Failed Driving Test
 

A while back, there was interest in how I get on with the test, since some returning ex-pats have to take it.

I took it today, and failed. I can be philosophical about failing, but I'm a bit shaken by how badly I failed. I had four faults in the S category, each of which is a fail in itself and eight minor faults, which would not have failed me in themselves.

Two of the S category faults related to the reverse park (parallel park) manoeuvre, which I thought I did perfectly! But apparently my observations were not good enough, and I started by parking too close to the car alongside me. That was two faults for control and obs.

I got another S fault for stalling halfway round a mini-roundabout, then panicking and needing three goes to get the car started again. That one I can understand.

The fourth S fault was for steering. Apparently, I took a couple of corners wide.

It occurs to me that I should add, for those of you who don't know, that I'm in my sixties, and have never had a driving licence in any country.

So I rebook a test and do a few more lessons.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

OH dear! I wondered how you were doing with that. I stated that my mum passed on the fifth try! She never gave up. She would have just kept taking it.

Not that you will take five tries, but please don't give up!

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I failed my first test because the horn did not work.

I was doing the test in a rental car as I had only been in the country about a month. While in the testing centre I was asked to show the main points of the car and to use the horn - nothing. (obviously I had not had the need to use it before then!)

The tester said he could not even take me out due to having a non working horn.

So just watch out for the equipment on your car.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I failed the first time in my 20's when I put the gearstick into neutral for a few seconds while approaching a traffic light. I never ever do that but my husband does it regularly. I passed the second time. It is nerve wracking at any age and I had to do my drivers again in Canada at age 47. My OH did it first so one of us could drive and he passed first time which put pressure on me six months later when it was my time. Luckily it was an automatic and I had been warned they look out for you checking in mirrors and doing shoulder checks all the time! On my turn, the gods must have been looking out for me because it was perfect and when aproaching a busy intersection where I had to cross over a double main road to go into traffic, that moment it was absolutely clear and he said to me that I was lucky, he has never seen that happen. You will get there and I really admire you for going for it in your sixties because you will find your world will open up so wide especially as you live rural. I must admit though, it has taken me nearly 10 months to feel confident on the road especially on large roundabouts with 7 exits and racing cars!

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Thanks all for your comforting comments! I've rebooked the test for August. I simply have to get my licence because I need to ferry mum around, so I must retake the test until I pass.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

If you haven't yet bought a vehicle, consider buying and taking the test on an automatic. Given your lack of previous experience, not having to worry about a clutch and gearshift would make getting all the other things right so much easier.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Thanks for the advice, but the OH wouldn't want to drive an automatic, and we don't want the hassle of insuring and maintaining two cars. Actually, most of the time my use of the gears and clutch control is fine; my stall yesterday was down to nerves.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Fair enough. I passed my test in the UK when I was 17 but then had to take another in California when I was 27. My OH took her (first) test there as well, so because she has never passed in the UK, when she swapped her Canaidian licence for a UK, it was restricted to automatics. Knowing this would happen in advance, we bought an automatic here.

I used to dislike them, but now am pleased we had to do this. It's just easier, especially in the stop and go traffic we often encounter on our travels in the UK.

I still think a manual gives you more control, but I'm no longer a boy-racer.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I learned to drive (in the UK) in my late 20s (20 odd years ago) and it took me 3 attempts. Can't remember what I failed on the first time - pretty much everything I think as I really wasn't ready. Second attempt I failed on my manoeuvres. On my final attempt I was so nervous, my left leg was shaking so much I told the examiner I was going to pull over for a few minutes to compose myself - I think I felt I had blown it at that point so kind of relaxed enough to get through.

Had to sit another test in Texas, but that was so easy in comparison it's almost laughable that it's even called a test.

I switched to automatic when we moved to Texas (8 years ago) and stayed with automatic when we moved back. I have never been a super confident driver and I really do find automatic so much easier.

If there is time pressure to get through your test so you can support your Mum it really might be worth re-visiting the decision on manual/automatic - you can always 'upgrade' to manual at a later date.

Good luck with the retest - hope it goes well :thumb:

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I failed the first time too, passed on the second. Nerves are likely to get you the first time around. More than likely you will have that under control for your second try. Good luck :thumbsup:

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Thanks for all the encouragement and advice. Because of living in a rather remote spot, I think I'd have difficulty finding an instructor with an automatic. If I keep failing on the manual, maybe another two times, then I'll reconsider.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Sorry to hear that you did not pass your driving test this time. I did not pass my test on the first time, so don't worry about it.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Astonishing logic. ;)

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Your logic is fine HKG3; nothing astonishing about it.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I think the harder thing to do is find someone who passed their test at the first attempt!
I'm sure there are a good few, but in recent years I'll bet there are less.
Does this mean that drivers today are not so well taught, or as a friend suggested, this is a nice little earner?

I could spit that I did not get behind the wheel within my first year back to keep my licence, but I was snowed under.
Now I have to go through the damn thing again, and am quite sure the first attempt will fail....
...and the second...

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

What do you mean about having to take the test again? Isn't a British driving licence valid to age 70? (Subject being updated with a new residential address..)

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Sorry! I should have clarified that my Australian drivers licence would be valid and revert to a UK licence without taking a test;- if I provide evidence that I was driving in the UK within the first year of residence.
If not, then I (all returnees), have to apply for a UK licence and take the damn test!

Friends suggested just hiring a car, or buying a cheapy, but there was a lot happening, and the bus service though taking longer getting A to B, is reasonably good.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

My OH did the same thing, when he came to the UK thirty years ago. He couldn't afford a car, being a student, so he didn't get round to exchanging his Canadian licence. He had to take the test twice.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I was lucky...passed first time (way back in 1993). At that point in my life I had been driving for 30 years in the US, and mostly a manual transmission. Did drive automatics in rental cars when I traveled for work, but that was about it.

I did take 6 lessons, and had a great instructor who said he was teaching me how to pass the test, not how to drive, and I took the test in his car, which helped a lot since my other alternatives were a LHD Triumph Spitfire and my husband's Jag-monster.

Based on anecdotal information, the test is harder now. Well done for learning to drive at a late age, and no shame in not passing on the first try. Parallel parking? From what I've seen, few folks do it correctly. I've been doing it for nearly half a century, and still line up badly on the 1st attempt.

Hang in there!

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

How did you get on Editha? :fingerscrossed: it was a good result for you second time round.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I can't believe that here we are, all Brits, and nobody is giggling at this.

You should have told him you'd be happy to go out with him but that he should see a doctor about his medical problem.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I took the test again, failed again, but failed worse.

It is looking rather hopeless. There is marital friction over this. OH doesn't want me to take the test on an automatic, because he doesn't want to change our car for an automatic. Neither of us wants to have two cars, one for him and one for me, though it might come to that. OH thinks that if I take the test often enough on a manual, I am bound to pass eventually. I don't have the impression that my instructor shares OH's opinion.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

:( Sorry to hear that Editha. I too only have an automatic licence, manuals hated me and I hated them.

I hope you and your OH sort it out relatively amicably - you (we all) need the independence your licence would give you. Sounds like a manual is a preference for your OH, but it may be that an auto is a necessity for you. I know that you're perfectly capable of fighting your own corner (I have the scars ;) ), but maybe he'd see his insistence on a manual differently if you framed it that way? Anyway, best of luck in sorting it.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Are you driving in between lessons with your OH in the passenger seat?

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

That is a good question. But I rather think not.

Editha, I think your OH is being unsympathetically pigheaded. You've already explained why you need to drive, does he not understand that?

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Sorry to hear that Editha.

Does your instructor think you would fare better in an automatic?

There is perhaps not much point in causing friction in your marriage if the professional view is that it wouldn't make any difference to switch to an automatic.

Tough choices all round - hope you resolve it soon.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I'm not sure exactly what my instructor's views are. He seems gobsmacked by how royally I screwed up the tests. Unlike OH, he is in the back seat when I'm being examined so he experiences the full horror. He doesn't have an automatic dual control car, so I'd have to switch instructors. I suspect that he just wishes I'd go away.

I tried practice driving in our Fiat 500 with the OH once. Imagine being given a driving lesson by Woody Allen. Never again.

One disadvantage of getting an automatic licence is that there are no small automatic cars. OH points out that a small car makes it easier to negotiate narrow country roads.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I'm a bit confused here. Mrs TB swapped her Aussie license for a UK one a few years ago. No need for a test in the UK. She can drive either manual or auto on her licence. When I moved to Oz, there was no such thing as licence exchange, so I have always maintained separate UK and Oz licences ( can drive either also). My Oz licence expires in 2019 and I can't renew again from UK. Did you take an auto test in UK to avoid swapping your Oz licence?

To issue itself. When we arrived here years ago, Mrs TB had forgotten how to drive a manual ( she hadn't driven one since living in Korea), we only wanted one car, so I bought a 2.0 auto Focus Ti. It was a nice car but Mrs TB didn't drive that much, enough to make it worthwhile though.

We sold the Focus before moving to Winchester and needed a family car for baby's arrival. Mrs TB said she didn't want to drive at all, we live right in town and she can walk everywhere. So for three years, she hasn't driven, I've had a manual car ( POS Renault scenic, never buy a French car but that's another story ;) )

Soon we will move further out of town and will change the car for an automatic so she can drive again. I will get her some lessons just to shake the rustiness off. But I don't see what's so magic about a manual car with all the traffic these days? I don't understand the ' real men drive manuals' stuff. I bought a manual as its a bit cheaper to run but modern DSG boxes are very close now.

Edith's, I think your hubby is living in the past a bit, there a ton of small autos, look at the Fiesta range or Polo. Just buy what you need at the time. :thumbup:

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Ahem, Used Cars for Sale - Auto Trader UK

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Ah. Thanks for that. When I looked at Fiat's website they did not seem to be offering an automatic 500 currently, but maybe I missed something.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I was probably a bit unclear. Or you're confused :lol: I'm still driving on my Oz licence, you get a year to swap it. But thanks for reminding me, just over a month to go so I'd better hop to it.

We bought a diesel 2013 Peugeot SUV type car soon after arrival, auto of course! It was 8,500 pounds and it's a bloody ripper (so far).

I'll be back in Oz for a visit before my licence there is due for renewal, so I'll just do it then. No problem if you don't have the hard copy, I'm just going to say I lost it.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

The bit I'm confused about is you having an Oz licence that's auto only? :confused: Our NSW licences don't make a distinction (at least I don't think so:unsure:).

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

In WA if you've taken your test in a manual transmission vehicle, you can drive either manual or auto. If you took it in an auto vehicle, you can only drive an auto.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Ah I see. I thought they were bringing that in NSW but not sure if they ever did? Our licences pre date that.

I think we may look at a Golf Plus or Subaru next.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

My mother owns an automatic Fiat 500. She's licensed to drive a manual but after years of driving Citroen 2CVs with their weird dashboard gear stick she switched to an automatic Rover Metro and has been driving automatics ever since.

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I had a quick look at the NSW site and it looks like you're right, the new rule is you need to have taken your test in a manual to legally drive one but it's not retrospective.

I love Subarus, had a Forester in Oz. Hope you're fully recovered from your surgery - on your bike! (I always wanted to write that on BE) :thumbsup:

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I'm in love with your mother. I hope you'll forgive me?

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Ah I see.

Yeah, recovery going well thanks. I'm in a road race tomorrow (50 miles), gonna get spanked but will be nice to pin on a number again:cool:

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

I'll let it slide ;)

Re: Failed Driving Test
 

Your first road race since your surgery is 50 miles? Glad to see you're easing back into it gently :lol: Good luck.