Driving Test

[Paragon Fury]

So tomorrow morning at 9:00AM, I have to go take my driver's test.

But not just a normal driving test. I have to take it in a city. One with which I only have a passing familiarity with. And to top it all off, its in the capital city of my state. So I have to take a hard test, in a city that I'm not terribly familiar with, during the morning rush hour. Needless to say, I'm freaking the @#%!% out.

Sure, I know how to drive, but knowing how to drive and what the book actually says are too different things. Because as I'm sure any long-time driver can tell you, a ton of the things they tell you to do in the book go right out the window when your stuck in with the rest of the idiots.

And sure, I'm going to go there and do my best. But I'm not sure if my best is good enough. What would you do to get ready in my situation?

Other than ball up under the blanket and weep. I've got that covered.

 

[b3nn3tt]

To be honest, I think you're better off having your test somewhere you aren't familiar with. I would definitely rather be taught how to drive than taught how to drive the test route.

The test itself is mostly jumping through hoops, but just drive how you've been taught and make sure the examiner can see you checking your mirrors, try not to do anything dangerous and you should be fine.

Good luck!

 

[Stryc9]

Pretty much what he said, I'm scheduled to take my test on Wednesday in the afternoon in a part of town I'm not that familiar with myself but I'm also not that worried about it either. Just be calm and don't stress over it too much and you'll do just fine.

 

[Souplex]

My only suggestion is move to somewhere you don't need to drive, and get a nice bike.
Then slowly build up a deep resentment for motorists. Those jerks forgot they have legs, and feel their ownership of a overpriced metal coffin gives them ownership of my roads! *Seethes*

 

[alandavidson]

Just relax, you'll do fine. The test itself only takes about 15 minutes, so you won't be on the road that long, and the driving instructor will tell you where to go.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Well if the conditions around you are going to make you even more careful not to get complacent I'd say that's a good thing.

Just remember this. I'm not sure what the statistics are where you're from, but over here in the UK only about 1/4 of people pass first time, and the people who pass first time are not necessarily the people who end up being the best drivers. So if you do fail, it's not the end of the world.

 

[SpecklePattern]

Calm down, go with the flow, don't hit anything, don't do anything stupid, and you'll pass just fine. Spazzing out and worrying about whether or not you will pass will almost certainly fail you, as you won't be concentrating on what you need to be concentrating on.

Listen to this fellow here.

You know the basics. Numbers on the poles are speed limits and red lights are "don't go".

Just think about the driving, when the test starts and don't overstress in advance. Also, you can always rely on the fact that if your best is not enough, there is nothing more you can do.

 

[Zarmi]

Already been said. Calm down, relax, and just take it steady. Just try not to worry about it and generally not be nervous, because that easily forces small mistakes.

 

[Mrrrgggrlllrrrg]

How to drive and what the book says are the same. If you drive like an idiot you don't know how to drive.

Anyways just calm down and do what you have been doing, review driving. By now you should know what you can do and what you can't so the test will be easy. For my test I drove in morning rush hour too, be sure to use your signals and check mirrors and blind spots if you have them.

But yeah most important part is calm down.

 

[Blue2]

Don't worry, I just got my full drivers license last Thursday and I know I did a few mistakes. Just drive safely and stay around the speed limit. If you have a friend who either did take the test as you or know the city well, take a drive with them and get used to the area. Good luck

 

[Hitokiri_Gensai]

just remember, if you DO fail, its not the end of the world, and you can take it over. So freaking out isnt gonna help, you just gotta take a deep breath, dont over think, move slow and remember what you were taught

 

[Paragon Fury]

And now having failed again, I add another thing to the growing list of "Things I Just Can't Do".

 

[Hero in a half shell]

And now having failed again, I add another thing to the growing list of "Things I Just Can't Do".

Don't sweat it man, you'll get it eventually. I don't know how the whole thing works in America but in the UK at least passing your test first time is actually quite a rare thing. I'm learning at the minute, and it's all about knowing the manoevres and having confidence when carrying them out. If you are nervous and flustered at the wheel the examiners will nitpick for little faults to fail you with anyway. Just try and learn from your mistakes, practice the manoevers again and go for another test as soon as possible! book it for a few weeks away to give yourself a deadline and get out there and practice to build your confidence. Whatever you do don't put it off now, because it will only get harder and harder to relearn everything the longer you do put it off.

 

[chaosyoshimage]

And now having failed again, I add another thing to the growing list of "Things I Just Can't Do".

I'm apparently taking it Thursday, I'm worried this is going to happen to me. I have trouble with basically anything requiring basic human motor skills. I haven't drove in a couple of days either, so I'll probably completely screw it up.

 

[neonsword13-ops]

Yeah, I can't provide much sympathy here.

I dislike driving but my father tells me I'm very good for my age. Thank god for being young, when your parents can drive you anywhere you want.

 

[dmase]

First off don't let anyone push you and ask your teacher for the turns your gonna need well before the turn. Like after getting on the road ask which way you'll be turning later then get in the lane closest to where your going. You don't have to freak out because when you freak out is when you fuck up. Oh and use your turn signal ALWAYS.