It was the morning of November 21, 2025.
My test was booked for the morning 08:00 AM slot. I got up quite early that day because I couldn’t sleep because of all the pressure (you know what I mean). So I got up at around 4:30-05:00 AM. Did the regular routine, took bath, got ready, revised some of the questions, watched couple of Durham test videos on the youtube to grasp the route well and dot 6:15 AM my instructor picked me up from my doorsteps.
I drove all the way to the test centre, quite well actually. I was confident yet nervous.
My instructor took me to the test centre and explained me about the test like how it will begin, where your car will be parked etc… he also made me do some manaeuvers. Specially front bay parking and reverse parking. And guess what – I fucked up 😀
This was not something I was doing for the first time and previous times when I practised I was able to do it quite well, but that day and that time in the morning I was so nervous that I couldn’t do a simple front bay parking in an empty parking space. But since this was practice, it kinda gave me some more confidence that I will be able to do it during tests.
After that we went to drive around some roundabouts and near by areas.
Clock Hit 07:45
15 to 8’o clock, we were there in the test center. We entered the waiting room while the examiners came out and called for my name. They made me signed an insurance form that everything during the ride will be insured.
Next the examiner asked me whether I want my instructor to join me during the test. I said YES. I wanted my instructor to be there with me throughout. After all he is the one who taught me so far, so I definitely wanted him to sit with me and observe what all mistakes I do (or not do).
After all the paper work, we went down the parking where we have parked the cars.
Before entering the car, the examiner does a eye test.
She asked me to read the number plate of a far away car. And voila I did, ahhaha…
In the Car
We got in the car. And before starting the engine she asked me a question.
She asked me specifically – How would I know if my car’s anti-lock braking system is not working?
Me – It will show on the car’s dashboard with an orange symbol.
Easy Peasy!!
Now for some reason I was not nervous. I figured that I’m more nervous with my instructor than my examiner 😀
Instructor gave me the instructions like she has done it million times before with others.
After that she pulled the SAT Nav from her bag or lap and kept it on the car’s dashboard with a marked location. She asked me to follow the SAT NAV unless I give the instructions specifically.
So far so good.
Getting off the parking
She asked me to drive whenever you’re ready.
I was born ready so I did my 8 point checks and took the car out of the parking.
Immediately after we left the car park, she asked me to do a forward bay parking in any of the empty space.
This time all I was thinking was – I have done it this morning, all I have to do is make use of the space on my left effectively while turning right. I was just revising the instructions given by my instructor this morning. And slowly I moved forward. Inching forward till my car’s right mirror is in line with the parking line; Moved the steering all the way to the right and inched forward slowly while I make sure to keep checking the mirrors. Finally the car came to rest. I checked the small side mirrors to see if my car is in the bay completely or not.
And…
It was in the bay completely.
I have done my first manoeuvre successfully.
Then my instructor asked me continue whenever I’m ready.
So I did.
We drove off the Durham roads, all fine and dandy. I made a couple of mistakes like “undue hesitation at a junction”. And in my defence – my mindset during the test day was that “it’s better to stop then to move forward” and its just a minor so no big deal. I drove confidently rest of the journey. She made me stopped 3 times at the side of the road. All good. Maybe at once place I forgot to look at my left blindspot for which she gave me a minor (I think she lied :p). Then I successfully drove all the back to the test center.
I was quite confident that I have passed the test since I made no serious mistakes. All my roundabouts were perfect. All junctions were perfect. Parking was great. Manoeuvres were spot on.
Reached the test centre
We reached the test center.
She asked me to park anywhere I like. I parked in the most bizzaro way possible 😀 But since she asked me to and my test was over, I was not getting marked for that. Hahaha.. but you gotta be there to see how I parked when left me loose 😀
Here comes the final moment.
My Examiner – You have got 6 minors and 1 major. Unfortunately! you have failed the test.
Me – :'(
How did I failed?
Lollypop Lady.
There was a wide road in the middle where lollypop lady was standing on the far right over the footpath. She was not even on the road. Lollypop ladies that I have seen before, usually raise their Stop sign and signal the oncoming traffic to stop. This lollypop lady was just standing there with her stop sign facing down. So, I couldn’t understood her intent and I kept driving.
I could have stopped so easily, I was below 20 mph, I saw the lady, I just didn’t thought I had to stop because there were no apprant signs of it.
And my examiner failed me for “Response to signs / signals – Traffic controllers”.
Can you believe it? I can’t.
She failed me for something that was not even dangerous in my situation. It was a wide wide road and lollypop lady was standing over the footpath on the right with her stop sign down.
I still have the image so clear in my head.
From now on I will stop whenever I see a Lollypop lady, even when she doesn’t intent to cross.
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