Passed UK driving test!

Experience of applying for driving licence in London UK:

Step 1: Applied for a provisional driving license.
Experience: it is really straight forward and I applied on line and filled the form. The provisional licence was posted to me in a month time. It is a must before learning driving here.

Step 2: Looking for a driving instructor  
Experience: There are AA, Red, BSM, and other private instructors. I called AA and Red and told them on which day I wanted to have my lesson and each found an instructor for me. Red instructor came back really quickly and called me on phone and AA instructor sent text to me, so I decided to use Red instructor first. I quite enjoyed my first lesson and he signed me for written test right away in my first lesson. While I was driving, he always talk what to see, what to pay attention, and repeat each action I should do, and I learned he was working as car mechanic. He was able to book my lessons in my preferred hours most times while I also managed to keep regularity of my lessons, eg. at least once every week. So I stayed with the same instructor. The best side with my instructor is that he does know what examiners look into during practical test, so definitely this helped me to develop a good driving habit right from the start, as a totally newbie.

Step 3: Preparing for theory test
Theory test includes two sections, theory questions and hazard perception test which is added recently. I used Driving Test Success All Tests PC recommended by my Red driving instructor and also The official DVSA Theory Test Kit, The official DVSA Hazard Perception, and the official DVSA highway code. I used the DVSA apps so that I can practice those questions during travelling time. I went through all questions in the DVSA apps and tried a few mock tests in DVD, then managed to pass tests in two goes.

Step 4: Booking a first practical test
I booked my first practical test after having 80 hours lesson and the test centre is at Tolworth, London. When I was booking in this test center, it took two months waiting time normally, but I found a empty slot earlier than the one at Isleworth center. During the driving test, first thing is 20 meters eye sight test which should not be worried much as far as you get your eyesight checked with an optician and have corrected eyesight with eyeglasses. Secondly, the instructor asked me one question about foot brake. Then asked me to drive following his route set in GPS. The route covers two roundabouts, fast route and residential area routes, and he asked me to pull off at the left side twice and asked me to park in a parking area. I failed this test because I was told that I tried to squeeze my way in from giving way line into main fast route, while a car was coming very fast, although from far (at least in my eyes).

Step 5: Booking second practical test
I booked my second test one month after my first test which is another twenty hours more driving. I went back to Isleworth test center which is closest one to my location. The test ran similar to Tolworth one, but this time GPS was not used, my examiner asked me to follow road sign to Hanworth. Route style is similar to that in my previous test, covering two roundabouts, fast routes, and small lanes. I was asked to pull off at the right side which I was not really skilled. Failed after being given same reason as in my previous test, trying to squeeze in without seeing a car coming fast.

Step 6:
After having spent 100 hours of driving lessons which were in seven months, I has a pause for another three months. Although I did not put hands on the wheel, I did start to feel gradually that I can drive my own car. Then we bought our own car Peugeot 208, the same model of my instructor's car, and I managed to drive with my husband's accompany. So I practiced my driving by doing some trips to swimming pool, supermarket, or parks, or during our mid term holiday trip.

Step 7:
After another twenty hours driving, I went for the third test, using our own car, in the new test center in Isleworth. I booked in 8am slot on working day and as usual, eye sight test and question. My driving started with bay parking first. Then as soon as I was on a busy main road, I was asked to turn on rear window screen wiper and to turn on screen wash. Soon after, I was asked to pull off at the left side and move off, then I was asked to pull off at the left side again. It was hard to move out because so many cars were coming fast and the road is very narrow, and I waited for quite a while before moving out. This time, a lot of time was spent on wandering along busy narrow roads with pedestrians crossing at any place, passengers opening car door and getting out of car at any moment. Sometimes I had to stop and give way to a coming bus. Observation, anticipation and planning skills are certainly required in this test. Another special bit is six roundabouts are in this route, so I needed to turn left, right or straight. This time, I was very careful and looked at each side carefully at giving way line. Then The test ended with front bay parking back to the test centre. Before the examiner made announcement, I was a bit worried because I did not feel I got on the fast route this time, until I heard words like pleased. Thrilled! I passed my London driving test!