The few, the brave - those of us taking driving lessons right now!

The theory test isn't too bad, but I think that the hazard perception bit can be helped a lot by having some time behind the wheel first.  Just to get used to the way the *hazards* are thought of.  
I found the DVD practice tests VERY helpful.

I'm thinking to signing up for the theory test right away and taking it before I take the lessons, just so we can focus on the actual driving only (I have studied for quite a while, and feel pretty confident I can do this part on my own with a week or two's serious study.) Haven't made up my mind yet, though.

I'd say go for it.  First - depending on where you are, you'll probably be scheduling the theory test for a few weeks out - in which case you can take a couple lessons between now and then anyway.

Second, the theory test is pretty straightforward.  That said, I found great help in preparing from the DSA CD-ROMs.  They include prep materials for both the multiple choice and hazard perception sections of the test.

 

Congrats, Kellwie!!!! 

I'm sending off for my provisional today. Can't wait to take my first lesson and report back! I'm thinking to signing up for the theory test right away and taking it before I take the lessons, just so we can focus on the actual driving only (I have studied for quite a while, and feel pretty confident I can do this part on my own with a week or two's serious study.) Haven't made up my mind yet, though.

Thanks!

I agree, I would just book and take the theory test now - even though it isn't too hard, it's certainly a big ego boost to pass (and a big ole tick on the Driving To Do List!).  I used the official DSA book to prepare for the questions, but didn't really do anything to prepare for Hazard Perception, and hadn't started lessons either.  I got 50/75 for HP - a lowish score, but still a pass.  I've read elsewhere (here?) that the test is actually harder for experienced drivers - we are so perceptive that we sometimes click before the "scoring window" opens, so it's worth clicking a few (~2) more times.

I'd say go for it.  First - depending on where you are, you'll probably be scheduling the theory test for a few weeks out - in which case you can take a couple lessons between now and then anyway.

Second, the theory test is pretty straightforward.  That said, I found great help in preparing from the DSA CD-ROMs.  They include prep materials for both the multiple choice and hazard perception sections of the test.

 

I've got the CD-Rom, and I've studied the drivers handbook online, as well as taken some practice hazard tests online. I think it will be ok. As for the hazards, I mean, they should really be mostly the same as they would be when driving anywhere, shouldn't they? Pedestrians about to cross without looking, someone opening a car door ahead, that sort of thing? Reminds me of drivers ed classes in the states when we would have to use the simulators while watching a video, pushing the brake if a kid stepped in front of the car or something.

As for the hazards, I mean, they should really be mostly the same as they would be when driving anywhere, shouldn't they? Pedestrians about to cross without looking, someone opening a car door ahead, that sort of thing?

Pretty much, except maybe for the one with sheep(!) in the road! I had that one - after I clicked the sheep I kind of zoned out while waiting for the video to end, and it turned out there were MORE sheep further on - it was the double clip (oops).

I can also remember kids running across the road, a car backing out of a side road or driveway or something, and a big lorry in the road with hazards on.  The only one that was difficult was a video in which I never saw one clear hazard.  I got 0 on that clip because I clicked too much (had no clue what the "true" hazard was so was clicking on everything).

Disclaimer: This was in November 2007, so I don't know if the test has changed since then.

Wish me luck  on my driving test and i send a a big good luck to all that are ready and are doing the journey to drive here legally.

Good luck kfleet!!  And well done for sticking with it after almost a year of lessons. 

Congratulations kellwie!! 

My practical test is two weeks from today! In preparation, tomorrow I will be driving my husband to the Liverpool Airport.  And then hopefully making it back by myself in one piece! (Probably, he will drive us there, really, he is TOO TENSE for me to drive with right now).

Six more hours of lessons to go, then the test. Eeek. I did have a practice practical, which I passed, but even if I hadn't I would have appreciated it because it seemed a LOT easier than driving around with my instructor for two hours.  I suspect the examiner took me along the easiest route.

My instructor said the tester WOULD cut me some slack because I'm an experienced driver. He said that it showed (ha! I don't see how. My knucklebones were practically bursting through the skin, I was so tense). He said things they would ding a beginner on they'd let me skate for.

Here's hoping he's right.

My husband just took his practical test, (and passed) today and found that his 35+ years of US driving experience was not a hindrance at all.

He spent a lot of the time talking, (which he said that he wasn't going to do lol) but I think that it helped as he explained some stuff to the examiner such as why he did certain things or mentioned if he wasn't too sure about an instruction.

He was forewarned that the examiner was quite patronising in his manner but found the guy was nice enough and got on with him quite well.

The examiner did say that my husband could have been marked up more than he was but he could see that he was no boy racer! 

Best of luck to all you intrepid drivers. 

Congratulations to your husband Tam. 

Good luck Jennie!  You're nearly there!

Doesn't it depend a lot of where you take the test?  We knew a woman who lived in Leeds and was terrified.  So she took the test in Harrogate and passed first time.  I think she had failed a couple of times in Leeds.

Doesn't it depend a lot of where you take the test?  We knew a woman who lived in Leeds and was terrified.  So she took the test in Harrogate and passed first time.  I think she had failed a couple of times in Leeds.

Yeah, there are only two practical testing centres here now.  They closed the one that was at Crossgates (according to my DI) which I think was a really bad place to take the test anyway.  Now there is only the Horsforth testing centre - which isn't bad at all.  And then there is Harehills, which I understand is a bit scary as far as drive testing areas go.

I haven't posted in this thread in a while... My driving lessons are a bit of a mess at the moment. We were in the US for almost a month (and I was driving there fine) and when I had my first lesson after we got back I seriously felt like I was starting over. I was doing pretty ok before I left, but that lesson really discouraged me as I felt like all those painful lessons were for nothing.

Also we've decided to repat next year - so - I decided that I would change my plans and just get an automatic license so I could at least get a license before we left.

I purchased an awesome old Nissan pao (automatic) before I started lessons as my insentive to get through the lessons as my motivation to get through it. I'd never driven it, it sat in the drive waiting for me to pass the test I talked to my driving instructor and she agreed to sit in that car with me for lessons so I could just pass quickly with an automatic license.

So I called the insurance company... And they won't insure me on it! Because I have a provisional, and it's an import, they won't do it. I got other qoutes - insanely expensive. So now I have to sell my lovely little car without ever driving it.  it's not something I thought to look into when we purchased it, and my husband was insured on it cheaply so I didn't consider it to be a problem. It was my motivation to learn to drive here

so now I'm not sure what to do... I can just plug on and hope I get a manual license before we go, but I really just feel like giving up at this point if we ever returned, I'd have a year to drive on my us license again... I don't know what to do. It was be a massive waste of money on lessons ect if I just stopped...

Sorry, I just needed to vent a bit! If anyone wants an amazing Nissan pao let me know...

I ran into the same spot, hellojulie.

I hadn't planned to buy a car until I had a job, but we spotted one for sale on the side of the road. I have driven MX-5's (that's a Miata to us Murricans) for fifteen years and I thought maybe a familiar car might help. So he bought it for me, because he's a huge sweetie.

Then our insurance company turned us down because I'm on an American license and it's an import. A broker ultimately got it sorted for us. I don't know if a provisional license is harder to insure than an international one, but it might be worth phoning a broker before you sell your lovely little car.

And yes -- it does help! Even though the steering wheel is in the wrong place, it's a blessed relief to find SOMEthing familiar about driving. Had my second lesson yesterday and the instructor said I was much improved. I aced backing into a parking spot, the three-point turn. I got parallel parking on the second try. Let's not get into backing around a corner, though, m'kay?

Had the requisite lesson just before the test where you can neither shift nor back around a corner, glad I got that out of the way.  I DID successfully drive back and forth from Liverpool Airport.  Woot.

How is everyone else doing?

My 'last chance' driving lesson was supposed to be last night, but the instructor had to cancel last minute.  It sounds as though his mother is quite poorly....and he's not able to do any lessons this weekend SO it appears that may be on my own for the test!  The DI thinks I'm ready, but I really wanted that lesson for peace of mind, if nothing else...  I was in a bit of a state over it last night, but DH took me out and we'll go out again this weekend for a bit of practise. 

If the instructor can't meet me on Tuesday (test day), I suppose I may end up going by myself.  I'm thinking that IF I should fail, I'll have to turn around and drive myself home.  But I haven't passed the year mark yet on my US license, so technically this should be fine.  But awkward nonetheless.    I guess this is ok to be unaccompanied?? 
DH may be able to meet me, but this may make me even more nervous. 
Ugh...I really cannot wait to get this over with!!