Unofficial Christ's Hospital Forum

Wuppertal wrote:Really well done to you! I'm in a buoyant mood too because today I just passed my driving test on the 3rd attempt.

What is frustrating though is that I drove much worse today than on either of my previous two. The whole system for practical tests is just wrong. An examinar who's never met you can't possibly judge what you're like as a driver on 30-40 minutes of driving from somebody who's bound to be extremely nervous, therefore their driving will never be at their true form anyway. Anyway, who drives in real life like they do on their test - things like bending your head and neck like a puppet just to show that you're looking in the mirrors, when if you've got them in the right place you shouldn't have to hardly move your head anyway, just use your eyes!

Are there any driving instructors / examiners on this forum? What are your thoughts?

Now the long, hard battle to try to convince my mum that yes I can drive OK and won't run anyone over, and please let me on her insurance!

Ex-Driving Instructor, and I still have some friends who are examiners.

To be honest, an examiner usually makes his mind up in the first five minutes of the test, barring any stupid faults. It's all down to confidence and common sense.

Some of the funny stories I've heard from examiners...........

.....?

blondie95 wrote:Congratulations!!!

I have thought the same for years, i personally feel it would make more sense for you to be observed on a number of lessons! As the thought you have to drive perfectly for 40mins scares me!

Just booked test for 17th Jan!!! aaarrrghhhh i really cannot imagine being allowed to drive all on my own!

In an earlier post you said the 12th. Are you really so pessimistic that you have booked two tests?

More seriously, I got a few lessons from a class 1 police driver (which did me the world of good). From that I gathered that your first 15 minutes of the day you won't drive marvellously. It seems to be a question of getting attuned. After that you should be able to drive consistently well for an hour - some people even two hours. As someone said you can make minor errors but don't break the speed limit or frighten the tester. Effectively it is a matter of being relaxed but alert and that comes with practice. (I for example still cannot carry on a conversation if I'm driving - depending on traffic a question might get an answer 5 minutes later and a good examiner will understand this).

For everyone, I very strongly recommend either the Institute of Advanced Motorists OR ROSPA training.
ROSPA is almost free - local centres charge £5 or £10 per annum and you have to supply your own vehickle, fuel etc. You will get a trained assessor who can take you from a test pass up to the highest levels of competence depending on your mental makeup. Down here a number of assessors are in fact trained police drivers who willingly put their training at the service of the public. The tests Bronze, Silver and Gold are voluntary and you do have to pay for them.

Wuppertal please note - if you can pass the Gold and get the big reduction in insurance premium then mummy should be happy.

As for Amy - wq look forward to good news in early January.

I was going to book for 12th but when went to no test so 17th earliest! Means i get an extra lesson in before.

Last night on driving test did all manovers which was interesting as haven't done parallel park and revers round corner for while now. The latter was perfect as was turn in road and bay park! The parallel park is still causing serious problems! I start off fine then as i go into space get confused as to how close to kerb etc i am!

I had the same examiner 3 times before I passed... he was an evil sour faced man!

I'm sill waiting to use that so useful manouvre of reversing around a corner in hte manner that they teach you!

englishangel wrote:.....?

Heres a classic from a great friend at Redhill test centre.

He was testing a middle aged woman who drove very well but was being very over-cautious.

When he took her out of the 30MPH speed area, she decided to SAFELY stay behind a milk-float, climbing up towards Wray Common. (Plum will know it well !)

"Do you think I should overtake ?" she asked my friend.

"If you don't, I'm getting out and walking !" was his dry response

Ha brilliant - I wonder if she passed!

I do know the area well...