Hello to all reading this. My name is Amjad I am 22 years old & live in West London. I would like to share some tips on how to pass your driving test. Also please read other members views as everyone shares there own advice which may be of use to you. Well lets get started.
First of all you need to be 17 & have a provisional license to start, don't delay prices are rising I got mine in 2004 cost £35 now £50+ you can pick one up at your local post office.
The theory test is one that I think we kinda get a bit paranoid & nervous. So don't be afraid to give one a shot even if you fail no worries I actually passed on my second attempt & consider my self unlucky. Well to pass , you are required to pass both parts of the test. First the multiple choice questions otherwise known as the theory score required 43 out of 50 & secondly hazard perception 44 out of 75. WhenI first booked my test it was the old criteria 30 out of 35 I was unlucky because my test was booked for the 5th or 6th Sep 07so I fell in the new criteria which is the current one a score of just 37 out of 50 7 to pass & 43 out of 75 just 1 to pass total 8. I can say at that point I was very nervous of what to expect.
So then I booked one for 3 June 08 & I felt after 2 weeks of intence practising everything went well my score was 50 out of 50 & 44 out of 75 so luckily just made it.
Now I have no idea how many lessons I took loss count!!. Well stats are that you should have 45 hours of pro learning meaning with a instructor & 20 hours private e.g. friends & family. So most would say how many lessons should I take before getting ready to take a test tat actually depends completely on you. Note is cost £56.50 to do test on weekdays & £67 on weekends please also note your instructor will charge you a fee to hire car from him/her which includes covering you for insurance.
Now the time you have all been waiting for the test. Now no disrespect but I sincerley advise those doing the test in Greenford think twice not a good experience.
Okay on the day before test don't be like me so excited to do test & wake up like 3/4 or 5 in the morning. Do try to have a lesson before as a refresher & this will give you the opportunity to ask you examiner anything you are unclear of. Try not to use the PC does actually reduce conentration on day of test. Well get a good nights sleep & eat breafast that is a order! even if you are like me can't be bothered or don't like eating in the morning do so will make a huge experience believe I can tell you with experince.
Now on day of test if your instructor is as nice like mine he/she will allow you to drive car to test centre& help out with manouvers. Now it is very common to be nervous & yes I was take something like a long lasting mint or sweet should help you to relax. Note if you are very nervous take a couple of paracetamols should help you to relax not that I have tried it.
What to expect on the day of the test. You will wait in the waiting area you do not see anybody but candidates. It is shocking beause it is so quite & you are dazzled "are you sure this isthe test centre" yes you are. Now the examiners are very prompt on the time so don't be late will of just cost £100+ for that day & taking time off work like me or somewhere else the cost could be £200 or excesing more. When your time comes be prepared with test letter, both parts of license & theory test certificate thie instructor will call your name & ask to see your license & even check if it's genuine by using uv light. You will have a eye test from a certain distance you must pass this orfail, then will ask you to lead the way to the car will ask you a show me & tell question, don't worry if it's incorrect you will only get 2 minors out of a possible 15.
Now you will be expected to carry out 2 revese manouvers & possibly even emergency break.
When making a turn always check left/right mirror inc rear view mirror & when you have turned into road do the same except see rear view mirror first. When breaking use mirrors. By the way don't try to abuse the system of always looking at mirror they have been trained to catch out a faker, remember mirrors to see what is going around you & concentrate but see mirrors every 5 seconds average as a general rule.
When turning right wait for both sides of road to be clear & some right turns require you to be in middle of road kinda scary.
Note always drive in left lane unless signs indicated trust me could lead to a major.
Round abouts approach in 2nd gear & be prepard to stop as you have to give way to those on your right. Again keep left do not think about missing your exit you may fail.
Also don't lok at the examiner or the paper your meat toe driving this will most likely lead to a immediate fail. Now about my test.
Well as youmay of discovered my first test was in Greenford in late October 08, my examiner was MIcheal not the best one to have because instructions given are rubbish will tell you 3-4 seconds before to tell you to take left or right & a nice suprise regardless of which test route you will discoverer driving in a width restriction road uphill & extremely difficult to see. Note I had to do all four manouvers reverse round the corner, parallel park bay park & emergency break On one occasion was asked to turn right but unable to do so due to roadworks he got annoyed as I patiently waited for road to be cler & told to turn left how very unfair undue hesitation given 3 majors & 14 minors.
Second test in mid Dec 08 very good examiner David Smith in pinner but asked to turn right at traffic lights a lady opposite me. I waited for her to move but doesn't & instead fashes front fog light whichI thought was given way , so I went a few inches if, now she decides to move so again I waite & you guessed it she flashes maybe 3-4x I went & she decided to go. Result 9 minors & 1 major.
Third test late Dec 08 again pinner examiner Faisal, right at the end towards test took right turn in gear 2 when road clear & no parked cars how unfair was told I should of done turn in gear 1. I did stall on one part of test but not will count as minor possibly if you are not causing an obstruction. Result 10 minor & 1 major for gear.
Forth & final test Jan 8 09 2 days after my birthday test in pinner examiner Andy again a nice eaxminer still stalled but test route had very wide roads so blessed that all turns are kinda easy. I did have my instructor with me at the back. Result 14 minors & passed.
You have no idea how happy I was that my green card which is just a hope if you would call it now the sexy pink card allows me to rule the road!!!!
Okay now I would strongly advise anybody aged 17-24 to do pass plus as insurance will be upt o 30% cheaper remember you are in a high risk criteria those aged 25+ should be a preference as you are in a low risk criteria.
Hope this was useful note dont ever giveup hope & keep checking for earlie dates online & good luck with your test!
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Jan 10th, 2009
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