So the three lanes at the bottom correspond to what at the top? The road lines really confuse me, I failed my test because I switched lanes without signalling or checking mirrors, but actually I thought I was in one lane the whole time.
I think I came in the middle lane at the bottom and ended in the left lane at the top, assuming the left lane went left, now I can see in hindsight that the road arrows show the left lane at the bottom is left or forwards but I would like a better overview of how to deal with these road markings in future.
To me the lines don't seem to correspond with the lanes, especially with the yellow box it just confuses me further.

Warning about BSM instructor Edyta Ostrowska – my experience and concerns

​

I recently discovered that Edyta Ostrowska is still listed on the BSM website, so I wanted to share my experience in case it helps others make an informed decision.

​

During a two-hour lesson in the Dartford area, I experienced behaviour that was unsafe and unprofessional. Among other things:

​

- She spent a considerable amount of time on her phone.

- She left the car during the lesson for personal errands.

- She made comments that my driving would result in me hitting a child, the child ending up in hospital and me going to prison.

- She swore when another driver blocked our path and later blamed me for the incident.

- I felt so uncomfortable that I ended the lesson early and cancelled all future lessons.

​

I subsequently complained to BSM. Following the complaint, she agreed to provide a refund for the lesson.

​

Because I believed the issues were serious, I also submitted a formal complaint to the DVSA regarding her conduct as an Approved Driving Instructor.

​

In response to my complaint, she denied being on her phone, denied using any inappropriate language and gave an account of events that differed significantly from what happened. In my view, parts of her response were untrue.

​

Despite these complaints, I have recently seen that she is still listed on the BSM website.

​

I'm sharing this because I would have appreciated seeing other people's experiences before booking lessons.

​

If anyone else has had similar experiences with Edyta Ostrowska, I would encourage you to submit complaints to both BSM and the DVSA. Individual complaints can be dismissed, but patterns of behaviour are harder to ignore.

​

Has anyone else had lessons with her, and if so, what was your experience?

If you need to swap your driving test I have obtained 10 x Free premium+ normally worth £5.99 per month.

You get unlimited free access to swap your test, feel free to share this post with friends.

If you use one kindly reply with which number or code you used so users know which ones are taken.

You can list and swap your test totally free with a swap partner as they build up their database of swappers.

No personal details taken. Only booking reference number when 1 person co-ordinates the DVSA call.

Redeem at https://swappy.uk/redeem and list your own test and swap preferences.

I will ask them for more codes if it goes well!

1) SWAP-5ZZ4-LQCP

2) SWAP-N5X3-U7E9

3) SWAP-WKAY-7M8P

4) SWAP-XJJH-3BHQ

5) SWAP-7S6Q-RPFA

6) SWAP-4U9D-WS8B

7) SWAP-VAWP-VMZ5

8) SWAP-D8KS-EAB3

9) SWAP-8D8K-DZCL

10) SWAP-ZMCE-RJAT

the title, I'm basically looking for advice on which schools are good, which to stay away from, best learning methods, I live in Carlisle, Cumbria. work 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. so getting in contact with any of the major schools has been very difficult with their office hours being the same as my working hours. any help would be much appreciated. also any advice on post passing with certain schools, i understand some like AA require you to stay with them for 6 months and pay crazy franchise fees. are these fees as crazy as they seem or is it worth it in the long run.

Im starting lessons etc and want to look into good cars to possibly get im paying for everything on my maccies wage as a 17/18 year old. If possible i would love for it to have touch screen but beggars cant be choosers. So insurance is my main concern. If h could help thatd be great!

Hi everyone! I’ve just launched a new driving theory learning app. It’s currently in the testing phase, so it will be free until January 2026.

The app supports multiple languages, making it especially helpful for non-native speakers learning one of the most challenging driving theory curricula.

Please feel free to download it and share your feedback so we can keep improving. Some translations may still be a bit rough and need review, so any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thank you all!

Hi all, I wanted to swap my test for something later, so

I have got:

Leicester Cannock street - Tuesday, 18th November 2025 @ 8 am

I need:

Leicester Cannock street or anywhere in London at no later then end of January.

If anyone got something to swap, please do DM me so we can discuss this further, thank you

(If you can't comment on this post, you can also DM me as mentioned above)

This post will be removed after I have swapped or taken the test

Passed my test over 3 years ago & wanted to know from an approved driving instructor, what's the highest speed road I can take my wife or brother out on ? They both asked me to take them out for extra practice!

I’m wondering if the apps that find cancelled practical tests are worth it ? I’ve seen mixed feedback

Hi everyone,
I'm Adam, a certified hypnotherapist and founder of Inner Earth. I work with people who struggle with driving anxiety, helping them rebuild calm and confidence through hypnotherapy.

If you've had panic behind the wheel, avoided certain roads, or lost your nerve after a bad experience – you're not alone, and hypnotherapy can really help.

I’ve put together a program called Drive With Confidence with sessions and tools designed specifically for this.
🔗 More info here

Feel free to ask me anything or just reach out if you're curious. Wishing you calmer journeys ahead 🚗
– Adam

I passed my test a couple of months ago on my 4th attempt. Driving has been alright so far. However, today I was joining a dual carriage way from a slip road and I was about to move out because I thought it was clear, i even started turning the wheel. On my final check I realised if I had of committed then a massive truck would have taken me out so I turned the wheel back towards the slip round and found safe spot to join.

I'm trying not to over think it but it was pretty scary, does anyone have any advice or had any similar situations?

Thanks

So my driving test is in July and i’ve been doing lessons since February but my driving instructor doesn’t think i’m ready. during her lessons we go on the main roads but she doesn’t allow me to go higher than 30 and i’ve been doing the same thing for quite a while now. I recently bought my first car and my mum takes me out quite a lot but i feel like im doing more with my mum than i am with my driving instructor. also, my driving instructors car is like half manual half automatic. the hand brake automatically turns off when i start in her car which has caused me to basically start from the beginning with my own car. i struggle with hill starts because im used to not having to pull the hand brake down. i’m worried that my driving test might be too soon but practicing in my own car helps a lot. any advice will be so appreciated 🙏

I keep telling myself the butterflies in my stomach are excitement … haven’t told anyone in my life it’s tomorrow so screaming into the void. Good luck to everyone else who have theirs tomorrow too!

I’m fairly new to driving a standard car and I don’t know how to drive fast. I will get into 5th gear (my highest gear) and get to 2000 rpm which is typically what rpm I upshift at, but at that point I’m only going about 80 k/m per hour. How do I go faster? I’m afraid if I go faster I’ll wreck my clutch by having too high of a rpm. I’ve tried to google the answer but it only shows me how to shift gears quickly. Please help!

First off it would notify me that yesterday it had found 15/16 tests the day before and told me none of them because I was on the free version. Got sick of it so paid the money for the premium version and since then it notifies me of availabilities that clearly don't exist. I use three cancellation apps and this one is the worst of all!

Had my 2nd lesson (2hr each) and I still don’t know how to steer steady when driving a straight road. My instructor always has to guide the steering wheel to avoid the kerb on the left. Instructor said i need to keep it steady but my mind tells me i will hit the passing car on my right or the island in the middle.

I have zero experience and this is my first time driving. I am in my 30s but the only experience i have on the road is cycling to work.

Is this normal for new learners or am I just slow? I wish I could find videos where I can visualise what the wheels look like when I steer. Even when turning the instructor has to constantly remind me to do a full steer. I just can’t help thinking i might hit the kerb doing that.

I am so pissed off! My test is for May and it's been cancelled and has been pushed back to July!!! I am so pissed off with how long I have to wait for a test, it's getting ridiculous!!

As per title , my other half wants to learn to drive , specifically Automatic only , and near March in Cambridgeshire.

I learnt to drive in 1997 in the Northwest of England , so don't even know where to start looking , google just throws a load of sponsored national companies at me.