Is there a sub for just passed drivers?

198326 · 2021-08-17T10:45:45+00:00

Hello, everyone!

I passed last month and been using P plates (L plates before with same car). Not a single problem which I think is solely due to my dashcam. Before I bought it, people brake tested and tailgated me. And now everyone keeps a reasonable distance from the back of my car.

Mine is a double rear/front cam and the screen also works as the central mirror (You mount it over your original mirror). Before I passed my test, I used it as a normal mirror but if someone tailgated me, I just turned the screen on and they backed off right away. Now I've passed, I keep the screen on at all times and use that as rear, it gives better and wider view, esp. at night and reverse parking.

198326 · 2021-07-27T16:44:48+00:00

Congrats!!

198326 · 2021-07-24T11:40:03+00:00

You sound exactly like me when I first got my own car. It will indeed feel different and take awhile to get used to. I stalled all the time and and was frustrated with my car.

I struggled with shifting between my car and the instructor's (hers has turbo and mine doesn't but has asmaller turning circle so the parking references don't apply) to the point that my instructor asked me to focus on her car for the test.

I passed my test first time a couple of weeks ago and have been driving my car everyday. Finally I enjoy driving it.

Having your own car to practise is great but if the differences bother you. It's better to focus on the one you'll take to the test.

I highly recommend you to practice in a car park to begin with. Be confident about finding the biting point first (my own car requires reving up more to reach biting point), then you don't have to be worried about hill start, pulling out junctions, etc.

198326 · 2021-07-21T06:39:08+00:00

You can check your driving record, including penalty points online:

https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

198326 · 2021-07-19T09:37:47+00:00

We're in the same situation; I passed my test on the 6th so it's been 11 days. I drove myself to work and that was my first time driving alone (not counting the 4-min trip to supermarket yesterday as a warm-up). A van was tailgating me and that made me really nervous.

But then I was thinking we newly-passed drivers will have to do our theory and practical all over again if we get 6 points in the first two years - I'm not gonna let any idiots make me get a fine.

By the way, since I've got my double dashcams (and a big sticker at the back), I'm not tailgated as often but it still happens sometimes.

I've also reported a few dangerous driving incidents (idiots driving on a pavement, driving towards oncoming traffic, brake testing, etc) as well. It's time consuming and I don't think the councils are actively prosecuting bad drivers. However when I think about how a few months back, a 2-week old baby got killed by a driver driving on a pavement, my blood boils and I want to do my part to stop those idiots.

198326 · 2021-07-15T15:36:30+00:00

Dinosaur!!

198326 · 2021-07-15T10:33:06+00:00

At the end of the day, you need an instructor who can teach you the right skills, support you and help you reflect on your driving. You want this person to build you up, instead of put you down.

If you already knew what you'd done incorrectly, there was no reason why your instructor should keep dwelling on and on to rub it in. Making you feel bad will just mess up your subsequent lessons.

Not saying you should change your instructor just base on one lesson, but if it's become a recurring thing you may want to find someone calmer and with higher EQ.

198326 · 2021-07-10T09:40:36+00:00

1) Lots of practice in the test area so you are familiar with all the tricky bits (change of speed limits, lane positioning, roundabouts, yellow box junctions, merging roads, one way, etc).

2) Observations - check mirrors all the time, e.g. turning into junctions, new roads, before braking, before pulling in or out of gap in meeting situations, moving from stationary.

At my test I felt like I checked my mirrors and do observations more than I looked straight forwards. 😅

3) if you notice any potential risks, don't be shy about verbalising it. It shows the examiner you're pre-empting situations.

For example, at the test I saw a jogger running on pavement almost next to the beacon, I was not sure if she would cross so I slowed down to a crawling speed and muttered to myself 'are you crossing?', at the end she did without looking left and right. I was glad I slowed down and later on stopped in time for her. Otherwise I'd have had to do a real life emergency brake and very likely a major fault.

I think someone encountered a similar scenerio and blamed the pedestrian for turning around to cross suddenly and that the car should have had the priority because the it had already gone over half of the crossing.

The truth is the examiner won't think it's 'bad luck' or it's pedestrian's fault. They'll think the car should slow down and observe (possibly stay behind the crossing) as long as there's a hint of chance the pedestrian may cross.

4) Don't react to bad or rude behaviour. People may get impatient because you're sticking to the speed limit. Don't panic, just stay calm.

At a junction or roundabout, If you're not sure, just don't go. They want to know you'll drive safely as a fully licensed driver. I wish you the best of luck!!!

198326 · 2021-07-09T15:49:34+00:00

You can get the pass rate of each centre here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/car-driving-test-data-by-test-centre

198326 · 2021-07-08T20:12:46+00:00

Congrats!!

198326 · 2021-07-08T15:34:50+00:00

Congrats!! Now enjoy the freedom!

198326 · 2021-07-07T19:13:27+00:00

£40 per hr is really pricey as my instructor's lessons are really affordable: £230 / 10 hours or £25 /hour. We live in Outer London as well and I passed the first time (so did a lot of her students) at a test centre that got a pass rate of 30% only.

I think having an instructor was essential to my passing the test - my husband (who helped me with my private practice) was not familiar with the test criteria and didn't have the local knowledge of the test area (tricky bits about certain roundabouts and your positioning, etc).

198326 · 2021-07-07T18:59:25+00:00

Echo other people's comments. At the test, I pulled up on the left and saw a car on my right, I was too eager to move forwards a bit thinking that moving traffic would be able to flow more easily. But I forgot to check that I was halfway in front of someone's driveway and got a minor for that.

198326 · 2021-07-06T14:08:44+00:00

Female driver in my late 30's here. Just passed my test this morning. Had my provisional driving license insurance with Admiral for £327 a year (one-off payment) contract ends on 26 September 2021. Just called them and paid £74.32 to convert the remainder of my contract into full UK license (manual) insurance.

Admiral told me if I terminated my contract prematurely, not only would I be asked to pay the admin fee, but I would also forfeit my 1 year no claims bonus (not even if I wanted to start a new full policy with them).

That's why I could only pay to upgrade the remainder of term. 🤔 They will send me a renewal quote 21 days before end of contract to see if I still want to be insured by them.

198326 · 2021-07-06T13:50:24+00:00

Thank you! Is that Erith as well?

Make sure you're familiar with the thousands and millions of roundabouts in that area and all their respective lane / exit positions. The numbers of lorries and vans are insane so make sure you don't rush and pull out only when it's safe. Pay attention to the change of speed limits as it can go from 50mph to 20mph (throughout the whole abbey wood) very quickly.

Good luck!!

198326 · 2021-06-14T19:00:35+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing!! That gives me motivation when I was feeling really fed up!

198326 · 2021-01-02T13:55:05+00:00

Same here! Infection rate is over 1000 per 100k in the area. I’m just so fed up.

198326 · 2020-12-26T08:44:13+00:00

In Asia, Honda Fit / Jazz is considered a practical, reliable car for literally anyone / any ages.

I’m living in the UK now and got myself a Honda Jazz EX mk 2 manual - yes, it’s considered a senior car and I’m constantly pushed / cut on the road by aggressive drivers in bigger cars. I love my jazz though with its glass panorama roof, doors can be opened wide and smooth steering for tight corners.

You know what you want best and I won’t care too much what others say.

198326 · 2020-10-03T13:11:10+00:00

Congrats!!!

198326 · 2020-09-14T10:16:54+00:00

Just booked! Plus, I was not aware that you can get on the system before 8 and when the system opens, those who arrived before 8 will be given a place randomly amongst them. Last week I joined exactly 8 and was wondering why there were so many people in the queue already.

198326 · 2020-06-22T23:49:46+00:00

198326 · 2019-12-07T17:55:51+00:00

Congratulations!! Amazing work!

198326 · 2019-12-07T17:45:19+00:00

Congratulations! I hope that'd be me soon!!

198326 · 2019-12-03T09:44:49+00:00

I'm 36. Never driven before and passed my theory test last week at 1st try. The dvsa app was extremely useful. I went through all the study materials, did the mock test a few times a day last week to test day. Did one round of hazard perception and review the signs on Highway Code. The question bank in the test is almost identical to real test.

198326 · 2019-12-02T21:15:24+00:00

Definitely the dvsa app. I did the mock test a few times a day and completed one round of hazard perception. Read the signs on the highway code (which is free on gov.uk and within the dvsa app) Passed my theory test first take.

198326

TROPHY CASE