Driving tests and examinations

@Bizziebod (3497)
April 18, 2007 12:43pm CST
My daughter is learning to drive at the moment and while I've been taking her out in her car as well as her taking lessons from a professional instructor, many of the things I was taught are not taught nowadays! In the UK they now have to do a theory exam as well as taking an hours practical exam, when I passed my test all we had was three questions on the highway code and then the practical! I was talking to my Canadian friend and she was telling me about her experiences in passing her test over there. What happens in your country when you want to take your driving test? Let me know some of your experiences on taking your test.
2 people like this
8 responses
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
28 Apr 07
Thankfully I was fortunate enough to take my test back in 1989 where the theory test wasn't in place! I passed the second time round, I failed on a roundabout would you believe it was a stupid mistake but enough to fail me on. It was a nerve wracking experience and not one I'd wish to repeat. The second time around I had made sure I had mastered roundabouts first. I was so thrilled I had passed. Good luck to your daughter
@Bizziebod (3497)
5 May 07
Thank you for your good luck thoughts! I passed my test in 1990 so was lucky to avoid the theory test too and the rest, there's so much more nowadays like parallel parking, bay parking and such like, they don't even teach them to change down gears anymore! I failed my first test by reversing up the kerb! luckily I had a really nice examiner the next time and i'm sure the low cut top helped lol!
• India
23 Apr 07
i had my driving test long ago and i was so nervous that my stomach was doing summersalts. there was small easy questionaire about the signs and rules that i did well. the best thing that helped me with nerves was bach rescue remedy you can buy it in any pharmacy or health store.i found it excellent. let your kid be sure and have a good night sleep and a good breakfast. if she's sure of your routes and rules of the road etc. she should be fine. remember the mirrors! they are so important if she can show that she's is a cautious driver and always alerts herself. good luck to your daughter
@Bizziebod (3497)
26 Apr 07
Hi, I'm sure nerves will get the better of my daughter when she comes to pass her test. She's not quite ready for it yet but we're getting there, we go out for an hour or so every night in her car then she has an hour and a half of lessons each week. It's her mirrors that she is having problems with at the moment so hopefully the extra practice will do her well!
@kathy77 (7486)
• Australia
19 Apr 07
Oh well when going to try and get your driving tests and examinations before you even attempt to go for your Learning plates in Australia you are given a theory examination, and then you have to put in 50 hours of learning, and after that before you are even given the next part of your driving so that you receive a P plate then you have to go and have another exam if you then pass this then you will be given the provisional drivers licence which can last for 3 years or more it depends on your age so this goes on until you reach 26 years of age.
@Bizziebod (3497)
19 Apr 07
Gosh that sounds quite a tough one to go through then, I guess 50 hours of learning would be more than enough. I suppose it would make you guys better drivers though! Thanks for your response Kathy
23 Apr 07
I was 50 before I even learnt to drive and had to sit a theory test before my driving test. I also had to show some practical knowledge of what went on under the bonnet too. I failed my first driving test on two points, failed my second test on the same two points and was so determined to pass on the third attempt I was out and driving with my instructor for two hours before my test, just to make sure I didn't mess up again. I passed :-)
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
26 Apr 07
I must admit I failed my test the first time as I reversed up the kerb instead of around it. I think the only thing that will let mine little one down is nerves! You know what they say third time lucky and it was for you!
1 person likes this
20 Apr 07
Hey BIZZIE!!! Sorry about that. =/, I haven't took a driving test yet, to tell the truth I'm not to bothered about it but I know what you talking about, I live quite close to a driving school and I've noticed they ask questions regarding "break downs" and how to fix basic issues. which seems somewhat pointless because what's the aa for? plus it doesn't really have much to do with driving, useful don't get me wrong but a waste of time for a driving test imo. Plus I hate driving instructors because they use the close which I live for a personal parking zone, general stops and blooming pipping hooters. (even though they're not supposed to park there) ~Joey P.s Sorry about the strange moan there. haha =)
1 person likes this
@Bizziebod (3497)
21 Apr 07
No probs Joey, I've sent you a PM with some links, let me know if it hasn't arrived as you know the probs I have with PM'ing! My friend lives on an estate which is prime target for learner drivers and sometimes gets so fed up with them, which I can really understand seeing it both from an experienced drivers point of view and from a learner as I'm teaching my daughter to drive at the moment! Thanks for your response! All the best!
• India
22 Apr 07
The procedure out in my country is pretty easy and straight forward. You first need to apply for a learner's license. You just need to provide proof of age (one has to be a minimum of sixteen years to drive a gear-less two wheeler, 18 for geared two wheelers and other classes of vehicles) and address proof. The learner's license means that you can drive a vehicle under the supervision of a person with a valid driving license. One also has to display a prominent 'L' sign on the vehicle to indicate the 'learner' status. This license is valid for three months. You can apply for a permanent license anytime you feel that you are ready. You would have to answer a multiple choice question paper that includes interpretation of traffic signs and other questions. One has to make it to a fixed cut-off to make the cut to the driving test. The test has to be repeated if one doesn't make it to the cut-off. The driving test is the next thing. You will need to demonstrate competent driving, reversing and parking skills to get certified and get a license.
@Bizziebod (3497)
23 Apr 07
Hi, that sounds pretty similar to over here, learner driver have to display a prominent 'L' while driving, although the learner license last for life unless it's a motorcycle provisional license. Thanks for responding!
22 May 07
Thank you for the best respons hun
@wachit14 (3595)
• United States
18 Apr 07
Here you have to have completed your permit test and then you are eligible for practicing driving. You must complete a five hour course in order to be eligible for the actual driving test. How you get it is really not important, but you must have it. Our public schools here in New York offer drivers' ed which is free to us as long as our kids are still in school. Once they complete their five hours, they can schedule a driving test even if they have to still complete their driver's ed.
@Bizziebod (3497)
18 Apr 07
Thank you for your response, a five hour course is extremely long, would this be with an examiner or is this just with an instructor of some kind?