DRIVING TESTS - THE FACTS - NOT THE MYTHS
This page seeks to clarify some of the facts surrounding the Driving Test. In compiling this information I have drawn on my experiences and observations gained by sitting in on Driving Tests. If you have any questions or need clarification you can contact me at: john@abacussom.co.uk
GENERAL
- Your instructor is assessed by the standard and ability of his pupils that he takes to the test centre. Test readiness will be discussed and mutually agreed. Use of the Driving School car will not be granted until agreement has been made.
As soon as you leave the test centre, before you reach your car, the examiner will normally ask you if he can call you by your first name.
If you can't read a chosen number plate at the second attempt, the examiner will get a tape measure to measure out the exact distance required. If you can't read it at a measured distance (20.5 metres) the Test will not be conducted and you will lose your Fee.
Getting both maintenance questions wrong will not fail you - you will just get one minor fault
At some point in the test when there is a quiet moment, such as waiting in a queue, your examiner will probably ask you "What would you be doing if you weren't here today?" This appears to be the standard 'bond with the test candidate' question.
Examiners don't like surprises - keep your driving smooth, gentle and predictable
Examiners like confident drivers - show him/her that you know what you are doing .
An examiners role is purely to assess the standard of your driving. He is not there to be your friend and neither is he your enemy. He should help to put you at ease, but he cannot help you as your Instructor does.
Some examiners are better than others at putting you at ease.
You can have your Instructor or a friend accompany you and sit in the back on your driving test, but they must take no part in the Test unless interpreting. The car will be heavier and may feel or handle differently.
If you do not agree with the way your test was conducted you can make an appeal. If you win the appeal the result will not be changed, you will just get a free retest.
Many examiners have never been instructors. They take a training course to qualify as an examiner.
Certain cars such as mini convertibles are not allowed to be used on test. Cars which have been the subject of a recall may be refused on Test if the fault has not been checked by a Dealer.The DSA website will have details of recalls.
Driving test routes are published on the DSA website
All the driving examiners at a test centre are expected to have a test pass rate close to the average for that Centre.
The examiner will intervene either verbally of physically if there is risk to persons or property.
DURING THE TEST
- Examiners are trained to watch you until you look in the mirror after giving a direction.
Examiners are trained to watch you making observations at Junctions. Whilst they are watching you they may not notice another driver flashes the lights to give you priority. If necessary tell the examiner why you are pulling out.
People who fail on emerging usually do so because they haven't looked both left and right sufficiently before crossing the line. This is the most common reason for Failing the Test.
If there is an unexpected event, such as a blocked road, while you are on test you may be asked to "turn around by any means" and told that "this won't be counted on your test"
Taking the wrong direction and going off route is not a fail providing you signal and position correctly.
The emergency stop is only performed on one in three tests - most people fail on the emergency stop because either they don't brake hard enough or they don't react quickly enough
If you get stuck in a traffic jam the test will continue and you will just have a longer test.
Stalling the car on test is usually only a minor fault unless it is somewhere dangerous, or it is caused by being in the wrong gear.
Repeating the same driver fault will eventually lead to a Serious Fault.
If you commit a Serious Fault the Test will continue.
If you commit a Dangerous Fault the driving test may be terminated at that point.
When a driving test is terminated the examiner will either tell you to stay with the vehicle, or accompany him as he walks back to the test centre.
If you reach the end of a one way street and are supposed to turn right, and you suddenly realise you are in the left lane, go where the road markings direct you: You can salvage your test by changing your indicator to left, and turning left. This should only give you a minor fault for timing of indicator
You can fail for not using ancillary controls such as the windscreen wipers or demisters if they are needed.
Mounting the kerb with your back wheel when turning left is usually only a minor fault
Your examiner will help you to decide which lane to get into at a roundabout by the direction he gives - turn Right and take the third exit means get in the right lane and indicate right. Listen carefully for the exit Number especially when turning Left. If its the "SECOND Left" NO SIGNAL is needed until you have passed the First Exit.
If your examiner instructions mentions a direction (left or right) then a signal is necessary
Examiners will allow you to cross your hands (rotational steering) in some circumstances. E.g. Pulling out from behind a parked car.
You can change from 3rd gear directly to 5th gear when accelerating
You can fail for not driving up to the speed limit ( eg. driving at 45mph in a 60mph limit) or for not accelerating sufficiently when pulling out into fast moving traffic.
REVERSING EXERCISES
- All of the reversing manoeuvres have an equal chance of being done on test, however you cant get both Parking exercises.
Driving examiners may need to change their mind as to which reversing exercises you are going to do if the route doesnt present safe opportunities.
If a manoeuvre is going wrong, or you don't like the way it is going, you can shunt forwards at least once to alter it.
It is rare to fail on a manoeuvre if you finish up with the car reasonably accurate. Have the confidence to stop, take your time and shunt forwards if necessary.
You will only ever be asked to reverse into a parking bay at the driving test centre. If a test centre does not have its own car park then you will not do the bay park manoeuvre.
On the Bay Park excessive shunting MAY cause you to Fail, not being in the Bay place WILL cause you to Fail. Make sure you are IN THE BAY. You can finish at a slight angle as long as you are not over the line either side.
On a turn-in-the-road exercise the turn doesn't have to be done in 3 movements.
When reversing around a corner you can stop as often as you like to take effective observations.
On the parallel parking manoeuvre you can finish with the wheels still on full lock.You don't have to straighten them, its easier to get back out.
Steering whilst stationary (dry steering) is not usually marked as a fault but is not kind to your cars tyres
If another vehicle comes up behind you and prevents you from carrying out the rest of the exercise ask the examiner if he wants you to go back and start over or terminate it.
You can adjust and use your door mirrors on reversing exercises for positioning accuracy so long as the use is not excessive and you take good all round observations through the rear and side windows. Remember to reset the mirrors before driving off.
© 2007 John Guest