well ive been leaning to drive in a mini for quite a while now and its been really good but the only thing i need practice on before the test is reverse paralell parking.

So, we are allowed 120cm infront and behind the car and its really quite easy to do it in the mini. The only thing that im having trouble with is when it comes to getting out of the park (and when it is on a slope) releasing the handbrake at the same time as turning the steering wheel as hard as you can to get out of the park. because it obviously doesnt have power steering it is hard to turn the steering wheel really fast with only one hand.

but i wont be doing the test in the mini so it doesnt really matter. ill probably just end up doing it in my dads commodore auto.

try turning the wheels b4 you release the handbrake .... perty simple huh
makka

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Anonymous moderation means the agro that is built up towards the mods isn't aimed at an individual (fewer "Makk" attacks). Less stress for mods means less moderator "retirements".

good advice makka, i never thought of that.

its just when ur not moving, turning the wheels completely to one direction isnt easy either. and it just looks unko

All that im saying is power steering is so much better for reverse paralell parking.

Dont know about the other states but in WA if you do your license in an auto you cant drive a manual car. Do it in a manual and your allowed to drive an auto.

Cheers

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If it squeaks and leaks, then its sure to be a mini

Building a dream one nap at a time....

http://spaces.msn.com/members/derbydog/

I would be doing it in the mini and not in Dunny Door..Why...Well the tester will love you becouse you are in a Mini...Everyone has a smile on thier face when they see a Mini...Speciialy when they are in one. Will he think you are a typical P plater in a Mini...Dunnydoor...you can work that out..
Reverse park...Mini all the way...you say no powersteering...realy no biggy anyway...just let it role a little and the wheel will move easily specialy if you do not have a sport steering wheel...more browny points with the tester
Hill starts...just dont let it off all at once...ease it off when you feel the clutch engaging
My experinace with learning to drive...I bunny hopped My mums Mini in the garage door...After that I have teached 10 others..including my Wife (I let you think how much fun this would have been... )

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

in SA it doesnt matter



yea i have a soprt steering wheel. hmm..

cheers for the advice gafmo, u really think i should do the test in the mini. the testor wont feel...um...unsafe/scared (like my mum) lol

You'r Mum always feels scared...she is your mum
Testers....will think...here we go another P plater in thier Mum and dads Dunnydoor...if your in Your Mini... his a much smarter Kid..
Do some more practice on reverse parking and Hill starts.
Try and have your test in the morning...you are fresh and happier.
Additionaly if you have it in the afternoon he/she may have had a number of fools proir and MAY go easier on you Hay your in a mini...who does not smile in a Mini

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

yea i just dont want to get a grumpy/harsh tester, who will look at the car and think...grrr i want to fail this kid. Shouldnt happen if i drive the mini hehe

my mate failed his p's for the seccond tme today and i just dont want to feel like him. hes gonna cop so much greif back at school.

..R What was he driving
I failed three times...but have teach ten other that have not recieved lose of points since. that I know of.
Just be carm...wetbix for breakfast..no coffee or Coke and go to bed early the night b4
Its easy to fail it...Just not putting your belt on..or (checking that the Tester has his On Hint) Indercating and stoping at a stop sign.
The simple things mate

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

he was doing it in some auto..dunno exactly what car.

first time he failed because he was in roadworks with other cars (25 zone) and the other cars sped up to 60 at the end of the roadworks (and so did he) but he failed because he was 'speeding" as the 60 sign was still infront of him

As I said...be carm ...just dont rush thing...

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

MMMMmmmm i remember doing my driving test in a mini. It was awesone cause you only had to check one mirror. Hill starts?? no hill where i did my test and the road the got me to do a 3 point turn on was about 4 lanes wide hmm challenging that test was. it's a bit harder now they tell me. The one and only time i have ever bunny hopped was when my mate said whatever you do don't bunny hop it.

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There is learning to drive - that is a survival skill, both from the dangers of the road and the dangers of the wallet

Then there is learning to drive to pass the test - this is quite a different skill set. What is required is that you make sure that the tester "NOTICES" that you you know what is going on.

Little things can make a lot of difference. You checked the mirrors before you drove to the testing centre and so they are adjusted correctly for you, but if you get in the habit of doing a physical check by touching the centre mirror then the driver's side mirror then pointing to the passenger side mirror you let the testor know that you are doing the mirror check.

Do you need to do this? - no
Do you need to pass the test? - it helps

You know the rules - make sure the tester knows that you know

And hats off to you for doing it the hard way and proving your skills. I am not a supporter of the log book method and like to see people who are prepared to put their skills to the test.

Cheers Dat

when i did my test, i used my instructors car, which was easy to drive and i had been driving a while. definately worthwhile getting lessons before your test (if you havent already done so!!!)

handy tip, if you come to an intersection that says no right turn and the instructor tells you to turn right, DON'T DO IT!!! they WILL fail you, i had a couple ofmates failed by this. its pretty crap, but their justification is "what if you were with your mates"

ALSO, in victoria you fail if you exceed the speed limit by 1km for 10 seconds i think. safest way is to keep it 5 or 10 below at all times, but not too slow cos i think they can pull you up for driving too slow!

its better to drive as safe as you possibly can before the test, you can learn all your bad habits afterwards

PS in vis, if you do the test in an auto you can only drive an auto till you are off your p's.

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

I remember getting he P's. Everyone in my year believed that you aren't a man until you have a manual car, and an engine size over 2L. Commodores got out of the transmission thing. Anyway, one of the only people to fail was a guy doing his in an auto. He got so much crap for that. That and, his car was an XF falcon.

I passed my test first go, by about half a point. Apparently there were a few things that could hav been done:
1. move my head to show where i was looking, and
2. The instructor have lunch. He was grumpy and out to make someone fail, you could tell.