The-instructor.com
practical pages are designed to help learner drivers preparing
for their UK driving test
Hopefully,
it will take some of the mystery out of the big day, by giving as
much information as possible, help pupils to understand what's expected
of them, and give more confidence in coping with situations. It
is important to deal with every situation at the time, once you
have completed it, the examiner will deal with the assessment. Once
a hazard has been dealt with you cannot change things, so concentrate
on what happens immediately after that. Worrying about what you
have previously done could affect your ability to cope with the
next circumstance effectively. ( ie stalling the engine, retrieving
it, but forgetting to recheck the movement of other drivers around
you.
Once
you have passed your theory test and your instructor feels you are
ready, the next step is to check the test
fee and book a practical test. There are three methods
of doing this :
The
examiner will call your name, and ask you " to read the declaration
and sign the box ( top left DL 25 ). He will then ask you to produce
your licence. If your
licence is of the older type ( no photo ID ), then you must have
something with a photo ( passport ) to be able to sit the test.
The newer licence comes in two parts ie photo card and counterpart,
and both must be present for the test to go ahead. Make sure your
name and address is still the same as on your driving licence,
if not you will have to write down the new address on the counterpart
before you sit the test. ( From April 2010 you will be asked -
" Would you like your instructor/accompanying driver to accompany
you on test and be there for the result and end of
test feedback ?)
At
this point, you will be asked to " lead the way to your vehicle
" As you walk out, the examiner will want to know where you
are parked so he can stop you and ask you to read a number plate
- preferably not your own !
1a
Eyesight : Candidates must
be able to
read a car number plate @ 20.5 metres. If you wear glasses
to read the plate, they must be worn at all times during the test..>...........................................................................................................................>
1b
Safety : The
examiner will now ask you two Safety questions .
You will be marked one minor fault if you get one or both wrong.
These questions are to do with general
maintenance ( level checks tyre pressures etc ) and should
be carried out on the car regularly by the
person responsible - the driver. These 12 questions and answers
can be downloaded
here from this link.
Before you start, insure you are comfortably seated and all controls
can be safely operated.. ( Precautions no 11 )
You
are now ready to start driving !
Instructions
for moving off at the start of the test : When your both in the
car, the examiner will explain the directional instructions to you
: " I would like you to follow the road ahead, unless traffic
signs direct you otherwise, or I ask you to turn, which I will do
in good time. - Move off when you are ready please ". - Approaching
traffic lights and give way junctions, plan your lane position and
speed early, and continue to go ahead until told otherwise. -
In thelatest change to the driving test
(October 2010), candidates will have to drive
independently and plan the route given by the examiner
by reading road signs and remembering a few directional instructions.
This part of the test will last for a ten minute period. (You will
be pulled in to park and then informed of this part of the test
coming up).
Get
a good smooth start ( no 12 ) by co-ordinating
the controls well : accelerator, clutch, footbrake, handbrake and
steering
Move
off safely ( no 13 ) after you have had a good
look round you. Remember other learners on test are keen to get
going too. Be patient and give them a chance. Consider the use of
a moving off signal to warn other pupils if you intend to go directly.
Two or three candidates driving off at the same time can cause confusion.
One
serious or one dangerous driving
fault is enough to justify a fail on the test. If candidates are
allowed minor faults up to 15 but with no serious or dangerous ones,
to secure a pass !
During
the test be aware of what's happening round about you, and try
not to focus on the examiner's marking. Concentrate on the job
in hand and deal with each situation as it happens, even if you
come across one you have not experienced before. To dwell on a
previous incident may affect your concentration later.
The
test itself lasts some 40 - 50 minutes, so if you have had some
double lessons leading up to it, you will feel comfortable with
the concentration required for this time span. Remember you are
out with your instructor for one hour, and nearly a full hour
on test !
Try
not to let everyone know about the day of your test - you have
enough pressure.
High
quality digital audio recordings to help you take
control of your goals and direction.
"Stress
the Positive" in Glasgow will provide
training and workshops on a range of issues related to stress,
anxiety, nerves and confidence building. Check the venue details
for "Driving Test Success Workshop"
