JustinW

Over the moon to have passed mod2 today, on second attempt. First attempt was at Exeter test center. I was due to pass but at the last minute failed. Approaching a roundabout which I wasn't familiar with. Instruction was 'cross roundabout 2nd exit towards Marsh Barton'. I was in left lane, quite happy until I saw a left only pointing arrow in my lane. I thought oh oh, best get into the right hand lane, which had a straight ahead arrow and right arrow. Manouver was done safely. I went straight ahead, second exit as asked. I failed for failing to follow signposts, which I was a bit miffed at as it wasn't the independent ride bit. This test started off pretty stressful as instructor has offered to carry my papers, but left my driving license behind at his office. To be fair, the examiner did the show me tell me while instructor popped back to get license. He could have failed me there and then. I started off very stressed as you can imagine. I'm a bit of a rural dweller and decided Exeter was just too built up with too many unfamiliar roads for me to learn. So I switched to Launceston test center, which is much quieter and only runs tests one day every two weeks. I booked some more lessons with a new instructor who got me familiar with the roads. There's still dual carriageway, 20 mph zones, nsl roads etc, but less of them to familiarise with. The gremlins were out to get me again today. Asked to show how to check rear light, I went to switch on ignition but the key wouldn't turn! After about a minute of jiggling, the lock turned, but my nerves were a bit frayed. We set off, and in five minutes we come to a roundabout. Instruction was 'straight ahead, first exit'. But bugger me, we get to the roundabout and straight ahead is second exit, not first. I decided to take first exit left, and instructor directed me back to intended path at another roundabout. He didn't say anything, but he clearly misspoke that instruction. Nerves just a little bit more frayed now! Rest of ride was ok, no more surprises. The one thing I do feel a bit apprehensive about is joining dual carriageways, you never really know what you'll meet, and you have to be looking behind and ahead and it's noisy and windy and you feel vulnerable as the slip road ends etc. But today it was fairly clear and got a decent speed up the short slip lane which seemed to help. I did kind of expect Mod2 to be easier than Mod1, but I didn't find this. I suppose if you know the area really well then it would be a walk in the park. I have inadvertently let my sense of direction become eroded by driving car with sat nav for years, and it was quite a job to relearn about paying attention to signs, and working out the bigger picture of what road joins what. Very relieved it's all over tbh! I'm 54, and feel a bit old for all this testing malarky.

Just joined so thought I'd share my mod 1 experience which I passed today. I feel this test is very mentally challenging. It's largely down to how your body responds to stress ie tensing up, causing you not to breath etc. These things cause feet to go down. As you wake up in the morning of the test, displace any feelings of dread with those of opportunity. You chose to do this, it's what you wanted. You've been looking forward to this day for ages and now it's here. Great that you managed to get a date for the test. Keep thinking these positive thoughts and your body will not respond with the adrenaline of fear. The night before the test, and after every test lesson, lie with your eyes closed and run through the test in your head. From opening the gates, driving to the start point, slalom etc. Do the observations in your head too. It's like another free practice. Before each imagined routine, take a deep breath to relax. On the day, you'll find this mental practice helps the test feel smooth and natural. Practical tips on the day: Take your time. Compose yourself after being told what to do for each exercise. Deep breath and shoulder check before you proceed. Learn and use counterbalancing for slow speed. When you do the u turn, shift your shoulders to the left as you turn. Likewise as you turn in the slalom, shift your shoulders to the opposite side. This helps keep the bike upright and defies gravity's wish to topple the bike at slow speeds. If you know full well you are about to put foot down, release the clutch. It may give a jerk, but will likely pick you upright and avoid a foot down fail. During u turn keep head up and look where you want to end up. Good luck to those about to do mod1.