June 2, 2018
10 Driving Test Tips

10 Driving Test Tips

  1. Familiarise yourself with area on the day of the test

Although there is usually more than one possible test route, prior to taking your test, it is recommended that you take at least 30 mins to drive around the general area on the day of the test. It will familiarise you and more than likely boost your confidence that nothing will be a surprise, taking lesson with your driving instructor beforehand will help to calm any nerves.

  1. Don’t give in to peer pressure – take your test when you’re ready

It is very easy to listen to those among us that like to tell you just how quick they picked driving up and how soon after starting they passed. It is also easy to rush in to your test as it does feel that the whole experience will end up being cheaper. If you’re not ready, then 1) you probably won’t pass and it will end up costing you more in the long run and 2) you will do nothing at all for your confidence going forward.

  1. Learn the basics privately

If you have access to a vehicle and understanding relative or friend, then use the opportunity to familiarise yourself with the basic controls. That way you aren’t wasting time you’re paying for learning the fundamentals of driving. Another nice side effect is that you will boost your road sense and general confidence.

  1. When you park at the test centre

Preparing the way, is the key to feeling confident. Give yourself a head start by parking before your test in a place that’s easy to leave that way you know you can do it calmly.

  1. Do your homework

Just because you’ve passed your theory test, it doesn’t mean that you won’t have to know your highway code for the practical test itself. How galling would it be to fail on your knowledge when that’s one of the easiest things to prepare for. A few good driving schools will help you prepare with resources and worksheets as they want you to pass. Have a look on Amazon for a wide range of helpful books. Another helpful tip is to use post-it notes that you place around your home with important things you need to learn. You will keep seeing them often and subconsciously you will be taking them in without much effort. On the toaster, on the back of the toilet door and the mirror.

  1. Do a mock test

Nothing can completely prepare you for the real thing, but the nearest thing to that is by doing a mock test. All aspects of your mock test are prepared in great detail to best replicate test conditions. Like driving the test route, it is giving you a prior knowledge of what to expect.

  1. Don’t tell everyone you’re doing your test

Don’t put undue pressure on yourself on the build up to your test day. The less people that know, the less you will feel people are ‘expecting’ you to pass. And if you don’t pass, at least you don’t need to do that dreaded call but you will pass if you believe you can. Having a positive mind-set is a powerful tool. Motivate yourself with a goal. Use the post-it notes method to build your confidence. Write what you want to achieve by explaining in detail the exact specifics. e.g. “When I pass my driving test I will drive to London for my holiday with a blue ford focus 1.6 with the windows down, with my favourite music blasting out.” This picture is automatically programming your mind to succeed. Look up NLP for more information.

  1. When parking, don’t be afraid to start again. You will not fail for trying again

There’s no time limit for manoeuvres. If after starting a parking manoeuvre, you feel that you’ve done something wrong. Reposition the vehicle to its original position and try again. The last thing you want to do is persist with the bad manoeuvre and hit a curb or worse still another vehicle. That WOULD be a fail….obviously.

  1. Don’t do your lessons too far apart

You need to keep your experience of driving fresh. The old way of doing 1 lesson per week, will get you there, but much slower. Increasing the frequency of your lessons or time spent in charge of a vehicle will significantly improve the speed of your progress.

  1. Don’t try and watch what the examiner is writing.

Watching the examiner’s clipboard to see if he’s writing not only takes your attention away from what you’re supposed to be doing i.e. driving, it will greatly affect your confidence if you see writing occur. Ironically, if the examiner feels that you aren’t driving safely because you are peering at what he/she is doing, they will mark you down…so don’t do it!

Lastly and perhaps not deserving the title of a full-blown ‘tip’, but essential all the same, make sure you take your provisional licence with you and that your eyesight is up to scratch. Either of these could result in the immediate termination of the test.

Happy driving and good luck!

June 2, 2018
Driving After Your Test

Driving after your test

You’ve passed your driving test and you’re ready to go it alone. Your new-found independence and freedom are something that you just have to try out and all you want to do is get out there and take your car out for a drive. Although the primary emotion you feel is excitement, there can be a tinge of worry as being out on your own can be a little daunting.

Having previously only driven with a comforting relative or an assuring driving instructor, its very normal to feel a little strange when going out on your own in the car. It can take a bit adjustment until it becomes comfortable for you.

Pick a good time

Unless there is a specific reason for going out in your car, then you can pick and choose when to you go out. If you go out at a quieter time, you’ll have more time to practice the parts of your driving that need attention. On the first occasion you venture out on your own, follow a route that you are familiar with.

As you gain confidence in your driving, you may venture further out and into less familiar or busier roads. At the beginning though, it is a good idea to stay on easier roads to build your fledgling driving confidence.

P Plates

It is not a mandatory for you to use the green ‘p plates’ that display that you have recently passed your test, but it is an allowance that you can use to further build your confidence. If the more experienced drivers you encounter are aware that you are still learning your craft, then they will more often than not be more patient with you. Any understandable mistakes or hesitancy should be forgiven, and knowing this might make that first drive more comfortable for you.

Running out of petrol

It’s happened to most of us. We think we can make it just a little further without fuelling up and what happens?…. you run out in just the wrong place on a junction or in the middle of nowhere. If you’re unsure about putting petrol in to your car, it’s not a bad idea to take someone with you who does. It might seem like an over-cautious approach to the task, but there are things that can go very wrong, for example putting diesel in a petrol engine or vice versa. A mistake that can cost you hundreds of pounds in repair costs.

Inform someone where you are going

Tell someone that you are off out on your first drive and approximately when you plan to return. If you only planned to pop round the block or to a local shop, then they will know where to look if you aren’t back within a reasonable time.

Take a mobile phone with you.

In this age of cheap and easy mobile communication, it’s easy to get a means to let someone know that you have either broken down or are in need of assistance. Don’t however, use it when you are driving. Always pull over before calling someone.

Lastly, if you get lost, don’t worry as you won’t be lost for long. Everyone gets lost at some point. If it happens, pull over when it is safe to do so and check either your AtoZ or your SatNav to get you back on track. Just don’t panic!

Your first drive should be just as exciting as you plan it to be. Just remember that you need to legislate for slight mishaps or miscalculations that could turn that drive into a nightmare if you don’t.

Be safe and enjoy yourself. You’ve passed your test!!

June 2, 2018
My practical test – when should I take it?

My practical test – when should I take it?

When you pass your written or theory test, your driving instructor will inform you of just how ready you are for the practical stage of your driving test. It goes without saying that your driving school wants you to pass on the first attempt. With this in mind, Drive2pass school of motoring want to offer you that “edge” by giving you the tips listed below to help ensure you don’t take it before you are ready, but also to help you bring the day when you are ready, that bit closer.

Log Book

Different from the conventional logbook, meaning registration certificate for your car, a logbook filled out with the help of your instructor is a great way to track your progress. A written account you can refer to at anytime, will give you a specific record of your strengths and weaknesses. It will also give you a very precise indication of when you are ready to take that all important practical driving test.

Self-help books

There are a number of published works that give you driving tips etc, but in addition there are often testimonials and stories of others, documenting when some have either taken their test at the right time or at the wrong time. Anecdotal evidence is powerful and lets you learn from others’ mistakes.

Practice on your own – with appropriate supervision!

Put what you have learnt into practice in between your lessons.

There is nothing wrong with doing this and you can even get your instructor to give you things to work on before you see him or her next. It is however, important that you are insured on the owner’s car insurance and imperative that you don’t pick up any bad habits from the friend or family member you practice with.

Have a mock test

There’s no better indication of how ready you are than to have a ‘dry run’, simulating test conditions. When in this environment, it is easy to imagine the examiner sitting in the seat instead of your instructor. If you pass the mock test, then you should be more confident of  passing your actual practical.

Reasons for failure

The Driving Standards Agency (or DSA) publish common reasons for failure by students. By being aware of the pitfalls that lay ahead, you prepare yourself for success.

Here is a selection taken from some of those publications.

A common place to fail is at junctions. Correct road positioning, signalling and use of mirrors are imperative to display road sense and awareness of other vehicles.

Always signal, adjust road position and use your mirrors in good time when approaching junctions and potential hazards.

Getting into the habit of checking mirrors regularly will show your examiner that you are aware of your surroundings.

A lot of people slip up on lane positioning on roundabouts. There is a very specific correct way to approach and manoeuvre around roundabouts. In the whole scheme of things, road positioning is one of the easiest to rectify. By being mindful, you can make sure that you are always getting into the right lane in good time.

Touching the curb

Formerly known as the ‘three point turn’, the ‘turn in the road’ is a common place to fail your test. There isn’t a maximum number of manoeuvres when turning in the road, so make sure you turn safely and without touching the curb. As long as you show that you are in control of the vehicle at all times, then you can take as many as you need….within reason.

If just one of these tips helps you through your test, or helps you decide the right time to take your test, then it has been worth us writing this and worth you reading it.

Good luck!

June 2, 2018
Nervous? How to approach your practical test

Nervous? How to approach your practical test

It is perfectly normal to have some nerves on the big day. You wouldn’t be normal if you weren’t a little nervous. For some though, those nerves can prove to be be a real problem and can severely affect them on their practical test.

When suffering from these nerves, the words from your instructor to the effect of ‘you’ll be fine’ cut little ice. This article will go some way to giving you some weapons to use against the nerves, if you are unfortunate enough to suffer badly with them.

These type of nerves have a name. It is called ‘performance related stress’.

Before an exam, for some learners all the personal factors riding on the success of their test can weigh heavy on the mind. Money invested in learning, needing to drive for their job or the relative freedom that comes with being able to drive can all be factors the lead to increased nerves on the day.

Don’t despair though, because there are things you can do to help yourself during this testing time. Determining why you are nervous is a good starting point.

If whilst reading this, you are a number of weeks away from your test, you have a head start, as you have time to address the issue before the big day arrives. This time you have will give you the chance to work out what it is that leads to the nerves and use the information in this article to best manage the problem.

If however, you are just round the corner from your test, then it is still no time to panic. If you have the knowledge required to understand your nerves, you are much better placed to deal with them.

What real effect can my instructor have on the day?

The instructor who has brought you thus far is your best weapon against the nerves. Your instructor knows precisely what it is you’re going through, as he or she has been through it many times.

Having them in your corner has several benefits:

  1. I)   Your instructor knows that it is not in your interest (or theirs) to put you in for your  test before you are ready. When they do put you in for it, they expect you to  pass. It is not in a vain hope that you do.
  2. II)  Before this point arrives, you will have had to satisfy all the pre-test requirements before they will even put you forward. Everybody is different and each learner will  have different areas of strength and weakness, but it will not be until your instructor believes that you have reached the minimum standard for every part of driving proficiency that you will be registered for your practical test.
  3. III) By the time your test comes around, your overall driving will have been good for a while. Your instructor wouldn’t have even taken you into heavier traffic if you weren’t ready for it let alone let you go for your test. Trust your instructor. They know.
  4. IV)  The strengths and weakness of your driving will be well-known by your instructor and he/she will have been reinforcing and working on them in  each of the lessons leading up to your test.
  5. V)   In the test, you will not be experiencing anything that you haven’t already been through with your teacher. The same types of roads, the same levels of traffic and the same driving conditions. Any good instructor will ensure that you   will be fully readied.

Is there anything I can do on my own?

Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Sometimes, the perspective you have on passing or failing can be all-consuming and its importance in your own mind can become overwhelming. You only need to see the smile on a newly passed driver’s face to know what it means to them, but it is not life and death. If you fail, you fail. The sun will still come up in the morning and go down at night. You can always take it again. No one will say “sorry, you failed. You can’t take it again”. A more philosophical approach will help calm you.

Also remember that you have an hour before your test to warm up your driving skills and fine tune any last-minute teething troubles. If there are any issues, they should raise their head in that time and be addressed.

Your instructor has been with you throughout your learning process and has probably witnessed you stressed. They know you as a driver better than you know yourself. They know that test nerves account for around a 20% drop in standards on the day and this is taken account of by them so they make you that much better than you need to be. Every care will have been taken to ensure in a successful result for everyone.

How else do I cope on the actual day?

There are a few things that you can get right that are easy to get right.

It’s hard enough with out you making it more difficult than it needs to be.

  1. Have a good sleep the night before.
  2. Make sure you aren’t overly hungry or overfed at the time of your test. Too far either way can affect your concentration levels.
  3. Turn your phone off. Good luck message might be what your friends think you need, but the last thing you need is the thought of all your friends ‘expecting’.
  4. Drink lots of water that day and make sure you remember to visit the bathroom beforehand. Water is vital in concentration and is the most forgotten remedy in making sure you are at your best.
  5. You can buy a natural calming product that helps people take exams, fly and other stressful situations from your local pharmacy called ‘Rescue Remedy’. For some it helps promote an amazing feeling being in control.

Finally, just remember that examiners are not looking to fail you. They don’t spend their days revelling in the misery of failing people. They are nice normal people who are just looking for safe, competent driving.

Good luck and remember, you can do it. You just need to allow yourself to.

October 5, 2017
Theory Test

Theory Test

What you need to know

In short, there are no shortcuts to knowing what you need to know for you theory test, but there are one or two ways that might make the process of learning a little bit less daunting to those of us who aren’t completely comfortable with written exams.

No matter how well your practical lessons are progressing, you will have to pass your theory test before you can apply for your practical driving test. The theory test came into force on the 1st of July 1996 and now forms a large part of the obstacle that learner drivers face when learning to drive.

The test itself is constantly changing with new rules and regulations imposed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), so its important to keep up to date with your learning. If it’s less than two years since you passed your theory test and as yet you haven’t passed your practical test, then it is still valid, but the chances are quite a few things will have been modified or changed in line with the DSAs current rules.

You need to be 17 years of age and have received your provisional driving licence. Remember, you have to apply for it. Your licence will not come to you automatically.

 

The Basics

Make sure when attending your theory test at the centre, you must bring both parts of your driving licence (the paper licence and plastic card part). If you don’t take both parts, the DSA will accept no other form of identification and ultimately you will have to resit the test and will forfeit your test fee. If you have an old paper licence, you must provide a valid passport to accompany it.

Test conditions

Remember that it is an exam and as such you will be under test conditions. You will have to store your belongings in lockers provided before entering the test rooms. Once in, talking to or distracting anyone is prohibited. You will have 57 minutes for the multiple choice part and the hazard perception part combined. Your computer will keep you updated on how much time you have left.

Multiple Choice Test contents

The test is made up of 50 questions divided into 12 topics. Traffic signs, driver attitude and the effects of fatigue and alcohol on your driving ability are just two of those tops. Remember to read each question properly and reread. Revise your answers if time allows it.

Your pass mark for this part is 43 out of a possible 50.

Hazard Perception Test (HPT) contents

You will be shown 14 video clips for the HPT to evaluate your ability to assess and deal with hazards you may come up against. Out of a possible 75, you will need to reach a pass mark of 44.

Test resources

It would be nice if we could just turn up and pass without any work, but in reality, this isn’t going to happen unless you put the work in. To make this a bit easier there are some really helpful resources to make digesting the information a bit more palatable.

Aside from the Highway Code mentioned earlier, you could try Revision Cards. A tried and tested way of effectively taking in the required information. Copy all the information you’re having trouble with onto revision ‘flash’ cards. Lots of people find this a great alternative to just trawling through pages of words.

Whatever way you get there, you will get there. We hope this does in some small way help you achieve your goal.

Important advice for those with learning difficulties, special needs and if English isn’t your first language

Learning, reading and hearing difficulties

If you have evidence from your School or College that you had extra time in your exams because of a learning difficulty then you can also get extra time in your theory test. If you are still in full time education and don’t have a statement of needs, don’t panic there is still time to get assessed before you book your theory test.

Have a look at the government website for more in depth information regarding anything mentioned in this paragraph and to find out more https://www.gov.uk/driving-theory-test/if-you-have-special-needs

 

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