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Post by john on Jan 4, 2011 12:59:30 GMT
I did my test for the first time in November 2009. I sat down in the car and within a minute was talking to the instructor about brass band music.... Needless to say we didn't stop talking until we had bay parked in the test centre and he had given me the good news. It was a good laugh, I quite enjoyed it! I've found examiners will talk to you when you're doing well  Mine decided he would talk to me about his daughter being in a local marching band!! I was in one at the time too so had a good knowledge of it all ;D Panthro, the time is everything too. I know Hornchurch are notorious for passing earlier during the week. I had mine on a Tuesday at around the same time as you, which meant it was pretty calm traffic and no doubt hadn't reached their supposed "pass quota". Thinking on it, my route was quite considering I went through Upminster and Cranham  Did get told I could've failed when I decided to crawl behind an artic on the A127, but there was a junction coming up and I wanted to be ready to turn off if he decided to say so. Think it helped that my examiner was called John though ;D |
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Post by dla389 on Jan 4, 2011 21:25:33 GMT
11 hours and 30 minutes to go, I'm pretty nervous already lol. Thankfully I'll have an hours practice in my instructors car before the test, just to get warmed up and do some last minute practice on anything I'm worrying about to put my mind at ease - speeding is one of them! I have one final question, would it be a good idea to have my instructor sit in with me or not? The way I see it, if you fail and dispute it with your instructor it could get messy and you'll have to resit at the same centre anyway - no need to cause bad relations. Mine decided he would talk to me about his daughter being in a local marching band!! I was in one at the time too so had a good knowledge of it all ;D I can picture the situation. ;D But, there is something which does put me off the examiners though. I know somebody who failed because they didn't ask the driving instructor to put on their seatbelt when she turned on the engine - yet they did the whole 40 minute test and she only got 3 minors. It's quite clear to me that examiners can be ridiculous if they chose to be. But no worries, I'll make those necessary checks and just try and drive in a way that will put my examiner to sleep.  Watch this space. |
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Post by greeny253 on Jan 5, 2011 11:23:29 GMT
I have one final question, would it be a good idea to have my instructor sit in with me or not? Your instructor is not allowed to sit in on the test |
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Post by dla389 on Jan 5, 2011 12:37:30 GMT
To say I'm furious right now is an understatement. Was all set and ready to do my test this morning, had a lovely lesson an hour before as mentioned previously, went perfectly well and felt 110% confident. Got to Croydon test centre 15 minutes before my test had started. Got my provisional and other documents checked, conducted an eyesight test, passed, answered both 'show me tell me' questions (I believe they were correct as I know them off by heart), all went well. I was then asked by the examiner to sit in the car and get myself prepared for the 40 minute test whilst he checks around the test car. After a few seconds, I was called out of the car and my instructor was called to come outside from the test centre. At first I thought there was something on the windscreen of the car, which shouldn't have been there, before I had realised he was staring at the tax disc, until I was then told, "I'm sorry to say but this vehicle has INVALID TAX".  The examiner then apologised with regret and informed me that my test will be cancelled immediately and I will be unable to use the car for any future tests until it gets sorted out between my instructor and AA driving school. I argued at the end but the examiner wasn't having any of it and I was told to ring the DSA when I get home and tell them the situation and arrange to have an alternative test date - and to top it all off I can expect to wait till April for another test unless there is an earlier slot which rarely appears.  I am aware that there is a way of contesting, but that way at least someone would look into the incompetent fool and get him banned from driving as it is illegal to drive with an expired tax disc. I've been trying to get hold of the DSA by telephone for the past hour to explain the situation and see if there are any alternatives, because there is no way I am paying for another test unless I receive a full refund or I wouldn't have to pay anything for a re-test, as it wasn't my fault, my instructor is to be blamed for not doing anything about it had he known the tax disc was invalid. I'm on the phone to the DSA as I type this to speak to somebody who may help, and I'm just being told by the automated answerphone that the "volume of calls is too high" and I am unable to be connected at this time. How much longer do I have to wait?! The most the examiner could possibly have done is book me for a free re-test as I was NOT at fault! I'm totally gutted, a waste of my f**king time and money. |
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Post by dla389 on Jan 5, 2011 12:42:27 GMT
I have one final question, would it be a good idea to have my instructor sit in with me or not? Your instructor is not allowed to sit in on the test It's allowed, before my test had started I was requested by the examiner if I would like to bring him in, but I didn't anyway. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2011 15:56:11 GMT
To say I'm furious right now is an understatement. Was all set and ready to do my test this morning, had a lovely lesson an hour before as mentioned previously, went perfectly well and felt 110% confident. Got to Croydon test centre 15 minutes before my test had started. Got my provisional and other documents checked, conducted an eyesight test, passed, answered both 'show me tell me' questions (I believe they were correct as I know them off by heart), all went well. I was then asked by the examiner to sit in the car and get myself prepared for the 40 minute test whilst he checks around the test car. After a few seconds, I was called out of the car and my instructor was called to come outside from the test centre. At first I thought there was something on the windscreen of the car, which shouldn't have been there, before I had realised he was staring at the tax disc. Until I was told - "I'm sorry to say but this vehicle has INVALID TAX". The examiner then apologised with regret and informed me that my test will be cancelled immediately and I will be unable to use the car for any future tests until it gets sorted out between my instructor and AA driving school. I argued at the end but the examiner wasn't having any of it and I was told to ring the DSA when I get home and tell them of the situation and arrange to have an alternative test date, and to top it all off I can expect to wait till April for another test unless there is an earlier slot which rarely appears. I am aware that there is a way of contesting, but that way at least someone would look into the incompetent fool and get him banned from driving as it is illegal to drive with an expired tax disc. I've been trying to get hold of the DSA by telephone for the past hour to explain the situation and see if there are any alternatives, because there is no way I am paying for another test unless I receive a full refund or I wouldn't have to pay anything, as it wasn't my fault, my instructor is to be blamed for not doing anything about it had he known the tax disc was invalid. I'm on the phone to the DSA as I type this and I'm just being told by the automated answerphone that the "volume of calls is too high" and I am unable to be connected at this time. The most the examiner could possibly have done is book me for a free re-test as I was NOT at fault! I'm totally gutted, a waste of my f**king time and money. My condolences, it must have been very frustrating. Pity you did not notice the out of date road fund licence yourself. Having said that, from what you say your lesssons were with the AA (Automobile Association). In law, let alone as a matter of principal, they are liable to your financial loss and inconvenience, not that they as a major organisation, would want such adverse publicity. When you have calmed down, suggest you write a letter, to the local AA branch where your driving instructor is based, with a copy to their head office in Basingstoke. Might be worth mentioning that unless the make fair recompense to you, that you send a copy of said letter to the news desk of ALL the national newspapers AND the BBC and ITN. I doubt that they would want that sort of adverse publicity! |
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Post by Madstuntman on Jan 5, 2011 18:16:02 GMT
To say I'm furious right now is an understatement. Was all set and ready to do my test this morning, had a lovely lesson an hour before as mentioned previously, went perfectly well and felt 110% confident. Got to Croydon test centre 15 minutes before my test had started. Got my provisional and other documents checked, conducted an eyesight test, passed, answered both 'show me tell me' questions (I believe they were correct as I know them off by heart), all went well. I was then asked by the examiner to sit in the car and get myself prepared for the 40 minute test whilst he checks around the test car. After a few seconds, I was called out of the car and my instructor was called to come outside from the test centre. At first I thought there was something on the windscreen of the car, which shouldn't have been there, before I had realised he was staring at the tax disc. Until I was told - "I'm sorry to say but this vehicle has INVALID TAX". The examiner then apologised with regret and informed me that my test will be cancelled immediately and I will be unable to use the car for any future tests until it gets sorted out between my instructor and AA driving school. I argued at the end but the examiner wasn't having any of it and I was told to ring the DSA when I get home and tell them of the situation and arrange to have an alternative test date, and to top it all off I can expect to wait till April for another test unless there is an earlier slot which rarely appears. I am aware that there is a way of contesting, but that way at least someone would look into the incompetent fool and get him banned from driving as it is illegal to drive with an expired tax disc. I've been trying to get hold of the DSA by telephone for the past hour to explain the situation and see if there are any alternatives, because there is no way I am paying for another test unless I receive a full refund or I wouldn't have to pay anything, as it wasn't my fault, my instructor is to be blamed for not doing anything about it had he known the tax disc was invalid. I'm on the phone to the DSA as I type this and I'm just being told by the automated answerphone that the "volume of calls is too high" and I am unable to be connected at this time. The most the examiner could possibly have done is book me for a free re-test as I was NOT at fault! I'm totally gutted, a waste of my f**king time and money. My condolences, it must have been very frustrating. Pity you did not notice the out of date road fund licence yourself. Having said that, from what you say your lesssons were with the AA (Automobile Association). In law, let alone as a matter of principal, they are liable to your financial loss and inconvenience, not that they as a major organisation, would want such adverse publicity. When you have calmed down, suggest you write a letter, to the local AA branch where your driving instructor is based, with a copy to their head office in Basingstoke. Might be worth mentioning that unless the make fair recompense to you, that you send a copy of said letter to the news desk of ALL the national newspapers AND the BBC and ITN. I doubt that they would want that sort of adverse publicity! And then when you DO pass... Join the RAC!! |
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Post by lc1 on Jan 5, 2011 18:25:33 GMT
And then when you DO pass... Join the RAC!! ;D I would have thought the AA would pay for your re-test without argument. As for my car test it was that long ago I have almost forgotten it, however I can just remember I passed first time, even though I thought I had failed. Done the 3 point turn in 5 and forgot to check my blind spot when pulling away once, seemed to arrive back at the test centre too quick so thought that was £600 down the drain (I had done a two week intensive course) was most surprised when he told me the fateful words...congratulations you've passed ;D As for my bus test(s) well thats a different matter  |
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Post by moz on Feb 9, 2011 16:43:23 GMT
Your best bet for passing a test is to put yourself at ease. Consider yourself to have failed from kick-off and that the whole drive is simply you returning the examiner to the Test Centre. I did both my car and bus tests in the same way and passed both first time. I can't remember if I was told of any faults as this was in the far-off days before Theory and Hazard tests were invented!
Moz
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2011 17:47:07 GMT
I've got my driving test in a few weeks. I am quite an anxious person anyway, so I dread to think what I'm going to be like on test day! lol.
My driving skills are good enough for the test (well, a few things to work on over the next few weeks), but its the confidence thats the problem. Once I do a small thing wrong, it then has a chain reaction and I start getting every thing wrong. And on the test, my instructor won't be there to take over the pedals if I get things wrong. Thats whats worrying me- not having a safety net.
For me, before a lesson, I tend to have Red Bull, and also stretch my leg muscles, so that I can be perfect with the clutch....it seems to work for me. Also, I think of the lesson like a test. I try to imagine i'm actually doing the test...not sure if that works though.
Also, I'm glad I don't have to do the test in more urban parts of London. There seem to be dreadful drivers around London (probably just because there are more cars on the road). I'm doing mine from Loughton where the roads are less busy, and their isn't so much road rage. One problem is the hills, which Loughton has plenty. In fact, all the roads around Loughton are considered 'hill starts' (well, apparently).
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Post by greeny253 on Feb 10, 2011 23:07:40 GMT
but its the confidence thats the problem. Once I do a small thing wrong, it then has a chain reaction and I start getting every thing. All I'd say is focus. Keep your head in the game and concentrate on the drive and ONLY the drive and you'll be fine. Don't even think that the examiner is there. |
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Post by Steve80 on Feb 11, 2011 1:41:32 GMT
Agree with greeny. I failed my car test THREE times ;D First one, I decided to have a conversation to the examiner while doing the test  And failed miserably of course. Second one, I was doing ok until I hit the kerb when reversing around the corner. I just lost my concentration at that second. Third one, I can't remember why I failed. But I do remember after failing that, that I immediately booked for my fourth test, which was only 5 days after and at a time of around 4pm. All my other tests started around 9am and Im not a morning person so I blame that for failing. When I had my fourth test, I was focused all the way and took my time in dealing with all the hazards. I think I passed with just two errors. One error was a hill start. I think he actually told me that I was on 3rd gear. I can't remember too well though but I remember that I said to myself that I had to stay cool and concentrate. The other error was when I approached a 119 bus who was at the bus stop, picking up passengers but with the right indicator out. Of course, when I approached the bus I was confused and ended up braking a bit harsh and screaming a little ;D Even when he passed me, I thought he meant I failed (I heard what he said but didn't believe it) so I said nothing to him for a few minutes looking upset. As far as i was concerned, I wasn't ready for my test, until the 4th one. When I did the 4th one I had no worries about doing any of the reversing manoeuvres, which was a worry to me when I attempted my other tests. So based on that I just say to stay focused. Its all easy saying that though but I remember before I started my test, that the fact that I failed so many times before, I was determined to do well and when I had to do the reversing, I made sure I took my time before attempting the manoeuvre. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2011 12:00:22 GMT
Im not joking, have 2 or 3 bananas before your test. They have something in them that is scientifically proven to reduce nerves.
If you feel up to it, create some polite chat with the examiner to break the icy silence and also, if they see you are a good guy they will like you. Talk about the weather or if there are some annoying roadworks or something. Just some topical banter.
Keep calm and try not to look at the examiner's pen, as when I did this I then got myself a minor, by not doing push pull steering on one junction.
Try not to get 'relieved' on the way back to the test centre as this is when you can sometimes relax too much and also another time when minors can be picked up. I got all my 5 minors during last 10 mins of my test!
Good Luck!
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Post by eggmiester on Feb 17, 2011 23:26:38 GMT
Well its a long time ago that I took my car test so I am must admit I can hardly remember it. Although for the benefit of Steve09 it was Belvedere test centre and I remember stalling the car outside the test centre (thinking this is a good start). I did end up passing first time. Ah-ha, a fellow Bevlederian!! Must be a luck thing as i passed first time at Belvedere as well, the old test centre in Woolwich road opposite the Eardley Arms. I think the old Belvedere test centre has now closed and been re-located to the Indsutrial Estate down the road from BV garage, i notice a 'DSA Test Centre' sign on the appraoch road there. |
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Did get told I could've failed when I decided to crawl behind an artic on the A127, but there was a junction coming up and I wanted to be ready to turn off if he decided to say so. Think it helped that my examiner was called John though ;D 
The examiner then apologised with regret and informed me that my test will be cancelled immediately and I will be unable to use the car for any future tests until it gets sorted out between my instructor and AA driving school. I argued at the end but the examiner wasn't having any of it and I was told to ring the DSA when I get home and tell them the situation and arrange to have an alternative test date - and to top it all off I can expect to wait till April for another test unless there is an earlier slot which rarely appears. 
And failed miserably of course. Second one, I was doing ok until I hit the kerb when reversing around the corner. I just lost my concentration at that second. Third one, I can't remember why I failed. But I do remember after failing that, that I immediately booked for my fourth test, which was only 5 days after and at a time of around 4pm. All my other tests started around 9am and Im not a morning person so I blame that for failing.
