driving2day wrote:Question: Where I live the nearest test centre is where a lot of people fail. It is a busy area, lots of hazards (as the last instructor said who I had for 4 lessons) and I know people who have failed many times here, and passed at the other test centre instead. I know that at the end of the day if you're a good driver you'll drive properly anywhere, but is it better to be giving yourself a sort-of easier test? I did mention it to the instructor today but she said about wherever you drive a good driver will pass, but sometimes people fail over very silly things in this area because there may be another car around (like slowing down) so should I decide or take the place which is nearer with more hazards?
Is the reason for the high failure rate due to the area being a difficult area? Possible. But as your instructor said, if you're a good driver you should be able to pass anywhere.
Another thing to consider is whether the reputation of that test centre has anything to do with the high fail rate, leading those of a less confident nature to fear failure.
Take this example for instance. I am currently helping a lady in her fifties who passed her test in London five years ago but has only driven two or three times since. The problem she has, is that when she has to move off on a slight hill at traffic lights she will panic because she fears that she will stall the engine. The reason is because of previous failures in these situations. Consequently, when confronted with these situations, she would invariably stall the engine. To help address this problem I have been planning routes that have junctions on hills. I also get her to stop on a hill in a quiet area, find the biting point, dip the clutch a little so as the car will roll back, release the handbrake and bring the clutch up gently to stop the car rolling without using the gas or brakes. This has improved her clutch control on hills with the result that she is now able to roll up to a junction on a hill and hold the car on the clutch
creeping forward to improve her view without using the handbrake.
Discuss your concerns with your instructor and get her to take you around the difficult areas to help you with your understanding of these areas. Don't worry if you do not cover test routes, because as your instructor has basically said, if you can drive, you can drive anywhere. I personally do not teach test routes as I fell that it does the pupil no favours. Instructors who teach test routes often have higher pass rates, but I would question whether the pupil is as well prepared for life after the test as those who have not been taught test routes, but have had a more variety in their lessons.