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PRACTICAL TEST/TOP DRIVING TIPS

How The Driving Test Examiner Expects You To Drive

During the driving test the examiner is looking to make sure a test candidate fulfils the criteria below. To pass your driving test you will have to drive to what is known as level 5 standard i.e.

you must be able to carry out all required driving skills consistently and without any prompting.

Controls
All the controls such as foot pedals, gear stick and steering should be handled smoothly. You should:

  • make proper use of the accelerator and clutch to make a smooth start
  • always press down on the clutch before stopping
  • select the correct gear to match the road and traffic conditions
  • change gear in good time but not too soon before a hazard
  • don't allow the vehicle to coast by running in neutral or with the clutch depressed
  • avoid looking at the gear stick when changing gear
  • use the foot brake smoothly and progressively
  • brake in plenty of time for any hazard
  • make full use of the parking brake where necessary
  • steer the vehicle as smoothly as possible
  • avoid harsh steering or steering too early or too late

Moving Away
The test candidate should move away safely, under control, on the level, from behind a parked car and where practicable, on a hill, with the correct observations.

Emergency Stop
Even and progressive braking should be demonstrated. There should be no locking of the wheels. In wet weather conditions the candidate should understand that the stopping distance could be doubled.

Reverse To The Left
Should be executed under full control and with reasonable accuracy. Good all-round observation is essential as is responding correctly to other road users.

Turn In The Road
Must be executed under full control. Good all-round observation is essential as is responding correctly to other road users and good low speed control of the vehicle.

Reverse Parking
Must be executed under full control. Good all-round observation is essential as is responding correctly to other road users.

Use of Mirrors
Mirrors should be used regularly and the candidate must be aware of the presence of others in their blind spots. Early use of mirrors should be made before signalling, changing direction, changing speed and as part of the mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine.

Signaling
The candidate must give signals clearly and in good time to warn other road users of intentions in accordance with the Highway Code. Signals should be cancelled after any manoeuvre has been completed.

Response To Signs and Signals
The candidate must understand and be able to react to all traffic signs and road markings; check when proceeding through green lights, and respond to signals given by police officers, traffic wardens, school crossing patrols and all other road users.

Use Of Speed
Safe and reasonable progress should be made according to the road, weather and traffic conditions, the road signs and speed limits. Candidates should always be able to stop within the distance they can see to be clear.

Following Distance
The candidate must maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead in all conditions, including when stopping in traffic queues.

Maintaining Progress
Appropriate speeds must be maintained and the type of road, the speed limit, the type and density of traffic, the weather and visibility must be taken into account. A safe approach to all hazards should be demonstrated without being over-cautious. All safe opportunities to proceed at junctions should be taken.

Junctions
The correct procedure must be demonstrated at all types of junctions. The mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine must also be demonstrated, as should good all-round observations and safe response to other road users. You should also:

  • judge the correct speed when approaching a junction
  • position your vehicle correctly
  • use the correct lane
  • if turning right, keep as near to the centre of the road as is safe
  • avoid cutting the corner when turning right
  • if turning left, keep over to the left and do not swing out
  • watch for cyclists and motorcyclists coming up on your left and pedestrians who are crossing
  • make effective observation before moving into a junction and make sure it is safe before proceeding

Judgment
A candidate must show correct response when dealing with other road users including overtaking, meeting oncoming traffic and turning across traffic. Other road users should not be made to slow down, swerve or stop. When overtaking:

  • overtake only if it is safe to do so
  • allow enough room when overtaking a vehicle; cyclists/motorcyclist should be given the same room as a car
  • avoid cutting in too early after overtaking

Positioning
The correct road position should be maintained at all times according to the type of road, the direction being taken and the presence of parked vehicles. In normal driving conditions you should position the car well to the left.

Clearance To Obstruction
The candidate should allow plenty of room when passing stationary vehicles and other obstructions that may be obscuring pedestrians.

Pedestrian Crossings
The correct type of crossing should be recognized and the correct procedure demonstrated. You should:

  • at zebra crossings slow down and stop if anyone is waiting to cross
  • give way to pedestrians on a pelican crossing when the amber lights are flashing
  • give way to cyclists as well as pedestrians on a toucan crossing and act correctly at puffin crossings

Position For Normal Stops
The candidate should select a safe and legal place to stop without causing inconvenience or obstruction to other road users.

Awareness and Planning
The candidate should think and plan ahead and anticipate the actions of other road users, should demonstrate safe attitudes when dealing with vulnerable roads users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders and think and plan ahead so that they can:

  • judge what other road users are going to do
  • predict how their actions will affect you
  • react in good time

Ancillary Controls
An understanding of the function of all controls and switches, especially those relating to road safety, should be shown. The candidate should be able to access all controls without having to look down to locate them.


Independent Driving Information

Independent driving forms part of the practical driving test.

It requires the test candidate to drive by either following a series of directions, following traffic signs, or a combination of both, for about ten minutes.

To help the candidate understand where they are going the examiner may show them a diagram - see below.

It doesn't matter if the candidate doesn't remember every direction, or if they go the wrong way - that can happen to the most experienced drivers. Independent driving is not a test of the candidates orientation and navigation skills, it is about being capable of making their own decisions whilst driving, about their route and how to safely navigate that route without prompts - this includes deciding when it's safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where they are going.

When taking the independent driving test:

  • If you need to ask the examiner for a reminder of the directions then do so. Once asked the examiner will confirm the route. 

  • If you go off-route your overall driving test result will not be affected, unless you commit a driving fault. The examiner will also help you get back on the route so you can continue with independent driving.

  • If there are poor or obscured traffic signs, the examiner will give directions until the next visible traffic sign.

  • A detailed knowledge of the test route is not necessary.

  • You cannot use a Sat-Nav.

Independent Driving Route Diagram

Independent Driving Route Diagram

Questions To Help You Get Ready For The Driving Test

IF YOU HAVE A TEST BOOKED AND DONT KNOW THE AWNSERS TO ALL OF THE QUESTIONS YOU SHOULD START TO WORRY

To make a turn at a junction, (including roundabouts), you should:

 Slow down on the brake, and then block change from existing gear to the required gear, missing out any intermediate gears.

 Slow down on the brake and change through the gears one by one, until you end up with the gear you need.

Due to parked cars in the major road you are having to ‘creep and peep’ as you emerge at a junction. At what point should you relax, and stop looking in all directions?

 When you are about half way out into the major road.

 Not until you are absolutely sure that you can see around the obstructions, and that it is safe to proceed.

Providing that it is safe to do so, and that the line surrounding the hatch markings is not solid (i.e. it consists of a series of dashes), is it OK to move over the hatch markings in the middle of the road, when taking up your position to make a right turn from a major road into a minor road?

Yes/no

When making a right turn, from a major road to a minor road, which gear would usually be the most appropriate?

 First gear

 Second gear

When emerging, from a minor road to a major road, which gear would usually be the most appropriate?

 First gear

 Second gear

In order to take the road ahead at a roundabout, you are approaching in the left hand lane. Whilst driving around the roundabout you should:

 Keep to the left all the way around.

 Take a more direct route. 

After waiting for pedestrians at a zebra crossing, what and where should you check before moving forwards across the pedestrian crossing?

You have left the pedestrian crossing clear whilst waiting in a queue of traffic. Once the road clears ahead what and where should you check before moving forwards?

There is traffic congestion ahead and it all looks a bit difficult, messy and hazardous, what should you do?

 Carry on at the same speed.

 Consider coming off the gas and then using the brake to slow or stop as necessary.

When stopping the car at the kerb you should look ahead, check your mirrors and signal to

 Only cars behind

 Anyone who the signal might help

When preparing to set off from the kerb, you notice a vehicle, quite close to you, approaching from behind. You should:

 Signal right, and be ready to move away.

 Move away without signalling.

 Wait until the vehicle(s) have passed, check again and move off when safe.

When preparing to set off from the kerb, you notice a vehicle approaching from behind. If you move away you wont affect the approaching vehicle. You should:

  Signal right and move away.

  Move away without signalling.

Fill in the blanks:

 Before braking you should check your........................

 When you see anything that may cause you to alter speed, or alter course, you should check your.........................

 Before carrying out any manoeuvres you should check ………

 You see traffic lights, or a Pedestrian Crossing, down the road. The first thing you do is check your.....................

 If the red exclamation mark is illuminated on the dashboard you should check your..........................

You are getting close to traffic lights and the green changes to amber. Before considering stopping you should check

your......................

Just before actually making a turn you should check the appropriate ......................mirror.

Just before coming off a roundabout you should check the appropriate................mirror.

Before releasing the foot or hand brake, when setting off up a slope or hill, at what position should the clutch be to

prevent rollback? ...........................................

You are waiting to emerge at a junction. You should only proceed if you are not going to cause vehicles on the major

road to alter S...................D  and/or change D............................N

Whilst driving on your test, , the visibility deteriorates. You should:

Switch on sidelights.

Switch on headlights.

Do nothing until you are told

During the reverse Manoeuvres your main view should be:

 Through the side window.

 Into the door mirror.

 Through the rear window.

During the reverse manoeuvres you should check ahead, blind spots, mirrors, etc.:

 Just three times

 As many times as is necessary

Whilst reversing around a corner another vehicle in the minor road, approaches from behind you. If your manoeuvre is not complete you should:

 Stop and signal left, to allow it to pass.

 Stop, engage first gear and be prepared to move forwards to the start position if necessary, using the appropriate signals.

Whilst reversing you notice another vehicle approaching, but still quite far away. If you were to continue you wouldn’t cause it any problems. You should:

 Carry on, but observing it as it gets closer, and then stopping if and when necessary.

 Stop what you are doing until it has passed by.

During a reverse manoeuvre another vehicle approaches. When it gets close enough for you to be a problem to it, you should:

 Stop until the danger is over.

 Carry on reversing, but slower.

If on the reverse manoeuvre you feel that you may hit the kerb you should:

  Carry on and hope it all works out

  Go forwards a little, and then go back again adjusting the position of the car.
















































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