Any advice for driving (practical) test?

Does anyone have any advice for the driving test? Did you have to do "tell me, show me" regarding different parts of the car and what they do/where they are located?

I am so nervous because my one year of arriving in the UK is coming up on October 15th but my test isn't booked until September 24th.  I tried to get it earlier but there was such a long waiting list. What if I fail it?! I won't have a chance to try to take it again before Oct. 15th and I have to drive on the motorway to get to work. Therefore, any tips would help!
I am taking my test in an automatic so hopefully I pass it!

First of all take your time..good luck...i had been driving for about 7 years in america before i took my test in the UK..the instructor said that he could tell i had been driving for awhile...if he makes small talk, then thats normal...i think they try to do that to make you feel comfortable...

i cant really offer any more detailed advice, except practice practice practice...i took my uk test about 6 years ago now...it is a great thing to have your independence back being able to drive over here...

take care

B

I am taking my test tomorrow in an automatic...My good friend is an instructor so we went out for her to pick me apart.

1. check all mirrors before signaling
2. slow down before round-about - make the instructor comfortable
3. When you reverse into side street check everything including turning and looking as you get ready to turn in look around completely again.  Don't rely on side mirror, still look out the actual window and glance at side view.
4. When they ask you to pull up to the curb, dont worry about getting right on it but put it in park.  when they ask you to pull away check all mirrors PLUS turn and look left (in the blind spot)

Those were my biggest pointers and keep both hands on the wheel and do the shimmy.
I don't normally drive like that but I can play the game for 45 minutes to pass ;-)

Good luck

For the show me tell me thing they asked me about the brakes and the power steering.  It was hot and I don't think he wanted to get out of the car.  The same probably applies if it is raining. 

But the rest of it was easy, just know how to open the hood of your car and where the dipstick is. 

Thanks guys and good luck on your test JennBean!!! Let me know how you do! I have a question about automatic... If I stop at a red light, do I have to put the car into park and put the parking brake on as well? My instructor never told me that by my husband said I was supposed to do that...!?

NO, not in an automatic...

The question I got was how I could check that my rear brake and indicator lights were functioning before pulling away, if it's just me on my own.

The answer was using a window or other reflective surface.

It was totally out of the blue.  I expected questions on where you check and add the oil, washer fluid etc but this one I wasn't prepared for.

My instructor had me put the handbrake on is I was the first in line at a light so that way I'd be ready go go when it was fully green and not freak out and jump the light.  But it is not needed.

I will be popping the hood today for a quick glance...I know what a dipstick is and the windsheild wiper fluid ect...but cant hurt to look

What if I fail it?! I won't have a chance to try to take it again before Oct. 15th and I have to drive on the motorway to get to work.

If you fail it, you wont be able to drive anywhere by yourself, not just on a motorway. 

But, really dont worry - I was a nervous wreck before my test and it was so much easier than I anticipated.  For the show me, tell me things I had to explain how I could tell new tires were needed and was asked to honk my horn. 

My biggest tip is to be familiar with the area where the test will take place.  Ask your instructor if there are any confusing junctions or misleading signs.  There were a few in my test (one where the road appears to go straight ahead, but actually turns into a one way street halfway down the road, so you must turn before this happens and is apparently a favourite of examiners).
 
Also, if you have to go on a dual carriage way, dont play it safe and drive under the speed limit -they want to see that you are comfortable enough to make it up to 70mph.

Do the manouvers very slowly and look around way more than you normally would as Jenn mentioned.

You'll be fine!!  Good luck!

For the show me, tell me things I had to explain how I could tell new tires were needed and was asked to honk my horn. 

I was asked about the lights - what/where they were on the outside of the car.

Try and be as calm as you possibly can be - or at least try and look calm even if you're not. That'll inspire confidence.

Beyond that, I agree with what others have said. Look look look and look again when you're doing your maneuvers. And if you're not sure if you've looked enough, look some more.

Yes! The looking is a huge thing. My instructor told me to wear dangly earrings so I know if I'm looking enough... I am mainly worried about feeding the steering wheel (whereas I do the hand over hand as I was taught). Also, my test is going to be in St. Albans and I've taken my lessons in Welwyn Garden City where I live so I need to try to spend as much time in St. A as I can.

I am mainly worried about feeding the steering wheel (whereas I do the hand over hand as I was taught).

Every examiner is different, so take this with a grain of salt, but I KNOW I crossed my hands a few times in the test and it was never mentioned in the "debrief" at the end.  Remember the imporant thing is that you have control of the steering wheel at all times.    Of course I looked ALL AROUND ALL THE TIME, but I did not exaggerate movements unless at a obstructed view junction.   

Every examiner is different, so take this with a grain of salt, but I KNOW I crossed my hands a few times in the test and it was never mentioned in the "debrief" at the end.  Remember the imporant thing is that you have control of the steering wheel at all times.    Of course I looked ALL AROUND ALL THE TIME, but I did not exaggerate movements unless at a obstructed view junction.   

mirrajay - I had to honk too ;-)

I did cross my hands a few times I know it...I actually asked him and he said you had control of the car at all times.  The main concern was control but obviously I was trying to to shimmy a lot but he was comfortable with me driving so it didnt count against me.  I would think a new person crossing over and not as confident would get marks.  IMO

I don't you can fail on crossing hands.  It can get you a minor though.  At least that is what the boards at the driving instructor website say.