January 8 2020

Peter Wilkinson Learner Driver Tips Driving Courses, Driving School, Driving Test 0

Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Here’s our essential guide to passing your driving test.

Tel: 07838166663 or use our contact form to book a lesson.

As a result of many requests, not just from our learner drivers but also parents, spouses and other Road Safety Professionals around the area, we’ve decided to prepare an all you can eat buffet on everything you need to –

Pass Your Driving Test!

The information below comes not only via years of experience from TOP Driving Instructors here at Pass Me Faster but also our technical team back at HQ.

Let’s have a look at…

Topics On Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Provisional Licence
Theory Test
Choosing The Right Driving School For You
Manual Or Automatic
Your First Driving Lesson
Choosing A Course to Suit Your Needs
Coaching Or Instruction
Booking A Driving Test
Mock Tests
The Day Before Your Driving Test
The Warm Up for Test
Waiting At The Test Centre
Meeting and Greeting Your Driving Examiner
Show Me Tell Me Questions
Setting Yourself UP
Setting Off On Your Driving Test
Pulling Up and Moving Off Safely
Independent Driving (Sat Nav or Road Signs)
Junctions
Pedestrian Crossings
Signalling
Hill Starts
Angle Starts
Maneuvers
Emergency Stop
Lane Changing
Faster Driving and Following Distances
Tight Streets and Meeting Situations
Road Markings and Traffic Signs
Awareness And Planning
Back At The Test Centre

(1) The Provisional Driving Licence

To begin with, the first thing you will need to do before jumping into a car and tearing off to the nearest industrial estate, is to apply for your provisional licence. This allows you to practice driving on public roads when accompanied by your driving instructor.

On the other hand you can of course practice with someone over the age of 21 who has also had a licence for over three years. Even so statistics would suggest nine out of ten test candidates use a driving school to help them with their journey to pink licence.

Be Careful when applying for your provisional licence and always go through a repuatable company.

Unfotunately the Internet is a hotbed for criminals that hide behind computers screens. On a more positive note, there’s plenty of ways you can protect yourself.

Read customer feedback, such as these Google Reviews from Pass Me Faster.
Ask friends or work colleagues for advice? Can they recommend anyone?
What are the popular driving instructors in your area?

Here’s the Link to the secure government website

You can apply for your licence here.

(02) The Theory Test – Passing Your Driving Test

Something equally important and often overlooked is the theory test. Depending on what path you take in becoming road legal will determine when you plan your theory studies. For an intensive driving course we would always recommend having the theory completed immediately of course but…. for regular lessons this may not be necessary.

Why does the theory need completing on an intensive course?

Firstly with the theory test done and dusted you can now book a practical test to work towards. Another key point – this will also give you significantly more motivation to get stuck into the zone and to the top of your game.

To clarify – a more regular weekly lesson plan will allow for a more intertwined theory timetable that can run alongside your practical training.

To begin with most driving test waiting lists are above four weeks. By the time you add the time taken to pass the theory, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were now starting to head towards the two month period.

Here at Pass Me Faster all customers get free access to our online DTS theory system, which is one of the best in town.

Here’s some more info on the driving theory test.

(3) Choosing The Right Driving School For You

All things considered there are many different driving schools to choose from. Ask yourself this –

How can I make my tuition time behind the wheel as enjoyable as I can?

How about looking at google reviews or maybe ask social media a question for reliable recommendations. Alternatively telephone chatting your way around schools may find the right school that ticks all the boxes.

Likewise you may want to find out if they’re –

Interested in your own personal journey and what best suits you

Fixated on pass rates and how fast you get through your test?

Also do they prefer –

Coaching and client centred approaches along with instruction

A more focused regimental romp through the lesson plans?

All things considered it’s your journey and you must be happy with what you get.

A trial first hour before handing over your hard earned cash for block bookings or intensive courses isn’t a bad idea either.

Here’s our guide to choosing the correct school for you!

(4) Manual Or Automatic – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Generally speaking there are two different categories of driving test for cars in the UK. Class B and Class B Auto. It’s important to realise that if you pass your driving test in a manual vehicle on the Class B test you can drive both manual and automatic cars.

On the other hand if you only pass the Class B auto you’re restricted to driving automatic cars.

This being said if you have a disability and an automatic is the only way for you then there are plenty of great cars around to own.

Frequently we receive phone calls from struggling customers frantically quivering to be put on one of our automatic driving courses. Why not avoid limiting your choice of car, not to mention the additional cost of an auto by considering our Clutch Tectonics Course.

For students that struggle with clutch control we now offer our advanced clutch course – (Clutch Tectonics). Many of our instructors are getting great results from students training through our advanced courses which run in time with their regular training.

At the end of the day it’s your choice Manual or Auto we’re here to help with that choice.

(5) Your First Driving Lesson

You wouldn’t be human if you weren’t a little nervous, particularly on your first driving lesson. On the positive side it’s your instructors job to make you feel at ease sitting behind the wheel for the very first time.

Another key point is you must bring your provisional licence for the first lesson so that –

Your instructor can check you’re legally ok to drive.

After a quick eyesight check your on your way!

Prior to starting your lessons you will need to demonstrate your ability to read a car number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres away. If you need glasses, that’s fine – but you must wear them whenever you’re driving.

The examiner will check your eye sight without delay at the start of the test and if you fail the test is a no go.

Getting To Know Each Other And Making A Plan

After your eyesight and legality have been confirmed what are the main areas of focus on a first lesson? –

To meet each other
To clarify what level you are and also how much work needs to be done
Your prefered course plan, expressly (days and times of lessons that best suit you and the instructor)
How you would specifically like your course to be delivered (Instructed or coached or both)
Getting comfortable with the car and especially the controls.
Some form of contract between you both on cancellation procedures is important. (So you both know where you stand going forwards)
Finally making a start on the training however (the amount will depend on the length of your session)

You’re tutor may drive to a suitable training area depending on your skill set and the location of your pick up address. An instructor will pick a low hazard area or nursery route until you find your feet.

After all we quite like the shape of our cars!!

By the time the first lesson has ended you should be confident with what’s happened overall and the plan you have made to move forward with your development.

(6) Choosing A Course To Suit Your Needs

A point often overlooked – everybody leads different life styles and what fits one person may potato sack someone else.

It’s important to make a plan that best fits around your commitments. The three main paths to pink licence are –

A regular weekly lesson plan
Intensive courses
Semi intensive courses

A regular weekly lesson plan can suit students that don’t have the flexibility to block off large sections of their week to commit to lessons. Under these circumstances they can take their time with shorter lessons but more frequently. They may also want to work through their theory too as they trot along.

An intensive course will suit someone with free time to spare and the bit between their teeth to get the job done. Are You Someone that –

Needs to pass your test prior to starting a new job
Is home from University for a month or two and wants to blitz things
In between jobs, college or university
A UK citizens on holiday from your permanent Non UK home wanting a UK licence
Better suited to learning in an intensive environment rather than spreading things out

Semi Intensive Driving Courses In Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

On the other hand you may find a compromise between regular weekly lessons and Intensive courses suits you best. An intensive course can be stretched into a semi intensive if your brain starts to melt when the pedal hits the metal.

Choosing A Course To Suit Your Needs – Time And Days

It’s not only regular, semi intensive or intensive courses you have to decide on – but also have a think about days and times that best suit you and your driving instructor.

After you’ve decided on a suitable path to pink licence let’s have a look at style of lessons

(7) Coaching Or Instruction – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Your Instructor will probably ask you on the first lesson how you learn best?

If they can tailor your lessons to suit your prefered learning style then you will no doubt find things more enjoyable and you will progress faster.

It may be –

Visually through pictures and looking at scenarios that play out in front of you
Audio or listening to instructions given by the tutor
Just doing it or getting on with things yourself

We’re not saying here that its one way or the highway. All three techniques are very effective and occasionally will overlap one another. To put it another way having variety is vital in helping a learner driver become independent on the road. That being said they may favour or lean to one style over another.

What’s The Difference Between Coaching And Instruction

Basically Instruction is more Instructor lead. The course tutor would tell the client what, where, when, how and why to do something then check their knowledge later via question and answer technique.

The three main areas of instruction are –

Fault Identification – (spotting the customers fault)
Fault Analysis – (analysing whether the customer fully understands the fault)
Remedial Action – (helping the customer put the fault right on the move)

In Contrast Coaching is more learner led. The learner driver is given more freedom to experiment on their own whilst the instructor takes on more of the role of a safety net. When the learner driver becomes stuck the instructor can be thought of as a google search engine to gain the knowledge.

To put it another way – The answers are not offered up easily!

In conclusion coaching is a way of immersing a learner driver into a driving lesson by –

Encouraging them to set goals, consider different realities and options and to self evaluate the choices they make to help them move forward.

Finally –

Ultimately the coach is there to help guide the learner driver into different mindset that helps them take more responsibility for their actions and helps develop their decision making processes.

Nonetheless it’s important your instructor has both sets of skills available in their tool box.

Follow this link if the subject of coaching has wet your whistle.

(8) Booking A Driving Test

Obviously be guided by your driving Instructor on this one. Your instructor will most likely let you know when you’re ready or how much time is still needed to prepare you.

Some instructors may help you out by booking the test for you when they’re happy you’re ready. Alternatively you may want to book yourself. If So follow the link below –

Book a Practical Driving Test Here!!

(9) Mock Tests – Passing Your Driving Test The Essential Guide

As you’re heading towards the end of your driving course our instructors will start to offer you mock tests. It’s totally up to you whether you want to but – Why not?

When you meet your examiner at the beginning of the test they will ask if you want your instructor to be present for the driving test.

Regardless of whether you bring them along or not, it does mean that over the years they have racked up a fair few hours sitting in on tests.

Believe it or not your Instructor will, be able to simulate a very accurate mock test.

So why not get a feel for things and get yourself ahead of the game.

Here at Pass Me Faster we also offer to switch instructors for mock tests to recreate having a stranger sat beside you. – just like on test.

(10) The Day Before Your Driving Test

Have a think about the day before your test. Sometimes having a recapping session can be just enough to calm down those pre test jitters.

If you feel the day before is too close to test day then space things out with a break in between.

Some of our older clients prefer a rest day in between last lesson and test day.

Check you have your green plastic licence the night before too. A last minute dash ‘n’ pannick the morning of your test won’t help with those pre test nerves.

Show Me Tell Me Questions

There’s no harm running over the show me tell me questions online the day before your test just to refresh things.

Here’s a great little video to get you started. – No doubt your instructor will have run through these things but there’s no harm in a quick refresh!!

Then it’s off to bed for an early night!!

Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Preparing You For The Driving Test

Sooner or later we had to get down to business so without further delay let’s begin with our step by step walk through of the driving test from beginning to end.

The following sections are detailed explanations of different sections of the UK driving test.

Excited ? We Thought So!

Although any good instructor will go through this out on their lessons I’m sure you’ll agree there’s no harm in getting a heads up beforehand. Let’s Go –

(11) Warming Up For A Driving Test

If you have decided to use your driving instructors car for the test (which we do recommend by the way) then a pre test warm up drive is also a great idea.

Most of our clients opt for at least two hour sessions and some even play it super safe with three hours.

Below are a list of topics we recommend you get a quick refresher on before the guy in yellow sits down next to you –

Make sure your car is set up perfectly as to how you like it. Are the mirrors, seat height, steering adjustment, seat rake etc to your liking?
A quick refresher on the maneuvers and emergency stop always seems to calm the nerves too.
Splitting the drive down to the test centre between sat nav and sign following will have you razor sharp for the independent drive. (Have a quick recap on the auxiliary controls too)
There’s no harm giving your junction routines a spit and a polish along the way along with a bit of lane changing thrown in for good measure.
Make sure you practice a few pull ups in safe places and move offs also.

(12) Parking Up And Waiting At The Test Centre

In our experience most driving test centres we cover have car parks for test candidates to use. There are a few exceptions where you may use a public car park like for example Northallerton Test Centre.

On test it is suggested on your appointment confirmation to arrive ten minutes early.

Arrive early and you get in the way of candidates on the test before yours.
Any less than ten minutes you leave yourself no time for chills and toilet breaks.

Remember to reverse park into the bay to give yourself an easy start to your exam. There will most likely be other candidates on test so try to be courteous and keep things slow and steady.

Getting parked up ten mins early also gives you a great opportunity to refresh your way through the show me tell me questions.

In The Waiting Room – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

After you’ve parked up safely in a bay it’s time to tremble your way into the test centre. Remember to lock the car, switch off your mobile telephone and take the car keys with you!!

The test centre will have a seating location and usually a toilet for you to use if your nerves really start to escalate.

Your examiner will usually come out right on cue and call your name!

(13) Meeting And Greeting Your Driving Examiner

Although the examiners are there to unbiasedly assess your driving skills we don’t think it’s a bad idea to try to make a good impression.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying first impression is last impression. Here’s a few tips-

Try to turn up on time
Have your licence in hand and ready for them
Mobile phone switched off
Greet the examiner with a friendly smile – A smile goes a mile
Hand them your licence (don’t frisbie it at them)

The examiner will now scan your licence and check the photograph to make sure it’s definitely you.

Do You Want Your Driving Instructor to Come On Test

After the initial meet and greet the examiner is going to ask you if you want your instructor to come with you on test. This is your choice but let’s have a look at some of the pro’s and cons to help with your decision.

Pros

You may feel more comfortable having a friendly face with you on test
If anything does go wrong your instructor can see what happened and knows how to help you in following lessons
If you do get in a mess out on test and want to abandon the drive the instructor is there to drive back to the test centre

Cons

You may feel more nervous having two people watching you
With the added extra weight of three people in the car there’s more chance the car will stall
In our experience you tend to get emergency stop more often when the instructor comes with you on test

Have a little think about what you want on the day and remember –

Don’t worry if you completely change your mind last minute!!

(14) The Eyesight Check – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Before the examiner hands over the control of a rolling one tonne chunk of metal they’re going to check that you can see. For a UK driving test the candidate must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres away. The number plate will often be stuck up on a wall of fence or alternatively they may ask you to read another test candidates vehicle.

The majority of test candidates have no issues with this especially as we checked your eyes at the start remember!

Problems –

If for any unforeseen circumstances you were struggling to read it the examiner is then required to officially measure the correct distance with a tape measure.

A Little Bit About The Driving Test

After your eyesight has been confirmed the examiner will ask you ”do you want to know a little bit about the test?”

Although you should be ready by this stage we don’t think it’s a bad idea to have a quick refresh.

The examiner will say something along the lines of –

”We’re going to be driving for approximately 38 to 40 minutes on different road and traffic conditions. I’d like you to just follow the road ahead at all times unless road signs or road markings direct you otherwise, if I want you to turn left or right i’ll tell you in good time.

There’s going to be one maneuver (some test centres may do two) possibly the emergency stop and twenty minutes of independent driving

Via either –

Following a Sat Nav (the examiner brings their own sat nav to test)
Using road signs to find your way to your destination

During the test if you don’t understand anything I say please say so and I will repeat it.”

Or something along those lines!

(14) Show Me Tell Me Questions In Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

After a quick test pre brief the examiner is going to ask you one of the tell me questions. The second question is done on the move and is to test you keep the car safely under control when out driving.

You should have gone through all the show me tell me questions beforehand with your instructor but let’s have a little recap now hey.

Show Me Tell Me Questions For The Ford Fiesta

The Answers below are specifically for the Ford Fiesta however many of the answers are not vehicle specific.

Generally the list below will almost have you there but you will still want to go over things with your instructor a couple of times whilst out on lessons.

One of the show me tell me questions is asked at the start of the test before you set off and the second question is asked Whilst you are driving.

In Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide we’ve added a little WD (whilst driving) to the questions so you know which ones can be asked when the cars in motion.

Let’s Start Show Me Tell Me

1.
Q: Please can you open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine had the correct amount of oil.

A: Open the bonnet. Remove the dipstick, wipe it clean, put it back in, remove again and the level should be in-between the minimum and maximum marker.

2.
Q: How would you check that you have a safe level of brake fluid.

A: This also involves opening the vehicles bonnet. It can also be confirmed by looking at the minimum / maximum levels on the side of the brake fluid reservoir tank.

3.
Q: Can you open the bonnet and tell me how you would check that the engine coolant is at the correct level.

A: The engine coolant tank is a large plastic pot near the engine. You will be required to open the bonnet again. Minimum and maximum levels can be found on the side of the expansion tank.

Tyres and Tread Depth

Q: Where could you find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how would you check them.

A: To check the air pressure you would use a pressure gauge. The amount of pressure the tyre needs varies from car to car but can be found in the vehicles manual or sometimes on the drivers or passengers door side.

Q: How would you check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to be out on the road.

A: Tread depth is checked with a tread depth gauge (not a twenty pence piece!). The tread depth should be at least 1.6mm across the middle three quarters of the tyre and all the way around the circumference of the tyre. Also have a look for cuts bulges and bald spots around the tyre and its general condition

Q: Please can you tell me how you would check the brakes are ok before you start your journey.

A: Your answer only has to be told to the examiner. You may something along the lines of when you first drive forward slowly, apply the foot brake, it shouldn’t feel spongy or slack and the car shouldn’t pull to one side

Keep Going ! There’s More To Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide – Show Me Tell Me Questions

6.
Q: How would you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted to protect your head, neck and back in the event of a crash.

A: Make sure the top of the head restraint is in line with the top of your head. There’s other methods like lining the middle of the cussion up with the top of your ears but can you see your own ears? We Can’t.

7.
Q: How would you check the headlights and tail lights were working. Don’t start the engine just turn key twice!!

A: Turn on the ignition on, turn on the dipped headlights, have a walk around the car to check the headlights and tail lights are working properly.

Checking The Brakes

Q: Please can you tell me how you would check the brakes are ok before you start your journey.

Q: How would you know if there was a problem with your (ABS) or anti-lock braking system.

A: If you turn on the ignition a yellow circular light should come on on the dashboard with the letters ABS inside. If the light goes off then everything fine but if it stays on your abs is faulty.

Checking The Lights

10.

Q: How would you check the direction indicators are working. The examiner doesn’t need you to exit the vehicle.

A: You can just press the red hazard warning light button, it’s usually a red triangular button. You would then need to walk around the car to make sure the indicators are working.

11.
Q: How would you check the brake lights are working.

A: Press the foot brake to see reflections in windows from your brake lights. Alternatively get a friend to help by having a look for you.

Halfway Mark in Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide – Show Me Tell Me Questions

12.
Q: How Would you check the power-assisted steering is working before driving.

A: Turn the engine on. The steering should feel very light and turn easily. This can be done moving forward very slowly to avoid dry steering.

13.

Q: How would you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam? How would you know the main beam was on.

A: Firstly you would turn on the ignition. Then turn on the headlights. In the Ford Fiesta you would then pull the left stork or indicator arm backwards until the main beam activated.

14.

Q: How would you switch on the rear fog light? When would you use?

A: You should use the rear fog light when you can’t see further than 100 metres. The ignition needs to be on and also the headlights. Then press the button next to the headlight button. It looks a little like a jellyfish shape. An orange light should illuminate on the dashboard.

Keeping The Windows Clear

15. (WD)
Q: How would you wash and clean the rear windscreen?

A: Pull the right stork towards the steering wheel. Hold it until the window has been sufficiently cleaned. To turn the back wiper off push the stork back towards the front of the car or bonnet.

16. (WD)

Q: How would you wash and clean the front windscreen?

A: Push the button on the right stork into itself. Hold it until the window has been sufficiently cleaned. Release button and the wiper will wipe 4 times then stop.

17. (WD)
Q: Please can you show me how you would turn on your dipped headlights?

A: The headlight switch is on the right side edge of the steering column. You may want to get your instructor to show you. Some vehicles will have it on the end of the indicator storks or wiper storks. One turn will turn on the side lights or parking light. Two turns the dipped main lights.

Demisting The Windows

18. (WD)
Q: Please can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?

A: The rear demister will most probably be a button you press which will warm the filaments on the back window. On the fiesta its on the air temperature selector. Press the button in the middle until the orange light comes on.

19. (WD)

Q: When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?

A: The demister controls are shown on the image. To turn it on and demist, press the button shown. Don’t forget to turn it off by pressing it again.

Auxiliary Controls

20. (WD)

Q: How would you operate the horn?

A Press the middle of the steering wheel to activate the horn.

21. (WD)
Q: Please show me how you’d open and close the side window?

A: Most cars now have electric windows so this shouldn’t be a problem. Just reach down and open and close the window. In the fiesta the button is on the door.

(15) Setting Yourself Up – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

When you first enter the car on your driving test, hopefully everything has been set up ready for you. With a bit of luck there will be little if any adjustments to be made.

During the hour refresher lesson before your test you should have had chance to set your seat, mirrors, steering wheel, chair and headrest correctly for your size. Remember the side mirrors too. Are they perfectly adjusted?

The main two problems test candidates encounter at this stage are –

Forgetting to close the door. Give it a pull and a rattle, is it secured properly.
Make sure your seatbelts on!! NO TWISTS!!

Before starting your engine remember to run through the pre engin checks before starting the car.

It’s a nice starting touch a lot of people skip by in a rush to get going.

Pre engine checks include – (1) handbrake on (2) Gear stick in neutral

Then Start the engine!

(16) Setting Off On Your Driving Test

After a deep breath and a turn of the key the engines on and your away. Remember your most likely to be moving off in a car park with other learner drivers and examiners out and about so keep your eyes peeled.

Those blind spot checks are likely to come in really handy here so let’s start strong.

A point worth considering is your examiner may start the sat nav part of the drive straight away. They will probably help you out of the car park via verbal commands until the sat nav kicks in and takes over.

After the initial couple of minutes we’re sure you’ll soon settle into things and get yourself into the zone.

Most clients after completing a test actually comment on how quick they felt it went.

(17) Pulling Up And Moving Off on Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential guide

During the driving test the examiner will ask you several times to pull up safely at the side of the road. Unlike the picture to the left you must find somewhere safe legal and convenient.

If your wondering what’s wrong with the picture on the left you’re definitely not ready for your test. Here’s some typical things to look out for when pulling up –

Try to stop as close to the curb as possible without hitting or mounting it
Avoid blocking driveways on your side of the road
You need to make sure you’re at least ten metres away from any junctions on your side of the road and not directly over any junctions opposite you
Avoid double yellow lines or single yellow lines that are in activation and continuous white lines
Try not to park too close to a bend or a dip in the road
If you park behind another vehicle don’t get too close so it’s difficult to get back out
Avoid pedestrian crossings or even stopping near a crossing and also zig zag yellow lines near schools
It’s considered unsafe to stop on fast roads. You shouldn’t really stop on a road with a speed limit in excess of 30 mph

To pull over the examiner may say something along the lines of –

”please find a safe place to pull up at the side of the road.”

Where do you think is suitable, consider a signal if anyone would benefit it and gradually slow down and stop safely.

Once you stop, secure the car with the handbrake and set the gears to neutral. Cancel your signal!!

Moving Off Safely Back Into The Traffic

You must be able to move off from the main road safely. The examiner may say something along the lines of ”Move off when your ready” Although there may be various and wonderful ways of getting a car back out into traffic safely let’s have a look at the sequence we have found works best for us –

Prepare the car (first gear – find a slight biting point – left hand ready on the handbrake)
Centre mirror first (keep an eye out for gaps behind)
When you see a suitable gap the minimum checks start with left mirror, look ahead, centre mirror right mirror and finally finishing with your RIGHT BLIND SPOT
Signal right as you move if anyone would benefit it. (signaling too early startles drivers behind)
Check centre mirror again as your accelerating away (if a speeding vehicle charges up behind, you can hoof it on the gas and get out the danger zone)
Briskly accelerate up to the speed limit if the road ahead is clear to do so

Remember you will probably stop three or four times during your test. You must remember blind spots every time.

(18) Independent Driving – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

At some point on your route you will be asked to pull over safely so the examiner can start the independent driving section of your test.

Independent driving will last for approximately twenty minutes or half the duration of your test. You may get either of the following –

Sat Nav (four out of five tests)
Following Road Signs (one out of five tests)

1. Sat Nav Driving – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Recent surveys would suggest that over 50% of the motorists on the road at present rely on satellite navigation to get themselves from A to B. Although driving instructors have been teaching sat nav driving from the word go it wasn’t until 4th December 2017 that the robotic co driver was introduced to the UK driving test.

With four out of five driving exams including sat nav, your chances of getting sat nav are pretty high. For this reason it’s important you get plenty of practice in on lessons.

Believe it or not once your used to the sat nav it can actually make things easier. For a start the speed limit of the road your travelling on is displayed on screen. Any nasty twists, turns and junctions can be seen from a mile off too if you keep glancing at the map.

2. Following Road Signs

As to prevent us all from becoming totally sat nav dependent following sign posts is also still part of the UK Driving Test. One out of Five tests to be precise.

It’s all well and good being able to follow a sat nav but what are you going to do if the tech fails?

It’s back to old school sign following.

On test again the examiner will begin by stopping you at the side of the road. Following this they will then ask you to find your way using road signs.

Take your time and if you haven’t seen a sign or get lost just keep going straight ahead, I’m sure you’ll come up to the sign eventually.

Top Tip –

Remember if you go the wrong way it doesn’t matter, just continue safely and the examiner will help you back on track.

(19) Junctions – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

With the number one failure point on UK Driving tests accredited to observations at junctions we think it’s worth talking about?

Junctions are where two or more roads meet. They’re what we would call accident black spots.

In the eyes of the Pass Me Faster Driving Instructor we feel –

The technical mastery of controlling the car combined with acute observations and judgement of other road vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists makes tackling junctions the bread and butter of driving.

Yes now it’s getting serious!

Your mirror, signaling, positioning, correct speed and judgement will be tested to the max on junctions. Remember this is just a very brief refresher on this topic – in reality your lessons will go into far more detail.

Let’s have a heads up on how an examiner may direct you around certain types of junctions.

Left And Right Turns

For the left and right turns the examiner may say something along the lines of – ”Please can you take the next road on the left / right.”

Remember your right turns are a little more complex as you cross the path of the oncoming traffic. If you can walk across you should be able to drive across.

Relax and just use your mirror signal position speed look routine, mastered on your lessons. Keep an eye out for those vulnerable road users too.

T – Junctions (Stop and Give Way)

At a T – Junction your examiner might say something along the lines of ”at the END of the road turn left / right.” You know it’s a T- Junction because the command was ”at the END of the road” it’s up to you now to decide how to approach the junction taking into consideration how open the view is at the end of the junction.

The more closed a junction is the slower you must go. To be honest most T – Junctions require creeping and peeping at the end and if it’s a Stop T- Junction you MUST stop even if you think it’s clear.

That split second might just be enough to see a motorcyclist you might have missed if you didn’t stop.

Crossroads

Quite like a T – Junction but with an added road to think about. Roads are slowly being redesigned to avoid as much as possible creating more crossroads.

If you take a look at older parts of town, housing design was all straight line grid patterns. Simply put there was a crossroads at the end of every street. In contrast if you now look at a more recent modern housing estate you may notice that the roads curve a little more.

But why ?

Crossroads are the worst accident black spots around. If new estates are built in curves then there’s less need for crossroads.

At a crossroads your examiner may say something along the lines of ” at the crossroads turn left / right.

Again this is just a recap but consider priorities, road markings, signs on approach (give way, stop or left or right turn signs). Remember at a crossroads other road users may be confused so make effective all round observations and if you’re not sure hold back until your certain.

Roundabouts On Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Yes it wouldn’t be much of a guide if we didn’t address the topic of roundabouts. We can almost guarantee that when a test ready student is asked the question ”what do you think you need to improve on?”

Roundabouts is the first thing to come out of their mouths.

So why are roundabouts so much of a problem?

The drawing to the left is a basic roundabout by the way.

The main problem you have with roundabouts apart from lane discipline and correct signalling is the judgement of other traffic. When you first start to learn roundabouts your conscious brain isn’t fast enough to deal with them. It’s not until your subconscious kicks in that you become king or queen of the Hill.

We babble on as instructors of what to look for when we reach the crucial points at roundabouts but in reality it does very little to help the learner driver, if anything it just confuses you more.

Roundabouts are always going to be difficult but here’s few tips to get you started –

Get into the correct lane positioning as early as possible. Generally (left lane to go left or straight ahead, right lane to go right. Sometimes middle lane to go straight ahead and sometimes right lane to go straight ahead but only if road markings direct you to so)
Approach slowly and get into a lower gear on approach (second gear or third depending on roundabout size. First gear if you have to stop or creep at the end)
Start looking onto the roundabout as early as you can. Don’t just look right look left and ahead to see what’s coming onto the roundabout from all angles
Remember give way to traffic from the exits to the right and also vehicles already on the roundabout.

Signalling And Lane Positioning – Standard Roundabout

Left first exit – signal left on approach and left lane all the way
Left second exit – no signal until you go past first exit then left signal using left lane
Straight ahead second exit – no signal until you pass first exit then left signal using left lane
Right third exit – Right signal on approach to roundabout and right lane then left signal after second exit and move over to left lane to exit.

Spiral Roundabouts

A spiral roundabout has lanes that spiral outwards from the centre. They also quite often have traffic lights situated around them to stop traffic mid flight.

Generally a spiral roundabout will have the lane destinations painted on the road to help you choose early

Top Tip –

Once you choose your lane try to stay in it. The roundabout is designed to help take you round and about safely. If you realise your in the wrong lane ask yourself which of the following answers is the safest

Stay in your lane and go the wrong way safely
Do whatever you need to do to get yourself back in the correct lane

Remember on a driving test you can’t fail for going the wrong way!!

Just chug your way around the roundabout slowly, ready for the traffic lights midway through.

There’s No Rush!!

(20) Pedestrian Crossings – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

It’s more than likely you will come up towards plenty of pedestrian crossings out on your test. Hopefully your now identifying hazards early and getting lots of practice during your driving lessons. Spotting a pedestrian crossing early is no different. Maybe it’s the flashing Belisha Beacon of a zebra crossing named after the minister of transport Leslie Hore-Belisha who in 1934 added beacons to pedestrian crossings.

Alternatively it could be one of the following –

The traffic light system of a flashing amber pelican crossing
A green and red man on the push button of a puffin crossing
Cycle lanes running across a toucan crossing
Bright yellow stick of a lollipop person near to a school area
Wide crossings, high push buttons and barriers of an equestrian or pegasus crossing
Gigantic balls on sticks to signifying a pedestrian refuge area
Or any combinations of the above at larger junctions (sometimes known as hybrid crossings)

Approaching The Pedestrian Crossing

Our best advice when heading towards a crossing is to ease off the gas pedal and let the car slow down on approach. Keep scanning all around the crossing for potential danger. If it’s traffic light controlled be ready for the green light to change to steady amber. The best way to think about it is just accept it’s going to change and cover the footbrake on approach. Remember steady amber means STOP IF IT’S SAFE TO DO SO!!

Covering the footbrake helps with –

Keeping your foot off the gas so the car speed starts to ease off
With your foot over the brake your ready to slow down instantly if needed
Now your foots over the brake your mind stays focussed on the danger zone

As long as you see the crossing early, ease off on approach and constantly anticipate the dangers, we’re sure you’ll be fine.

(21) Signalling – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Warning other road users of your intentions before you change speed or direction is an important part of your MSPSL routine. When out on lessons, a test or eventually driving on your own, signalling correctly is essential to safe driving.

When it comes to driving tests we notice that a lot of the minor faults picked up are accredited to incorrect signalling.

Let’s have a look at some of the common errors out on test –

Not signalling to pull up or move off. (Remember we only have to signal if someone would benefit it)
Incorrect signal direction – not knowing your left from your right (VERY common on lessons)
Not reinstating an indicator if it pops off and you still need it
Signalling too early when there’s another side road or exit before the road your taking
Not turning indicator off if you don’t need it any more
Using your main beam headlights, horn or hand gestures to becon to other road users.

It’s quite easy to let signalling slip a little so be vigilant and remember what you do on lessons.

Top Tip –

Make a mental note to listen to your indicator noise when its on. You will notice if it pops off or stays on incorrectly. Tick Tok Tick Tok!!

(22) Hill Starts

Nothing causes a panic like a hill start. Although its not compulsory, it’s very likely you will be asked do one on your driving test.

Don’t worry lets pick into things in Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide and give you some pointers.

Set the gas to a steady hum
Find the biting point, the front of the car will lift slightly, you may hear the engine noise drop and you should feet a slight rumble on your clutch foot
Remember to still make your effective observations especially behind and your blind spot check. Many candidates forget their obs focussing too much on the clutch and not rolling backwards.
Signal if necessary just as you start to move off
Be gentle and slow with the clutch and don’t rush it. If you need to move off briskly use plenty of gas whilst matching biting point to keep power throughout.

Every hill is different and the amount of biting point needed will differ from location to location. Get the practice in on lessons and it’s easy peasey. If you are struggling a little you may want to give our clutch tectonics course a blast. This will have even the worst rock and rollers moving off like pro’s on test!

(23) Angle Starts

There’s a good chance you will be asked to complete an angle start out on test. The examiner might say something along the lines of ”please can you pull up on the left approximately one car length behind the car ahead, don’t worry about driveways on this occasion”.

You’re allowed to block driveways for the angle starts if this helps give the correct space behind the target vehicle.

The angle start requires more skill than a normal move off. The car in- front means you must be careful you don’t get your car too close to vehicle you moving off around. You may need to put lots of steering on as you creep out slowly.

For this reason it’s likely to take longer to get yourself out and up to speed. Ideally you want to avoid causing traffic behind slowing down for you so you may want to think about a larger gap than normal.

Keeping an eye in the centre mirror to look for a gap would be the same as normal. You may however want to consider a few extra checks for any fast approaching speed freaks coming up behind.

If vehicles do appear you have the chance to accelerate out of danger – but only if you spot them!!

Remember the blind spot too!!

(24) Maneuvers – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

It wouldn’t be much of a guide if we didn’t talk about maneuvers in Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide. If you ask most learner drivers what they fear most out on test they usually say maneuvers. If this is you don’t panic, here’s some tips to get you started.

In 2017 there was a bit of a shake up of the maneuvers your parents may remember on their tests.

Most test centres will give you one of the following but it’s not unheard of to get two in some areas. The maneuvers are currently –

Bay park forward and then reverse out (usually done out on test in a car park somewhere)
Bay park backwards (usually done at the test centre area)
Park on the right, reverse two car lengths and move off
Parallel Parking or reverse parking as its also known

The three main skills needed for maneuvers are –

Observations
Speed
Accuracy

Observations and slow speeds are the most important part of the maneuver. If your a little off target don’t worry you can correct things.

Top Tip – When you complete the maneuver your examiner may say ”Have you finished” This could be a prompt to maybe have another go.

Let’s break the maneuvers down and have a look

1. Bay Parking Forwards

Let’s start with the one that causes the least stress. It’s likely you will be asked to park forward into a bay out on test somewhere, usually in a public car park. Take your time in the car park and keep it in first gear.

You will usually be asked to park forward left or right so as you turn dip your clutch.

This stops you being yanked in quickly and remember to check over the shoulder the direction your turning. If someone does sneak in behind, you could turn right into them. Plenty of practice, you should have it aced in no time.

If your struggling to get the correct position you may want to use the reference point in the picture above.

When reversing back out remember to make effective observations to the sides, blind spots and behind before reversing.

Keep updating those observations as you reverse out, things can change quickly in car parks.

2. Bay Park Backwards

Students usually find the reverse bay park a little more demanding. We find it easier if you position your car in the opposite direction and use your side mirrors to make sure your on target.

If you look at the picture on the left you may position forwards towards the grass before reversing into A – B bay

Again when reversing keep all round observations going as you position into the bay. Don’t forget both blind spots before driving off after the maneuver.

3. Parking on The Right – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

A relatively new addition to the examiners inventory is parking on the right. Pulling up on the right is a step towards more ”real life driving”. With many motorists parking on the right post test it was decided the benefits of learning this pre licence may overshadow practicing maneuvers such as reverse around the corner and turn in the road.

Parking on the right throws up a couple of problems we need to consider. Firstly like pulling up on the left we need to choose a suitable place to stop. The added difficulty comes when we throw the judgement of oncoming traffic into the mix along with overtaking traffic from behind.

Excellent all round observations are a minimum to keep things safe pulling up on the right.

Use what you’ve already learned pulling up on the left when choosing a suitable place to stop!

The Reverse Part Of The Maneuver

Once you’ve parked on the right the examiner will ask you to reverse backwards safely two car lengths. The examiner will usually let you know when you have reached this distance so just keep going until your told to stop. Things you may want to consider are –

Traffic driving towards you. If you were the car driving towards a parked car to your left how would you like the other driver to act. You might agree it could be more difficult to pass this vehicle if it continued to reverse.
Pedestrians walking close to your vehicle on the pavement near you. You should really stop if they get close.
Traffic behind on the other side of the road. This one depends on whether they get close to your vehicle as they pass you. Make the judgement and if they’re far away keep going. Remember they might be crossing to your side of the road due to an obstruction so keep your eyes peeled.

Moving Off Back Into Traffic

In addition to the usual checks for moving off you also need to consider the traffic coming towards us. Due to the fact we move off from the right the left blind spot will become more important for a change. Remember you must move off and back onto the correct side of the road (left) without causing any vehicles coming towards or behind to change speed or direction.

Here’s A Few Tips To Moving Back Off

This may take a little practice at first but keep going until you have it mastered.

If your view ahead is obstructed by a parked car it may be best to ease out slowly until your view becomes clear. In real life a passenger may help guide you out but on test your on your own.

Top Tip – You may want to consider leaving practicing this maneuver to day time hours. The headlights of your car can cut right across the path and dazzle oncoming vehicles.

(4) Parallel Parking – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

Without a shadow of a doubt the maneuver that causes the most problems not just on lessons but out on test also is parallel parking.

The parallel park is just something you need to master.

We believe just knowing how to do this far suppasses learning reference points and secret ways that might work for other people. There are too many factors that can affect a reference point but if you’re completely lost they can sometimes get you close. Factors affecting reference points –

Your vehicle’s distance from the curb
How wide the target vehicle is (van, lorry, wide car, narrow car etc)
The distance of your vehicle to the side of the target vehicle (too close too far)

Like we said above – reference points and routines can help if your really struggling but if you just know how to do it it’s far more effective.

Main Points To Consider On Parallel Parking

The main points you need to consider when attempting the parallel park are –

A slow and steady speed with effective observations around the vehicle throughout
If another vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist is moving close to you pause and wait for them to pass
When another vehicle stops to let you go, continue and keep your eye on them. They may change their mind
Just before you swing the car out into the road as you reverse remember to check your blind spot
Many students dip the left mirror down to make sure they don’t end up parked on the curb (finishing on the curb is a major fault on test)

(25) Emergency Stop – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

We feel being able to stop the car quickly is a fairly important part of your post test driving tool box.

The Emergency stop is conducted on one out of three tests. Being able to stop the car quickly and safely may one day save your life and prevent a nasty road traffic accident.

If your asked to do an emergency stop on test don’t worry – the examiner won’t just shout STOP at any random time. The examiner will pull you up at the side of the road and explain that you’re about to practice the emergency stop. They may say something along the lines of –

”This is the emergency stop exercise. In a moment i want you to move off and pick up your speed like you normally would. When I raise my arm and shout STOP I want you to stop the car as quickly and safely as possible. Drive off when your ready”.

Let’s have a look at some of the main points to consider –

Pick up your speed like you normally would. Don’t race off like a maniac, then again don’t trundle along like Miss Daisy either. Just the normal speed for that road is fine!!
Checking your mirror before braking will take up valuable braking time so you don’t. Keep looking ahead
Both hands on the wheel firm grip
Fast reactions from the gas to the brake
Firm but progressive braking. Don’t stamp on the brake but you want to give it a PUSH!
Wait until the car has fully stops before applying the handbrake. The back wheels skid otherwise
Once you stop then handbrake – neutral
Before driving off you need to check all around the car. Start from the back window and look out of every panel of glass.

If the car stops promptly and safely without skidding your laughing.

Remember your obs before driving off again!!

(26) Lane Changing – Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

If you study the reasons why learner drivers fail driving tests I’m sure you’ll realise soon enough that unsafe lane changing it right up there alongside observations at junctions.

Let’s have a look at some of the things that can go wrong on test.

Changing lanes safely requires a very high standard of awareness all around your vehicle.

Ask yourself this –

Do you have the skills to check the side mirrors without losing track of what’s happening ahead. Remember a lot of your lane changing will be done on fast dual carriageways or motorways, any problems up the road will soon be on you.

Quick glances are the key but don’t lose track of what’s happening ahead.

Try to look into your mirrors and not just at them. What do you see, what is it doing, how will your actions affect things? All questions you must consider before drifting lanes.

Generally we use the left lane for normal driving and the right for overtaking. However there may be other times when we need to change lanes –

Leaving a motorway or dual carriageway via a slip road
Changing lanes on approach to a roundabout for positioning purposes
Whilst exiting a roundabout
Turning right in a protective right turn box
Moving over to right lane for crossroads
One way systems around busy towns or cities

These are just a few things we can think of.

Now in Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide let’s have a look how we can do things safely –

Firstly decide if lane changing is really necessary. If not stay where you are
Check centre and side mirror to see what’s happening in the lane you want to move into. Remember quick glances into the mirror and don’t lose track of what’s happening ahead
If vehicles are passing you try not to indicate, you could startle them. Wait until they pass before you indicate.
When clear indicate your intention but before moving remember
Check mirrors again
If still safe start to drift gradually until your in your new lane

Top Tips For Lane Changing

Here’s some of our favourite top tips, picked up over the years.

Quick glances in mirrors, signal, mirrors and gently drift across to your desired lane.
Drifting very slowly towards the lane you want when safe will help to confirm your indicator signal. Believe it or not a bit of over caution can have negative effects here. The car behind may think your indicator is a mistake if you leave moving over too long. If you start to drift slowly when safe it shows your intentions match your signal.
On test if your in the wrong lane then go the wrong way safely, it really doesn’t matter. You can’t fail for going the wrong way safely but you can fail for changing lanes unsafely.
If your unsure just stay in your lane. Worst that could happen is you go the wrong way and have to find an alternative route.
Try to get in lane as early as possible. Leaving things late just makes things more dangerous and more difficult to positioned correctly. Remember to look as far ahead as possible for road signs, road markings etc and spot your lane early

Something your instructor should really be going into detail with you is incorrect sat nav commands. Many unsafe lane changes come from a last minute blurt from a confused sat nav device. How will you deal with things.

Will you –

Stay calm and go the wrong way safely

Cut lanes at the last minute

We’re sure the more you get thrown into these situations the more you will learn to adapt safely.

(27) Faster Driving – Passing The Driving Test – The Essential Guide

To create a wider picture of your driving abilities your examiner will no doubt find a fast road for you out on test.

Generally when we get onto faster roads the level of technical mastery involved in regards to the vehicle is less but on the other hand planning and anticipation skills will be kicked up a gear.

With the added speed and swerving traffic, not to mention the higher speeds there’s no surprise things get a bit more serious. Here’s some tips –

You really need to be looking as far ahead as possible when travelling at speed. Be careful with your steering, a little lapse of concentration will soon have you swerving lanes like a Vin Diesel powered Dwain Johnson.

Look out for traffic breaking ahead of you. Keep your eyes on full beam.

Following Distances Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

In good dry conditions at a speed of 40 mph or above we should be leaving at least a 2 second gap. In wet weather we should double this to 4 seconds and icy conditions we could see this 10 times further. (Thats 20 seconds not 10 seconds)!

Ask many a learner driver this question and they’ll spray the 2 second rule at youas if it was the first thing they ever learnt.

but –

Do they know how to use it? There’s no point owning a screwdriver if you think its a hammer. Check with them about finding a fixed point ahead and counting.

Here’s how it works –

When the vehicle ahead of you passes a fixed object ahead e.g Lamp post, sign whatever count the time it takes for your vehicle to reach it.

Breaking on Faster Roads

It’s no surprise that you want to keep any necessary breaking on faster roads to a minimum. Brake early and very gently if necessary. The more advanced your forward planning the less you will need to brake.

Many students take part in our advanced driving courses and Pass Plus training post test to improve their forward planning and anticipation skills.

Vehicles Following You

Check the following distance of the vehicle behind you. If they’re less than 2 seconds behind you then increase the gap from the car ahead. Take control from the front.

(28) Tight Streets And Meeting Situations Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

It’s very likely at some point in your driving test you will have to deal with narrow streets. There may be various obstacles that get in your way too. The examiner is going to want to check you can handle these sorts of situations when your out on your own. The sorts of obstructions you may encounter are –

Parked Cars (probably the most likely out on test)
Build outs or traffic calming measures (small islands build into the road allowing only one car to pass at a time)
Road works
Very narrow roads (only wide enough for one car to pass at a time – quite often rural areas)
Narrow bridges (driving under or over)
Pedestrians and general hustle and bustle in busy areas of town

Let’s break things down a little and look for some of the typical problems we find out and about.

Let’s Start With Priorities

The general rules for priority can be used for all of the above obstructions. The basic rule would be if you’re taking up someone elses space then it’s their priority. This means usually if the obstruction is on your side you should allow any oncoming traffic to pass through before you proceed.

There may be some instances where you can go through for example if the other car flashes you through for some reason.

(1) Parked Cars

Throughout your test unless you’re travelling on a dual carriageway, motorway or going around a roundabout there’s a good chance you will have to deal with parked cars. Most roads set at 30 mph or below will have various sections where parked cars may reduce the width of road ahead.

Remember to use the rule about priority explained above when judging whether to go or wait. Hopefully looking as far ahead as possible is something you alway do so spotting the parked cars early will just come natural. Why not have a little mirror check when you see the hazard.

Hold Back Position

If you do need to stop to allow oncoming traffic to come through try to hold back from the obstruction and keep your vision open ahead. The closer you get to the obstruction the less view you have. Have a look at the picture to the left.

Helping To Judge Your Way Through The Gap

Once you’ve decided you can make it through, focus on the gap not the parked cars. We always drive towards what we look at so if your looking at the parked cars you’ll head end up in the parked cars.

With the driver’s seat being on the right in most cars whilst focussing on the gap take little sideways glances to the left hand side. Have a little look how far each individual side mirror is sticking out into the road. A small car may be fine but have you got the bit transit van or caravan covered. Many test fails are due to getting too close to vehicles on the left so keep your eyes moving and remember –

Less Space Less Speed

The smaller the gap the slower you should be travelling. Could you stop in time if a door flings open or a child runs out? Some gaps may be a crawling speed to get through so just take your time and get plenty of practice beforehand.

(2) Build Outs And Traffic Calming Measures

You need to be prepared for traffic calming measures before your out on the road alone. Priorities will be shown by road signs but the general rule still tends to apply to most build outs. Check you have priority and if not make sure the way ahead is clear before you commit.

If you have a look at the picture above a round red circle means you must give priority to the vehicle ahead. There is a give way line to stop at too which can also identify you have no priority.

The Blue square sign indicates you have priority but still take your time. Anticipate another road user getting things wrong and pushing through.

(3) Road Works

Road works could spring up at any time on any road. That route you covered on your driving test last night might now be filled with unexpected obstacles on test day. As you turn in and out of streets just be ready for the unexpected. If things do get hectic reduce your speed and give your brain time work things out.

Traffic lights may help to give you an idea of priorities. Remember to stop before the red sign.

(4) Narrow Country Roads

Some test centres can get quite rural and with many country roads narrowing at times it can be hard for two vehicles to pass at the same time. Look for passing points to the left and right and take your time.

(5) Narrow bridges over or under

You may come across a narrow bridge at some time so look out for warning signs early. They may be signs like the ones above. There may also be traffic lights signalling priority on humpback bridges (going over) or normal bridges (going under).

If there’s no traffic lights to help you then you may want to consider sounding your horn to warn other road users of your presence.

(6) Pedestrians and general hustle and bustle in busy towns

Navigating your way through a busy town can also cause narrow gaps and priority issues. Have a look ahead and anticipate any pedestrian movement. Try to prioritise small children and the elderly. Again generally if your sides blocked you should maybe consider letting traffic ahead through first but every situation is different so take your time.

(29) Road Markings in Passing The Driving Test – The Essential guide

One of the most common topics catching out not only learner drivers but also the well seasoned among us is road markings. Keeping your eyes peeled on the road is essential when out on test.

Below are a few different road markings to look out for –

Arrows indicating the direction each lane goes. (it can be very dangerous if you don’t follow the arrows correctly and will no doubt cause big problems on test)
Keep clear boxes (entrances to car parks or driveways on busy roads often have keep clear boxes so watch out)
Yellow hatched boxes (try to keep them clear unless waiting to turn right and only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic)
Advanced cycle lanes in front of traffic lights (usually indicated by a red or green section of road and a cyclist symbol)
Lanes on spiral roundabouts (try to avoid crossing lanes at all costs)
Pedestrian crossings (you must keep off the walkway identified by the square silver or painted studs.
Thick white centre lines or hatched areas (you musn’t cross a continuous white line unless in an emergency)

(30) Awareness And Planning

Being able to look as far ahead and spot things early is vital to keeping ahead of the game.

With the billions of possible problems just waiting to pounce out at you, many a serious fault can be caused from a lack of awareness and planning.

Without getting too negative try to always expect the worse. You can then be quietly pleased if things go well instead of flapping a hissy fit panic. Anticipate the lights turning red or the pedestrians stepping out in front of you. As you come round a corner be ready for the broken down car or the guy with the bags of onions jumping out on you on a busy linthorpe road.

Try to keep your mind in a possitive solution focused state of consciousness.

(31) Back At The Test Centre – Passing Your Driving Test – Essential Guide

Hopefully you’ve made it back to the test centre in one piece. Try to make your way back into the car park slowly in first gear. The examiner may guide you and ask you to choose a bay to park forwards into. Once in the bay secure the car and switch the engine off. The examiner might say something along the lines of ”thank you, please just give me a couple of minutes to completed my paperwork.”

With the new online tablet marking devices which were introduced towards the end of 2019 your test result will most likely be emailed to you.

The Examiner will now tell you if you passed or failed. Hopefully its a pass and he starts to write out that all important pass certificate. The pass certificate allows you to drive whilst your waiting for your driving licence to arrive.

The Debrief after the Driving Test

If unfortunately you failed your test the examiner will ask if you want your instructor to listen to the debrief. It may be a good idea as they can help you work out a plan to move forward towards passing your test next time. The examiner explains which parts of the test caused you to fail and any other smaller weaknesses they may have spotted.

Try to listen and it will make it easier to remember for next time.

Passing Your Driving Test – The Essential Guide

There’s no substitute for practical driving lessons but hopefully you now have some of the theory to take forward to help leapstart things when you do get on the road.

We’re confident that whether you decide to take regular lessons or complete an intensive course our Essential Guide will have you well ahead of the game.

Find a friendly instructor here to help you through your test.