the next available driving test for Handsworth is like 10th July or something. Does anyone know how to get one quicker or is it just a case of checking the internet everyday and hoping someone cancels. is there any way you can find out quickly when someone cancels and there is a space open?

I think if you call the test centre they may keep you on file and call you as you reach the top of the pile when a cancellation occurs. Thing is, if you are taking your test in your instructors car, you need to let them know etc and get a lesson booked before the test etc... A lot of juggling about/calling people up etc...

I booked my test in Auguest 2004 and the earliest date I was given was Nov 30th 2004!!!! Scandelous! Lucky I passed first time, I'm very impatient!

Called the call center and they said you would just have to ring them every day and ask. I don't think they keep a list or am I wrong. I might try again next week and get talking to a more friendly person.

Butter them up a little... The woman who did my nails at the salon said the centre called her to say they'd had a cancellation... You probably got through to someone with ideas above their stations... :rolleyes:

you just got to ring up everyday, there is nothing much else you can do. last year i was sitting my test and at that point the waiting list was over 5 months!

Originally posted by savbaby
you just got to ring up everyday, there is nothing much else you can do. last year i was sitting my test and at that point the waiting list was over 5 months!

Totally correct. The DSA do not keep a list so its up to you to keep ringing up to see if anyone has cancelled.

The nearest place to us that has anything like a reasonable waiting time is Buxton,which is just one week. All the local centres (Handsworth, Middlewood, Rotherham, Barnsley) are around 8/9 weeks.

Just make sure that if you do bring a test forward, that firstly your instructor's car is available (I can tell you now that if it isn't, its no good ringing other driving schools because the answer will invariably be 'no') and secondly thaat you are actually ready for the test if you bring it forward. Don't forget that your instructor may be factoring the waiting time into his/her estimate of when you will be ready, so if you will be ready in say 8 weeks, you might not be ready in 5.

You also to need to remember that if you go somewhereelse, you don't know the area and that could be a problem as well.

yeah i had to go to middlewood because me theroy test certificate was about to run out, i never drove in middlewood before! had to learn all the roads and things.
nightmare, yes i failed that one too!

I went to Worksop to avoid the Handsworth queues. the only problem being you have to do bay parking there, and getting out of the car park is a bugger! (I failed on bay parking on one of my tests, before I'd even left the place, I refused to carry on with the test lol).

That said, a lot fewer roads to learn, and it's easier to drive round, so long as you watch your speed, I kept creeping over as you go straight off fast roads onto 30mph ones.

Originally posted by turpz
I went to Worksop to avoid the Handsworth queues. the only problem being you have to do bay parking there, and getting out of the car park is a bugger! (I failed on bay parking on one of my tests, before I'd even left the place, I refused to carry on with the test lol).

That said, a lot fewer roads to learn, and it's easier to drive round, so long as you watch your speed, I kept creeping over as you go straight off fast roads onto 30mph ones.

Thats a good point, I know its slightly off topic, but why do the examinors put you through the trauma of carrying on with the test when they blatantly know youve failed. I failed my 1st test near the beginning (and I knew that I failed at that point), yet the examinor still had me out for half an hour. I made error after error right till the end because i was peeved off and already knew I failed.

Originally posted by Saxon

You also to need to remember that if you go somewhereelse, you don't know the area and that could be a problem as well.

I know what your saying Saxon but surely if a pupil has been taught correctly then it shouldn't matter on what roads they take the test.
Proberbly everyone should take it away from "home" as it were, then that would stop pupils memorising a general idea of local roads.
Then their abilities as a competant driver could be truley ascessed.

Originally posted by claycraft
I know what your saying Saxon but surely if a pupil has been taught correctly then it shouldn't matter on what roads they take the test.
Proberbly everyone should take it away from "home" as it were, then that would stop pupils memorising a general idea of local roads.
Then their abilities as a competant driver could be truley ascessed.

on your test day though you are so nervous and in new areas there could be one way systems or no enrties that you miss the signs as you are so nervous, as we all know the street signs are not spectacular and one could be hidden or missing and you would fail!

Originally posted by savbaby
on your test day though you are so nervous and in new areas there could be one way systems or no enrties that you miss the signs as you are so nervous, as we all know the street signs are not spectacular and one could be hidden or missing and you would fail!

And end up on the Tram Tracks. :(

I think you do need to know the roads, because yeah, if you're a good driver, you should be able to drive anywhere... but they don't want good, they want perfection lol. If I had to retake my test now (and bear in mind it's been less than a year) I doubt I could pass it.

Not to mention I think the stress would actually kill me. Realistically if I lost my licence now, I think I'd give up, learning to drive was one of the hardest things I've had to do. Not cos I couldn't drive, but the nerves come test day etc.

Originally posted by claycraft
I know what your saying Saxon but surely if a pupil has been taught correctly then it shouldn't matter on what roads they take the test.
Proberbly everyone should take it away from "home" as it were, then that would stop pupils memorising a general idea of local roads.
Then their abilities as a competant driver could be truley ascessed.

Couldn't agree more - you should be able to drive anywhere. BUT you need to factor in the 'nerves' element when talking about taking the test.

Each area also has its own little 'quirks'. Can you answer these questions -

1. Coming along Mosbro' bypass towards the Parkway and you reach the roundabout to go straight ahead, towards the pear-shaped roundabout to then join the Parkway to head away from Sheffield. Which lane would you use?

2. Coming down Leppings Lane towards the roundabout on Penistone Road to go straight ahead, which lane would you approach in? and which lane would you then go into on the roundabout?

Originally posted by Saxon
2. Coming down Leppings Lane towards the roundabout on Penistone Road to go straight ahead, which lane would you approach in? and which lane would you then go into on the roundabout?

Hehe this was on my driving test!

Left: Left ONLY
Right: Straight Ahead (but stay to the left) and Right

I screwed up on this so many times during my lessons!

Originally posted by IanMitchell
Hehe this was on my driving test!

Left: Left ONLY
Right: Straight Ahead (but stay to the left) and Right

I screwed up on this so many times during my lessons!

Spot on!!:clap:

Book one in Rotherham you only have to wait 2/3 weeks which is a good job as I've got my 7th test aweek today!!!!!

Originally posted by Saxon
Spot on!!:clap:

Well I did practice it like 100 times :P

I was grinning when I came to it on my test ;) :D

dont bother, when you pass your test you are open to getting unfair parking fines! (hence my thread today!!!) good luck!

Originally posted by Saxon


Each area also has its own little 'quirks'. Can you answer these questions -

1. Coming along Mosbro' bypass towards the Parkway and you reach the roundabout to go straight ahead, towards the pear-shaped roundabout to then join the Parkway to head away from Sheffield. Which lane would you use?

2. Coming down Leppings Lane towards the roundabout on Penistone Road to go straight ahead, which lane would you approach in? and which lane would you then go into on the roundabout?

I know what you mean:D
I'm aware of simular "quirks" on other roads.

1. Not accustomed to this route so cannot comment at this time.
Will take note first time I'm out that way and get back to you :wink: (That's not a cop out by the way. )

2. I presume you mean to leave by the Herries Rd exit.
Surely the highway code states that on approaching a roundabout, if you wish to take any more than the second exit, then approach in the right hand lane (11yrs since my last test so I could be wrong:wink: ). Answer= Left hand lane.

Just noticed IanMitchell has barged to steal the quiz glory :wink:::lol: but that's the answer I would have given anyway. Gotta either type faster or finish work earlier:roll:

I'm not quite sure what is meant by 'pear-shaped roundabout', so I'll describe my entire approach for example 1.

On the A57, heading down the hill toward the Parkway, I stay in the right hand lane, even if I would have been turning left to go into town. Then, I take the second exit (straight ahead) and carry on toward the other side of the Parkway. On this short stretch of road, I position myself in the LEFT-hand lane, because to 'turn right' onto the Parkway heading out of town is actually taking the FIRST exit.