Driving Test Advice

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Test advice

Here’s an interesting thing . . .

There is no such thing as a 'driving test'. It is simply an assessment of your ability to drive a car safely with good, effective observations. The examiner wants to be sure that you can drive on your own SAFELY! So, you do not have to be the worlds best driver (contrary to what many male pupils believe - you NEVER will be!), you simply need to be proficient and keep the car safe.

The most important advice is not to take your driving test until you are ready. Look at the test pass rates for test centres across the UK.
Not very high, are they? Do you wonder why?
I’ll tell you why . . . it’s because so many pupils want to rush and standards are regrettably very low. Don’t fall into the trap. Be prepared and UNDERSTAND what you need to do and you’ll be fine.

Thousands of people pass this test every week all over the UK. There are no 'quotas', despite what some people say in the e-mails we receive. If you fail, then the examiner simply did not feel that you were ready to drive alone. That's all there is to it.

It may be hard for you to admit, but if you cannot drive on busy roads for at least 30 minutes, without any (or minimal) help from your instructor, then you are not ready.

See the other pages in the learners area for advice on the car you take your test in and what documents you need to have with you.

The Test

Make sure you know the show me, tell me questions and answers. This will get you off to a good start. Don’t go getting minor errors before you even move off!!

Thoroughly learn the cockpit drill and go through it each time you get in the car.
Make sure you do it before you move off on your test.

Try to think of the driving test as several 'mini tests' . . . you drive a bit, do a maneuver, then drive a bit more. Divide and conquer is the best way to think of it.

The examiner will tell you that unless he or she states anything to the contrary, you should follow the road ahead. You should go straight ahead at crossroads and roundabouts unless the examiner tells you not to.

If the examiner asks you to 'take the next available turn', it's may be that one of the roads is inaccessible, (one way street / no-entry sign?) or the examiner could say, 'take the second on the right / left this being the first' This is normally  because the junctions are a bit close together and you could misunderstand.
Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know what the examiner wants.

Remember, always try to plan ahead. Look for the junctions and mini roundabouts well in advance. At roundabouts, look at the sign showing where all the exits are. Then you can plan your lane changes and stay calm on the approach.

Always remember, this is not really a test . . . it's an assessment

Driving between maneuvers

Remember your 'normal driving position' and Keep well to the left, but DON'T drive in the gutter. Try to follow the line of the kerb rather than the centre lines of the road.

DON'T get too close to stationary vehicles or obstructions as you are pass them.
 
Look out for pedestrians stepping out and remember that push bikes can wobble. Give them plenty of room.

NEVER look down at the gear stick when driving along... learn to change gears without looking. Don't let the car 'veer' to one side when you change gear.

Don't drive too slowly...try to keep up with the traffic flow but remember the speed limit !!

A common mistake is to try to be extra careful because the examiner is in the car with you! Always try to anticipate what might happen in good time. Whenever you can, get the car up towards the speed limit . . . BUT the speed limit is a MAXIMUM. So, slow down if other dangers are present.

Try not to stop at every junction if you can help it. Try to look well ahead OPEN OUR EYES AND SCAN, SCAN, SCAN !!

You will get you marks for hesitancy if you don't progress at a reasonable pace.

Don't ever forget that you MUST stop and apply the hand brake at a STOP SIGN.

You may have to hold the vehicle on the clutch on a slope for a short time instead of applying the hand brake (NOT at a stop sign!!). This will be usually at junctions and roundabouts. You just need to hold the clutch on the 'biting point'. Make sure that this is only for a couple of seconds MAXIMUM. Use your eyes and your brain. Have a good look all around and if there's no chance of moving off in the next couple of seconds, get the hand brake on.

When you are emerging from junctions you need to look in both directions, no matter which way you turn. As an absolute minimum, when turning left from into a main road you should look at least, right-left-right.
 
When turning right into a main road across oncoming traffic, you should keep looking both ways constantly. Never forget to ask yourself "COULD I WALK ACROSS?” when crossing the path of other traffic.

Remember, "creep and peep" where you need to. If there's a danger, stop creeping but keep peeping!! As soon as it's clear move positively into the new road, check the mirror and cancel un needed signals.

At every junction or roundabout ask yourself "What can I see? Is it safe? Can I go?"

As always the golden rule is "IF YOU DON'T KNOW, DON'T GO!!"

Signals

Signals should be used to inform, not confuse. They should be used in good time as part of the MSM routine and then canceled when no longer needed.

Always signal on approaching a junction to turn left or right, no matter how clear the road is.

Also, always signal on the approach to any roundabout if you have to turn left or right. Always signal on a roundabout to inform other road users that you intend to turn off at the next exit, even if going straight on.

Don't indicate every time you pass a parked car or move out slightly for a pedal cyclist.
Always consider before each time you change position in the road "would a signal help other road users?" If not, don't use one.

Moving Off

Moving off is one of the most important and basic skills to get right.

During the test the examiner will ask you to stop on the left and move off again several times. You may think this is pointless, but the examiner wants to see how effective your observations are and how safely you move away.

I cannot stress enough that lots and lots of driving tests are failed through errors in moving of and stopping. Get the basics right, RIGHT NOW

When you move off you MUST use the Prepare, Observe, Move routine. You have to check all around the car by turning round to check the blind spots. A quick look in the mirror is absolutely not enough.

When the examiner asks you to stop, make sure you use the MSM routine and stop somewhere that’s Safe, Convenient and Legal.

Other road users

Always give pedestrians the right of way. They are the most vulnerable road users.
 
Look out for kids and old people. They routinely take car drivers by surprise by stepping out without looking.

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. When you see a pedestrian, expect them to step out, that way you won't be surprised.

When overtaking cyclists give them the same clearance as you would a car if possible. If you can't give them that much room, SLOW DOWN. Trade speed for space.

Don't follow cyclists too closely. Always be prepared for them to wobble or fall off.

Mirrors

Try to get the habit of using your mirrors BEFORE you do anything at all.

Use them in pairs, interior and at least one wing mirror.

Use mirrors before you: speed up, slow down, brake, move off, change gear, change lanes, turn a corner etc. etc.

ALWAYS, always, always remember that final check in the side mirror before turning right or left. It's vital and so many people don't bother.

Look out for an imaginary scooter. Pretend there's one following you all the way round and watch out for it coming along side of you just as you turn

When leaving roundabouts check your near side wing mirror before you move to your left. That imaginary scooter might just be darting up your near side!