Help me pass my Driver's Test

[cloudwalking]

Let me just get this out of the way first -- I am a terrible driver. If I'm behind the wheel, get off the sidewalk folks.

I've heard all of the women driver jokes so you can save those too.

Anyway. My parents are getting a new car, so they'll have 3 cars here now, and one will be for me to use. However, I don't have my drivers licence. There are a few reasons why:

- I am a really horrible driver
- Driving makes me nervous
- Don't need to drive to get to work since I've carpooled
- I live within walking distance of a lot of stores, theatre and stuff
- I lived across the street from the school in high school, and then I was homeschooled
- I failed my driver's test 3 times in the past, so it seems like I will never pass anyway!

Well, since this new car is coming into play it's a pretty big incentive to get my licence. Especially since the car would basically be free to me except for gas (my parents are paying the rest).

My biggest problem is that I'm a really bad driver. Mentioning that I have failed my driver's test 3 times is a pretty good indicator of that.

I get real nervous behind the wheel, especially at the test, and as a result I make a shit load of really stupid mistakes (i.e. running a fucking stop sign, wow that was embarassing).

I have practiciced driving. I took driver's ed, I do have my permit, etc. I've done my time in that respect. I do try, I think it's just something I really suck at and the nervousness doesn't help!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any constructive tips/tricks/stories to share? I'm booking another driver's test to go to in a few weeks and I would really like to pass it this time. I don't know anyone who has failed it more than twice, I look like a pretty big idiot when I say I've failed it 3 times.

It's not fun when you take time off work, waste half a day driving to the DMV, waiting, and taking the test only to fail it.

Please help me evilbore!!

[Vizzys]

Aww thats so cute a woman driving. Seriously though, can't help you I need to take mine soon as well.

[The Fake Shemp]

Flirt with the guy that scores your test.  If not, you will fail lol

[CajoleJuice]

Wear a bra as a top.

[dunce cap]

Spend some time in a parking lot being learing to be percise about movements, to get a feel for the steering, paying attention to how the car responds. Learn to be a minimalist about inputs. Take Drivers ED again. Maybe with a differnt guy. Basically try to find one that's really strict about mistakes, and sub consciously drills routines into you brain. You shoudn't get nervous if the instructor catches ALL your mistakes anyway. So you should go out of your way to to be reckless.

[CrystalGemini]

Let me just get this out of the way first -- I am a terrible driver. If I'm behind the wheel, get off the sidewalk folks.

I've heard all of the women driver jokes so you can save those too.

Anyway. My parents are getting a new car, so they'll have 3 cars here now, and one will be for me to use. However, I don't have my drivers licence. There are a few reasons why:

- I am a really horrible driver
- Driving makes me nervous
- Don't need to drive to get to work since I've carpooled
- I live within walking distance of a lot of stores, theatre and stuff
- I lived across the street from the school in high school, and then I was homeschooled
- I failed my driver's test 3 times in the past, so it seems like I will never pass anyway!

Well, since this new car is coming into play it's a pretty big incentive to get my licence. Especially since the car would basically be free to me except for gas (my parents are paying the rest).

My biggest problem is that I'm a really bad driver. Mentioning that I have failed my driver's test 3 times is a pretty good indicator of that.

I get real nervous behind the wheel, especially at the test, and as a result I make a shit load of really stupid mistakes (i.e. running a fucking stop sign, wow that was embarassing).

I have practiciced driving. I took driver's ed, I do have my permit, etc. I've done my time in that respect. I do try, I think it's just something I really suck at and the nervousness doesn't help!

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone had any constructive tips/tricks/stories to share? I'm booking another driver's test to go to in a few weeks and I would really like to pass it this time. I don't know anyone who has failed it more than twice, I look like a pretty big idiot when I say I've failed it 3 times.

It's not fun when you take time off work, waste half a day driving to the DMV, waiting, and taking the test only to fail it.

Please help me evilbore!!

I didn't know you were Asian, Cloud. 

[etiolate]

Perhaps practice in a parking lot more.  If you know the usual drivers test route for your area, practice that.  I didn't pass my first time, but my tester was a bitch. The second time I had a relaxed guy and got a great score.

You need to find something that relaxes you while you drive.  I used music, but the problem with that is you can't have music during a test.  The basic way it is though, the more you drive the more comfortable you are.  An easy to drive car helps a lot as well. What sort of car will you be using?

[cloudwalking]

What sort of car will you be using?

Probably a Ford Contour. It's a little car which is good, I hate huge cars.

I did have shitty tester guys each and every time. Actually, the second time the guy was trying to have a conversation with me about North Dakota WHILE he was giving me the test. That was distracting, and I was all like WTF is this shit?

[G The Resurrected]

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[Diablos]

Cloudwalking: You're 19, right? That's when I got my license, too.

You can do it. If you take it and fail, remember what you REALLY messed up on, and focus on improving that. You can practice at the driver's center on weekends if you want. For example, I could do everything BUT parallel parking (I am still terrible at it, and always will be), so I kept practicing until I could pull it off for the time being. I failed the test twice, passed the third time.

[morphix]

Have you tried professional driving lessons yet?

I took 2 classes and pasted my test the 1st time.  Think I should take them again because I haven't been driving that much over that last few years.  I got into a pretty bad accident about 5 years ago (not my fault someone ran a red light and hit me) and since then I get a little nervous behind the wheel. 

You are a gamer so think of it like a game.  Practice and you'll get better.

[ToxicAdam]

I failed 3 times (twice driving, once on those cones) also. Don't feel bad.

Having the right car is important, second is making sure you take your time. No one has ever failed because they did something slowly. Drive 5-10 mph below the speed limit, turn your signal on early, take slow turns. Be cautious. A driving instructor is more likely to pass someone who errors on the side of caution, than some hotshot who takes shortcuts.

Also, see if there are other testing facilities in your area. Maybe a nearby rural town/city. They are much more lenient in passing people.

[Cyanista]

I ran a red light (barely) during my driving test and still got my license, but the course was offered at my high school, and it was my history teacher grading me.

Driving is nothing to be afraid of.  Old people and teenagers do it, it really isn't that hard.

[BlueTsunami]

I passed my test the first time. I just had to go down a few streets and show that I know hot to stop at signs, turn my blinkers on and how to K turn.

Keep both hands on the wheel, 9 and 2 O'clock.

Keep your eyes straight ahead but don't really focus on anything, keep a peripheral view of everything in front of you.

Anticipate lights. If you see a intersection or something like it down the line, anticipate the stop...put your foot on the brake (but don't brake yet) and let the car coast. People have this thing where they need to accelerate to a stop sign/ set of lights.

Keep to the left side of the street near the middle of the road. Stay on your side obviously but its best to do this since you'll get a better view of whats beyond bends, pedestrians and you won't be worried about veering into something on the side of the road.

Don't play catchup with cars. If you have a nice amount of space in between you and the next car, just stay where you are.

If your close to the back end of another car, just decelerate and put some room between you and the car. Depending you your reaction timeing being too close to a car can really turn you into a bad driver.

If a car behind you is tailing you too closely, don't speed up. Just go the speed thats comfortable for you, don't let other dickheads on the road force you into going speeds you don't want.

Don't be tense! Seriously. I was nervous about driving at first but its cake. Mistakes come from being nervous. In this case, there are millions upon millions of drivers in the world, it isn't hard and shouldn't make you as apprehensive as you seem to be about it.

Thats about it. Just do it up, don't worry about what other people think about your driving skills. Just worry about driving by the book and driving like a regular normal driver.

[pitohui]

I failed the first time I took the test. What I learned: No matter how good your driving skills are, don't forget to turn on your windshield wipers if it starts raining during the test. 

YOU CAN DO IT

[Van Cruncheon]

Driving is nothing to be afraid of.  Old people and teenagers do it

Those two groups are why you SHOULD be afraid of driving!

[Phoenix Dark]

You need to stop worrying. Let me rub your shoulders, and let your hair down. I want to gently suck on your feet; each toe deserves special attention, the attention their body has so long craved. I can feel an empty space inside you, hiding, hiding, hiding away in the corner where no light shines. Let me be your light. I will take it to the deepest parts of your body, until I expose the beautiful woman behind the shades. The smell of hope and sweat greets my nose as I dive into the depths of your womb; someday a child might be brought through this dock, but right now I can only stir the waves back and forth with my tongue. A faint flutter arises. A pause. And waves flow back and forth building momemtum, building pressure, building excitement. The dock explodes, yet no harm is done. Only the deep smile of a woman done right.

[MrAngryFace]

Phoenix Dark: do I need to punch you?

second, there are complete FOOLS on the road. If THEY can drive im sure you can. I can never understand driving phobias. The only legitimate fear is of everyone else, but even then if you gotta drive you gotta drive. cant run from it forever.

[jobber]

play some driving games like 18 wheeler trucker. I was nervous about driving...so much so I didn't get my license to kill until I was 18. Once I got in a empty parking lot and got use to the lines and whatnot I became a driving master including driving in blinding rain and snow with no problems. All you need is a open space with lines and time. You'll get use to it

[MrAngryFace]

haha 18 wheel trucker, of all the driving games to recommend

[Ecrofirt]

I have the perfect way to help you!

Drive yourself to Pennsylvania, and say "Sup Ecro!"

If you can make it to my house, you'll be able to pass the test without problems!

[Diablos]

I have the perfect way to help you!

Drive yourself to Pennsylvania, and say "Sup Ecro!"

If you can make it to my house, you'll be able to pass the test without problems!

The roads in your neck of the woods aren't so bad...
It's what we have to deal with over here in Western PA that puts our state on the map as being like the second worst place in the country for bad roads.

[Ecrofirt]

You've apparantly never been quite to my neck of the woods!

[Diablos]

Apparently not.

Now that we're talking about PA... you central PA people have absolutely no personality! No offense!

[Ecrofirt]

None taken at all, as I am from Northeast PA!

[Diablos]

None taken at all, as I am from Northeast PA!

Close enough!

[Ecrofirt]

Wrong!

Here is a map of my house!

[Diablos]

Oh, right. I forgot the convo we had about your county.
Sorry about that. Can't speak for you, but Central PA people really can be assholes

[cloudwalking]

Thanks for the help everyone, I am making my appointment on Thursday, and then I'll know when the test is. I'm going to practice parking sometime in the evening when the huge parking lot at the high school across the street is empty.

[MrAngryFace]

I totally failed the parallel parking, and they'll probably try and trick you into changing lanes in an intersection.

[cloudwalking]

Well I failed one because I ran a stop sign, which was really bad, but it was just a bad situation. Here's a diagram:



It was one of those shitty Y-intersections and he wanted me to go right at the church, while the church half-blocks the stop sign, not to mention there was a distracting gigantic fucking wedding party there crowding across the church's tiny front yard. Also, I had never encountered this type of intersection before. Needless to say with all of the confusion and trying not to hit any people at the wedding I totally missed the stop sign, in fact when he first said to me "you just ran a stop sign" I didn't believe him.

This was also the guy who insisted on chatting with me about North Dakota while I was taking the test.

[The Fake Shemp]

You should've been like, "You're cute... call me" and gave him the hotline for a gay phone sex chat.

[cloudwalking]

You should've been like, "You're cute... call me" and gave him the hotline for a gay phone sex chat.

He was like 60 years old.

[The Fake Shemp]

Even better scenario.

[The Miles Trahan Burger Experiment]

 



Kinda OT, but I'm not too keen on driving... I actually don't mind walking from place to place or bumming rides off of friends. That, and I won't have to shell out cash for gas every few miles. 

[MrAngryFace]

They chat with you on purpose. I bet you can ask them to not talk, then when they try and argue the logic that people will be in your car chatting you can say:

"No they wont"

"You cant be sure"

"YES, I CAN be sure. Now don't talk, just grade me."

"what if you have kids"

"oh so now youre my family planner"

"you have a bad attitude"

"plenty of people drive in silence with a bad attitude every day, its called a commute, look it up"

[The Fake Shemp]

Or you could murder a nerdy clock puncher who lives alone, steal his driver license and you're off scott free!

[Bacon]

lol, pretty pathetic story.

[brawndolicious]

Did you take driving classes?

[cloudwalking]

Did you take driving classes?

Yeah, I had I think 100 hours behind the wheel and I forget how many hours in simulation.

[etiolate]

I totally failed the parallel parking, and they'll probably try and trick you into changing lanes in an intersection.

The girl that failed me did that to me! She had me try to switch lanes right after making a left turn when there was only a tiny space between a van and an 18*wheeler.

[brawndolicious]

Yeah, I had I think 100 hours behind the wheel and I forget how many hours in simulation.

meh.  good luck.

[BlueTsunami]

I imagine, when cloud is on the road, she leaves a wake of destruction.

[The Fake Shemp]

That goes for anywhere!

[MrAngryFace]

You dont need to pass parallel parking to get a license, most people dont do it anyway. Just focus on getting everything else down, and be aware they will try to trick you.

Dont engage them in conversation, if they confront you about not engaging them tell them you'd rather be rude and drive safely. If they challenge that, stop the car and demand another instructor. They can dick around with you to a point.

[Cheebs]

When I failed my first time I failed parrel parking so they didn't take me on the road.

[MrAngryFace]

I totally failed parallel parking and that wasnt even a big deal lol

[The Fake Shemp]

That's because you did your tester, didn't you?

[MrAngryFace]

No, I think the trick is driving to a small town and challenging their DMV, cause they're not quite as insane probably. I tested in a small town, and they're used to watching DUKES OF HAZZARD so they're like WOW U DRIVE BUT GOOD

[Cheebs]

I forgot a light turned green and got honked at and went 20 mph over the speed limit at one time and I still passed after I failed before for parrel parking.

[The Fake Shemp]

I think as a joke, I would try and do the craziest shit possible.

[MrAngryFace]

Like drive on the opposite side of the road while screaming BUGGERY CHAP BLIMEY

[The Fake Shemp]

 

[Van Cruncheon]

I failed THREE times before I got my license. It's all nerves, and the asshole instructors prey on it -- and it didn't help that my parents gave me shit every time I failed: "any idiot can drive! You have an IQ of ***, how can you fail a driving test?" ad nauseum. That really only made my nerves worse, since the last place you wanna be doubting yourself is on the road.

It was easy the 4th time. I was so despondent that I just said "FUCKIT, at this point my pride is shot" and having accepted that it'd probably take 10 or 20 times before I finally got it -- if ever -- I passed with an 80 (failed parallel parking and ran a yellow). w00t.

[Strife Doombringer]

took mine in Spokane, WA it was easy except i failed my parallel also

[BlueTsunami]

Like drive on the opposite side of the road while screaming BUGGERY CHAP BLIMEY

CHEERIO WANKAS!

[CajoleJuice]

I made the driving test my bitch.





















And then I backed up into a parked car after a few months of driving.

[cloudwalking]

Well, I'm bumping this because my test is on Thursday. I've been practicing quite a bit and I really hope I can pass this time The only thing I am having real trouble with is backing into a parking spot. I need to work on that a bit more tomorrow night.

[Phoenix Dark]

Well, I'm bumping this because my test is on Thursday. I've been practicing quite a bit and I really hope I can pass this time The only thing I am having real trouble with is backing into a parking spot. I need to work on that a bit more tomorrow night.

I used to practice parking by driving around in empty highschool/college/etc parking lots. I'd just try to fit the car into the space perfectly. After I mastered that I started heading off to grocery stores and parking near other cars.

[CajoleJuice]

Damn, I was hoping this bump was because you failed.