Driving test

[Dark Angel]

In the UK, it is relatively more difficult to pass your driving test, than it is abroad. After 3 failed attempts I gave up, but am able to drive quite well abroad. Would it have been easier to pass if the test was taken in an automatic car, as opposed to manual? Take Maureen from driving school, she passed when she took the test in an automatic, after several attempts - maybe 7 or 8?

[theo_wyvern]

It depends where you have difficulty passing the manula test - if you find it too much to concentrate on clutch/gears on top of everything else then yes technically it should be easier to pass a test in an automatic, of course remembering that you will only have a license to drive automatic vehicles.

[Toureman]

If you cannot pass the easy driving test in the UK wherever you came from must be a dangerous place to drive a car.

How do you know you are able to drive quite well abroad if you cannot pass the UK test? surely someone who has passed the UK test must be a much better driver than you if they drive abroad?

Maureen must have been very lucky to pass her test, she was dangerous!

[Dark Angel]

Toureman, its quite dangerous to drive where I come from, because people don't always stick to the rules. However, the accidents are not as bad in the UK, because people in my country don't drive at such high speeds.

You need to anticipate the other driver's mistakes when you drive in my country - Avoid getting scrapes and dents on your vehicle. This is a skill in itself. So much so, that people from UK who come to my country have commented that my skills of anticipation and negotiating the roads are better than theirs.

[Dark Angel]

theo_wyvern, I think you have a good point - my mistakes were not documented as dangerous ones, they were things like slowing down cars because I wasn't going at the right speed. If I had less to concentrate on then I could have remembered to maintain the correct speed, remember to watch the traffic lights turn green, etc!! My mind was focussing too much on how to do things correctly.

Anyway, thanks both for your answers. :-)

[woofgang]

Dark Angel you have made your own point. Generally driving tests are set to test your basic competence to drive in the country where you are tested. If you were tested where you come from on the competencies that are needed to drive there, you probably would pass and this would still not mean that you would be competent to drive in the uk.

Having said that, you might well find an automatic car easier, but you will only be licenced to drive an automatic car and if you want to drive a car with a manual gear shift you will have to take the test again.

[dzug]

Have to checked whether you can exchange your overseas licence for a UK one? It's possible from some places, but not all. All you would need to do is pass the theory exam.

[gammaray]

In Egypt the driving test involves driving 100 yards forwards in a straight line then reversing 100 yards - also in a straight line. If you cam mannage that, you've passed. I doubt that this would be good practice for the UK given the number of roundabouts there are!

[Maaartahn]

It took me 5 attempts to pass, i made ridiculous mistakes that I look back and laugh at. However previous to ever taking lessons, I took my mates car (in Poland) and drove at 135mph, now does that mean that I can drive. I hardly doubt so. Just learn your maneouvres and driver awareness, don't be nervous on your test and its easy as pie,
Take care

[bubblebubble]

Keep at it !! I was a driving instructor until a year ago and will say that its not all down to your driving all the time. I have seen people fail on an identical situation to somebody who has passed.Yes, obviously there is a standard to be met, but the margins of interpretation can be wide!! I hope you have found yourself a good instructor to give you practical help......anyone who tells you the UK test is easy probably did it years ago when it was! It is one of the most difficult in the world, which is why it is recognised worldwide.

[marshman]

If you can't pass an English driving test,then don't bother,it is still one of the easiest in Europa.If you really want toknow the meaning of difficult,then try a Swedish one.

[Dark Angel]

marshman, just to let you know that only the positive feedback, i.e. the posts preceeding yours, will be taken seriously, :-)