The UK Driving Test is one of the world's most thorough tests of driving ability. To pass your driving test you'll need to be able to show you can drive independently, keeping yourself and all other road users safe.
You'll no doubt get lots of advice from people as your test day approaches, but is it all correct?
There are a lot of myths surrounding the UK Driving Test, so let's explore some of the most common ones.
#1 - YOU'LL FAIL IF YOU CROSS YOUR HANDS WHILE DRIVING
There is nowhere on the DL25 (the driving test assessment sheet) where an examiner can fault you for your hand position. However, you will receive a fault if you cannot maintain full control of the vehicle at all times. Having your hands in a poor position can cause a loss of control - especially at junctions - so you must be careful.
So why is it important to avoid?
Quite simply there is a safety issue when you cross your hands when driving. If the airbag is deployed then your arm will be in the way, and you'll probably break your nose with your own wrist.
The best steering method to use is to keep the right hand responsible for the right side, and the left hand responsible for the left side. You can position your hands anywhere, but try to avoid letting either one pass to the other half and you'll be fine.
#2 - EXAMINERS CAN ONLY PASS A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE EACH DAY
The current overall pass rate for the UK Driving Test is 47.1%. More people fail than pass each year, but do examiners really choose who passes based on statistics?
The answer is NO. An examiner can only mark a fault in your driving if you make one. Sure, some examiners may differ in how the mark the fault, but they are bound by strict rules when conducting a driving test.
People love to blame the examiner when they don't pass their driving test, but who's fault is it really?
If you drive safely and don't affect another road user with your actions, then you'll pass your driving test first time. You can pass your test just as easily if you're the last candidate of the day as you can being the first.
#3 - IF YOU DRIVE SLOWLY THE EXAMINER WILL KNOW YOU'RE BEING CAREFUL
Wrong! If you drive too slowly for the prevailing road conditions, you'll hold up other road users unnecessarily and you'll fail your driving test.
Driving examiners need to see that you can deal effectively with all types of road conditions, including faster routes. So, if you drive at 30mph in a 40mph zone (while it's safe for you to go faster) YOU WON'T PASS.
Driving too slowly can be dangerous, because your actions may encourage other road users to overtake when it's unsafe, creating problems for others.
Aim to achieve the speed limits (or close to them) when it's safe to do so, but plan effectively so you can slow down in time when approaching hazards.
#4 - YOU'LL FAIL IF YOU DON'T EXIT JUNCTIONS QUICKLY
Junctions are top of the list for causes of test fails in the UK. Fact!
However, the examiner doesn't want to see you exit quickly from a junction. You need to show that you have planned your approach well, and taken effective observations before you join another road.
If you rush - to prove you can drive like an experienced driver - then there's a danger you won't LOOK PROPERLY before exiting your road.
You may fail for HESITATION if you don't use gaps which would have obviously been safe, but only once you have actually prepared the vehicle AND taken effective observations.
#5 - YOU'LL FAIL YOUR DRIVING TEST IF YOU STALL
WRONG! If you stall the vehicle YOU'LL ONLY RECEIVE A DRIVING FAULT, which will be marked based on the root cause of the stall. You won't fail for that!
You will only fail if you don't identify and fix the problem swiftly and effectively - because you may then affect another road user.
How DO I pass the UK Driving Test?
Listen to your trainer! They have spent a great deal of time and money training to become a driving instructor AND they want you to pass just as much as you do.
There have been lots of changes to the UK Driving Test in the last twenty years, since your parents or partner passed their test.
Your instructor will understand better than anyone else what is required of you to pass your driving test - after all, they do this for their job.
If you keep calm, stick to what your instructor has shown you, and focus on SAFETY FIRST throughout the test, you're likely to ACHIEVE A FIRST TIME PASS.
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