Just Passed! My tips for getting through the test (Learning to Drive)

Member Name: JulesK

Product:	Learning to Drive
Date:	02/04/07 (2528 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: independance, freedom

Disadvantages: only passed today so not gone out on my own yet, that will be later...

I have just passed my test today, I firsst learnt to drive at 17/18 and failed my test twice, then had a bad car accident as a passenger which put me off, and then went off to uni. I never needed to drive really until I got my new job which is easy to get to by public transport but involves a 20 min walk so after paying out 70 quid a month for a train ticket and then walking in the rain that was it, time to hop back on the saddle after 9-10 years and learn again. It has been a slow process, but today I passed my test, first time (I am ignoring the earlier attempts as it was so long ago!!) and I am very happy. The bach recue remedy was a great help, I took it a couple of hours before the test, when I got in to the car with the examiner I suddenly felt very calm and everything went well, which it hadn't done the hour before my test, in my lesson i had messed everything up!! I am now going to go on and do my pass plus. My tips for passing are:-

1-find an instructor you like, I went through three, one quit instruction completely, the second shouted at me a bit too much and the third was fab so I will be doing my pass plus with her to lower my insurance premiums!

2- get the theory test out of the way asap, buy the hazard perception dvd but make sure your dvd player has new batteries in it as mine were dying so it kept coming up as if I had failed even though i was pressing it like a loon!! Get the highway code, get a theory book and get stuck in!

3 - take as much time as you need, i took longer than some of the driving school websites promote but everyone is different and the older you get the more time you may need.

4- go out with a friend, relative, neighbour, local whoever, as getting practice outside of your lessons is vital. There is a book that is helpful to get for people assisting you as they need to point out any problems and help you, not just sit there and let you drive

5 - Use bachs rescue remedy if you feel nervous it works, especially on the day of your test. Also breathing in through your nose and heavily out through your mouth really helps to calm you down.

6 - drive as many of the test routes as you can before the test - sounds obvious but not everyone does it. The test routes are available from the DSA website for each driving test centre. Do them with your instructor and also with a friend/family member if possible.

7- Think of the test as an assesment of your driving skills. If you fail, its no big deal, you haven't just killed someone (unless you ran someone over in which case oh dear!) and the world will not end. Look at the report, work on your weaknesses and prepare well for the next test.

8- Remember the examiner is not there to fail you, he or she want you to do well, but they have to make sure you are safe to drive on your own, if you bear this in mind it will help. They are not evil, they are just doing their job.

9 - Check speed limits, I thought i had failed today as I was turning out of a junction couldn't see a reminder so did 30-35 and thought I was in a 30, but then when i hit 35 i saw a 40 sign! Phew! Picked up one minor instead of a fail! Oh also MIRRORS check them too. Lots. Lots. lots.

10 -Once you have passed put some credit on your phone if its a pay as you go or U-fix and text the planet!

Summary: My tips on how to pass!