Make sure you go to/are taken to the correct test centre!

In the area I had my first driving lessons the school uses two test centres. The instructor took me to the wrong one and we sat there for about 20 minutes before he double checked and found we should have been at the other centre - needless to state I didn't pass.

P.S. Who have you dragooned into accompanying you when you're in your own car?

Oh No Fluffy! I hope they covered the fee of your next test! 

As i said up there I've driven up to the door of the test centre so I'm not panicking i'm going to be late etc It's an industrial easte with massive 4 lane junctions nearby  

MrJen We've been ok most of the time as i knew how to drive when i got my car.... but there has been shouty moments too 

Make sure you don't make any mistakes or you will fail

Hope that helps 

Pretty much this.

I'm finding it a tough question to answer. Don't panic, stay focused, keep a clear mind and apply everything you have been taught etc... If you still feel you have any weaknesses or difficulties with your actual driving spend the days leading up to the test addressing them and ironing them out.

You're allowed up to 15 minor mistakes

Jen, you'll be fine 

All I'll say is to remember that YOU are in charge of the vehicle and therefore need to demonstrate that should/if any little mistakes are made.  

Not that they will be.

When I took my test I stalled doing a right turn at a junction on a hill  (had already successfully done 2 or 3 hill starts prior to that).  I did the proper procedure (handbreak/neutral/restart), apologised to the examiner and said "I'll do that again".  

According to my instructor that's exactly what I was meant to do  

PS.  You really WILL be fine  

Please provide the date and full location details so I can alert other motorists and avoid the area.

This will help 

Hell yeah it will! empty roads must be easier to pass on!

Thanx Cosi, your vote of confidence is good

I meant it, Jen, you'll be fine.

Just tell yourself that you can do it - and you will.

To be serious . . . I passed first time

The secret - mine was to relax.

Treat it as if its not a test.

If you make a mistake immediately point out you realise what you've done and how you should have done it.

And remember you can always take it again - so stop worrying

Best of luck

Sounds like you are doing everything you can to prepare for it, Jen.

On the day, follow the advice given by Cosi, Cold Sweat and (I can't believe I'm saying this!) Saint, and you'll be fine.

Only kidding, Saint.

Always be polite and courteous to the examiner.

I have found that starting off with a light joke helps something like "There are three driving instructors in a bar..." you know the sort.

So far everyone of my 2378 examiners have laughed. Not one has passed me, but I put that down to my nerves.

Best of luck Jen.

good luck, jen - think you've had the advice my instructor gave me.   My bogie was reversing around a corner and he said - just check your mirror, if you think you'll hit the kerb, start again - that's what you'd do if you'd passed your test and remember your instructor isn't looking for a perfect driver, they're looking for a safe driver, taking corrective action if necessary is all part of that.  

Good luck Jen  Knock em dead! Err... maybe not 

Good luck with the test Jen 

*gets cheque book ready* 

No pressure there then

Good luck jen....I think you're doing everything you can and they do allow for nerves. Like Kaffs, I hated reversing around corners..I mounted the pavement with my passenger side wheel and I did exactly what Cosi did. I apologised straightened the car and did it perfectly...passed first time with flying colours...I'm still naff at reversing around corners after all these years. 

Bad choice of words there Rog  

*reminds self not to be in a car when Dameee is reversing around a corner*  

Thanx everyone, I just really want to pass... Really cant afford to cost or the wait for a 2nd test! And with the kids off school I would love to able to take them out places.

Thanx for the tips, reversing round a bend is the trickiest for me too, I can do it but it's the hardest one imo

Oh I dunno.. probably better there than on the pavement!

I dunno what's sensible or allowed, but my instructor tilted the passenger side mirror down slightly so I could see how far from the pavement my wheels were.    That wasn't how I was taught to do it though  (back in the day) there was all sorts of nonsense about looking out the back window and lining up marks on the back screen with the kerb , quarter turns, full turns all sorts of palaver that I could never get to grips with.  The mirror thing seemed obvious - even if it was a cheat...

I can move mirrors for manouvers but must remember to re adjust them before pulling off to drive again.. I've read people forget to do this and it goes against them so i've decided not to do that... I am looking at getting the extra wing mirrors or the little stick on 'blindspot' ones when i go buy my interior mirror for the examiner, don't know if I'll bother though

Just what I was thinking Kaffy.

Even if they don't need it, play around with your mirrors when you first get in the car before doing anything else. Gives you time to settle in and relax a bit while concentrating on something that is not about the driving, and it shows the examiner you are on the ball from the very start.

Make sure you put them back to where they should be after messing with them tho

Also if you know the routes the instructors use try a few test runs around them in the days before so you are familiar which what is coming up.

I must remember to be careful near any corners as I live near the test centre

I'm going from Colwick Aims, it's the one my examiner always uses so i just stuck with it  So unless you're on the loop road you should be fine

That's a good tip Olly, Obviously it's my own car so I should have them set how i like them and probably wouldnt have done that 

Good luck Jen, lots of good advice in here and sounds like you're going to be v v well prepared, so hope you do it first time x

Twas this afternoon and i failed

I was asked to turn right at a mini round about and i stayed in the left hand lane all the way round it... Serious fault due to not paying attention to the road markings.. 11 other minors... Will be booking again!

Awwww ....what a shame Never mind Jen loads of people fail first time ....get booked for the next one ASAP  

Looking like the end of October for nearest date Baz I'm gutted

Oh heck ....but that's not too far away Jen Is there a cancellation list you can go on ? My son failed first time, but passed the second  

As far as i know you just keep checking for cancellations.. I did well tbh.. Not well enough to pass this time but I'm now confident for next time.

better luck second time round Jen 

back in the day   you used to have to wait a full Calendar month before you could retest - guess that has changed now though 

It's 10 days now