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How many practical driving tests did you take before passing?

How many practical driving tests did you take before passing?

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The old no learners on motorways restriction was likely put in place for the benefit of traffic flows on the road itself and not the learner. This then gave rise to the complete myth that they're some scary type of road that only experienced drivers can drive on.

Not only are they statistically the safest road type, with country lanes being the most dangerous, they're also by far the easiest. Fewer hazards, banked carriageways, gradual curves, grade separated junctions. Want to get off, just keep left next to the sign of the place you want to go to. By virtue they're specifically designed for motor traffic.

The day I passed my driving test, I went home and called some insurance company from the back of the local Trade-It to insure my 1.2 MK2 1984 Vauxhall Astra (that had brown tartan seats) and made my way to the M5 on the first day. Back in those days, young ladies were impressed with guys with cars for some unknown reason, even though there was nothing stopping them just getting a driving license of their own, so a young lady was often in the passenger seat.

Now, me and the Mrs argue over who's going to drive. I try and fob it on to her whenever possible. But she won't drive abroad and plays dumb on roads outside the region, lumbering me with all the long distance stuff like trips to Towers. Jokes on her, I get all the easy cruise control motorway stuff whilst she gets all the trickier stuff.
 
Matt.GC said:
Now, me and the Mrs argue over who's going to drive. I try and fob it on to her whenever possible. But she won't drive abroad and plays dumb on roads outside the region, lumbering me with all the long distance stuff like trips to Towers. Jokes on her, I get all the easy cruise control motorway stuff whilst she gets all the trickier stuff.
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There's a bloke at my work who shares his car with his wife. He will drive them both to work, then she'll drive it home. When he finishes, she'll be there waiting for him and then get out so he can drive it home, like there's something un-manly about getting a lift or whatever
 
Bowser said:
Road trip to Plopsaland tomorrow?
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Sadly not! I’m going to try and keep my driving somewhat low risk for the first bit, to be honest. I’m going to try and get a motorway lesson with my instructor before I go it alone, at very least.

I know it probably sounds a bit lame, but with how high insurance prices are and how you’re only allowed to rack up 6 license points before you have to do the test again within the first 2 years, I’m going to try and keep my no claims bonus and have as few opportunities as possible to get any license points for the time being!
 
Matt N said:
Sadly not! I’m going to try and keep my driving somewhat low risk for the first bit, to be honest. I’m going to try and get a motorway lesson with my instructor before I go it alone, at very least.

I know it probably sounds a bit lame, but with how high insurance prices are and how you’re only allowed to rack up 6 license points before you have to do the test again within the first 2 years, I’m going to try and keep my no claims bonus and have as few opportunities as possible to get any license points for the time being!
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Good plan.

Worth doing the motorway lessons both for experience and the pass plus supposedly gives a reduction on your insurance.
 
Congratulations Matt. I hope that puts to rest all the nonsense about you not being able to drive. You've just passed a harder test than I ever did so clearly you can drive a car.

Good plan with insurance. Keep the car on the drive unless you need to use it and rack up those no claims. I wouldn't worry about the motorway though, it's pretty much just driving in a straight line. Easiest type of road to drive on.
 
Congrats Matt! Have to agree on the motorway thing, good to get some lessons on them regardless but you’ve done the most difficult roads in my view which are dual carriageways. Although they have gotten safer with closing/modifying a lot of junctions - I’d still put them as more difficult on account of the varying traffic allowed on there and the shorter/non existent slip roads. Once you’re used to getting up to speed on motorways you’ll find them a doddle.

Definitely stay away from getting any points, and Pass Plus is worth doing for a little bit more off insurance, if not for some more experience under your belt too. Wouldn’t be without being able to drive now, you’ll love it :)
 
Wooooow way to go…. In forcing me to realise I’ve been passed for 16 years!! Passed first time, not had a bump since (and no I don’t drive like a stereotypical woman, thank you).

I took Pass Plus and it gave me a great insight into how different others drivers treat you with L plates vs no L plates - well worth it for a supervised motorway trip.

I say that. I drove to Hull. Maybe I should have asked for a refund?
 
Sazzle said:
Wooooow way to go…. In forcing me to realise I’ve been passed for 16 years!! Passed first time, not had a bump since (and no I don’t drive like a stereotypical woman, thank you).

I took Pass Plus and it gave me a great insight into how different others drivers treat you with L plates vs no L plates - well worth it for a supervised motorway trip.

I say that. I drove to Hull. Maybe I should have asked for a refund?
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The thing i still notice to this day is how many people evidently didn't do Pass Plus and have no idea what they're doing on motorways.
 
Congratulations buddy.

When I did pass plus (23 years ago) it involved an an hour of me, my driving instructor and a trip to burger king.

I would recommend pass plus. But I would also recommend just getting out there ya self. You've done the hard part in passing the test. Now get out there and get the confidence to drive with that passenger seat empty
 
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