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
Learn To Drive

Learn to drive

There is lots of information about what you should do and how you should do it, with regards to going to a driving school and getting professional tuition. But what about when you just want to jump in your car with L plates on (and a driver over 21 with a full car licence with 3 years’ experience under their belt of course!) and get out on the road to get valuable experience. It is definitely recommended that you combine this with professional tuition, so that any bad habits that are picked up are highlighted by your instructor.

Who should I drive with?

Anyone you practice your driving with (without paying them) must be over 21, they must be qualified to drive the type of vehicle you want to learn in, e.g. they must have a manual car licence if they’re supervising you in a manual car and they must have had their driving licence for 3 years. Although this is the legal requirement, it’s important that you feel relaxed and not under pressure when you get behind the wheel, so try and make sure that the person with you is normally calm in the car and has lots of patience.

Keep a log

It can be very useful to keep a log of your driving to pinpoint any points of focus for your instructor to work on with you. If you don’t note it down and forget what you are struggling with, then it will take much longer to get better at it.

Safe driving

When not under the watchful supervision of an instructor, it is easy to let standards slip, but try to obey the same standards even when with a relative or a friend.

  1. i) Try not to turn the radio on as it may distract you
  2. ii) Take time to adjust to different vehicles. There can be big differences between different models and makes of car such as power steering, car size etc.
  3. iii) Try and drive in all the different driving conditions. In the dry, in the wet, and night-time driving are just a few to speak of.

Getting on the road

When you are satisfied that you have accomplished all the necessary precautions before getting behind the wheel, then make sure you;

  1. i) clearly display front and rear L plates, making sure that you don’t obscure either registration plates on the car.
  2. ii) do not use a mobile phone whilst driving.
  3. iii) don’t drive under the influence of prescription drugs. Read all the bumf that goes with medication, so that you are sure you can drive whilst taking them.
  1. iv) only drive vehicles that are stated on your learner licence
  2. v) It goes without saying, but do not drink ANY alcohol prior to driving…just in case. No one can accurately tell whether they are over the limit without a breathalyzer and if you are stopped, pleading ignorance as a learner driver will not cut any ice.

When you get out there, be confident, be legal and above all, be safe.

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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