Mirror, signal, manoeuvre

‘You can start the engine when you are ready.’

Deep breaths, you can do this. I turn the ignition. The car starts. I check around to see if it is safe to go. Actually, no, it’s too soon. I need to find the bite first. Okay, now I check around, including the mirrors… and we are off!

‘At the car park exit, turn right’.

Mirror – signal – manoeuvre. I have a look on both sides. If I take too long the examiner might tick it as a hesitation. I got four hesitation minors last time, just missing out on a pass. It’s safe. I can go.

‘At the end of the road, turn right’.

I don’t like this junction; people drive so fast and the parking is horrendous. I bet there will be oncoming traffic too to negotiate. Yes, there is. I’m slowing down steadily. I hope I don’t stall today, I’m already so nervous!

‘At the traffic lights, turn right.’

I know where he is taking me. I’m so nervous now, my left leg is starting to feel like jelly. Calm down. Oh, good, a red light. I can relax for 2 minutes at least.

‘At the next round-about, take the third exit’.

Multi-lane roundabout. At least I have practised this one loads. Oh no, the left lane is full, right lane it is then. I’ll move over when I can. Didn’t my instructor say that would be a ‘fail’? There was no way I could safely insert in that traffic there though, I followed the signs and checked carefully. Oh well, never mind, I’ll just put this one down to experience.

‘When it is safe to do so, pull-over’.

Did I indicate too late? This seems like a good spot. I hope I am close enough to the curb. A nice slow and steady stop. Hopefully that will do it.

‘When it is safe to do so, re-join the traffic’.

Okay, checking mirrors. I think I’ll let that car go; it’s quite far but I’m not sure I’ll have time to join safely. Again, mirrors – signal – manoeuvre. It’s clear, I can go.

‘At the next junction, turn left’.

Why am I so nervous? I’ve driven down here lots of times. I should resign myself though. Two fails already. This one most likely to be too. It was just a ‘bonus’ try. I shouldn’t have agreed to try again so soon. I don't think I've done anything ‘serious’ yet. Although the examiner did look at his sheet before. Oh well, I better concentrate on what I cam doing and keep checking the mirrors. Anticipate, anticipate…

A while later…

‘At the next set of traffic lights, turn left’.

We are so close to the test centre now! It would be such a shame to make a mistake so close to the end. I know I have failed anyway; that round-about business probably wasn’t the best. It’s the ‘home-straight now’.

‘Could you reverse into one of the bays please?’

I can’t believe I just practised that manoeuvre before going into the text centre. I wonder if my driving instructor can see me now from the test centre. The angle seems just right. Oh dear, I need to make sure I check all the mirrors and blind spots. Phew! That would have been a ‘fail’. Nice! I think I’m in.

‘You can turn the engine off now’.

And breathe. I wonder how I did. The examiner did seem to look at his notes a lot.

‘So…’.

This is so intense. I am so used to seeing the disappointed look of the examiners after the test. The last time it was the manoeuvre that let me down. I nailed it this time though. My driving instructor is coming up to hear the result too. Fingers crossed.

The examiner is turning in his seat to face me. I hold my breath… Did I pass?

The end.