{"id":14975,"date":"2022-11-18T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2022-11-18T10:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=14975"},"modified":"2023-06-02T17:52:46","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T16:52:46","slug":"the-best-time-to-take-your-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diaryofanadi.co.uk\/?p=14975","title":{"rendered":"The Best Time To Take Your Test"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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This article was first published in 2014, but it has become popular recently. It was due another update.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I touched on this topic back in May, 2010<\/a>, following a run on searches based on the questions \u201cwhat test time is easiest?\u201d and \u201cwhy do they do tests at odd times?\u201d The topic appears to be quite popular again, so I thought I\u2019d update it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There isn\u2019t an \u201ceasiest\u201d time to do your test. All times have their pros and cons, and if you can handle all<\/strong> traffic conditions competently, then you stand a good chance of passing your test whatever time you do it. Learn to drive properly and it doesn\u2019t matter when <\/strong>you do your test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But let\u2019s take a light-hearted look at the supposed pros (+) and cons (-) of different test times, bearing in mind that one person\u2019s pro is another’s con.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Morning Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rush hour is at its peak from before 8.00am (-). The morning school run also occupies this period (- – -). As a result, average traffic speeds are low (+), and routes into the city or town centre will be almost at a standstill (++). However, examiners are not going to drive straight into a traffic jam, and they will most likely head off in the opposite direction away from the city and into the estates (-). Wherever you go, you\u2019re almost certainly going to be in slow-moving traffic (+), so you\u2019ll have more time to think and react when dealing with other road users who are idiots (- -).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mid-morning Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From about 9.30am everyone who was going to work is there now (+). But many of the mummies who earlier divested themselves of their older kids on the school run will now be off to do their shopping with their toddlers (- – -). Pedestrians will come out and populate the shopping areas (-), as will some older drivers (- -). There will be more lorries and vans, particularly couriers and Amazon drivers (- – -). The average speed of traffic will increase just because it can (-), and having your test go through the city centre is a definite possibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunchtime Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunchtime starts to ramp up from 12.00pm. It marks the start of a two-hour period during which all the mummies-with-toddlers and white van men head for the nearest McDonalds (- – -). Traffic volumes increase (-) and average speeds come down again (+). The number of pedestrians also increases (-).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Afternoon Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunchtime finishes around 2.00pm (+), but the afternoon school run and evening rush hour gradually build up as the day progresses (-). It is always a gamble predicting how heavy traffic will be. Late afternoon, once they\u2019ve picked up their kids from school, the mummies will head for McDonalds again to buy dinner (- – -), as will all the local school kids (–).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Winter Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s cold and icy (or snow) there\u2019s an increased risk of tests being cancelled at short notice (- -). This is especially true if you book early tests due to fog and frost or frozen snow (- – -). Very early tests will go out at near sunrise in mid-winter, and the sun will be low in the sky (-). The same is true for late afternoon tests, where the sun will be low on the other side of the horizon. The risk of poor weather is higher overall (-), and snow is slippery (-)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summer Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If it\u2019s very hot, early morning tests go out during the coolest periods (+). From about 10am onwards it can get uncomfortable (-). You may need to use the aircon, which can be a problem if you wear contact lenses (-), your car doesn’t have it (- -), or your instructor won’t have it on (- – -). Open windows increase the risk of insects getting inside (-). Summer rain can be torrential and involve thunderstorms (-). Fallen blossom in spring\/early summer is slippery when it gets wet (-).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Autumn Tests<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch out for the local University Open Days and Inductions if the test centre is nearby. There will be increased numbers of mummies and daddies pootling around who don\u2019t know the area (- -), A few weeks before that, the overseas students are inducted, and they haven’t a clue how British roads work at that stage (-). Consider that British students still don’t have a clue after even three years, so the bar is quite low to start with (- -). Fallen leaves are slippery when they\u2019re wet and ground up on the road (-).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local Events<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have large sports or concert venues, then traffic can be very unpredictable if there’s a show on (- -). Pedestrians attending these also unpredictable (- – -). When Forest are at home, it’s like driving through the baboon enclosure at Longleat (- – -). International cricket matches at Trent Bridge also attract similar people, especially when the game stops for lunch. Both venues are on test routes in Nottingham. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time has its good and bad points, but every good point is countered by a bad one (and vice versa). Just think positively and forget the ‘what ifs’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking personally, I detest getting up early and will light-heartedly swear at anyone who books a 7.50am or 8.10am test, because it means I have to get up at 5.30am (I normally get up between 8am-10am these days by choice). But it\u2019s their<\/strong> test, not mine, and if 8.10am is what they book, it isn\u2019t a major issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can drive, the time of your test does not make any difference to your prospects of passing. Don\u2019t let your nerves \u2013 or anyone else – convince you otherwise. And don\u2019t think that it is wrong to be somewhat nervous. It isn\u2019t. It\u2019s completely natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are tests at odd times?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Somewhere in the past, DVSA conducted a time and motion study and concluded that an examiner could fit x tests in a shift if they had y minutes between each one to do all their paperwork, and z minutes for lunch, etc. Add x, y, and z together and you get 8.10, 8.20, 9.38, 2.32, and all manner of weird times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The examiners are usually out on the dot, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n