Yael and other test-passers, do you have any driving test tips?

Like others who've posted, I passed my US driving test when I was 16. I've been driving a standard-shift car in America for 25 years without so much as one point against my license. I came over here and practiced for some months, then had driving lessons, passed my written test with flying colors (thanks to one of those computer programs -- I basically did that until I could get close to 100 percent every practice test)... booked my practical (in Taunton) and ... failed. After I recovered from my shock, I took more lessons, did lots more practice (now with my hubby in the car, as my U.S. license had expired)--including the famous Swindon 'magic roundabout'.... booked another test and... failed again. I have spoken to lots of UK folks who likewise failed multiple times and even more who have been driving for donkey's years and say they wouldn't stand a chance if they had to take the test again now....

So enough of my excuses... I have to figure out how to pass the test in less than a week. Yael, what do you think helped you the most? Any tips are welcome -- particularly things that Americans might not realize, but that are serious (failure-level) faults.

For example, I just learned from my driving instructor today that if there is a bicycle crossing at an intersection -- a white line, a red bike zone, and another white line -- if the light turns after you have crossed the first white line (even by a few inches), you are then past the point of no return -- you must continue through the intersection, even if the light is yellow or red, or it will be a DANGEROUS fault (unless of course it would be even more dangerous to proceed). Glad I found that one out today rather than in 6 days.

thanks for your help

It's been several years since i passed my test, but after failing the first one, the best advice that was given to me was Slow Down!

It worked...  all the other minor things sort of fell into place and were easier to put into practice when i just knocked my speed down a tiny wee bit.  And my instructor said that it demonstrated that i had more control of the car.

Good luck!

Just take as much time as you need, if you start your test and you get very very nervous tell the examinor that you need to pull over and collect yourself, sometimes just taking that extra minute to calm down really makes the difference.

My other advice would be USE YOUR MIRRORS!  You can't use them too much, and observation is a huge part of the test.

Hey it took me 3 times to pass, good luck and don't give up!

Thanks -- these are two good tips (slow down and use the mirrors). My two serious faults on test #2 were not checking the mirror before exiting a roundabout and inappropriate passing of parked cars on my side -- I didn't pull in in the middle of the line when there were cars appearing from the other direction and one of them, in a very wide vehicle decided to come through passing inches from my mirror and shaking the examiner, I'm sure. My instructor told me yesterday (when I witnessed other drivers doing exactly what I'd done) that the difference was speed -- if I'd made my mistake *slowly* it might have just been a minor fault.

I popped a couple of ibuprofen just to zap any stress-related headaches that might come up. Not really driving advice, but it worked for me. 

I had my test first thing on a Saturday morning.  The traffic was a bit thinner, no kids going to school, etc.  It was my preferred time, and I was happy to pay a bit more for it to be a bit quieter. The testing centre parking lot was empty, so reversing into a bay was MUCH easier for me.  I also forwent my morning coffee just to avoid adding to my jitters.  I wholeheartedly agree with going slow (not too slow) and checking mirrors.  I felt like I was looking in my mirrors more than the actual road, but my examiner praised my mirror usage.  I got a minor for hesitation when passing a bus, and 2 others that I can't remember. 

Good luck.  Keep trying.  I am so glad that I finally got my license.  It's worth all the hassle!

I had my test first thing on a Saturday morning.  The traffic was a bit thinner, no kids going to school, etc.  It was my preferred time, and I was happy to pay a bit more for it to be a bit quieter.

That's a really good point. My test was on a weekday, but my instructor had advised me to book it for mid-morning - after work and school traffic had died down, but before afternoon school traffic.

Does everyone have to do the driving test???  I really, really hope not!!  They can be brutal no matter where you take it!

Does everyone have to do the driving test???  I really, really hope not!!  They can be brutal no matter where you take it!

Yep -- if you hold a US license and want a UK one. 

Yep -- if you hold a US license and want a UK one. 

And since you can only use your US licence for 1 year after you arrive in the UK, your options are either take the UK driving test or don't drive at all (if you don't pass the driving test within the year, you will have to apply for a provisional UK licence and always drive with supervision - someone who is over 21 and has held a UK licence for at least 3 years - until you have passed)  .

I had my instructor in the car with me both times I took the practical (it was a precautionary thing on my part 'cause if anything happened she knew what to correct & 2 she could argue a point with the examiner if need be).  Have you & your instructor been going around the test routes to know which ones are tricky?

Do you know what things you need to improve - maneuverability, parking, etc.?  What things did you get faults on your test - have you worked on them with your instructor?

Big one - have you asked your instructor when the best time to book your test is?  Examiners do have a limit of people that they can pass...  My instructor advised me to take my test in a morning slot, toward the middle of the month and at the beginning of the week as the instructors are more willing to pass at the beginning of the week as they haven't met their weekly quotas yet.   

try your hardest to stay calm.  whatever particular calming thing works for you.

practice your manuevers til you can do them blindfolded. 

practice "proper" driving all the time (not just when in driving lesson).  force yourself not to cross your hands, check your mirrors etc.

get to the center early (i was running late and it really shook me).

  Examiners do have a limit of people that they can pass... 

That's just a myth.

(if you don't pass the driving test within the year, you will have to apply for a provisional UK licence and always drive with supervision - someone who is over 21 and has held a UK licence for at least 3 years - until you have passed)  .

Huh??  You have to apply for your provisional anyway.  At least I did.

Huh??  You have to apply for your provisional anyway.  At least I did.

Yeah, you do - sorry, I forgot that . I'm not thinking straight today!