Yep, thats it...

I'm learning..

I'm into my 6th lesson with the instructor, and im also learning to practice at home. Ive just recently got insured on my dads car, and got me some L plates, and i started to learn in that car yesterday.

I'm finding it touch and go, easy in some areas, but as my instructor says, "men arnt too good at multi tasking" so im obviously doing a few minor errors here and there. Only thing im stuck on is finding that Crucial biting Point on my dads car (Peugoet 107), Its a small thing but it takes quite a bit for a learner such as myself.
Especially Hill starts... Its just that bit of work with the Clutch and power to "Connect" and Bring the car forward. I'm obviosuly getting there - slowly, but 7/10 i stall etc. This im sure is very very common with learners.

But overall im really enjoying learning, but the real test will come when im out there all alone with my own car, once ive passed my Official test.

Anyone like to give me any tips/reccomendations as such?

6 lessons, still got a long way to go!

Many thanks Chaps, and looking forward to hearing from you.

James 8)

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Yeah ive noticed that immediately. As soon as a car is up my arse, i SLOW down, i dont want myself or anyone else in danger. I'm naturally arragant LOL, and im not going to let anyone else make me drive faster, i just do the complete opposite and slow down!

Safety is my main priority.

When it comes to your test, be sure to do the exact opposite to what I did and you're sure to pass.

Things to avoid,
Mounting the kerb,
Not looking in your mirrors,
Stalling, repeatedly,
Failing to stop for oncoming cars that have right of way (I thought the silly person had stopped for me...),
Cutting across the inside lane while going round the outside of a round-about,
Carving someone up after exiting the above roundabout.
Failing to wait for the car behind to pass before continuing after an emergency stop.
And finally, approaching a roundabout at 50 miles per hour, breaking hard, swerving before going hard left without checking mirrors or blind spot. (That one was marked on the test sheet as "dangerous".)

Failiure to do all of the above must surely result in a pass.


Hopefully I shall pass on my next (4th) attempt.


You'll learn to hate L plates. No matter how you drive the car behind will always overtake you at the first opportunity no matter how inconvenient or dangerous.

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Now that sir, is impressive
50mph up to a roundabout? what was it, over the top of a blind hill?

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Pretty much. That and the trees that covered the roundabout merged with the hedge almost perfectly so even when I saw the turn left chevron things I still didn't realise it was the roundabout.

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Dont worry Jimbo,
I treat learners with respect, since I was one myself not long ago, I go out of my way to create space for them from clear ahole's and I let them out at junctions.
I only get annoyed with drivers who take the p*ss when it comes to driving slow. The main road I use to work is 40mph, I can quite happily cruise down it safely at 50 as can anyone. But some people seem content to do 30 which is ridiculous.
I am by no means a good driver, thankfully though I have good reaction times to save me from the mistakes I am still likely to make being so young

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I did notice afterwards he would reach for the handhold above the passenger side window when ever we approached a bend.

It was an absolute pisser though cause if i'd seen the roundabout, I would have passed.

The best bet with hill starts, is to not worry about them till your able to do flat starts 100% of the time. This is how my instructor did it with me. Then we moved onto some rather steep hills. I am guessing she was working on the basis that if you can pull away from those then the less steep ones would be a breeze.
Too bad I moved and switched to an automatic as passing in a manual wouldn't have been a problem. Damn birmingham drivers.

Woody, try to find a route with no roundabouts. Just remember you can influence you test route you go on, by nervously taking a wrong turn As long as you only do it a couple of times, they dont count against you.

so get your instructor to put you both on a car ferry to there then

or fly to India, the test there is easy.

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Thats how several of the people I work with got theirs

I dont think they care there.
And from what my colleagues tell me, even if they do come after you, you just hand over a little money and surprise surprise, they happen to forget.

Jimbo there is only one thing you need to become a good, safe driver and it is something you won't learn from a instructor but is self taught.......

COMMON SENSE

As long as you have that, you will be a good and safe driver.
Now you must watch out for the others who don't have it

The best way of learning how to control the clutch ....... On a flat length of road put the car in 1st then pull away without using the gas, just let the clutch out gently. Once you have mastered it in 1st then carry on up through the gears without using the gas. Then to prove you have really mastered it pull away in 2nd ..... then 3rd ..... then 4th then 5th..... all without any gas. Believe me by the time you get past 2nd you will have mastered the clutch and hill starts will be a breeze. If you're doing it properly there will be no clutch slippage and therefore no excessive wear.

Then if you really want to be clever ...... only use the clutch to get into 1st ...... then don't use it again for changing up or down the box.

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From the point of view of a motor mechanic...
If you have to remain stationary for any length of time, (traffic lights. etc), select neutral and apply the hand brake.
If you keep the clutch pedal depressed while stationary you are wearing the clutch thrust bearing out... ...!

...very expensive to replace...!!

Paul...you wear 'em out...I fix 'em...at a price... ... ...!

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Any vehicle diesel, petrol, big or small can drive off in any gear without using the gas pedal as long as you are really gentle with the clutch.

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I would suggest doing most of your lessons round the test routes ....... that way you know exactly what's comming and no suprises. Most of the bods from the Islands actually do their tests in Inverness... which makes following learners in Inverness rather interesting at times.

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You'd be suprised what I've driven. Accelerator PAH!! gas is easier and quicker to type   

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How do you test the airbag's?

...Looks over at instructor and says....."Hang on, this may sting a bit" as he heads toward the brick wall at full bore....