Easy Peasy

I totally see the use of the skill to reverse into a car park space (which ironically isn't taught on the test), but the reversing the corner kills me.  I get that it's legal here and an accepted/encouraged maneuverer.  But I still think that overall it's a dangerous thing to encourage.

And yes, without the DVD's to practice that part of the test would be near impossible.   

Took the theory today. Wasn't concerned about the questions (missed one anyway damnit), but after staring (through what seemed like fog) at the Hazard Perception part of the DVD that I bought....I was a bit concerned. 70 of 75 on that test....the computer generated film clips on the test are very clear and the potential hazards that come up are pretty noticeable. If you go through one of the practice DVD's like I did......it shouldn't be a problem for people.

I've failed the theory TWICE...each time by one question...definitely discouraging and it doesn't help that I've got a practice program that came out in 2011 and the questions asked there aren't on the actual exam...I hate that I've driven for 10 years in the US but can't pass a test that 17 year olds can ace....I feel like such an idiot and pretty much have given up... I did fine both time on the hazard test which I heard was harder but for some reason miss by one on the multiple choice every time!!

Sorry for the rant, I don't want to bring your positivity down! I am happy for everybody else that somebody at least can get through it!

I've failed the theory TWICE...each time by one question...definitely discouraging and it doesn't help that I've got a practice program that came out in 2011 and the questions asked there aren't on the actual exam...I hate that I've driven for 10 years in the US but can't pass a test that 17 year olds can ace....I feel like such an idiot and pretty much have given up... I did fine both time on the hazard test which I heard was harder but for some reason miss by one on the multiple choice every time!!

Sorry for the rant, I don't want to bring your positivity down! I am happy for everybody else that somebody at least can get through it!

That must be hugely frustrating for you and I know you didn't ask for any advice, but the current practice DVD only costs 6.58 GBP (with free shipping) on Amazon.  If you want to get it here's the link:



Third time is the charm! 

I've failed the theory TWICE...each time by one question...definitely discouraging and it doesn't help that I've got a practice program that came out in 2011 and the questions asked there aren't on the actual exam...I hate that I've driven for 10 years in the US but can't pass a test that 17 year olds can ace....I feel like such an idiot and pretty much have given up... I did fine both time on the hazard test which I heard was harder but for some reason miss by one on the multiple choice every time!!

Sorry for the rant, I don't want to bring your positivity down! I am happy for everybody else that somebody at least can get through it!

You're in good company.

From 2010-2013, 2.7 million passed the multiple choice section but 1.2 million failed.

In 2012/2013 alone, one third of multiple choice test takers failed.

There's a reason we say on here that the test is hard - it is!

Whether you're 17 year old new driver or you're an experienced driver with 17 years of driving in the US, it's a tough test to pass.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pass-and-fail-rates-for-theory-tests-in-2011-2012-and-2013/pass-and-fail-rates-for-theory-tests-in-2011-2012-and-2013

Yep, that DVD I bought had basically the same questions as the real test. A couple of questions I hadn't seen before (something about a Red Route for instance). I went through the practice tests quite a few times (20?), and there is a choice to ask for the "harder" questions. I loaded the disk on my step-daughters computer (I have a Macbook Pro, DVD wanted a Windows computer) and went through it for about 2 hours.......then did it again a week or so later. I tried to get myself to slow down on the test since that is where I start to mis-read questions at times.......still probably went through the questions on the test in about 10 minutes. Probably 45 of the 50 questions were almost exactly the same as on the DVD. For the price.......it's more than well worth it.

I reverse around corners all the time,

Ditto. 

I always reverse into a parking space: reverse bay parking. It's easier and safer to come out of a space forwards especially if someone then double parks behind you. Two neighbours have had prangs in the last month in supermarket car parks: one caused by both reversing out at the same time and the other caused by reversing out while parked next to a van that blocked her line of sight and not seeing the person driving along looking for a space.

Yep, that DVD I bought had basically the same questions as the real test. A couple of questions I hadn't seen before (something about a Red Route for instance). I went through the practice tests quite a few times (20?), and there is a choice to ask for the "harder" questions. I loaded the disk on my step-daughters computer (I have a Macbook Pro, DVD wanted a Windows computer) and went through it for about 2 hours.......then did it again a week or so later. I tried to get myself to slow down on the test since that is where I start to mis-read questions at times.......still probably went through the questions on the test in about 10 minutes. Probably 45 of the 50 questions were almost exactly the same as on the DVD. For the price.......it's more than well worth it.

That's the DVD I have and I found the hardest questions I got were not on the dvd itself but then again, maybe I just wasn't going through the right way. I am only guessing it's from 2011 because of the fact it had an add for Fast and Furious 5 in the Hazard test but I guess there's always the chance they just reuse that footage? Just assume that, and the fact they talk about "being distracted by changing a cassette tape" as most cars tend to just have cd players now that it was likely just dated. Maybe I just need to commit more time to studying. Think i could also benefit from learning to slow down as I am not great at concentration so tend to go through quickly and misread sometimes..

Have you tried the practice tests that are online? If you just Google something like "online DVLA practice test".....you get things like this  http://toptests.co.uk/mock-theory-test-1/   These are the same type of questions that my DVD had.

Ditto. 

I always reverse into a parking space: reverse bay parking. It's easier and safer to come out of a space forwards especially if someone then double parks behind you. Two neighbours have had prangs in the last month in supermarket car parks: one caused by both reversing out at the same time and the other caused by reversing out while parked next to a van that blocked her line of sight and not seeing the person driving along looking for a space.

Reverse bay parking - ALL FOR IT!  But the test has you literally reverse around the corner of a road onto a perpendicular road - not into a parking bay.  I'm in a congested area so this was not a particularly quiet road that my maneuverer was tested on (I got the reverse around the corner on the practical test).

But the test has you literally reverse around the corner of a road onto a perpendicular road - not into a parking bay.  I'm in a congested area so this was not a particularly quiet road that my maneuverer was tested on (I got the reverse around the corner on the practical test).

It hasn't changed, that was on the test years ago when I took my test. We didn't have parallel parking but that was not a problem then as not so many cars on the road. But for me one of the worst bits was at the end of the test, while still sat in the car they asked any 3 questions from the highway code and you had to answer them all correctly for a pass.

But for me one of the worst bits was at the end of the test, while still sat in the car they asked any 3 questions from the highway code and you had to answer them all correctly for a pass.

Huh?  Are they still doing this?

Reverse bay parking - ALL FOR IT!  But the test has you literally reverse around the corner of a road onto a perpendicular road - not into a parking bay.

In the current test, reverse bay parking is one of the 4 manoeuvres you could be asked to carry out:
https://www.gov.uk/practical-driving-test-for-cars/what-happens-during-the-test

It depends on the size of the parking area in your chosen test centre - if it's not big enough, it's unlikely that bay parking will be on the menu.

Some instructors don't even bother teaching it if they know that you won't be tested on it which is a shame because it's so much more useful than reversing around a corner.