More people fail their driving test each year than pass – FACT. But what are the most common reasons for those driving test fails?
Between April 2016 and March 2017 the average pass rate was just 47.1%. DVSA statistics show that 17,950 people walked away from their driving test with ZERO FAULTS during the same period, so what did they do different to those who failed?
Avoid making these common mistakes and you’ll be on track to PASS YOUR DRIVING TEST FIRST TIME
#1 – Junctions (observation)
There are plenty of mistakes you can make at junctions.
Driving test examiners can mark faults at junctions for approach speed, turning right, turning left, cutting corners and OBSERVATION.
Insufficient observations at junctions can easily lead to serious or dangerous faults, and if you commit either of these then it's game over!
Not looking correctly when emerging from a minor road to a major road can easily result in serious consequences and cause a collision.
Before emerging from a junction, you must CHECK BOTH DIRECTIONS carefully. Even if you are turning left it is important to know that the lane you are about to join is clear and free of obstructions or pedestrian activity.
Other road users will often flash their lights to give you priority when you are entering or leaving a junction but BEWARE. They may not have checked for other dangers and if you move without checking for yourself and then cause a problem, you'll be kicking yourself for the remainder of the test.
So check both ways carefully, check again, and only take your turn when you are certain it is safe to do so. If in doubt, don't go!
#2 – Mirrors (change direction)
Knowing what's happening behind you when driving is as important as looking ahead.
If you aren’t aware of other road users behind you then you’ll almost certainly get it horribly wrong sooner or later.
If you change direction during your driving test and cause another road user to slow down, stop, or change direction themselves to avoid you, you’ll fail with a serious or dangerous fault for use of mirrors.
You can easily avoid this fault on your test by doing the following:
· PLAN AHEAD to avoid the need for sudden lane changes when approaching roundabouts
· DON’T WAIT for a reason to change direction before checking your mirrors. You should check behind you every 4-5 seconds when driving so you're always aware of who is following you
· GO THE WRONG WAY rather than making a last-minute change of direction, because the examiner can’t fail you for doing that providing it’s done correctly and safely
Check regularly, alternate the mirrors you check, and NEVER move in any direction without looking to see if it's safe first.
#3 – Control (steering)
You’ll fail your driving test if you cross your hands when steering. WRONG!
We’ve all heard #DrivingTestMyths but the reality is that, providing you keep CONTROL of the car throughout the test, you'll be fine.
You don’t have to use the push & pull method of steering, or keep your hands at the 10 & 2 position. But you must keep control.
Too much or too little steering when negotiating junctions or roundabouts, the inability to get the car into the correct position when carrying out the reverse manoeuvre, or the steering wheel slipping from your hands because of insufficient grip. These are all examples of steering control faults.
Whatever the reason, if you lose control of that steering wheel you’ll probably be looking for a new test date when you get home.
Most steering control faults have their roots in poorly judged speed, so if you want to avoid a steering fault then make sure you plan your speed well. Look well ahead for any tight turns and make sure you reduce your speed to an appropriate level so that you can handle the steering wheel properly.
With WS Driving School in Cannock you'll learn all the skills for safe driving and be fully prepared with all you need to know to pass your driving test.
This information would have been extremely helpful when I took my test 11 years ago!