Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Freedom, a new toy to play with |
| Disadvantages: |
Expensive, people always wanting lifts from you |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Finally, after 12 months of driving I'd come to the day of my driving test.
The practical test cost me £48.50, plus £17 an hour before my test to have a lesson with my instructor, then another £17 again for my instructor whilst I was using his car for the duration of my test. A lot of money for one test! But if you fail first time, look how much it could cost you - just for the test!!
Fail once
£48.50
Fail twice
£97.00
Fail three times
£145.50
Fail four times
£194.00
Fail five times
£242.50
My test was at 10.14 am so we arrived at the test centre just before 10am. On entering the test centre, I was greeted by more instructors then lead up a spiral staircase to the dreaded 'waiting room.'
Bang on time, at 10.14am, 6 men, smartly dressed but wearing bright yellow jackets entered the room, holding a clipboard shouting out various names. Oh, that's me!! I followed the examiner back down the stairs and was asked to show him, which was my car.
He explained the test would last approximately 40 mins in which I was allowed to pick up 15 minors. (Small faults like speeding, not checking your mirrors etc)He then asked me to open the bonnet of my car. I was asked two questions regarding the maintenance of my car:- where does the brake fluid go? and how can you check if your indicators are working?
There are other questions you may be asked such as:- how can you check your oil level? Show me where the water goes in! How can you tell if your power steering is going? etc
Luckily, I'd just run through these questions with my instructor so I could remember them, although nerves got the better of me and I struggled to remember to shut the bonnet properly!
I was then asked to get in the car, and drive forward at all times unless traffic signals indicated otherwise or if I was asked to turn, which would be done in good time.
The test was a lot easier than I thought. He explained I would be asked to do some maneuvers, (Turn in the road, Reverse Park, emergency stop or reverse around the corner.) About 20 mins into my test, he explained he that when he raised his right hand and shouted stop, he wanted me to stop as if children had just run out infront of the car. I successfully managed to stop without skidding. My other maneuvers included a reverse park and a turn in the road. I picked up two minors for these due to me observation - meaning I didn't look around enough for other traffic. Whilst on my test, I had to drive on 30mph roads, 40 mph roads and 60 mph road. I had to tackle three roundabouts, turn right at traffic lights, over take a bus and approach 2 stop signs in which the handbrake must be applied.
The test soon finished and I was back outside the test centre. I was asked to remove my seatbelt and give him a moment to count everything up. I was told to stop looking so nervous and eventually he told me id PASSED!!! I couldn't believe it! I had got 8 minors, which was fairly good. He explained to me that I could now drive any vehicle, drive on the motorway and drive with or without anybody else in the car. I was given a magazine, 'Drive on', which had lots of insurance company details, ways to stay safe on the road, what to do, and what not to etc. He then handed me a certificate with my name on to prove I had passed the test and took both my paper and plastic sections of my provisional off me to send away for the full license!1 That was it! I'd done it!!
TOP TIPS
*Stay calm. - I began taking the Kalm herbal tablets although people say they don't work, I feel they did for me!
*You are allowed to make a few mistakes so allow yourself to do this if necessary.
*Remember, the examiners are only human and they're only doing the job their paid to do!
*If unsure of anything, just go with your instinct - you will generally be correct
*Stick to the speed limits, don't go over but if it's safe to do so, don't go much under
*if you don't pass first time - does it really matter? You can always do it again!!
Good luck!!
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