Failed Driving Test :@

[shane12345]

Just thought i would tell ya all that i failed lol..

I drove excellently so the examiner said, apart from on my 3 point turn.

He made me do it in this area surrounded by parked cars, I noticed another learner driver getting quite close to me and ended up watching her rather than looking all around. So I got a serious for that.

Otherwise i would have got 3 minors..

So annoyed with myself :mad:

[-Matt-]

:cry: I feel for you!

I eventually passed my test on the third attempt. I knew I could perform all of the maneuvers and my driving instructor thought I should have no problems - its just that I put myself under so much pressure to pass that I choked!

Don't worry, I'm sure you will pass it next time, just try to chill out and don't build it up into such a massive thing. :)

Is there a different town nearby that has a test centre - the change of location may help you get over the previous problems.

[shane12345]

Cheers mate.

I guess its no big deal really. I have re-booked for March 10th.

Its the nerves that caught me out.. but at least i know what to expect on my next go.

[Mary99]

What does this even have to do with bimmers???? :dunno:

[-Matt-]

Well you do have to pass your test to drive one - but point taken it should probably have been posted in off topic.

[superalex]

i passed from
first time , my writing test and my driving test lol

[Haelo]

Now you know your driving is good enough to pass, all you have to do is concentrate on that one problem :D

[johnf]

i passed from
first time , my writing test and my driving test lolI suspect the UK tests might be a little more challenging. I studied for one US written test while waiting in line. (The road test, on the other hand, was quite well done and checked that you didn't make just about every bonehead move I witnessed over the next six years.)

I have had to take three different exams in three different states and learned things I later applied from each. Being careful and precise when parking is a good thing: it is surprisingly easy to make expensive contact with your surroundings while maneuvering at low speeds.

Out of curiosity, in the UK are you also expected to signal the turn while you are driving backwards?

[shane12345]

"Out of curiosity, in the UK are you also expected to signal the turn while you are driving backwards?"

Nah, only need to indicate to pull over if there is a car behind you, or alwasys when you are turning at a junction. Otherwise we are taught not to.

Reverse lights are classed as the signal. However if a car approaches while you are attempting to reverse round a corner or whatever, we are expected to pull forward and start again.

The UKs test is one of the hardest, however they are on about making it a lot harder. 5 times harder.

Our pass rates; http://www.driving-test-success.com/dsa_driving_test_centre_pass_rates.htm

[E36 Phantom]

Shane,
Bro, sorry to hear. At least you know what you did wrong and can correct it next time. Its unfortunate the other testee was there, but it is a good reflection of real world driving. You have to watch other cars and also watch other surroundings, and do both well at the same time. Thats why many teens have accidents, it does take practice to get used to that.

Sorry, and good luck next time!


What does this even have to do with bimmers???? :dunno:
Mary, in all honesty, you need to seriously relax.

I have watched the E36 subforum steadily decline in numerous aspects, both knowledge-wise and camaraderie-wise. While the knowledge is necessary, the camaraderie is no less important. This isn't a totally OT post, and if you've visited BFest OT lately, its miserable and his post likely would have been ignored. This is the E36 section, his "home" on the Fest, and where he wants to share a driving-related experience. I peek in here now and then and skim over some of the posts, and from reading many of yours, you have a fairly decent amount of knowledge, especially in electrical areas. However, you seem unwilling to give more than basic info rather than genuinely helping someone out, and seem particularly disinterested. Since electrical has never been a particularly strong point of this subforum, why not help out more rather then being so uptight. Apologies for the long rant, but I was already thinking this from many of your other posts and your post here was a good summation of the general attitude from most of your posts. Sorry, but you need to chill out.
i passed from
first time , my writing test and my driving test lol
Having taken a California license test (the driving one) less than 2 years ago, and a California learners permit test (the written one), I can say quite legitimately that any monkey thats been in CA for a few month should be able to pass both of those first time. The CA license test showed me exactly why there are so many retards on the road-you can't fail it!!!
Those outside of the US, read this, and it will explain why most Americans can't drive! Its my pet rant.
Honestly, it takes more than FOURTEEN serious errors to fail! How ridiculous! It should be about FIVE. Yes, I know all the 16 year olds that just had daddy buy them a new car will go home and cry if they fail, but the roads will be much better. The entire steps to getting a license in CA are absolute BS. From my personal experience:
Took ONLINE drivers ed. I already knew about ~90% of the boneheaded info being presented. Took me one day spending a few hours (about 4) to finish, and less than an hour the next day to take the online test to pass drivers training.
Certificate was mailed to me in August. At the end of Nov, I was eligible to take my permit test. 46 questions. EIGHT errors allowed. I made 3, on things that will never make a practical difference (Q: How long can you lose your license for if you get caught drunk driving? A:I don't know and don't care, I'll never DUI anyway....) You get the idea.
So, 6 months under learners permit. I was already a capable driver, I'd been driving plenty before that... :eeps:. I drove out of the DMV parking lot.
Drivers training: A mere 6 hours of driving around with an instructor. City driving...yawn. Freeway driving, actually, that was scary, because I was in a late model Corolla with a 3 speed transmission that wouldn't stop hunting. Even still, my driving instructor *complimented* me for going *85* (which, coincidentally, I think was about where the Corolla tops out...haha). He told me, quite frankly, that I shouldn't do that on the test of course, but in the real world it was better to go that fast.
The test: Ah, the big day. Well, not really. Never came within a mile of a freeway, never went above 35MPH, never hit any remotely busy roads, didn't even have to parallel park!!! I got 4 errors, all for "not checking my mirror before changing lanes to the right". However, I did, and always do, he just failed to observe it. Effectively, no errors.
Honestly, any monkey could have past. I consider myself a very skilled driver. The drivers test should have been something that had ME shaking in my boots. I wasn't. I don't understand why on earth they even make you take a test, its so pointless....

I suspect the UK tests might be a little more challenging. I studied for one US written test while waiting in line. (The road test, on the other hand, was quite well done and checked that you didn't make just about every bonehead move I witnessed over the next six years.)
Are you referring to the UK road test or US road test? I thought the US road test

[johnf]

It was the Washington State road test from about 20 years ago, which, by the way, I failed the first time around, through insufficient respect (i.e. the normal and usual amount of respect) for painted, American stop lines. Even better, I almost got the same examiner again, but he excused himself when he saw me, went back in for new paperwork and then failed someone else. (He seemed a little pedantic.)

I practiced a bit and made sure to drive my second test, by the book, which made a good impression on his replacement. He was cool. He dinged me a couple points on a technicality that he admitted he, himself, would likely not observe. He told me he only did that to show he was doing his job!

[Conehead]

Just thought i would tell ya all that i failed lol..

I drove excellently so the examiner said, apart from on my 3 point turn.

He made me do it in this area surrounded by parked cars, I noticed another learner driver getting quite close to me and ended up watching her rather than looking all around. So I got a serious for that.
Otherwise i would have got 3 minors..

So annoyed with myself :mad:


Is just so terrible that the driving instructors try to simulate 'real time' situations on the road hey.

I would suggest thet because you failed, that you are most likely not ready to be (for want of a better term) unleashed on the roads to an unsuspecting public.

Get a bit more practices and see what happens.

Just rememer tho, driving licences are a privlidge, not a right.

Cone
XXX

[wingspan]

Sorry to hear, best of luck with your next test booking.

I passed on my first time as an American working in the UK, and it was not easy I can tell you. We took about 12 hours of instruction via an AA-approved instructor out of Lee on the Solent. My driving test was reasonably uneventful; I forgot a few "mirror, signal, manoeuvre"s and I think I didn't do spectacularly well in backing round the corner.

The driving signs were easy, I got the triangle shaped one, bounded by red, with a picture of a Cow on it. :D

Of course the worst part was that Mrs. Wingspan got less ticks than I did, a fact which she has never let me forget, of course :mad: :rofl:

[Muffcaptain]

What does this even have to do with bimmers???? :dunno:

why are u the most annoying person to ever come to bimmerfest... stop being a b**** :rolleyes: if u dont like the thread, then dont read it.

[damnitjohn]

mary. we don't want to gang up on you, just would like to see you be a little nicer. people that post questions on here, are asking for help, not criticism. if they fear being made fun of or made to feel stupid, they will quit posting.
just think about how you would recieve some of these posts if they were pointed at you.;)

[jh1328]

why are u the most annoying person to ever come to bimmerfest... stop being a b**** :rolleyes: if u dont like the thread, then dont read it.

easy, guys...we dont wanna discourage people from being a part of our comm. Chad allready said what needed to be said. ive been a memeber of this forum for a while and ive seen people who have amazing insight and knowledge leave here because of flaming and just overall annoyance. we all need eachother's insights and those of you who feel the need to joke around, please do. Those of you who wanna be a dick...stop. theres a line that you know you're crossing when you make a comment that makes someone feel like a piece of sh!it. Just...keep it fun and friendly. i know i sound like a mom...but f-kin deal with it. :rofl:

[SCANDINAVIAN13]

i passed from
first time , my writing test and my driving test lol

I suspect the UK tests might be a little more challenging. I studied for one US written test while waiting in line. (The road test, on the other hand, was quite well done and checked that you didn't make just about every bonehead move I witnessed over the next six years.)

I have had to take three different exams in three different states and learned things I later applied from each. Being careful and precise when parking is a good thing: it is surprisingly easy to make expensive contact with your surroundings while maneuvering at low speeds.

Out of curiosity, in the UK are you also expected to signal the turn while you are driving backwards?

I agree with you completely, John.
As for the signaling question, I do that here in the States, but I'm not sure what the rules are over in the UK.

Shane,
Having taken a California license test (the driving one) less than 2 years ago, and a California learners permit test (the written one), I can say quite legitimately that any monkey thats been in CA for a few month should be able to pass both of those first time. The CA license test showed me exactly why there are so many retards on the road-you can't fail it!!!
Those outside of the US, read this, and it will explain why most Americans can't drive! Its my pet rant.
Honestly, it takes more than FOURTEEN serious errors to fail! How ridiculous! It should be about FIVE. Yes, I know all the 16 year olds that just had daddy buy them a new car will go home and cry if they fail, but the roads will be much better. The entire steps to getting a license in CA are absolute BS. From my personal experience:
Took ONLINE drivers ed. I already knew about ~90% of the boneheaded info being presented. Took me one day spending a few hours (about 4) to finish, and less than an hour the next day to take the online test to pass drivers training.
Certificate was mailed to me in August. At the end of Nov, I was eligible to take my permit test. 46 questions. EIGHT errors allowed. I made 3, on things that will never make a practical difference (Q: How long can you lose your license for if you get caught drunk driving? A:I don't know and don't care, I'll never DUI anyway....) You get the idea.
So, 6 months under learners permit. I was already a capable driver, I'd been driving plenty before that... :eeps:. I drove out of the DMV parking lot.
Drivers training: A mere 6 hours of driving around with an instructor. City driving...yawn. Freeway driving, actually, that was scary, because I was in a late model Corolla with a 3 speed transmission that wouldn't stop hunting. Even still, my driving instructor *complimented* me for going *85* (which, coincidentally, I think was about where the Corolla tops out...haha). He told me, quite frankly, that I shouldn't do that on the test of course, but in the real world it was better to go that fast.
The test: Ah, the big day. Well, not really. Never came within a mile of a freeway, never went above 35MPH, never hit any remotely busy roads, didn't even have to parallel park!!! I got 4 errors, all for "not checking my mirror before changing lanes to the right". However, I did, and always do, he just failed to observe it. Effectively, no errors.
Honestly, any monkey could have past. I consider myself a very skilled driver. The drivers test should have been something that had ME shaking in my boots. I wasn't. I don't understand why on earth they even make you take a test, its so pointless....

The Virginia test is the same. I think they all are in the States. Luckily, the FAA has been doing a decent job of keeping the same idiots out of the sky, for the most part.

My brother's ex-girlfriend failed the written test 3 times, I think. I passed it 100% (the test stops as soon as you get a passing mark, so you can't get more than an 80%, technically, but I didn't get any wrong and didn't need to skip any questions, so I just say 100%) the first time and didn't even study. It's just that simple, and ridiculous.

[BMWredneck]

maybe you shouldnt be staring at the girl? I have to put blinders on when i drive down the interstate. Otherwise ill be runnin off the road and into the other lanes and stuff.
Dont worry though, youll pass some day. I ran 3 stop signs on my test. And failed obviously. Had to come back 3 months later and retest. 2nd test i was run down by the police while the instructor was in the car(instructor was State Police officer w/gun and all essentials) had 2 cops cut me off, and another block me in. He got out, got some coffee and donuts from em shot the **** with em. Then got back in the car and told me to go back. Luckily i passed that time but i had to detail the drivers seat. Left a piss stain on it.

[shane12345]

Passed earlier today with 4 minor faults :D:D:D

Got insured for £1200.

Cheers for the advice everyone.

[B/\/\W]

£1200? Are you a named driver on the policy? My insurance was £2000 for a stupid Ford Fiesta Ghia! Now it's £770 for the 318i after 3 years driving.

[shane12345]

yepp named driver

[Ed103]

I would suggest thet because you failed, that you are most likely not ready to be (for want of a better term) unleashed on the roads to an unsuspecting public.


^
Harsh...

But I do understand where you're coming from. Driving around Los Angeles, you can't go more than five minutes without someone doing something weird in front of you or into you. You see some people driving, and really wonder how they got/still have their license.

But Shane, don't sweat it. The other driver would have been a red flag for anyone. With experience, you'll be able to see it quickly, and watch them while also watching all your mirrors, your corners and any other traffic in both directions. It all comes with time.

It's good though, that you already realize you have to watch and react to others on the road, because they won't always watch for you.

[B/\/\W]

yepp named driver

As long as you build up no-claims then I guess its worth it. And as long as other insurers recognise those no-claims bonuses from being a named driver.

I decided to just get my own policy and bite the bullet.

[-Matt-]

Congratulations Shane!!!

I started to feel like a proper grown up once I passed my test and got some wheels. Such a great feeling to not have to rely on friends, family or public transport.

Enjoy driving your car - but don't go mad! It would be so easy to stick you car in the ditch somewhere if you see this as a ticket to driving god status! Try to remember that passing your test is just the first step to becoming a good driver. It will take a few years of experience to become really good at anticipating dangers before they are apparent and to train your instincts to react without thinking. This is reflected in insurance prices.

:angel:

[E36 Phantom]

Congrats Shane! Glad ya passed bro.


But I do understand where you're coming from. Driving around Los Angeles, you can't go more than five minutes without someone doing something weird in front of you or into you. You see some people driving, and really wonder how they got/still have their license.


+1..... CA drivers FTL....

[sillycar]

they dont' teach you anything on the test except not to speed

I totalled my car tailgating someone on the highway when tehy suddenly changed lanes without braking leaving a stalled car in my lane with no emergency shoulder available

They should teach you to avoid the right lane at all costs as it's happened at least 3 times where I've done an emergency screetch to halt stop on the highway because some car has broke down in a live lane

I failed my first time too, I had to merge on the highway which is nigh impossible if you don't go like 110 km/hr so the instructor said I ran out of laneway merging which is ridiculous I had like 10 m left, lol, I like to cut things close

I learned how to drive in Europe where merging lanes are much shorter and you actually have to look ahead and time instead of Canada where people just merge when tehy feel like it instead of slowing down on teh on-ramp and speeding on the straight-away

[ttgxc]

About 9 years ago is when I took my test. I had been practing my parallel parking and all that jazz in my mom's Volvo. I was home with my dad and my mom had the car out shopping. She was supposed to be home by a certain time, but I guess she forgot while running errands. Well my dad said that the only thing we can do is take his car, a 1986Mercedes 300SDL. I had driven it a few times, but not practiced parking. I was nervous because that car is big and long! Anyway took the test and passed it with a perfect score. The lady said that she was impressed on how well I could handle such a large car :thumbup:

[Xeek]

Where I live tests are as simple as... Turn here, Turn here, Turn here, done. and a small simple common knollege written test, eye test.

They take a route and just make sure you stop at stop signs, signal at turns, etc. Nothing special, like a normal drive (about 5 minutes).

The written test is more like "If a light is yellow do you. A. Prepare to Stop. B. Slow Down. C. Speed Up. Serously questions so close to that, I probably just quoted one.

Here you dont always use turn signals and you never get pulled over for forgetting to. I personally only use a turn signal is there is traffic around me that would benefit from the acknolegement. It's about $20 USD for the license. I know in Europe you can pay over 1500$ to get your license and have to take courses and pass difficult tests. Glad I'm an american!

[shane12345]

Haha.. sounds like you have it a lot easier over there.

I spent £500 on lessons, £100 on the 2 tests and £30 on the theory test which is fairly pointless.

Ahh well its done now :D

Just need the insurance cover note so i can get road tax.. can't wait :D

[ianiac]

Hey congrats man, now take good care of that Bimmer and drive safe.

[Xeek]

Yes, drive safe, cause you only need to show the bmw key to get the girls :-)
Here people automaticly associate BMW, Mercedes with wealth. Little do they know :-), but who cares!