Driving Test Advice

Driving test advice

Listen to your instructor and get plenty of practice

Your test will start with an eyesight check. You must be able to read a new style registration plate at a distance of 20 metres

If you can't do this, your test will be terminated and your fee will be lost, so make sure you get your eyesight checked if you have any doubts about it at all

Next, you will be asked two of the 'Show me, Tell me' questions

Your instructor will prepare you for this and give you plenty of practice on answering the questions

You will then be assessed on your general driving and on two of the three reversing manoeuvres you'll have been taught during your driving lessons. You may also be asked to carry out an emergency stop exercise

A standard driving test takes about 40 minutes during which you are allowed only 15 minor driving faults. Any more than that or too many in one category will result in your test being unsuccessful. Any serious or dangerous faults will also mean that you won't pass

If anything goes wrong and you don't pass your driving test, you don't need to re-sit your theory test, providing you do pass the practical test within two years of passing the theory test

During your driving test the examiner will give you directions to follow. Your test route will include a wide range of typical road and traffic conditions. During the test, the examiner will ask you to carry out some set exercises or 'manoeuvres' . . . turn in the road, reverse left or the reverse park for instance. You won't be asked to do all of the possible manoeuvres, but you will do at least two

The most important advice is not to take your driving test until you are ready

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. 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

Remember your 'normal driving position' and Keep well to the left, but avoid driving in the gutter. Try to follow the line of the kerb rather than the centre lines of the road. Never 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

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 your eyes and constantly scan the environment. You will get you marks for hesitancy if you don't progress at a reasonable pace

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

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 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

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

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 or do anything at all to change speed or direction

 

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