Hi everyone,

I failed my second driving test today and would appreciate advice from anyone who has experienced something similar. I had the same examiner as my first test. This time I avoided the mistakes from before and did not get any serious faults for speed or hesitation.

1. Reverse parking

I was marked Reverse park (car park) – Control, but the manoeuvre was actually reverse parallel parking on the road. The marking feels ambiguous, and the examiner noted the wrong manoeuvre on the test sheet. 
He said I failed because I reversed too far back (more than two car lengths from the car in front). I adjusted my angle once and finished neatly. He did not tell me to stop during the manoeuvre.

I dislike ambiguity or uncertainties with a passion because it hampers learning and improvement. This reverse manoeuvre marking feels especially unfair and confusing.

Has anyone been failed or marked like this? And also where the manoeuvre itself was noted incorrectly?

2. Right turn at awkward junction

I had a serious fault for the turn. After the satnav section, the examiner asked me to take a right turn. The road was a dead end, and he asked me to turn around and take the next right. The junction was awkward and had poor visibility to the left. I did full observations and did not cut corners, but he said I did not position the car far enough left before turning.

Has anyone had a similar experience at an awkward junction? 

3. Multiple stops on the left

We stopped about 5 times on the left instead of 3, including times when it was only for the examiner to adjust their rear view mirror.

DVSA marking vs examiner discretion

I’m also trying to understand how much discretion examiners have versus what DVSA guidance actually allows. Any clarification on this would be very helpful.

Final question

Any advice on how to prepare for the next test and handle a strict examiner? 

Is it possible to request not to have a specific examiner?
Should I consider having someone sit in the back for reassurance?

Thanks in advance for any guidance.

Failed second test – looking for clarification and advice