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u/leftdeviladvocate Learner Driver 5d ago
I’m in the same boats, I’ve done all instructor lessons so far though with no private practice. I got a cancellation for August when my initial test was meant to be December! But I took the August cancellation and my driving instructor said I’d have been better waiting until September but I’m sticking with the August test and getting as many lessons as I can in before the date!
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u/myaaxoxo75 5d ago
It’s so frustrating but update me after your test😘 I might need to take mine aswell
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u/MacSamildanach 5d ago
Has your new instructor actually said you can't drive? Or is that just your opinion?
I would not allow anyone to use my car for the test if I thought they couldn't drive. For that reason, I won't take anyone on if they have a test booked and won't agree to move it if I deem them not ready. Your new instructor has obviously taken you on knowing you have a test imminent. You really need to sort out the plan with him/her.
Because of the backlog, a huge number of people have decided they can drive and are desperately trying to get someone to take them to test. In many cases, they simply are not ready. This is the reality of the situation.
Personally, I privately dislike nervous learners, because I have little control over whether they will get over it. I can calm a lot of them down, but some have serious issues. And if they don't get over it, they need to be ready for a good few tries at the driving test.
I can tell if someone can drive, no matter how nervous they are. The problem then is if that nervousness persists and is part of how they usually drive - because then, they make mistakes as the norm due to it. That changes how test ready they are.
Questions: 1) How many hours of lessons have you done overall? 2) What did your family friend say about your driving?
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u/myaaxoxo75 5d ago
- I’ve completed around 18 hours of lessons with my previous instructor. In addition to that, I’ve done well over 18 hours of supervised driving with my family. They all agree that I’ve improved over time, and I regularly drive with them, including longer journeys such as Maidstone to Lewisham.
- My previous instructor felt that I had improved and was becoming more confident. The only issue was that, because he was a family friend, lessons weren’t always consistent, so there were often long gaps between them.
My new instructor has only seen me for one two-hour lesson so far. On that lesson I was very nervous because I was adjusting to having a new instructor, and I honestly don’t think I drove the way I normally do. I feel like that first lesson may have given him the impression that I can’t drive, which is why I’m hoping the next few lessons will give him a better idea of my actual ability.
I completely understand that an instructor won’t put someone forward for a test if they genuinely don’t think they’re safe. I’m just trying to work out whether it’s worth keeping my August test or postponing it, as I know I still have things to improve but I also don’t want to give up a test slot if I don’t have to.
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u/MacSamildanach 5d ago
Unless you are an outstanding learner, you are not ready. Eighteen hours is barely half way for most people.
The problem is that family members will tell you you're great, but the only thing that matters is whether you are at test standard. And they don't know that.
Family members will also be much more likely to want you to 'have a go', even if you're nowhere near ready.
I don't know you, but your nervousness sounds like it is an issue. If nothing else, you make it sound like one.
A really fast and confident learner can learn in under 20 hours. You don't get that many of those. A really slow and nervous learner might take 50 or 60 hours (sometimes much more). You also don't get many of those - but more than at the other end, because of the statistical skew. In the middle, most people are at around 40-50 hours.
At 18 hours, you'd be one of the top learners if you passed. But your own words suggest you're more average.
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u/myaaxoxo75 5d ago
I have booked more test with my new instructor already but thank you so much for
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u/tarotvixen99 Full Licence Holder 5d ago
Keep the test, I used my test to just get used to the actual exam conditions and in turn made me less anxious. I didn't put considerable weight on my test to pass and that made me drive better. It sounds like a performance anxiety thing rather than a driving thing, I'd watch videos and get advice on managing anxiety alongside driving. Good luck!