What Are The Main Things To Remember When Doing Your Driving Test?

Mirrors

Mirrors! Mirrors! Mirrors! Have you heard enough? Ok one more time Mirrors Mirrors Mirrors! Your tester will be examining your use of your mirrors not just when you are carrying out a manoeuvre or approaching a hazard but also how you use your mirrors when driving to make sure you are fully aware as to what is happening around you. To achieve this when it is safe you need to check your mirrors regularly, roughly every 10 seconds. It is important not to take your eyes off the road for anything other than a short scan starting with the centre mirror before checking both side-view mirrors. You must also ensure you know the correct sequence and time for checking your mirrors when manoeuvring, slowing down, speeding up, stopping, starting, or approaching a hazard. The correct use of your mirrors is so important for the safety of both you and other road users.

Speed

One of the most common mistakes made on the driving test is learners failing to stay within the max speed limits. As part of your driving test you will encounter sudden speed limit changes and you need to make sure you are aware of these and react in a controlled safe and efficient manner. Familiarising yourself with the roads commonly used as part of your local test route can help in ensuring you deliver a safe drive on the day. It is important to remember that the max speed limit sign tells you what maximum speed you can travel in normal driving conditions however if the weather or road conditions are not favourable you should slow down accordingly.

Clearence

When taking your driving test you must demonstrate to your RSA tester that you allow sufficient clearance between your vehicle and Cyclists, pedestrians, parked cars and other objects or vehicles that you may encounter. In situations where there is limited space in which to pass you should slow down and pass safely in full control of your vehicle. Clearance also includes how you move back in after overtaking so always give sufficient space and time before adjusting your road position. A safe clearance is generally referred to as a minimum of 1 metre however you should judge what is a safe distance on a case-by-case or road-by-road basis. In other words, you would not give clearance to parked cars of 1 meter if it means your road position is now encroaching on the vehicles travelling in the opposite direction. There will be situations where you may encounter for example parked cars on a narrow road, in fact you may have to pass almost mirror to mirror. In these situations, you need to pass slowly safely and in full control of your vehicle. Remember assess the situation and react accordingly.

Observation

Failing to demonstrate the correct use of observations is one of the most common reasons learners fail their driving test. Learners can be marked down even when they carry out the correct observation if they do not demonstrate the observation in a clear and obvious manner. Remember the tester is in the passenger seat sitting beside you so you must make your observations clear and obvious. Observations include moving off, overtaking, changing lane, cross junctions, roundabout and turning right and left. As part of your lessons your driving instructor will teach you the correct observational technique for each of these and you should focus on practicing these techniques even when you are not in vehicle. Remember practice makes perfect.

Positioning

Correct Positioning as part of your driving test includes, on the straight, bends, in traffic lanes, cross junctions, roundabouts, turning right and left, following, and stopping. The ability to choose the correct positioning for each of these comes with practice and is one of the key areas your driving instructor will focus on. For example, on the straight, the correct position is slightly to the left whilst giving good clearance to obstacles such as parked vehicles and not close to the white line at the centre of the road. On bends you should assess the severity of the bend and ensure your speed of approach is appropriate, avoid entering the bend too fast and harsh breaking. In traffic lanes stay within the road markings and remember to allow a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. At cross junctions or crossroads if you intend to go straight or turn left you should where possible keep close to the left-hand side and when turning right keep to the right when approaching. A lot of learner drivers struggle with roundabouts, so you need to really get clear information from your driving instructor on this as not all roundabouts are the same. Your driving instructor should be familiar with the roundabouts most used on your driving test route so make sure you are clear with how to navigate correctly. In simple terms if you think of a roundabout as a clock with you approaching from 6 o clock and the first exit is left at 9 o’clock then your position should be to the left or in the left-hand lane with your left indicator signalling for the duration of the manoeuvre. When continuing straight ahead which is generally the second exit or 12 o clock your position is determined by the road markings however it would generally be to the left or in the left-hand lane with no indicator signals on approach however once you are in line with the first exit you signal left and take up the appropriate road position. When taking the right or third exit 3 o clock your position is determined by the road markings however it would generally be just to the left of the centre line or in the right-hand lane with your right indicator signalling on approach however once you are in line with the second exit you signal left and take up the appropriate road position. When turning right take up a position close to the centre of the road beside the white line. If you need to stop prior to turning right, you should stop in line with the centre of the road you are going to turn in to making sure that you avoid cutting the corner. When turning left maintain the correct road position before completing your turn in a smooth manner whilst keeping control of your speed as you approach to avoid swinging out to the right on the new road you have joined. When stopping follow the road markings, and if stopping behind a vehicle in front you should be able to see their tyres and the road they are on commonly referred to as “Tarmac and Tyres”. When following traffic in normal driving conditions the 2 second rule is commonly used to ensure a safe distance is kept between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. If road conditions are unfavourable slow down and give yourself the necessary distance required, should you need to make a stop. Remember all of manoeuvres must be carried out in a safe manner with correct use of your mirrors.

Progress

When it comes to progress the Road Safety Authority tester wants to see the learner making reasonable progress moving off, on the straight, overtaking, at cross-junctions, at roundabouts, turning right, turning left, changing lanes, and at traffic lights. Driving tests can understandably make learners nervous and this sometimes can lead to an over cautious approach however you need to be aware of this and make sure you trust your training and drive the car. If the road conditions are suitable and the speed limit is 50kph then drive at 50kph, if you are at a junction or roundabout and it is safe to make your manoeuvre move forward when safe to do so. You must stay within the rules of the road but remember if you are over cautious and lack progress this can also have a negative impact on other vehicles around you. As with all aspects of learner driving practice makes perfect so prepare well and progress safely.