Hi everyone,

I have read many posts on this useful forum and have gathered 2 tips that i consider can help me on the test i should take next week, please share with me your experiences, what else is there i should take care off to make the expert happy? tx in advance!

1.
"As long as you give way to the ones coming from your right, watch out for tram and bus, try to be as cautios as possible when changing lanes (look over your shoulder a couple of 10s of times, it is important that you look both ways on intersections a few times even though it looks silly, try to look like you are always in alarm!!! ), keep your both hands on the wheel at all times, dont over speed, you should be all right with the test."

2.
One of the hardest things I had to get used to was having the stationery car in first gear all the time! Waiting at traffic lights one has the car in first gear, ready for take-off (In my home country where I drove for 40yrs we got penalised for sitting in gear). And here one does not sit idling, if you further back than 4 cars waiting, you switch off the engine.

That all sounds pretty reasonable.

Although with most of the drivers I've seen from Canton Aargau, they don't appear to be too strict when it comes to responsible driving....

Don't sweat it, you should be fine.

Dont know about here but a friend of mine failed her test because she drove to slow. Goodluck with your test

Turn on the windscreen wipers before you put your belt on. Then look shocked, say "Sorry, I always do that" and press the cigar lighter switch. Wait for it to pop 'ready', then light a fag. Tell your man: "I can't relax without a fag first" and start up the engine. Open a bottle of Pepsi, take a mouthful then pass it over asking "Want some? It's nice and cold! No? Well, would you mind holding it, as I can't find the cup holder".

Etc.


They want you to pass, relax

Pepsi? Hey if your going to do it properly then a beer

One more tip:

Don't just do what everyone else in front of you is doing.

A friend failed her test because there was a slow truck (tractor thingy) in front. All the cars in front of her passed around the truck, so she did too. Well, he failed her because she crossed on the solid line! She complained that "everyone else did it"... :/

Soft. Bottle of vodka is the way to go.

And make sure that ciggy has the pungent aroma of skunk!!!

Hi miniMia, thanks for answering and keeping the topic, your tip is useful, the others i just get the message, just be relaxed... i used to drive in south america for more than 15 years so is not about being nervous of driving in safe europe, is more about those old habits that there are basically survival skills and here are plain bad techniques.

anyone has more tips for me and for others?

cheers and enjoy the weekend,

/f

OK a sensible answer,
If you have to turn right, check first for cyclists!!

Always stop when someone is walking on the yellow lines over the road

what about the infamous order of things before you begin moving the car? i mean:

1.seat belt
2.check mirrors
3.clutch and brake
3.engine on
4.lights on
5.check mirrors
6.move head over shoulders
7.blink
8.handbrake down
9.go!

is stupid but... there are rules in this country... should one pay attention to that?

also, what if the car is not 100% clean? will that be considered as a fault?...

all is possible in the land of orwell (not his home country)

/fkdstm

Silly question, but have you taken any lessons here?

I find it's a bit of a system turning up in an instructor's car, the knowing nod between instructor and examiner.

Have you paid your dues?

i payed 2 lessons, or test control simulations... today i go for a third one, will that be enough for getting feedback in this forum?

not sure "how much is much?"..

/fkdstm

Another order is where to look before changing the lane or turning:

1. Interior mirror
2. Side mirror
3. Over shoulder

But don't twist your neck too much.

Be keenly aware of the 'dynamics of traffic' at all times and SHOW that you are.

Keep strictly to speed limits in all zones. In the 30kph zone, signal when you need to move left to avoid a speed barrier.

Be careful at T-junctions - who has right-of-way depends on the lines on the road, especially in the 30kph zone.

Accelerate adequately before getting on the Autobahn.

Constantly check rear and side mirrors. Before moving to (newly 'appeared') left lane at traffic lights (to turn left), check left side mirror.

Lastly, if you don't want your instructor to be waiting for you at the Strassenverkehrsamt while you're doing your test, tell him/her specifically as he/she might presume to charge you the price of a lesson (for his/her time).

If you've driven before in another country, you should be fine. If you're currently taking driving lessons in Switzerland, you'll have even less to feel nervous about.

At least you haven't driven for 15 years in another country on the "other" side of the road ... imagine having to reverse everthing you've learnt ... now that is difficult!

I'm sure the basic rules of driving apply in Switzerland (i.e. checking your mirrors and blindspots, etc.), but you might want to become familiar with the Swiss road signs and what they mean. You don't want to fail your test by driving the wrong way up a one-way road!

Nathu, argus, cremebrulee

many thanks for your last comments,

i do have now a moment for deep meditation, to "internalize" the new rules and ways of doing, i'm very much aware of the signs and order of things to do before changing lanes... the distance to the bike lane and when i should block it or not...etc...

but, i do fear that having strong habits from latinamerica and my look will pay negative points in case i make a slight mistake..

will see tomorrow, if im not back in this forum it will mean i will be frustrated enough....

its a paradox but i dont really want to drive in a country where is safe to go by bike and trains are on time. this all kafkian process is due basically cause i dont want to loose the chance to validate my license into the swiss control system.

cheers!
/fkdstm

so i passed the test and got my chessyland driving license yesterday... call it domestication.

anyhow, i head to ricardoDOTch to sell half price the Fahrschule booklet and DVD that i used (it has spanish, english, french, german... test simulations).

if someone is interested on it just send me a private message.

cheers and thanks again to the people who kindly shared their advices.

/a

Congratulations! So, now why don't you tell us how it went, how was your experience, etc? That would be great!