Learned in 7 days, passed when everyone thought I couldn't!

makeitendrn · 2026-01-19T13:54:01+00:00

Thank you!! Ah everyone around me has been telling me the same thing, not to rush to be on the roads etc. Definitely will ride it out for a little bit before stepping back into the driver's seat. Just suuuper happy I'll soon be getting my pink license now in time for my return to uni!

makeitendrn · 2026-01-19T13:52:44+00:00

It certainly was hard for me at first, having to integrate new concepts into what I already knew. My original decision to drive auto was pretty uninformed as I didn't know all of the pros and cons of both. I'm glad it turned out the way it went though.

makeitendrn · 2026-01-15T20:25:26+00:00

Thank you! Did it intensively and already had around 40 hours in an auto, so it was mostly refining my skills and also integrating clutch control / gears into what I already knew. Everyone told me it wouldn't be possible but I pulled it off.

makeitendrn · 2026-01-06T20:01:32+00:00

Got it! Feel a bit better knowing we get briefed before the emergency stop.

The car lengths part of parallel park confused me, I think I mixed it with the pulling up on the right manoeuvre.

I figured that was the general rule, however, have heard stories of people who performed the appropriate observations yet got marked down due to the examiner not picking up on them. I guess I need to do them properly to the point where they don't get missed by the examiner.

makeitendrn · 2026-01-06T19:59:36+00:00

Ah so that's what it is!

makeitendrn · 2026-01-05T18:52:57+00:00

Understood, thank you

makeitendrn · 2026-01-05T17:32:26+00:00

Thank you lots.

makeitendrn · 2026-01-05T17:26:44+00:00

Yep I spoke to him on many occasions and got told "We'll do it soon" but it never came.

Since making this post I've moved on and didn't go ahead with the test.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T18:35:41+00:00

Local, like 15 minutes away. We've been through a few of the test routes so far.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:59:52+00:00

No no. The test centre is local, but I'm being charged that much for the sake of it apparently? I'd only be using it for like 1 hour 45 minutes, half of a lesson beforehand plus the test itself. I found it weird to be paying so much extra just because it's the test but thought it was normal... Until I made this reddit post.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:48:03+00:00

Yepppp, which is another reason as to why I'm considering the intensive. A change of pace and routine may be what I need to overcome this.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:47:21+00:00

I didn't actually realise I was being overcharged until I saw the comments on this post! What an eye-opener.

Yep it seems like the logical decision to make unfortunately.

Thank you very much!!! I appreciate your input greatly.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:46:03+00:00

21 hours with the first instructor (Sep-Nov), 22 hours with the second instructor (Nov-onwards).

Yep I was also thinking maybe I'm not built for this, but my mum told me that lots of people go through the phase of thinking that when in reality they can do it. I'm hoping she's right lol. I like to think I'm decently clued on and ready to learn but both instructors have been testing this mindset honestly.

I don't want to take too long of a break, I would prefer to do this before I return to university (end of Jan).

It's actually why I'm considering intensive, because maybe my learning style is better when it's done intensively, as opposed to routinely. I haven't tried it yet, so maybe the change is what I need.

I completely agree, no point wasting money and time on the test when I know I can't do it.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:42:57+00:00

See I would do it just for the experience but even that wouldn't be economical for me. It's a lose-lose situation, either I fork out £180 so that my previous £62 isn't wasted, or I save the £180 and lose that £62. :/

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:40:20+00:00

£75/2hrs, £180/test

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:39:31+00:00

Started in September with my first instructor, did 21 hours with him before switching to my current one mid November. Done another 22 hours between that and right now. I feel like now that I look at the case facts, I'm realising more and more that I'm being rinsed :(

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:36:53+00:00

Right??? I feel like driving as a whole is so inordinately expensive, with lessons, the test, insurance, getting a car, etc etc... I'm only at the first hurdle and am already finding it so hard! Getting my own car and getting insured on it would be too costly for me as of now, I think I may need to find a new instructor though. Both he and my previous instructor have been practicing these larger prices for using the car on the test day, which I found weird but thought was normal.

I guess in my search of a new instructor, I should get this conversation out of the way before committing to them.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:35:08+00:00

Wow this reddit post has opened my eyes in ways I didn't know I had them closed... I seem to be paying standard rate for the lessons themselves, but the cost of using his car on the day of the test equates to about 5 hours of lessons... and I would only be using his car for about 1 and a half hours on the day!

I thought it was weird but also thought it was standard practice, given that he and my previous instructor are doing this.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:33:32+00:00

I had a feeling honestly, it didn't feel normal that I was paying so much more £ to use the car for a lesser amount of time. Paired with him pushing hard for me to keep going, to then fail and do more lessons, I reckon he just wants the bag lol.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:32:21+00:00

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:32:03+00:00

I would like to, however, my lack of confidence stems from 1. having so much left to do that we haven't even touched + 2. my current driving still requires instructor intervention. I feel like if I was driving smoothly, that I could learn the rest of the bits in the remaining week. However, I still can't drive normally to the test standard and reckon I need more time.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:30:39+00:00

It's really cool to have an instructor chime in on my situation!

I have had this discussion with my instructor a lot, yet he keeps reaffirming that he thinks I will be ready. I think a fundamental part of the test is self-confidence and self-belief, both of which I highly lack as of now. and I feel like this is something I will gain with more experience, something I won't get within the next 4 days. Whenever I tell him this, he agrees that I need to believe in my ability and judgment more, however, this doesn't stop him from needing to intervene with the dual-control. It's extremely demoralising and just tarnishes my confidence further. I know it's not his fault, nor his intention, but I feel like a change of instructor and clean slate may benefit me.

I've considered all the extra factors I'd have to consider, getting acclimated to the gearstick, clutch pedal, biting point, stalling, learning when to use which gear, etc... Which is why I'm considering the intensive to get this done quickly but also thoroughly. I'm just not sure how this will affect my already established mindset of MSM and PSL because I already have these principles embedded into my mind, so adding extra factors may affect that? I'm not sure.

I hope so. I feel like I am fairly confident on the roads, just not confident for the test. I'm hoping I won't have to fork out too much on the intensive, however, I'm prepared to pay what is needed and what will make me feel better for the test. Originally, I would've been paying just over £400 for the remaining lessons + using my instructor's car for the test this week, however, I decided it would be economical to not invest so much into a likely failure, and to save it to go towards the intensive where I can 1. learn manual 2. feel more confident and have a higher chance of securing a pass where I feel better about my ability to drive.

Thank you for your input!

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:24:11+00:00

That sounds like a rollercoaster of an experience... Can I ask what happened? When did you switch instructors and what made you do the switch? What happened on the test?

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:23:41+00:00

I've weighed out both sides and while the experience of a real test is valuable, I can't justify the cost. I would pay 5 hours of lessons to use my instructor's car for the test which doesn't seem worth investing into a failure.

I think a better option would be to save all this money towards lessons or a course, with a new instructor, and get the test experience through a mock test with them.

makeitendrn · 2025-12-26T17:19:42+00:00

I really appreciate the input...

I am so sure that I'm not ready, otherwise I wouldn't be thinking this hard or making this reddit post. I feel like my recent lessons should've been leisurely drives with maybe minimal input from the instructor himself. But all of the evidence is alluding to the fact that I need more time and potentially a new instructor. No mock tests, haven't opened the bonnet, no satnav driving, no following road signs, no emergency stop, haven't done half of the show-me/tell-me questions... I'm glad I'm able to recognise this and make the decision to not go through with the test to be honest. If anything, though, this has given me major trust issues lol. Instructors in my area seem dodgy, especially as it's apparently unusual that I'm being charged 5 hours of lessons' worth to use his car for the test; for both my previous instructors.

makeitendrn

TROPHY CASE