Driving Test

Hi, all,

I'm going through the provisional license process. I have already passed theory and am currently practicing for the practical test. Can anyone tell me where I could find information on where the test routes are? I'm probably going to Northborne (Bournemouth).

Also, what is the road test like? I've always driven a little on the cautious side, and here in the UK they drive more agressively, anyway. Will the examiner expect me to barrel down the rolling English road at 40 mph? This makes me very nervous.

Thanks,
Charlotte

My advice to you would be to book a couple of lessons with a driving instructor. He/she will be able to tell you what the route is as well as giving you all the tips you'll need to pass your test.

It used to be that the routes were published online, but while trying to find them for you, I see that they stopped doing this last October:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11222534

ETA: I definitely agree with Chary--get some lessons to prepare for the test. If you are already comfortable driving you probably won't need many. I got criticized for being overly cautious while reversing around a corner, but I passed! That said, they will expect you to get up to speed on dual carriageways, etc.

Thanks. I'll be hiring a few school lessons after I book the test.

Would anyone know if anyone who already has a valid US licence and years of driving experience ever failed and, if so, what were they failed on?

Thanks again.
Charlotte

Thanks. I'll be hiring a few school lessons after I book the test.

Would anyone know if anyone who already has a valid US licence and years of driving experience ever failed

My yes, all the time. Chances of passing are greatly increased with lessons and some locations(cities) maybe easier than others.

(its being so cheerful that keeps me going)

Yes, I had my US licence for 10+ years, and I still failed the UK test the first time.  I failed because I didn't drive in a bus lane when it was open to cars.  The fact that that is considered a major fault just shows how detailed and specific the practical test is - if the speed limit is 40, you will need to go 40. I would also recommend booking some lessons with an instructor - they will be able to teach you what you need to do to pass the test.

Thanks. I'll be hiring a few school lessons after I book the test.

Would anyone know if anyone who already has a valid US licence and years of driving experience ever failed and, if so, what were they failed on?

Thanks again.
Charlotte

I had been driving in the USA for 20 years and failed the first time here.  I did not leave enough room between me and the car that was oncoming when I turned out of the test centre.  Of course, I was not informed of this until after I finished the test.  In this instance I think my experience worked against me-I felt comfortable with the distance, but the examiner was not.  
IMHO the test over here is much more difficult than my test when I was 16 in the States.  
Like others, I recommend some lessons with a driving instructor.  
Good luck.  

It's very common for people, even those with years of experience driving in the US, to fail at first.

I did not leave enough room between me and the car that was oncoming when I turned out of the test centre.

Oh, well, that's good news to me. I know that if I have any problems it will be in being over-cautious and defensive.

Everybody's faith in driving instructors is touching. Unfortunately, I was a driving instructor in the US for a couple years and I have a little bit more jaded view on the subject. It seems like most of what I was taught to do was convince people they needed (to buy) more professional instruction and all my boss cared about was lobbying the state to raise the number of legally required hours. Still, I'll hire one because it's always good to pay the required tribute and I might want to use their car for the test and, as is pointed out, I can ask questions and learn what's important to pass the test.

Thanks again for the advice.

At least 1 or 2 lessons here will help you if you have obviously the right person teaching you.  Its the little details they will show you like the route you may take, call you out on small things like the head bob as you check rear view and indications when doing the reverse around a corner.

I say you will be fine if you were an instructor just follow the rules but I even had a friend who is an instructor go out for a ride with me and tell me what would get me points taken off.

good luck!

Oh, well, that's good news to me. I know that if I have any problems it will be in being over-cautious and defensive.

Everybody's faith in driving instructors is touching. Unfortunately, I was a driving instructor in the US for a couple years and I have a little bit more jaded view on the subject. It seems like most of what I was taught to do was convince people they needed (to buy) more professional instruction and all my boss cared about was lobbying the state to raise the number of legally required hours. Still, I'll hire one because it's always good to pay the required tribute and I might want to use their car for the test and, as is pointed out, I can ask questions and learn what's important to pass the test.

Thanks again for the advice.

l don't know what state you drove in,but l passed my so called "driving test" in FL and it was a complete joke,you don't even go out onto the road down there ! There is absolutely no comparison between that and the UK driving test. I've heard that said about some other states as well but l don't know how widespread that practice is.

l think it's fair to say that UK driving instructors are fairly well regarded, there may be the odd cowboy around but most,l would suggest,are pretty reputable and knowledgeable. They'll point out small things which are important in the test,such as making sure you actually move your head to look in the rear view and side mirrors,rather than just glancing and only moving your eyes. The examiner will be looking for that. Also putting the car in neutral, and handbrake on, when stopped at traffic lights,so l think it'll definitely pay you to invest in 2 or 3 lessons. Good luck !

You don't need to do anything to the car at a light in an automatic though.

But yes, you will need to do manoeuvres and while a K turn is no problem reversing around a corner properly is another situation. 

I failed because I didn't drive in a bus lane when it was open to cars.  The fact that that is considered a major fault just shows how detailed and specific the practical test is

That doesn't sound right.There should be some kind of safety risk to get a major. Was it just one of 16+ minors?

Also, let us not forget that these guys are British civil servants -- the driving licence equivalent of the immigration officers we all came to know and love during the residency permit portion of this journey. They can do whatever they want to you. Are you sure you were sufficiently grovellingly polite, worshipful and trembling with fear of them?

The driving test is more difficult, IMO, because you have to concentrate on driving on the opposite side of the road, remember various nuances about UK driving law/habits.  In saying that, though, I went out with my DH for several hours a couple of days before the test and passed (although I made some silly nervous minor errors).  I did have a fairly good idea what the test route was, though, which helps.  I hear you cannot download them anymore.   In that case, I would try a source a reputable instructor just to find out the route.  

Also, my poor UKC friend got hammered every time she was tested.  I think they are a bit stricter on younger and/or 1st time drivers & certain cities have a high failure rate. He failed her once for something I was given a "minor" error for...perhaps they need the money?  

That doesn't sound right.There should be some kind of safety risk to get a major. Was it just one of 16+ minors?

Also, let us not forget that these guys are British civil servants -- the driving licence equivalent of the immigration officers we all came to know and love during the residency permit portion of this journey. They can do whatever they want to you. Are you sure you were sufficiently grovellingly polite, worshipful and trembling with fear of them?

I'll admit to rolling my eyes a lot during the process, but, at least for me, both my driving instructor and the lady who conducted my test were completely polite and helpful. I never felt pressured to take more lessons from my instructor (he in fact told me to cut back the number I had planned as I was fine) and the woman conducting the test was extremely professional. I'm sure there are those who are in it to make the most money etc, and there are definitely some wack-a-doodles out there (didn't one of us have just an awful person who went to schedule a haircut during the lesson?), but really, I couldn't have gotten as good at driving here, as quickly as I did, without the instructor (mostly because there was no way in the world I would EVER have driven with my husband to practice, talk about a recipe for disaster!).
I also actually haven't had all that many negative experiences with IOs (just one, in fact, in the nearly 10 years I've been going back and forth/living in the UK). I am FURIOUS at the way the government treats immigrants and annoyed at much of the media, but the general person to person interactions I have had have mostly been pleasant.
Just my 2p.