im taking mine next thursday, so worried i might not pass! what was the hardest part for you and did you get any minors? im trying to learn from other's experiences 
i know how the test basically runs but just want to see how you got on...congrats though!! also, what time of day did you take it?
The hardest part for me was the weather. It went from bright sunshine to rain and even some hail. It also didn't help that the examiner was stone cold quiet, so I jabbered out loud to no one really. I did get 3 minors, 1 for control while reversing round a corner (a bit further out than I should've been) and 2 for hesitation. I also took my test at 1pm, so no morning or afternoon rush traffic.
Did you take it around the docks in Preston? Because I've been doing laps around there to practice for mine... and what routes did you go (because i know we're from the same area)? send me a PM if you want...
I took my test in Blackpool actually. My instructor (who was awesome) knows Blackpool better, and since I'm halfway between Preston and Blackpool, I just went with it. My boyfriend had his in Preston and everyone seems to say Preston is a bit easier, but I'm not so sure. I found my instructor through Expressways. My boyfriend used them and so did a few family members.
So, question...how many lessons did you take beforehand? DH is about to go through this and we're toying with the idea of him doing one of those intensive courses but it's all a matter of cost....obviously everyone will need a different level of lessons but i'd be interested to know how many you took before you sat the test?
I took lessons off and on for 6 months or so. I only did one hour ever week or two hours every other week. So roughly I took about 25-30 hours of lessons. I also have my own car and drove that around since I still could use my US license, and that really helped so much. My instructor was good at understanding I know the fundamentals of driving, having driven for 5 years in the US, so she concentrated on getting me used to UK roads, getting to grips with a stick shift, and doing the maneuvers how the test people want you to.
