Driving test today - bricking it
Discussion
Due to other crap in my life I've not had a structured lesson in about 2-3 months. I work offshore and planning ahead for anything is a nightmare. I've been driving as much as I possibly can. So last night I had a two hour lesson and absolutely fell to pieces. I've been driving fine in my own car with no issues. But last night I literally forgot all my clutch control, how to drive smoothly, basically everything. Dunno if it was going back to a different car or if I'm genuinly not ready for it.
So today I have my test and I'm absolutely certain I'm not going to pass.
Moral support, go!
So today I have my test and I'm absolutely certain I'm not going to pass.
Moral support, go!
Hopefully not too late, but it's only a driving test! If you watch half the people on the road you'll soon see that passing it doesn't mean you can drive. So the test is nothing except just another hour out behind the wheel 
So get out there and enjoy the drive (if you don't enjoy driving what are you doing here???)
Oh, and good luck
So get out there and enjoy the drive (if you don't enjoy driving what are you doing here???)
Oh, and good luck
Hah, well that was a bit of a f**king dead squib. Drove up to the centre, no hassle. After driving my own car again confidence was back and I was happy. Guy gets out to the car and says, 'oh, it's a Clio, have you got the MOT certificate?'. What was the one piece of paperwork I didn't bring? Yes... exactly. Taxed, insurance paperwork with me, correct L plates, secondary rear view mirror. No, apparently they'd had a re-call in 2007 about the bonnet catch and if I didn't have the MOT cert he couldn't take me out.
So, £60 up the swanny, I stuck on some decent music and drove home.
edit: thanks for the encouragement guys. Back driving my own car felt right, so much better than the instructors car to be honest. Are you able to use your own car for lessons??
So, £60 up the swanny, I stuck on some decent music and drove home.
edit: thanks for the encouragement guys. Back driving my own car felt right, so much better than the instructors car to be honest. Are you able to use your own car for lessons??
Edited by RichTT on Wednesday 17th November 15:12
As per the DSA website.
DSA said:
Vehicles affected
All models of Renault Clio II or Renault Campus regardless of the date of manufacture.
Safety notice issue date
3 May 2007.
Problem
Faulty bonnet catch.
Action
You must provide one of the following at your test, as evidence that the bonnet catch has been checked:
a current MOT test certificate
if the vehicle is less than 12 months from first registration, the registration certificate (V5/V5C) could be used as confirmation that the vehicle has been recently checked on a pre-delivery inspection
written confirmation from a Renault dealer that the bonnet catch has been checked - this confirmation must be less than 12 months old on the date of the test
If you take an affected vehicle to your test and don’t provide any documentary evidence your test will be cancelled.
No compensation will be paid.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
All models of Renault Clio II or Renault Campus regardless of the date of manufacture.
Safety notice issue date
3 May 2007.
Problem
Faulty bonnet catch.
Action
You must provide one of the following at your test, as evidence that the bonnet catch has been checked:
a current MOT test certificate
if the vehicle is less than 12 months from first registration, the registration certificate (V5/V5C) could be used as confirmation that the vehicle has been recently checked on a pre-delivery inspection
written confirmation from a Renault dealer that the bonnet catch has been checked - this confirmation must be less than 12 months old on the date of the test
If you take an affected vehicle to your test and don’t provide any documentary evidence your test will be cancelled.
No compensation will be paid.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Edited by RichTT on Wednesday 17th November 15:20
RichTT said:
As per the DSA website.
When you think of the risks that a driving examiner faces every time he/she gets in the car with a candidate who is shaking with nerves and of doubtful competence (and certainly with very little experience) to head out into the maelstrom of modern "take no prisoners" traffic, one would have thought that a dodgy Renault bonnet catch is the very least of their worries! Anyway, presumably as with all cars they will have secondary safety catches, should the primary latch fail?DSA said:
Vehicles affected
All models of Renault Clio II or Renault Campus regardless of the date of manufacture.
Safety notice issue date
3 May 2007.
Problem
Faulty bonnet catch.
Action
You must provide one of the following at your test, as evidence that the bonnet catch has been checked:
a current MOT test certificate
if the vehicle is less than 12 months from first registration, the registration certificate (V5/V5C) could be used as confirmation that the vehicle has been recently checked on a pre-delivery inspection
written confirmation from a Renault dealer that the bonnet catch has been checked - this confirmation must be less than 12 months old on the date of the test
If you take an affected vehicle to your test and don’t provide any documentary evidence your test will be cancelled.
No compensation will be paid.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
All models of Renault Clio II or Renault Campus regardless of the date of manufacture.
Safety notice issue date
3 May 2007.
Problem
Faulty bonnet catch.
Action
You must provide one of the following at your test, as evidence that the bonnet catch has been checked:
a current MOT test certificate
if the vehicle is less than 12 months from first registration, the registration certificate (V5/V5C) could be used as confirmation that the vehicle has been recently checked on a pre-delivery inspection
written confirmation from a Renault dealer that the bonnet catch has been checked - this confirmation must be less than 12 months old on the date of the test
If you take an affected vehicle to your test and don’t provide any documentary evidence your test will be cancelled.
No compensation will be paid.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
Edited by RichTT on Wednesday 17th November 15:20
gdaybruce said:
When you think of the risks that a driving examiner faces every time he/she gets in the car with a candidate who is shaking with nerves and of doubtful competence (and certainly with very little experience) to head out into the maelstrom of modern "take no prisoners" traffic, one would have thought that a dodgy Renault bonnet catch is the very least of their worries! Anyway, presumably as with all cars they will have secondary safety catches, should the primary latch fail?
I agree, utterly bizaare, risk management gone very badly wrong.Bert
The problem was, the secondary catch didn't work either - there was a fair bit of (bad) publicity about it at the time after a few people lost their bonnets. Renault took a long time to admit there was a problem because if it was serviced properly it (apparently) didn't happen.
As for the OP, that's seriously tough luck especially for such an old recall. Would have thought if yours was going to pop it would have by now!
As for the OP, that's seriously tough luck especially for such an old recall. Would have thought if yours was going to pop it would have by now!
I've heard of going by the book but come off it, take the kid out and ask him to bring the MOT certifcate after, 60 quid might not sound a lot but come on give the kid a break he's already nervous as it is.
They didnt accept my Brother taking it for not bringing part of the driving license with him , some of these guys have a power trip going on and need bringing back into reality.
Good luck next time.
They didnt accept my Brother taking it for not bringing part of the driving license with him , some of these guys have a power trip going on and need bringing back into reality.
Good luck next time.
Don't know when the next time I'm able to book it will be. Starting a new position offshore on Wednesday and will go back to being the whipping boy for short notice trips. When I booked online there were a fair few last minute bookings available so hopefully this trend will continue and I can do a short notice booking again. Of course every time i book that I can't attend at short notice (i get 24 hours notice before going offshore) I lose another £62 which is great!
(also aint no spring chicken btw!)
(also aint no spring chicken btw!)
Bad luck Rich - just keep trying, and keep all your paperwork to hand!
A lot of years ago, my Dad, who worked abroad, came back to Britain and discovered he didn't have an up to date Btitish licence. He was driving his Mercedes around on an International licence, but after a year, needed to get a local British licence. My Mum had a British licence, so could drive anyway. He had to turn up in his Merc on an international licence, with German import plates on the car to the test centre, put L plates on it, and take his British test. He failed the test. Had to take off his L plates and drive by himself back home on his International licence. He passed the second time. He got some ribbing from the family though.
A lot of years ago, my Dad, who worked abroad, came back to Britain and discovered he didn't have an up to date Btitish licence. He was driving his Mercedes around on an International licence, but after a year, needed to get a local British licence. My Mum had a British licence, so could drive anyway. He had to turn up in his Merc on an international licence, with German import plates on the car to the test centre, put L plates on it, and take his British test. He failed the test. Had to take off his L plates and drive by himself back home on his International licence. He passed the second time. He got some ribbing from the family though.
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