilled general driving (but don't count on it).
4) Don't fret about the questions, you've already done the Theory so don't worry about it now! They can give you a minor on that section of the test anyway if in some way you show that you can't use the ancillary controls properly (fiddling with lights/wipers etc)
I hope you get lots of useful tips from these posts, good luck!
2006-12-13 10:19:10 · answer #5 · answered by danilouprec 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i got a good tip from my yoga teacher. It's all about breathing. to keep you calm. You need to breathe in for 5 through your nose, then out for 5 through your mouth. Keeps you focused and in control. It's as simple as that.
Don't panic, think about what you're doing, but don't worry too much. Enjoy the journey, try to forget that the examiner is there. Use your mirrors (but not excessively) and remember if you don't pass first time, you can always try again, it isn't the end of the world. I took all of this on board when i say mine 2 years ago, and passed first time when it was pouring down, really dark and windy and just not a good day. I stalled on a roundabout. But was able to correct what i'd done without any fuss, I also went over a kerb because i couldn't see it because of the leaves covering it (it was october and really bad weather) but again, corrected what i'd done and told the examiner why it had happened (we're only human after all) I reckon if you make a mistake and can rectify it and explain how it happened it might help you. Or don't make mistakes - that might be better!!
Good luck to you, I hope you do really well!!!!!
2006-12-13 09:35:49 · answer #6 · answered by sharon r 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best tips I got from you to try and do them and keep calm? I wish you the best of luck……… Drive smoothly - imagine there's someone with a cup tea in the passenger seat and that you don't want them to spill it.
·Look ahead - it is easy to focus on objects near you, but focussing on part of road you are aiming for 15-20 metres ahead will automatically improve your road position and help with anticipation of obstacles. Try not to focus on objects just the road.
·Don't rush maneuvers - If you have to abandon a reverse around a corner or a hill start due to an unforeseen obstacle , don't panic, go back to your original start position and do it again when the obstacle has cleared. (Remember you should wait if you see an obstacle before you start the maneuver)
·The turn-about is not a 3 point turn - you can do it in as many points as you wish as long as you are not causing an obstruction or excessively slow in completing the maneuver.
·Do not overtake - only overtake if you are passing a stationary obstable e.g. a bin lorry etc. The tests are generally done in residential areas of slow moving traffic and there will be many learner drivers around. Show your patience and be respectful of other learners.
·Be familiar with the test route - you should drive the route to ensure you know the area and if there are any unusual junctions or road markings etc.
·Arrive at the test centre in plenty of time - but don't hang around nervously, take a short walk to calm the nerves if necessary... It's only a test but it can be quite worrying.
Also, when going into the test centre you should bring your licence and the letter you got for the test.
All the best!!!!!!!
2006-12-13 20:32:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Relax - deep breaths, keep your shoulders and arms loose.
Use your mirrors in an exaggerated way, don't just move your eyes to look, move your whole head and make it obvious to the examiner that you are using your mirror.
Don't grip the steering wheel too tightly, this will make your whole body tense up.
Balance your right foot on your heel so that you can easily pivot between the accelerator and the brake.
Don't panic if you stall the car, the examiner is interested in how you deal with this when it happens, keep calm and follow the procedures your instructor has taught you.
Most of all stay positive and good luck!!!
2006-12-14 01:22:11 · answer #8 · answered by JOANNE C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you can complete all your manoeveres correctly. Make sure you know the lane positioning of all the roundabouts on and around the test routes.Remember that if you dont pass this time you can take it again in 10 days time by getting a cancellation on the internet.(this should ease the pressure for you) It took me 3 times to pass but I'm a much safer driver for failing the first two. Also the time literally flies by when you are taking your test. The night before my final test, I just went through everything in my head and I pictured everything that I would be doing and I felt confident that I knew how to do everything required Anyway I know what your feeling so I wish you luck...let us know if you pass
2006-12-13 10:16:09 · answer #9 · answered by returnofkarlos 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stay calm, have your wits about you, if you are a good driver you will pass,try to get a test either early morning as less time to work yourself up or after rush hour, less traffic on the roads.
Read the highway code and make sur eyou know what you have to.
Book in for a lesson before your test, that way you can go through things with your instructor that need practise.
Good luck
2006-12-13 16:56:27 · answer #10 · answered by Sarah S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋