Many of my pupils worry about taking the driving test - they say things like "I've never been good at tests and exams", or "I always get nervous on tests".
Well, I would expect you to be nervous - I've never met anyone who wasn't, they secret is to accept it and use it to your advantage - being nervous simply means you're subconciously getting ready to perform to your best. Professional athletes and entertainers are used to feeling this way before they perform and they face much greater pressure than we will on a driving test.

Next, that's the last time you'll hear me refer to the driving test - it's not at test! It's an opportunity for you to demonstrate to an assessor (yes an assessor not an examiner) that you can drive safely, with confidence whilst making effective observations. Can you tell me of any test or exam where you start with 100% - because that's what happens here; there are no bonus marks for being a super driver and no penalties for anything not related to safety.

There are millions of people with driving licences - are they any cleverer or better than you? - of course not. So why do so many people fail and why is the pass rate so low (currently less than 40% in Hull). Well the answer is simple - many learner drivers are impatient and take their tests too early and without proper preparation. You will be ready when you have completed the driving syllabus with a good instructor and have prepared properly for your assessment (see more by looking at Your Driving Test and Your Virtual Driving Test). I prepare all my pupils for the day by regularly going to the test centre during their training and explaining what will happen on the assessment day - why not ask your instructor to do the same?


The Assessment Drive

Make sure you know the show me, tell me questions and answers. This will ease you gently into the situation and you will have an early opportunity to show the assessor that you know you subject and are completely confident - first impressions are important.

Thoroughly learn the cockpit drill and go through it each time you get in the car.
Make sure you do it before you move off on your test even if you have done it before arriving at the centre - the assessor will appreciate knowing that you know you go through the correct routine every time you get into the car.

Think back to when you began your lessons - there was so much to try to take in all at once wasn't there - when I'm with pupils we have regular pauses and I advise them to empty their heads of everything we've been doing; that leaves me plenty of space to pour more facts in during the rest of the lesson. A similar routine helps on the day of the driving assessment, deal with one bit at a time - first concentrate on getting out of the test centre then the short drive to the first manoeuvre - empty your head and do a quick mental rehearsal of the manoeuvre (if you think it - you'll do it). Then empty your head again and prepare for the next short drive to the next manoeuvre.


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.

If the examiner asks you to 'take the next available turn', it's may be that one of the roads is inaccessible, (one way street / no-entry sign) or the examiner could say, 'take the second on the right / left this being the first' This is normally because the junctions are a bit close together and you could misunderstand.
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.

When I first began instructing I had several pupils make errors within sight of the finish after driving beautifully throughout the assessment. The times when you are most vulnerable are at the very beginning of the drive when you'll feel a bit nervous so concentrate hard and ease yourself gently into it. Once you've been driving for 5 minutes all your nerves will disappear. The other time to take special care is when you know you're heading back and you've done well - this is also a time to concentrate on what you're doing not what you've done!

Concentrate on Concentrating



Remember your 'normal driving position' and Keep well to the left, but DON'T drive in the gutter. Try to follow the line of the kerb rather than the centre lines of the road.

Remember the rules for clearance when passing other road users - where space is restricted slow down.
 
Look out for pedestrians stepping out and remember that cyclists can wobble, give them plenty of room and remember if they look over their shoulder it's likely they are going to move out in front of you.

Try to keep up with the traffic flow when it's appropriate - but always scan the road ahead to make sure it's safe before thinking about making progress and always be aware of the speed limit.



Try not to stop at every junction if you can help it. Try to look well ahead scan the road ahead and time your arrival to coincide with a gap in the traffic where possible. You will be penalised for hesitancy if you don't make reasonable progress and planning well ahead will ensure you are able to make the most of the opportunities to progress as they arise. But always remember the golden rule - DON'T KNOW MEANS DON'T GO.


You may have to hold the vehicle on the clutch on a slope for a short time instead of applying the hand brake (NOT at a stop sign!!). This will be usually at junctions and roundabouts. You just need to hold the clutch on the 'biting point'. Make sure that this is only for a couple of seconds MAXIMUM. Use your eyes and your brain. Have a good look all around and if there's no chance of moving off in the next couple of seconds, apply the hand brake on.

When you are emerging from junctions you need to look in both directions, no matter which way you turn. As an absolute minimum, when turning left from into a main road you should look at least, right-left-right. If you have to pause at junctions to give way to other road users look for a gap to the right and then look left to see if it's clear on that side, then a confirmatory look back to the right and time your move off.
 
When turning right into a main road across oncoming traffic, you should keep looking both ways constantly. Always ask yourself "COULD I WALK ACROSS?” when crossing the path of other traffic.

Remember, "creep and peep" where you need to. If there's a danger, stop creeping but keep peeping!! As soon as it's clear move positively into the new road, check the mirror and cancel any signals.

At every junction or roundabout ask yourself "What can I see? Is it safe? Can I go?"

Again the golden rule is DON'T KNOW MEANS DON'T GO

Signals

Signals should be used to inform, not confuse. They should be used in good time as part of the MSM routine and then cancelled when no longer needed.

Always signal on approaching a junction to turn left or right, no matter how clear the road appears to be.

Also, always signal on the approach to any roundabout if you have to turn left or right. Always signal on a roundabout to inform other road users that you intend to turn off at the next exit, even if going straight on.

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

Moving off is one of the most important and basic skills to get right.

During the drive the assessor will ask you to stop on the left and move off again, possibly several times. You may think this is pointless, but the assessor 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 and your good habits will transfer to the more complicated areas of the drive.

When you move off you MUST use the Prepare, Observe, Move routine. You have to check all around the car by turning round to check the blind spots. A quick look in the mirror is absolutely not enough.

When the examiner asks you to stop, make sure you use the MSM routine and stop somewhere that’s Safe, Convenient and Legal.

Other Road Users

Pedestrians always have right of way. They are the most vulnerable road users.
 
Look out for children 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.

When overtaking cyclists give them the same clearance as you would a car if possible. If you can't give them that much room, SLOW DOWN. Trade speed for space.

Don't follow cyclists too closely. Always be prepared for them to wobble or fall off.

Mirrors

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 etc. etc.

ALWAYS, always, always remember that final check in the side mirror before turning right or left. It's vital and so many people don't bother.

Look out for an imaginary scooter. Pretend there's one following you all the way round and watch out for it coming along side of you just as you turn!!

When leaving roundabouts check your near side wing mirror before you move to your left. That scooter might just be darting up your near side!!

And finally, drive throughout in the way you've been taught - your instructor knows the requirements and it's no good changing things on the day to demonstrate how cautious you are (you'll be faulted for hesitation), or that you're super confident (you can collect progress faults for being too quick or aggressive as well as being slow and hesitant). Drive as you've been taught - safely and confidently and you'll be successful