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

Does anyone know if you can have two tests scheduled at the same time?  Basically, I have my test only a week before my "one-year in the UK date". and dread being unable to drive after driving for some time here now, so I am wondering if I can schedule a test a week after my first scheduled test in case I fail the first one?   (does that make any sense?)

Do you mean for the practical? I'm pretty certain you can't. They take your licence details and your theory test pass certificate number when booked a test. If you try to log in again with those details, they only give you the option to cancel your test or change the date.

Do you know how long it normally takes an american who has never driven a stick shift to learn and be comfortable driving in the UK?

Do you know how long it normally takes an american who has never driven a stick shift to learn and be comfortable driving in the UK?

I think it's a bit of "how long is a piece of string" but I've seen "10 lessons" quoted often enough, some people have been a lot less and a lot more! I would guess it's  more if you've never driven a manual car.

Do you know how long it normally takes an american who has never driven a stick shift to learn and be comfortable driving in the UK?

It took me months of driving lessons to feel comfortable driving a stick shift and I had never driven one before.

That said, we ended up buying an automatic after I passed my driving test in a manual car because I was still not a confident manual driver.  It's one of those things I think I can do if I had to, but I'd rather not, iykwim.

I had the ten lessons a lot of others did. I probably could have done it in fewer, but I felt nice and confident before the test-so it was all worth it! Plus, there was no way I was practising with DH--too tense for both of us, so those lessons were most of my practice (plus me driving at random times). I had had minimal experience with manual transmissions.
Good luck everyone!

I had my 3rd lesson last night and my instructor said I was doing very well. She told me to sign up for my theory as soon as I get my provisional. It was sent out on the 16th so I should get it soon. I am so excited.

I am scared but excited... I still have a lot to learn but yeah. I am excited and when I do pass both tests to have freedom to drive on my own!

I know this is about driving a car but I am about to start driving lessons for a MOTORBIKE!!!

I ride pillion with my husband on his but never have drove one myself...am going to do my CBT soon...

Good luck southernchic02 and MeShell! 

I've had 12 hours so far, and just passed my Theory!! I have my practical booked for 10th August, so I have some more time to practice. Theory wasn't too bad, practice tests and practicing the hazard perception really helped. I'm hoping the real driving bit comes as easy.
Good luck everyone!

Seeing a post elsewhere has me concerned.  I have heard more than a few people say that you will be marked down for crossing your hands when turning, but my instructor told me that crossing hands is ok as long as you dont let the wheel slide through your hands on the way back.  Has anyone whos taken the test actually been marked for crossing hands?

That was probably me!  My instructor told me you can cross your hands, but they like to see you shuffle.  So I should work on the shuffling. 

He said it would probably get you a minor fault if you did it the whole time.  Bah!

Seeing a post elsewhere has me concerned.  I have heard more than a few people say that you will be marked down for crossing your hands when turning, but my instructor told me that crossing hands is ok as long as you dont let the wheel slide through your hands on the way back.  Has anyone whos taken the test actually been marked for crossing hands?

It's fine to cross your hands, as long as you remain in full control of the vehicle and your steering is controlled. You'll get marked down for losing control when crossing hands, but not for just crossing hands. It's a bit risky though, because how do they judge how control you are? I don't cross my hands , but he did say that if I crossed my hands at a hazard I could be marked down or if I did it consistently.

I'm using the push-Pull technique and it took some practising with a dinner plate, but it's fine now, it feels very natural and it's impossible to cross hands.

That was probably me!  My instructor told me you can cross your hands, but they like to see you shuffle.  So I should work on the shuffling. 

He said it would probably get you a minor fault if you did it the whole time.  Bah!

Yes, it was you    I can easily do the push-pull when I think about it, but it makes manouvers VERY hard for me having to think about every single aspect, so maybe if I only cross sometimes, I'll be ok.   

I had only a few lessons in the UK before returning to US. The instructor drummed the push-pull thing into me so much so that I still often do it. And I absolutely never do the one-handed wipe-it-on/wipe-it-off movement with the wheel!

My guy told me to practise with a plate as well.