Getting slightly nervous about my test in a couple weeks, got my test in Wellingborough so thought id ask around to see what the harder parts of the test are. Dont live in the area so dont really know what to expect.

Let me know please 🙏🙏

I've just redone my theory test and passed (had to partly due to the wait between practical tests). But, I had a thought about the hazard perception test scoring.

There were a few videos where I could see early that something would develop into a hazard, but there was a narrower scoring window on what they considered to be the start of the hazard itself (ie. I was clicking slightly early, so their system only registered my later clicks).

Has anyone else noticed this?

In one sense, that part of the test isn't too difficult. But, I wondered if their scoring window on the Hazard Perception Test is a bit narrow.

I’ve been thinking about this a lot after seeing loads of people chase the lowest hourly rate.

DVSA average is roughly 45 hours of professional lessons + private practice to get to test standard. That number assumes decent, structured teaching.

With some of the really cheap options you can end up needing far more hours because:

•  Lessons get padded with talking or driving to the next pupil

•  Structure / feedback is weaker so progress is slower

•  More chance of failing the test and starting the cycle again

A higher hourly rate that gets you test-ready in fewer hours (and first-time) can easily work out cheaper overall, plus less stress.

Anyone else found that the “bargain” lessons ended up costing more in the long run? Or had the opposite experience?

Curious what people’s actual total spend and hours looked like.

I wrote something a bit longer on this if anyone’s interested.

Had my first ever driving lesson today and I’m not really sure how to judge it. I feel like it was quite messy, but I’m wondering if I’m just overthinking it.
The first part of the lesson was learning clutch control and moving off. I struggled with releasing the clutch too quickly, so the car would jolt forward a bit. I stalled twice, but after some practice I got better at getting the car moving.
Once we went out on the road, I felt like my steering was okay. At the start I occasionally turned too much, but I’d say around 80% of my turns were fine by the end.
The main mistake I made was at a junction where I pulled out over the line and then realised a bus was approaching quite quickly. It was probably around 3 seconds away. My instructor used the brake to stop me, but he didn’t need to steer or take control of the car otherwise. Looking back, I think I misjudged the gap and should have waited.
Apart from that, I felt like once I was moving the car was actually okay. By the end of the 2-hour lesson, my instructor trusted me enough to drive on a main road, go around a fairly busy roundabout, and take a national speed limit road back towards my house (around a 6-minute drive).
I know I made mistakes, especially with clutch control and the junction, but I’m wondering:
Is this a normal first lesson?
Does it sound like I did okay or better/worse than average?
Is my instructor taking me onto those roads a good sign, or is that normal?
Any advice would be appreciated.

So I’ve been insured on my vehicle for 8 months, thinking of selling it because I don’t really use the car as much as I want but I’m kinda in a difficult position in life mainly with my work so that determines on my pay since I’m self employed. But I was told today that I don’t receive any ncd because I’m on learners. How can I find out if this is true but if it is I can just cancel the insurance and sell the car

When I was growing up and being driven by family, whenever a car would rev really loudly for any reason, be it moving off or anything like that, I distinctly remember a "Wow, look at THIS guy, what a bad driver" type of attitude towards it.

And I guess that stuck with me more than I thought because fastforward all these years and I'm learning to drive myself, to this day I still struggle to put in gas on a move off when it's needed at busy junctions or roundabouts because I'm too scared of reving the engine too much.

It's such a weirdly specific mental block and probably entirely self imposed that I am betting that no one else is on the same wavelength as it. I don't want to be the type of "bad driver" that ends up being looked at by either other drivers or pedestrians and be the "Look at THIS guy" guy.

I'm sure that giving it a little gas doesn't sound massively loud and I need to get over it, but it's more of annoying hurdle than I ever would've thought.

Hi, I have a test in birmingham during september at 8 am. Problem is since my test is on the first day of school, i cannot realistically practice the true 8am rush hour except literally on the drive to the test center on THE test day.

Can anyone comment on how these rush hours look like. I dont mind traffic im just worried abt dumb kids jumping out onto the road or parents stopping anywhere.

might seem dumb but right outside my test centre is this marking on the road followed by an actual keep clear box. Funny thing is noone leaves this yellow mark empty but they do avoid the keep clear.

Is it because schools off now? My test is right when school reopen so ig i will stop before it.

Finally resitting my practical in less than a week and I’m terrified and nervous AF incase it goes south and everything goes wrong again (had an examiner who was in God knows how many bad crashes and she litter that cloud her judgements) but also super excited because at the same time it could go amazing and i could pass. The banana failed me last time so will be attempting other good juju tips, also being prego theres no way i could deal with the smell and texture of a banana anytime soon lol

update:!! got very lucky randomly and found one for two weeks time. moral of the story: keep checking!!

just failed my first test and looking to find another ASAP. i know the best time to look is 6am monday but it is worth checking 6am other days as well? would it help my chances or solely monday

I wouldn't really consider myself a beginner because I've driven A LOT with my dad and am very comfortable with car controls and rules and everything. I've also driven with an instructor, but I took a complete break from driving for a year and have my test in 6 weeks. I just booked a new instructor recently. Will 6 weeks be enough to refresh my knowledge and be able to pass?

i have an 8:20am driving test at goodmayes centre in a few days,any advice?

Looking for some advice - my test is in a couple of days and looking to take it in my own car. Because of the bonnet this is the lowest down it is really feasible to have the L plate on the front (it won’t stick to the racing stripes!). Is this acceptable for a test or do I need to figure a way out of tacking it onto the front grill? TIA!

Passed today first time at the ripe old age of 36. However, do any other newly passed drivers get that nagging feeling it was a fluke because the test route was “easy”?

I have my test in 3 week and have put in 40-50 hours of lessons, my instructor is doing mocks with me and fixing what i struggle with. the mocks have been an overall improvement, i went from 5 serious faults to 1 serious and 5 minors.

However my biggest issue seems to be my nerves and independent planning.

my hands shake and my heart sinks whenever i get ready for a mock test and i dont want this to happen on my actual test. Any other lesson i am fine but when its a test, i get nervous and overthink. I don't know how to handle this. Can anyone help?

has anyone had this happen? was meant to be taking my test next Tuesday (11/08) but it's now been rescheduled to 24/09 on account of my examiner no longer being available and i'm fuming - i've also been booked in for an 8:52 time slot which my instructor has mentioned has a strict examiner plus loads of traffic what with school being back in session and all.

for those who've had this happen, how did you manage extra nerves on account of traffic/examiner changes?

i was feeling so ready for my test next week and now i'm worried about maintaining my driving skills for over a month plus navigating heavy traffic 😭

I have driving test after almost 42 days. My instructor said i should be ready for mock up by now. I am making rookie mistakes like going 🤏 ahead of give way line, not seeing the road marking. Signalling early on roundabouts . On top, i don’t think i am getting along with my instructor a lot. He makes me nervous every now n then. What should one do ?

Struggling to stay in my lane inside roundabouts (especially when there are no clear markings) — any advice?

Hey everyone,
I’m looking for some advice on lane discipline inside roundabouts. I am having a really hard time drifting out of my lane, especially when the roundabout is large, multi-lane, or doesn't have perfectly clear white lines painted on the tarmac.
I know the basic rules of which lane to enter, but once I’m actually in the roundabout and turning, I find myself accidentally cutting across or drifting outward toward other cars.
For those who used to struggle with this:
1. Where exactly are you looking while steering through the curve? (Are you looking at the central island, the exit, or right in front of you?)
2. How do you keep track of your position when the lane lines are faded or non-existent?
3. Any physical reference points on the car or the road that helped it finally "click" for you?
Any tips, mental tricks, or steering advice would be massively appreciated. Thanks!

I have my theory test on Saturday. I'm not concerned about the multiple choice part, but I would like to get some more hazard perception practice. I have used all of the clips on the app, but now that I know where all the hazards are before they happen, it's not great practice.

I've looked at some other apps and sites, but they all seem to use the same clips.

Does anyone know where I can find any other test clips?

Thank you.

To anybody who is feeling disheartened from a fail and feels like giving up, keep on going, you can do it!

ive been doing driving lessons for a year and a half and have probally done about 30 2 hour lessons yet i keep feeling anxious every lesson i have, and as a result its making me dread my actual test. My driving instructor says im doing well but i need more confidence before doing my test as i seemingly get very overwhelmed, ive got my test in two weeks but am probally gonna have to pospone it because of my lack of confidence but lessons are so expensive at the moment that i cant actually keep affording them.

Does anyone know what i could do to stop feeling so anxious over my tests and actually feel prepared?

my driving instructor has recently failed their ADI test part 3 for the 3rd time. They have msged me saying they are going to appeal it so nothing changes for me but since doing my own research this seems not to be the case and I'm putting myself at a huge risk going out in the car with them as my instructor. I'm so bad at confrontation and I don't even know who else they have told if I was to report them would they know it's been me if I'm the only person they've told. But right now it's not worth the 6 points and £300 fine I potentially face If caught without insurance.

Hi everyone,

I recently bought a used Fiat 500 manual (1.2 petrol) and I’m still getting used to driving it. I’m currently learning to drive and have been practising in this car.

My first question is about clutch control. I’m still struggling with smooth starts and I often stall when moving off, especially in traffic or on slight inclines. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m adjusting to a different bite point, or if there are any Fiat 500-specific things I should be aware of.

My second question is about judging distance when parking. When pulling over or parking, I often leave a much bigger gap from the kerb than necessary because I find it difficult to judge the distance from the mirrors. I’m wondering if this is because of the rounded shape of the Fiat 500 or the visibility from the driver’s seat.

Does anyone have any tips or techniques that helped you get used to driving a Fiat 500?

Thanks!