Managed to get test number 3 booked this saturday

Well I wanted 4 hours plus restest, turned out if I only had 2 hours plus 2 hours 6.30 to 10.30 test I could have this saturday, So I decided for one more try this side of christmas, I figured 3.45 mins approx before entering the test station might be all I need to nail the gearchange, on the other hand im fully prepared for it to all go ■■■■ up again :unamused:

10.30 sat test - not so many commercials to help you get out onto free flowing roundabouts but less general traffic about.
Look for the two cars together that are turning into your road to help you enter.
Look across the roundabout and see where the cars are set up before they enter - that will let you know which are turning right and which are straightening the roundabout to go straight on - no good seeing the car that is already tucked into the centre of the roundabout as it could be coming your way or not.

Is it the gear exercise or general use of gears that you are worried about?

If gear exercise then TAKE YOUR TIME - gears 1, 2, & 3 gently - no harsh revs - push revs in gear 4 so that it goes into 5 easy. Get the speed DOWN to change down to the next gear and when you put a few revs on in the gear you have just changed down to - LET IT DIE - before downchanging to the next one - sounds daft, but try smiling whilst you do the exercise - it tends to relax most people and stops the rush mode cutting in.
(Someone told me that if you smile when you answer the phone, your response to the caller is different than if you don’t - HOW TRUE THAT IS.) - It’s all to do with some sort of phsyco stuff that I know nowt about :confused: :blush: :slight_smile:

If general use of the gears then THINK THINK THINK where you are in the box now and where you want to go to - DO NOT RUSH ANY GEAR CHANGE - I try and get my trainees to “pause” when in neutral before engaging the gear they want - it makes for a smoother change and gives that second to THINK AGAIN.

Hi Rog, its the gears in general, never had a problem with any exercise on test just general gear change wrong gear for the situation, hills, and undue hesitaion 3 faults on both last time as well as other minors, rushing from fourth to fifth, although my last instructor told me forget fouth go from third to fifth, , he said no wieght means I should block change. I found it a little confusing as I was using fourth all week, on my first test. Im testing with yet another instructor, lol Not sure wht his thoughts on block changing from third to fifth are.

Rizz:
Hi Rog, its the gears in general, never had a problem with any exercise on test just general gear change wrong gear for the situation, hills, and undue hesitaion 3 faults on both last time as well as other minors, rushing from fourth to fifth, although my last instructor told me forget fouth go from third to fifth, , he said no wieght means I should block change. I found it a little confusing as I was using fourth all week, on my first test. Im testing with yet another instructor, lol Not sure wht his thoughts on block changing from third to fifth are.

All ours are 3rd to 5th in normal driving conditions but 3 to 4 if entering a roundabout and getting 5 would interfere with the steering

rushing from fourth to fifth

Ah, The magic word RUSHING!!

All rushing does is speed you to a fail slip.
As Rog said earlier TAKE YOUR TIME.
Taking your time does not mean driving more slowly. It simply means making sure you allow yourself the time needed to get each gear and to take each juntion and make every move you need to do in good time and nice and easly.
Dont rush up to junctions in the wrong gear then try to change down and slow down at the same time.
Do one thing at a time.
Slow down til you feel you cannot go any slower in that gear then slip it nicely into the lower gear and keep the speed steady before slowing down again etc.
Another trick on the gear change is - go one two three four up the gears as nsormal (we can all get that right) then when you need to go back down TAKE YOUR TIME again.
Check your mirrors - then count to two - then take foot off accelerator - then count to two - then touch the brake and start to slow down.
When you are real slow change gear nice and sloly, feeling for the slots.
Do this all the way down the box.
Dont forget there is NO RUSH.
On test you are not going anywhere - you are not on a timer,d you are just driving round for an hour going nowhere.
It is nsot a test as such it is simply a demonstration of correct procedure so SHOW the examiner how it should be done.
Good luck on Saturday and come back in and tell us how you passed with flying colours.

Hi Rizz, ROG and mothertrucker have given you sound advice there mate. One thing I did when I went in for my tests is go in with a positive attitude. Yes I was very nervous but I said to myself I CAN DO THIS AND I AM GONNA DO IT. Taking your time is definatley the key to a relaxed drive. The examiner wants to feel relaxed on test… Not rushed. As ROG said look for blockers on the roundabout so you know when to go. If unsure don’t rush out. If its not safe to go don’t panic. Stay on the ball and sharp and you will be fine.

All the best. I can’t wait for you to post youve passed :smiley:

Nige

Hi Rizz all the best and just give the examiner
a safe ride, they do not expect you to be PERFECT
they just wish to see that you are a safe and
competent driver, and by the way when you have the
ticket in your hands then ,this is where the lessons really
get harder as we ALL learn something NEW every day,as
school only finishes when you STOP drivering for ever,

ALL THE BEST;HAVE A GOOD ONE:

good luck