Sarah's driving test - a true story of how Sarah overcame her fear of driving and passed her driving test first time



Sarah's fear  |  Sarah's training  |  Sarah's story

Sarah's driving test...
Sarah had completed her intensive training course and passed her theory test. She was now looking forward to her driving test. She booked her driving test online. She managed to get a test within a week and was ready to book a few final top up driving lessons.
On her top up lessons Sarah was driving completly (well almost) unaided by instructions and managed to raise some very interesting points with her driving instructor.

Today was the day of her driving test. A few last minute nerves, but otherwise she was feeling good. She had already been told by her instructor that there would be no nasty surprises on her test, she had covered the whole driving test syllabus and practiced everything necessary to complete her test.

After completing the preliminaries at the driving test centre (signing the declaration, checking licence details, eyesight check and two Show me tell me safety questions) Sarah was now ready to 'rock 'n roll' as she put it.

"Follow the road ahead at all times unless I tell you to turn, or signs indicate otherwise. Start your engine and move off when you are ready" said her driving examiner.

"This was it I am on my way" Sarah thought

Sarah started the engine, then went through her POSM routine.

P - Prepare my car for moving off
O - Observe all around 360 degrees
S - Signal if necessary
M - Move off if it is safe

First few corners and gear changes went fine, need to remember

Mirrors - every time you change speed or direction

"Please pull up on the left at the first suitable place" Said her examiner
"Could you now turn your car around in the road to face the opposite direction, using a forward and reverse gear. Try not to hit the kerbs" He said

"This is it". Sarah thought, "A 3-point turn on a hill. Great, I can show him I have great clutch control. Better wait for that lorry to pass first though."

After finishing her turn in the road, the examiner told her to drive on.
"Please pull up on the left just before the next junction" Said her examiner

"I want you to reverse into the next road on the left, with safety and keeping reasonably close to the keb. Can you reverse into the road for some distance". said her examiner
Sarah now had to reverse her car around a corner which seemed to be a liitle bit on the long side. She remembered:

Apart from all round observations look mainly out of the rear window when reversing, and keep the car slow

Sarah completed the exercise and was asked to move off, when ready by the examiner. Several roundabouts and many junctions later, Sarah was back at the driving test centre.
"You may switch off your engine" said her examiner. "I am very pleased to tell you that you have passed your driving test."

Sarah was overcome by emotion.
"Now I don't have to go to work on the bus" She thought. "The test was exactly like my last few driving lessons, no surprises."

You could pass your driving test, just like Sarah. All you need is plenty of practice of the right type, a good driving instuctor. These factors you have control over, so why would't you pass? The driving examiner you mught say could be strict. Not really true they all work to the same standards. Your driver training should be at a higher standard for your own safety.

You should learn to drive first - then do your driving test - its that simple

More of Sarah's story
Sarah's fear  |  Sarah's training  |  Sarah's story