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Hints and Tips.

There are many reasons why people fail their driving test. Below is a list of the top 10 reasons why people fail and also some hints and tips aimed at increasing your chances of passing first time.

1. Failure to act properly at road junctions

If you have right of way over a junction, check your mirrors in case you have to make an emergency stop, and carry on as normal.

If you do not have right of way over a junction, check your mirrors and slow down to give way at the junction if necessary.

Your examiner should advise you in plenty of time of any intent to take the turning. If you have to turn, check your mirrors, signal to turn, and slow down to take the turning. Remember to position yourself well for the turn, so as not to endanger or mislead other road users.

2. Reversing around a corner incorrectly

Practice will give you the confidence in this manoeuvre. As with all of the reversing manoeuvres, the purpose is to test your clutch control and control of the vehicle whilst moving backwards.

Don’t go too fast, good use of clutch control is vital. Make sure you check behind before starting any reverse manoeuvre and continue to check all around as the car starts to move. Don’t forget to check your blind spot when you reach your turning point as the car will swing out when you start to turn the wheel.

Remember to give way to other road users if they approach during the manoeuvre.

3. Failure to make proper use of steering

When turning the wheel, make sure you use the pull and push method. This doesn't always come naturally to most people but with practise, it will become second nature. One of the main reasons for incorrect use of the steering wheel is from watching experienced drivers who have picked up bad habits.

Don’t cross your hands on the wheel, let the wheel spin back after a turn or drive with any hands off the wheel for any longer than they have to be.

4. Problems with parking

Reverse parking is probably the manoeuvre that you will use the most after passing your test As with all of the reversing manoeuvres, the purpose is to test your clutch control and control of the vehicle whilst moving backwards

Don’t go too fast, good use of clutch control is vital. Make sure you check behind before starting any reverse manoeuvre and continue to check all around as the car starts to move. Don’t forget to check your blind spot when you reach your turning point as the car will swing out when you start to turn the wheel. Remember to give way to other road users if they approach during your manoeuvre.

5. Failure to make proper use of gears

Gears are very important to the control of the car in normal driving. Make sure you are in the correct gear before you move away, as pulling out in third and stalling will cause you a world of problems and stress. Listen to the engine, if the engine is revving quite loudly, you're in too low a gear, you need to change up a gear. If the engine is labouring and the car is shaking, your gear is too high, you need to drop a gear.

Remember to stop in the gear you are in and change to the gear that you need, ie 4th to 2nd, 5th to 1st etc but be careful not to coast.

6. Failure to make effective use of mirrors

You should check your mirrors when changing speed or direction and roughly every 8-10 seconds during normal driving. Remember, when checkin your mirrors, you only need a quick glance to know what is happening behind you. Prolonged looking in the mirror means you are not concentrating on the road ahead.

7. Driving too slow, too fast

It is understandable that you will be concerned about your speed. Make sure you stick to the speed limit if safe to do so. Looking further ahead will help you notice signs telling you of a change in the speed limit. Only drive at the speed the signs are telling you, not necessarily the speed other cars are going. Remember, experienced drivers may have picked up bad habits and are not always doing the right thing.

8. Failure to act properly when turning right

As always, remember to check your mirrors. Look at them before you do anything. Then indicate and move to the right of the lane you are in. Wait for an appropriate gap in the oncoming traffic, If you can walk across, you can drive across. If someone flashes you to move out, you may go but you must make sure it is safe to do so. In other words, use your own judgement, not someone else's.

9. Causing delay by not pulling out promptly at junctions

Approaching a junction, move into the correct gear, usually first and start your observations as you roll up to the give way line. If there is a safe gap in the traffic, usually 4-6 car lengths when turning left, around 8-10 when turning right, you must proceed but keep looking left and right as you move out. Do not put the hand brake on as soon as you reach the junction, you may be able to go straight away. Only put it on if you think you may be waiting at the junction for more than 5 or 6 seconds.

10. Failure to move away correctly from stationary positions

The key thing to remember here is to check your mirrors then if it is safe in your mirrors, now check your blind spot. Once you have done this, you need to move off within 3 or 4 seconds. If for any reason you can not go, you must check your blind spot again and continue to do so until you check and go within that 3 or 4 second gap.

Therefore, you need to take enough driving lessons and get lots of practice to increase your chances of passing first time.

Mock Test
Make sure you are fully prepared for your Practical Driving Test. This can be done by doing a Mock Test. The mock test takes exactly the same format as the real thing and creates the feeling of being under exam conditions as your instructor could play the role of a DSA driving examiner. This is a great way to help you with any nerves you may have and to give you time to practice any weak points in your driving.

On The Day of the test.
Make sure you get a good night's sleep before the practical driving test and have all your documents ready. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, try not to be too nervous.

Documents you need to Take with You

You will need to take both parts of your driving license with you, Photo card ID and signed counterpart. Without both of these documents, you will not be able to take the driving test.

If you have the old type of license, you will need to bring photograph ID with you, ie passport, student card

For more information or advice, please call Roadstage Driving School on 07873 687 280