531joshua Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 right im coming up to doing my car test (9th July). ive looked on the internet (eg www.2pass.co.uk) and obviously my driving instructor has helped me as much as he can but has anyone got any hints and tips or general informtion for doing the test? im doing mine at gateshead mptc and the pass rate is around 30%, so im kinda worried, and recently a few friends have went in for theirs at gateshead and failed at least once. one question i have is do the examiners have to meet a certain pass/fail rate? i was told so (although i cant believe that), but i was told to book my test early on in the month, as in the case of lots of passes in one month, coming to the end of that month the examiner will be more likely to fail you to meet a pass rate. if you've done your test recently or have any handy info on doing it, please say, im not looking forward to it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianC Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I passed my test a good couple of years ago, but my main piece of advice to you would be to just think SLOW. You will give yourself more time to correct mistakes with maneuvers and obviously won't risk going over the limit. Other than that, try to relax, maybe make a little bit of chat with the examiner if you feel you can while doing the test. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 They get an idea of whether you've passed or failed from their first impressions of your driving, so just be confident, basically. Don't turn up like a nervous, sweating, shivering wreck, just walk in there like you know you're definitely going to pass. If you f**k up, don't let it sit there at the back of your mind - I totally f**ked up at one point later on in my test, and that shit me up a bit, but I didn't let it fluster me and I still passed first time. So yeah, just be confident and you'll be fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
531joshua Posted June 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 yeah my instructor said treat it as if it were a lesson, so to kind of keep the pressure off. thanks for the replies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 ...and don't think of it as You Vs. The Examiner or anything like that. Just imagine that they want you to pass too (Which they do in a sense, 'cos it doesn't really matter to them whether you pass or fail, but I'm guessing the majority would probably like to be driven around by good drivers ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.j Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Don't be too slow either, because they don't like that either, i stalled twice on my test! but it all depends on the examiner whether you pass or fail on that. I was LUCKY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark W Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 I hadn't stalled at any point in any of my lessons, then on the morning of the test on the warm-up drive, I stalled 4 times on one junction. Hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianC Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 Don't be too slow either, because they don't like that either, i stalled twice on my test! but it all depends on the examiner whether you pass or fail on that. I was LUCKY There's a crucial difference between slow and stalling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.j Posted June 26, 2008 Report Share Posted June 26, 2008 (edited) yeah definatly, i didnt mean it to come out like that, you can fail on not pulling out on roundabouts when you have the chance as well Edited June 26, 2008 by c.j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 From someone who just passed theirs yesterday with 0 minors (</ egoboost), I've got to say that it's all about confidence. They like people who show they can drive by not completely coming to a halt at a junction if you can see it's clear to pull out, and other stuff like that. And make like an owl and look all around you as much as possible, you can't be failed for being too observant. This ones very well known but you might not know it: The 5 Second Rule. I spent my whole test counting to 5 over and over again, every time you get to 5 look in a mirror or the speedo, the rest of the time look where you're going. Obviously this help to prove your observation, but it has the added benefit of calming you down through repetition. Oh, and I think that the fact I was talking to my examiner the whole way through the test helped her miss some of the minors I might have picked up had I been silent... Good luck, and remember it's not like it's the end of the world if you fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Token Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 From someone who just passed theirs yesterday with 0 minors (</ egoboost), I've got to say that it's all about confidence. They like people who show they can drive by not completely coming to a halt at a junction if you can see it's clear to pull out, and other stuff like that. And make like an owl and look all around you as much as possible, you can't be failed for being too observant. This ones very well known but you might not know it: The 5 Second Rule. I spent my whole test counting to 5 over and over again, every time you get to 5 look in a mirror or the speedo, the rest of the time look where you're going. Obviously this help to prove your observation, but it has the added benefit of calming you down through repetition. Oh, and I think that the fact I was talking to my examiner the whole way through the test helped her miss some of the minors I might have picked up had I been silent... Good luck, and remember it's not like it's the end of the world if you fail. you got banned though. The only thing I'd say is take your time to think things through, when you start rushing it's when stupid mistakes occur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 you got banned though. The only thing I'd say is take your time to think things through, when you start rushing it's when stupid mistakes occur. and then didnt drive for 3 years, kinda besides the point anyway because having driven before I had bad habits to get out of and the like. Plus I got 14 minors the first time I passed anyway - and it does it mean that the rest of the advice was null and void? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzo Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Hmmm, I think the best advice I was given was to give the examiner a comfortable ride. Also, a lot of people fail because they think they messed something up and simply give up trying; when really all they received is a minor or nothing at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
531joshua Posted June 27, 2008 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 thanks for all the advice. ive kind of calmed down about it all now, just yesterday i was more nervous even though its 2 weeks away. hope i pass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simpson Posted June 27, 2008 Report Share Posted June 27, 2008 Things I did - Think SMOOTH, its not a race, they don't want you bumping in and out of gear, make sure all your gear changes are smooth, brake nice and early, show you perceive hazards and react smoothly and accordingly - Just went in thinking I'd failed.... you have you prove your good enough to pass... you can only fail - Prefer to drive at 26mph than nailing 30 dead on then having to brake down a hill or slam on your brakes - Remember the smaller details - Keep calm (air con can help you!!!) - Try chatting to your examiner light hearted banter show you can multi task but don't go too deep and end up tail gating someone Enjoy it! its a day your going to remember either way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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