24 replies to this topic

[bunch1980]

I had taken the test for 4th time yesterday and failed again, I did it 3yrs ago 3 times and failed then to.
1st time nerves silly mistake etc
2nd time good drive 2 minor faults and he fails me on not stopping at a stop junction so my word against his only way to of got round that i guess would of been to put hand brake on.
3rd time guy went mad totting up minor faults in one section on gears/clutch etc.

So this year started again a few month ago to get lessons and drive my partners car when i can so more practice!
and 2 weeks ago i got my mini sprite to! so really want to pass now!!

4th time she failed me on not stopping whilst reversing around corner, when a great jeep came tearing up road at speed and i was looking behind doing my checks! otherwise good drive only 4 minor faults.

I have my bike licence also for 12 yrs now.

My question really is now is it so very stricht to keep peeps off the road and i think is mad they dont know you have done test before
all though i know they are just marking you on the 40mins of driving.

Now I plan to drive mini as much as possible with partner and even drive it to work daily with her and do test again next month in it!!
though i am worried about my bucket seats causing a problem if the exmainer is on the large side again!! eeek.

[fordson]

i took my test in my mini andthe whole test he was talking about his brother who rallys minis

[leadly]

it took my mate 11 times to pass his test but he got there in the end.

[tomsbluemini]

Personally, I think that the british driving test is an absolute joke...

You're taught by a driving instructor to pass the driving test, not how to drive, then an examiner marks you on 40 mins or so of driving. If it rains, you can ask to have your test postponed, likewise with snow or heavy fog (how this will ever make you a better driver I have no idea.)

I took my test in a P reg diesel fiesta in the heaviest rain i've ever seen. I had the opportunity to postpone it but I insisted that I took it (diesel car only made the hill start easier.) I passed with only 4 minors. Went on to do my pass plus, and am now a fully passed and paid up IAM member at the age of 21!

In France, new drivers have different speed restrictions to more "experienced" drivers until they've built up their experience and most importantly, perception of the road.

As part of the driving test, there is nothing on motorbike awareness and nothing on large vehicle awareness (what they see when they're reversing, blind side on corners etc...)

I feel for you that you haven't passed yet, but perhaps this is a good thing? A very experienced driver has deemed that you're not safe to be on the road alone - so build up some experience and go for it again. Remember - every test that you take you'll take being that little bit more experienced. You've got your bike licence so that will help. how often do you get out and about on the bike? In your honest opinion, how good is your perception of the road? It seems that you've failed on a few manouveres... Don't forget that if the examiner asks you to do something that you deem unsafe (in your example a reverse round a seemingly blind bend), you can say to the examiner that you feel that's unsafe and they must ask you to repeat the manouvere somewhere safer...

Good luck

[Heather&Henrietta]

I must admit dude, my instructor always said that whenever you are manuvering, doesn't matter which one, if you are looking and observing, and you see another vehicle approach you, you must stop and let them pass or wait for you, otherwise it is an automatic fail, because they could try and get passed whilst you are moving, and is considered dangerous. I know not everybody does this in real life after passing, but my instructor said they are very strict.


Good luck for your next test and let us know how you get on.

[bunch1980]

it took my mate 11 times to pass his test but he got there in the end.

Thanks hope i dont get to 11 though im poor as it is!

[bunch1980]

Personally, I think that the british driving test is an absolute joke...

You're taught by a driving instructor to pass the driving test, not how to drive, then an examiner marks you on 40 mins or so of driving. If it rains, you can ask to have your test postponed, likewise with snow or heavy fog (how this will ever make you a better driver I have no idea.)

I took my test in a P reg diesel fiesta in the heaviest rain i've ever seen. I had the opportunity to postpone it but I insisted that I took it (diesel car only made the hill start easier.) I passed with only 4 minors. Went on to do my pass plus, and am now a fully passed and paid up IAM member at the age of 21!

In France, new drivers have different speed restrictions to more "experienced" drivers until they've built up their experience and most importantly, perception of the road.

As part of the driving test, there is nothing on motorbike awareness and nothing on large vehicle awareness (what they see when they're reversing, blind side on corners etc...)

I feel for you that you haven't passed yet, but perhaps this is a good thing? A very experienced driver has deemed that you're not safe to be on the road alone - so build up some experience and go for it again. Remember - every test that you take you'll take being that little bit more experienced. You've got your bike licence so that will help. how often do you get out and about on the bike? In your honest opinion, how good is your perception of the road? It seems that you've failed on a few manouveres... Don't forget that if the examiner asks you to do something that you deem unsafe (in your example a reverse round a seemingly blind bend), you can say to the examiner that you feel that's unsafe and they must ask you to repeat the manouvere somewhere safer...

Good luck

I feel same now its just a money spinner really to pay for all new test centres they need for new bike test lol!

I get what your saying but im far more aware and have more road sense from riding a bike daily for 12 years and its far harder to ride a bike in bad conditions etc.
most of this road sense applys to the car and i see hazards etc way before my partner does as when on bike you are in fear for your life really!
So I would say my perception of the road is very good, and what i saw on my test and what i see on roads daily on way to work truly does like you say make the test a complete joke as it proves not a lot once you passed as to many peeps seem to be in a hurry and will do stupid things just to gain a bit!

[bunch1980]

I must admit dude, my instructor always said that whenever you are manuvering, doesn't matter which one, if you are looking and observing, and you see another vehicle approach you, you must stop and let them pass or wait for you, otherwise it is an automatic fail, because they could try and get passed whilst you are moving, and is considered dangerous. I know not everybody does this in real life after passing, but my instructor said they are very strict.


Good luck for your next test and let us know how you get on.

Yea i did that when i first started it twice it was as i was hlaf way around, and the road view was blocked some by parked cars to and this jeep was speeding up road so i dont see how i could of stopped any quicker, its one of those cases i think where another road user has ruined it for you but now the examiners are not leniant at all on it like you say.

[Heather&Henrietta]

I must admit dude, my instructor always said that whenever you are manuvering, doesn't matter which one, if you are looking and observing, and you see another vehicle approach you, you must stop and let them pass or wait for you, otherwise it is an automatic fail, because they could try and get passed whilst you are moving, and is considered dangerous. I know not everybody does this in real life after passing, but my instructor said they are very strict.


Good luck for your next test and let us know how you get on.

Yea i did that when i first started it twice it was as i was hlaf way around, and the road view was blocked some by parked cars to and this jeep was speeding up road so i dont see how i could of stopped any quicker, its one of those cases i think where another road user has ruined it for you but now the examiners are not leniant at all on it like you say.

Sounds to me like he shouldn't have asked you to do your manuvere there, if there were other vehicles in the way. They impeed his vision in order to test you, as well as your own! I would challenge it...

[bunch1980]

I must admit dude, my instructor always said that whenever you are manuvering, doesn't matter which one, if you are looking and observing, and you see another vehicle approach you, you must stop and let them pass or wait for you, otherwise it is an automatic fail, because they could try and get passed whilst you are moving, and is considered dangerous. I know not everybody does this in real life after passing, but my instructor said they are very strict.


Good luck for your next test and let us know how you get on.

Yea i did that when i first started it twice it was as i was hlaf way around, and the road view was blocked some by parked cars to and this jeep was speeding up road so i dont see how i could of stopped any quicker, its one of those cases i think where another road user has ruined it for you but now the examiners are not leniant at all on it like you say.

Sounds to me like he shouldn't have asked you to do your manuvere there, if there were other vehicles in the way. They impeed his vision in order to test you, as well as your own! I would challenge it...

looking bk at it now prob wasnt a good choice of corner at all but i dont think anything i say at end of test or if i write a letter etc will do anything as end of the day its my word against the examiners!
I have it at 8:40 am at beggining of May next so lets hope first one of day passess lol!

[maggies_minder]

i no someone who took 13 attempts to pass and then got an audi TT as her first car lmao,

its like school your only taught how to get through the test not the "real" stuff.

like tweety said above, if theres any cars around you stop your maneuvers until its quiet again, my instructor used to tell me off for getting too close to the kerb when parallel parking, he said if your a foot away thats good, on the test you dont want to be close then hit it.

when it comes to the test its mainly down to safety which basically boils down to confidence/compitence whilst driving the examiners no that your maneuvers are the easy bit and will get better over time (once you've past) its just proving your not going to be a *eejit* when your passed and driving alone.

try and come across as a nice guy, say you need the car to run old people to bingo on a tuesday night, they are ment to be impartial but if you say "yo blood ive got a supped up saxo dats sick, im gonna be cruising" etc you aint going to pass.

[danie garry]

Personally, I think that the british driving test is an absolute joke...

u think the british test is bad, the irish 1 is a 25 minute drive and a 5 or 10 min quiz that if u get 1 question wrong its a minor fault and if u get all wrong its still 1 minor fault!!
1 lesson costs on average about €40 or 35 in your own car, the test is another €50 to do and if u borrow the instructors car for the test it'l cost bout €60!
its a joke i got away with 5 lessons and using the car for the test but my sister has failed 3 tests and done at least 120 lessons!!!

[bunch1980]

i no someone who took 13 attempts to pass and then got an audi TT as her first car lmao,

its like school your only taught how to get through the test not the "real" stuff.

like tweety said above, if theres any cars around you stop your maneuvers until its quiet again, my instructor used to tell me off for getting too close to the kerb when parallel parking, he said if your a foot away thats good, on the test you dont want to be close then hit it.

when it comes to the test its mainly down to safety which basically boils down to confidence/compitence whilst driving the examiners no that your maneuvers are the easy bit and will get better over time (once you've past) its just proving your not going to be a *eejit* when your passed and driving alone.

try and come across as a nice guy, say you need the car to run old people to bingo on a tuesday night, they are ment to be impartial but if you say "yo blood ive got a supped up saxo dats sick, im gonna be cruising" etc you aint going to pass.

Wow 13 sure hope its not no where near that!! and i will never ba able afford a TT!!
In this instance it was a second or so i did not stop in time for as this car was doing way more than 30mph, i had already stopped twice for 2 other cars going normal pace, its just one of those situations where some one else has done something wrong to affect me i guess. Yea same for reverse around corner no need to be to close.
Well yeah im well practised in them all now lol and certainly not an eejit lol
I like to think im a nice guy and even this time mentioned my hearing loss though not massive does require hearing aids but even that got me no where lol!
lol i like the saxo quote very good, i really dont see what else i can do next time apart from hope no one else affects my test its time like this i would hope they be a bit more leaniant but think thats out the window now as they are told to not pass to many etc!
Even just going out a lunch time i saw several dodgy manauvoures and peeps on there phone or txting and lots not wearing seat belts!
I know when i pass it wont mean a great deal as its not going to make me a better dirver for sure!
Especially gutting now i have mini to drive!

[jonnydmartin]

I took my test in my mini back in November after my instructor's car broke down during my lesson the night before my test!

It was quite good but, especially as the examiner was very tall and his head touched the roof lining! He grumbled a bit about the headrest being too low and the seat belt sticking (didn't like to point out that it just worked even better than it should )

Overall, i felt more relaxed in my car and was better than during my first test... failed on a stupid mistake (indicated too early!)

Just chat to them if you can... helps take some pressure away.

Best of luck!

[bunch1980]

I took my test in my mini back in November after my instructor's car broke down during my lesson the night before my test!

It was quite good but, especially as the examiner was very tall and his head touched the roof lining! He grumbled a bit about the headrest being too low and the seat belt sticking (didn't like to point out that it just worked even better than it should )

Overall, i felt more relaxed in my car and was better than during my first test... failed on a stupid mistake (indicated too early!)

Just chat to them if you can... helps take some pressure away.

Best of luck!

Similar thing happened to me before this one on sunday intructors car is dying as alternator is gone, luckily my partners car is same a 206 but his is diesel so stalls less easily!
Im wondering what would happen if say they were to big to fit in a bucket seat whos fault is that? there is no wording to say car needs to be a certain size or anything is there, but more likely i will put stock seat back in passenger seat incase they refuse to or cant get in it lol!
I hope same for me as i plan to drive mini as much as possible now unitl test, i know there is like a reason for not indicating to early as they might think you turning up first turn etc but usually on the overall test it seems a mad reason to fail!

yeah i did that before but some dont want to lol!

cheers!