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Catster2
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08 Feb 2008, 8:47 pm

Hi I have my driving test next Thurs I am very nervous about it has anyone got any tips? It isn't about experience I have over 110 hours.



Age1600
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08 Feb 2008, 8:49 pm

Catster2 wrote:
Hi I have my driving test next Thurs I am very nervous about it has anyone got any tips? It isn't about experience I have over 110 hours.


Just try to stay calm, stay focused, and make sure you take time before the actual test to relax and group your thoughts, stim as much as you can, so when it comes time, your brain is ready heh


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oscuria
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08 Feb 2008, 9:23 pm

Hmm, well I know when I took my driver's test I failed the parallel parking. I live in Texas, who in hell parallel parks in Texas?

Anyways, just practice. Try to focus. Don't say anything out of the ordinary like "Green means 'Go' right?" or "If it's a yellow can I..."

Other than that, easy cakes.



TheMidnightJudge
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08 Feb 2008, 9:44 pm

My driving instructor told me the main reason people fail tests is being nervous: otherwise it's just like any other time you go driving.



tweety_fan
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08 Feb 2008, 11:09 pm

yeah, just relax..study the rules beforehand. and remember that the tester is looking for reasons to pass you not fail you.



pakled
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08 Feb 2008, 11:45 pm

remember they check off for all the right things, in addition to the wrong things. Ignore the man behind the clipboard, except when he (or she) tells you what to do. And whatever you do, don't turn into the wrong parking lot (failed me right there....didn't get a license until I was almost 17...;)



Catster2
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09 Feb 2008, 12:10 am

I dont stimk but thanks for some of your suggestions not getting your licence until almost 17 is no big deal we cant legally get ours until 18.



wsmac
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09 Feb 2008, 12:20 am

Seat belt, floor the gas pedal and drive the sidewalks... you get more points in areas with outdoor cafes full of peopl.....oops....

Sorry, that's a video game.... :wink:

By now you should know what you do best behind the wheel and what you are nervous about or don't do so well with.
I'm in the U.S., don't know where you are.

Here in the States, from my experience, it seems the parallel parking is the worst thing most folks I know dealt with.

Basically I'm suggesting practicing what you feel the least confident in and don't worry about the rest now.

Are you taking your test in the car you have been driving most?
If you cannot get plenty of 'behind-the-wheel' time in that car, then at least spend some time sitting in it and familiarizing yourself with all the controls.

Once you're on the road with the tester onboard, you may get nervous and do things like turn the signal indicator to the wrong direction, or forget how to undo the emergency brake, etc.

Sleep well and long the night before.

Where I live, you go to the DMV (dept. of motor vehicles) building and they have you drive from the parking lot around a few blocks and back.

If you know where you are taking the test from, perhaps you can practice driving around those streets looking for places that might foul you up... like one-way streets, or lights, or odd intersections.

I wish you well!
Let us know how you do! :D


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09 Feb 2008, 12:50 am

The thing that got both me and my Autistic friend was this:

On the parallel parking thing, the instructor said "Now pull forward", meaning go through the cones then stop. Both my friend and I did exactly what she said - pulled all the way forward, past the cones. So if you have the same test with the five cones set up, and you are supposed to pull through the first and second set of cones, then to the right (or left) of the middle cone....don't just keep driving. Stop and do the backing up part.



Catster2
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09 Feb 2008, 1:42 am

[quote="wsmac"]Seat belt, floor the gas pedal and drive the sidewalks... you get more points in areas with outdoor cafes full of peopl.....oops....

Sorry, that's a video game.... :wink:

Thats not a good thing to say when I read it I took it literally as an aspie I think you should understand that. I am in Australia (Victoria).



wsmac
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09 Feb 2008, 2:23 am

Catster2 wrote:
wsmac wrote:
Seat belt, floor the gas pedal and drive the sidewalks... you get more points in areas with outdoor cafes full of peopl.....oops....

Sorry, that's a video game.... :wink:

Thats not a good thing to say when I read it I took it literally as an aspie I think you should understand that. I am in Australia (Victoria).


well... as you young'uns say.. MY BAD! :wall: :doh:


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09 Feb 2008, 11:02 pm

I had spent maybe 10-15 hours total driving before I took my driving test and I passed my first try. Although it is easier in California where I took it (they don't even make you parallel park). Basically, just do whatever you have to do to relax before you start. I think I listened to Moby for a half-hour while waiting in my car to take the test. I did almost get in an accident, but it was because of this moron who ran a stop sign, so I didn't get penalized for it.



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09 Feb 2008, 11:10 pm

what are the first things to do when you get in the car?

PUT YOUR SEATBELT ON! Wait until he or she has put theirs on to start the car.

check your seat position

check your mirrors

turn off the radio

even if these are already done and you know they are, do it with the tester in the car.

Make sure the car isn't already running before you turn the key. :oops:

Signal always. Turning, changing lanes...

Drive with the lights on. It might not be the law in your area but it might impress the tester.

Hands at 2 and 10 o'clock on the steering wheel.



gekitsu
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10 Feb 2008, 7:25 am

i needed to spend some conscious effort on making exaggerated movements to indicate i was watching the mirrors, so wise man on rear seats can see i do watch them. other than that, i found that staying calm and reasonable is the best thing you can do.

i once was standing at a crossways, had right of way, but the direction i was to drive was quite a narrow street (just barely two cars side by side) and a bus came the way, so i waved the bus driver to drive his way first, explaining the checklist guy that its easier that way, instead of trying to shoehorn myself through that little bit of space left there. i dont know if things like these work with every instructor, but the one i had took it quite well, applauding me that i am "finally one who thinks before he drives"



googlewhack
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10 Feb 2008, 7:34 am

Pretend to yourself that you've failed when you start - it makes you more relaxed! I did something that I thought was a major error about 5 minutes into the test, so suddenly I kid of gave up trying and just went through the motions. Turns out I only got 5 minor errors and passed first time.



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10 Feb 2008, 9:24 am

Relax! :D 110 hours of practice is a lot, you'll do fine!


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