Passing Driving Tests

[Binky]

I´ve been on a bit of a mad one recently driving many thousands of kilmoetres while i´m over here in Bolvia. I don´t have a license at all, but would like to carry the momentum of driving on for when i get back to England.

Don´t fancy forking out around twenty quid a lesson though, people normally need about a dozen lessons equals a lot of money. Plus test fees etc...

Thinking of chancing it and maybe taking my test and seeing if i can nail it. I have a friend who is a driving instructor too so can ask him for pointers etc too.

Anyway, for the advice. What did you guys get minors for or fail on when trying to pass your driving tests? Also is it majorly unrealistic to pass a full license with little to no lessons?

Cheers all, just a little debate.

[andrewsmith]

cheapet way would be to get a Bolivian licence and get a international licence for a year.
Then do your test, i know of a few guy doing that when they've came from Pakistan

[Mr Speirs]

Book your theory test, and book your practical just see how you get on.

Its possible, passed my bike test easily after a year of no training, none at all for mod 1. Just get the theory of it down, then practise yourself, i wouldnt try it without practising alone first mind.

[Binky]

Forgot to say, would i be able to drive some one else car with L plates on if i have someone else experienced in the car or do i have to do it with an instructor?

I started learning like that. £100 a year on a friends insurance using provisional license.

I think the accompanying driver has to have held a licence for more than 3 years, but it isn't like bike instructors who have to be registered.

Take a wander over to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...vers/index.htm to get it from the horses mouth, especially as they're going to change the test soon for both cars and bikes to add "Indepenent Driving"

October the 4th is the change date for cars . What I would do is practice in a car with somebody who has been driving a while , then maybe do a couple of lessons to see what is wrong with your driving . Bill Plant do the first lesson free , visit their site and it will find you a local instructor . I have my Car test on the 15th of October so will be able to tell you what the new one is like from experience .

You must display L plates on the car you are learning in and be insured as well , you can use that car for the test as well as they will check it all out before starting the test .

[G]

You can drive with someone over 21 or with 3 years experience if you display L plates. Their insurance will have to cover someone on a provisional license though.

Most minors are normally for observations, indicating, lane discipline etc... You will have better everything than your standard car driver from being on a bike. You should pass easily. It's the silly things that instructors like to see taking the car out of gear while waiting at lights etc that you need to be careful of.

Maybe do one lesson or two just to get some tips on your bad habits.

Originally Posted by G

It's the silly things that instructors like to see taking the car out of gear while waiting at lights etc that you need to be careful of.

Irrelevant. I've never taught anyone to put it in neutral at lights and it's never been commented on by examiners. That said though, there are a lot of seemingly petty things that examiners insist on seeing and if, as you say, you've been driving a lot abroad then you WILL have bad habits that WILL need addressing before you take a test.

Get yourself an assessment with a qualified instructor, see what bad habits you have, get them fixed and then have a go at the test. You've got a bike licence, road sense and some experience of driving a car so it shouldn't take too long to get up to standard.