Failing your driving test.

My driving test wasn't exactly a cakewalk, but neither was it especially challenging. I think the worst parts about it involved turning left while stopped at a stop sign and parallel parking, and seeing as though I really worked hard on the whole turning left thing with my dad, only the parallel parking thing dared to trick me (I did somehow manage to do it, though). Everything else was, like, turn right, turn left at a street light, stop at a stop sign, change lanes, park into a diagonally-running space in a parking lot, park into a "regular" space in a parking lot, back up, and do a three-point turn (another thing I'd worked hard on with my dad). I think it took me maybe fifteen minutes to do everything and the only things I was chided on were (a.) missing an opportunity to turn when doing that whole "turning left while stopped at a stop sign" thing and (b.) driving a bit too slow while changing lanes. But they still passed me.

The written part of the test was DAMN easy, IIRC. Lots of common sense questions about the rules of the road, "what would you do?", etc. It was approx. 50 questions long and I think I was finished with that part of the test in three minutes, spending most of my time just going over each question. I *think* I aced that part.

(And I've had to drive either my mom and dad or just my mom for such a long time that my "give my parents no reason at all to gripe about the way I drive" method of driving has influenced the way I drive when Mom isn't there at all. So 90% of you guys, the Other Drivers On The Road, will probably view drivers such as myself as an aggravation. But hey, I've yet to get into any accidents *knock wood* or get any tickets, so....)

It's £50/£100 here in camden, even if your are a minute over your meter time.

I'm doing my theoretical on friday. I have done the "mock exam" and I think the mock is actually not meant in the "this is not a real one" but more like "hahahaha YOU WANNA DRIVE A CAR?". *sigh* Some of these pictures are so fuzzy! How the fuck do you see it's a CROSSROAD? Or how the fuck do I know what sort of penalty a "kicked a policeman in the shins" is? Huh? Ridiculous. But yeah I gotta do it. I have my car already (freebie from PIL yipee) and my daughter is already running around telling everyone "mommy and ophelia will DRIVE!" LE FRIGGING SIGH.

Nick, how many times did she have to take her exam?

how the fuck do I know what sort of penalty a "kicked a policeman in the shins" is?

okay this is a much more interesting driving test than the one I took

Ok, that was uh sort of made up. but some of these things they ask! I mean, SERIOUSLY. I also have no concept WHATSOEVER of what "50 km/hour" is so how the fuck do I know if that's too fast for stopping at an orange light?

Apparently you have to STOP IMMEDIATELY if you see a horse in distress (this does not include Alanis Morissette though).

I think I'll ask Ophelia if I can use one of her nightie diapers when I take the exam cause I'll have the runners.

You can probably get some sort of driving instruction manual to study a bit, can't ya? It's what I did.

Still haven't taken my behind-the-wheel test. I'll drive. One day. :\

All the UK questions are taken from the Highway Code, do you have an equivalent "textbook" to study from in Belgium, or do they just make shit up? I passed first time after about 8 lessons, and have no idea whatsoever about actual highway code stopping distances any more. Like anyone's going to actually be able to judge if they are 50m away from a stop sign or another fast-moving car or whatever anyway.

Luckily I passed my test before the introduction of the written test, I just got asked three questions (describe some road sign or other, tell them the braking distance at whatever mph, and some shit about when you could and should sound your horn or somesuch), asked if I could read the registration plate of a car across the road to test my eyesight, and off I went for a wee drive. I had to do my three-point turn outside my aunt's house with all her neighbours watching me out their windows. I hit the kerb on my parallel parking, but apologised, pulled out, and did it again perfectly.

I reverse round corners all the time, mostly because I always end up parking down dead-end streets and having to reverse back out of them again because there isn't enough room to turn.

Luckily I passed my test before the introduction of the written test, I just got asked three questions (describe some road sign or other, tell them the braking distance at whatever mph, and some shit about when you could and should sound your horn or somesuch), asked if I could read the registration plate of a car across the road to test my eyesight, and off I went for a wee

I took the course. The others asked the DUMBEST questions EVAH: "So if I can't drive with a cellphone forwards, can I do it when I park backwards?" My reply would have been: No,because you don't have a BRANE, you MORAN. But then I don't have a license (to drive nor to teach). We'll see... Problem is that some of these PIXORS are so damn dubious and unclear (which probably says a bit about my eyes). *sigh*

I think part of my nerves is cause I now fully realize I'll need to actually put this in practice. There's not a big elephant in t he middle of the room but a car in the garage which is mine. :-/

I failed my driving test the first time but the guy had been a true bastard. Asked me bullshit questions like what the maximum weight I could pull with my car was. Then during the exam, asked me to parallel park. I'm OK at it, but the guy asked me to do that in a spot that was only a bit longer than the car and upslope. I did OK, I mean I managed to park the car but when I got out of the spot, the guy said I had almost hit the car in front. Didnt get it. Second time I went to take the test, theexaminer was on strike so I had to wait an extra four months before they could find me a new free date for the exam. And then I got it without too much trouble, even though I felt I hadnt driven as well as during the first exam.

I think the max weight is 750 kgs? Will probably be wrong though. :-(

Actually I think it's about the total weight or something. *sigh* *off to check books*

It probably depends on the car no? Anyways, I'm pretty sure that it's written on the car's papers so that I dont have to remember stupid stuff like that.

Even though yeah, that was probably part of the things I had to learn for the written exam. But seeing as there was almost a two year gap between the times I took the written exam and the driving exam...

you should get an american license

i dominated my test(s). first try.

I also have no concept WHATSOEVER of what "50 km/hour" is so how the fuck do I know if that's too fast for stopping at an orange light?

Holy mother of god, I hope you don't pass your test if you a) don't know this and b) don't think it's of crucial importance!

Mark, I'm not sure but you od realize you have to pass a rather strict exam and do hours of practice before you get a license. *rolls eyes*

i think everywhere driving while on a cellphone is legal should do the drivers test with the license applicant on their cellphone arguing with mother/boyfriend/girlfriend etc the whole time.

I passed my theoretical exam. Minimum requirement is 41 out of 50. I did the exam in less than ten minutes and my result was? 41 out of 50. Roffle. *waves at Mark C* So now comes the hard part: learning to ACTUALLY DRIVE. I know shit about cars. Didn't even realize there are three pedals (when you have a shift gear car). I'm enrolling in a 20 hr practice course. This means I will have a temp license for 18 months. I can do the exam in three months (or longer). If I do my 20 hrs and the teachers is okay with it, I can drive alone. Eep.

I wasn't worried about you killing anyone while doing the theory test!

I know, I was waving cause I will start driving soon. :-) And, you are right, I'm VERY nervous cause I know I have a lot to learn. I have no concept of anything: speed, lights,... Maybe this is why I have a gigantic migraine: I'm nervous of actually being on the road. But they don't really push you on the road until you are ready. :-)

Well good luck - I'm sure once it's happening, with a decent instructor, you'll be fine, and you'll gain a working concept of all the important things soon enough. So how does it work at first? Is there some kind of off-road driving centre you can practice in? Here, we are shoved on the road from the first minute!

WTF! No way. The first lesson they show you the basics and you have to drive in some "driver park" (or however you'd call it). Even if they would shove me on the road, I would steadfastly refuse. I want some knowledge of how a car drives first. I think I'll also drive with my dad and father in law in some secluded (?) area.

Failed the only two times I took it (at 17), and haven't tried again since. The second time, I panicked and went the wrong way ie straight on when the examiner told me to go left. He couldn't fail me for that, but obviously was far too harsh on all the other stuff I cocked up on. In my defence my parents wouldn't put me on their car insurance when they renewed it so I had like two weeks driving time then the rest was only in lessons.

My friend failed the written test due to a wrong answer, which he had learnt from the Highway Code study guide thing, thought it looked odd (can't remember what it was) but remembered it anyway, got tested on it, then it turned out it was a 'misprint' in the book and RONG.

Still terrified of driving. 37 now, and I cant see it ever happening. I cant explain it, but the vry idea of driving a car scares the shit out of me.

Ah Trayce, don't say this. I'm having mild panic attacks just thinking about though my husband is coaching me very well. As he has a visual handicap he's not allowed to drive (inc bikes) so he sees this as an opportunity for me. I am trying my best to see it that way as well. :-)

so I had like two weeks driving time then the rest was only in lessons.

This is what made it difficult for me. I had everything sorted out: money for lessons, studied the Highway Code and the driving school's book (no written test back then), bought a cheap cheap old car to practice in, then... no bugger would sit with me so that I could practice. So the only time I could practice driving was during actual lessons, so the whole thing got very expensive very quickly. Three failed tests later and I'd run out of money, so I said fuck it and haven't tried driving a car for nearly fifteen years.

i failed three times before i passed. still can't parallel park.

But they don't really push you on the road until you are ready. :-)

hahaha Oh how RONG I was. First lesson? I had to sit behind the wheel of a car which was parked in a street. I immediately realized that I was going to drive ON THE ROAD. W. T. F. But it was okay. I drove around a bit. I also did a little bit of shifting gears. Second lesson (hours 3 till 5) was HORROR. I realized I would be driving and shifting gears. hahah Oh man, I failed to feel that in first you have to slowly lift your feet of the pedal UNTIL THE VERY END which I didn't feel at all. So I fucked up and all the other people on the road drove past me probably thinking I was a complete idiot. Which I am of course. But by the end of the lesson I was able to do it. Next lesson will consist of driving, shifting gears AND paying attention to the cyclists and pedestrians. The lesson I had now had the teacher pay attention to those things (and me too but I forgot half the time as I was too busy shifting gears and shit). I feel more confident about it than when I was 18 when I didn't see myself driving AT ALL. Now I think I might have a chance.

Oh yeah, if you can't parallel park, you fail the exam. Is it different in other countries?

Canada must be more lenient because they don't fail you for messing up one thing unless you commit a 'dangerous action'. Though that might be provincial.

I got 2-3 points too many taken off to pass on my first try but the guy passed me anyway because he liked how I handled an intersection near the beginning. It was bittersweet

Haha, my first driving lesson at age 15, they'd have three students in a car, plus the instructor, and the students would all take turns practicing. I went first and looked in the rearview and exclaimed "You can see BEHIND you with this thing!" I mean, I knew you could, but I'd never experienced it firsthand. So she had me drive around the parking lot and everyone else got to go on the road.

I'll get my driver's license one day.

I will, I tell you!

Parallel parking is an absolute necessity! I can (and have) parallel park in SF with 2 inches of clearance. It's a totally vital skill.

Failed my first official driving test in Australia for screwing up the parallel parking...wheels up on the curb, automatic fail. Man did I CRY. But I got back on the horse, nailed the test and got my license. and THEN had to go through the whole merrygoround again last year when I went for my US driver's license. Got it on my first shot! Didn't have to parallel park though. Probably because I took the test in Sacramento and they don't make a point of that like they would in SF. Dunno. FWIW, I can and do parallel park if required. Not great, but passable.

I know a lot of people who couldn't parallel park but got their license anyway.
I'm planning on getting mine before I move to New Zealand, but I wonder if I'll have to do it all over again once I'm there or if I can get some sort of temporary intl license or something...I'll get it all figured out eventually here...

In SF, you either have a garage or a scuffed bumper.

Ah fuck man, it must be the bumfuckpits to drive in SF: YOU HAVE TO STOP'N'START ON THOSE HILLS. Fuck me. I had to stop on a hill but the instructor took over shifting gears cause I was a novice and of course hadn't learned how to do that shit.

I do hope I get my license. Not sure if I'll pass the first exam but I realize now that I am not the worst driver. How do I know? Cause the teacher said he had a student who couldn't even turn a corner. hahahaha Imagine that. His oldest student was 65 yrs old. WTF. Anyhow yeah we shift gears here. In the US this seems to be an exception as you guys seem to drive automatic most of the time, no?

Also, what I still find VERY odd: you can learn to drive on the road before you passed your theoretical exam. Huh? LIke how does that make ANY sense. I mean the teacher will of course correct you or whatever, but still seems... strange.

During the exam we will also be tested on the motor (like you have to be able to change oil and shit).

I still don't know what I need to "load up on" for my car which is patiently waiting in the garage until I get my license. I think it's called Euro 95 or some shit.