1. Practical Test

 

Ok, your practical driving test. This is what you’ve been planning for and, training towards for some time. We know your going to be nervous about taking your practical driving test, and we know what it means to you. We know it's not just about being able to drive a car. It's about independence, not having to keep having to ask for lifts everywhere, relying on other people to take you places, and no more catching that bus. It's about freedom, being able to go where you want, when you want. It's about you having control over your life.

At Access driving school our instructors appreciate this. That’s why over the period of time you have been taking lessons our aim will have been working towards this point of getting you through your driving test.

 

What do you need to do, to pass your test?

 

At the beginning of your driving test the examiner will check your eyesight (your instructor will have already checked your eyesight).

The vehicle safety check questions, also known as show me, tell me, will be asked at the beginning of your practical test. Theses are basic safety checks that a driver should carry out to ensure the vehicle is safe for use. Although some checks may involve the candidate in opening the bonnet to identify where fluid levels would be checked, pupils will not be asked to touch a hot engine, or physically check fluid levels. Your driving instructor will have compressively covered this subject with you before the practical driving test. Please Click Here for more information.

During the test you will need to show the examiner that you can drive in a confident, safe manner and without making any serious or dangerous faults, and no more than 15 minor faults. The duration of the test will last for around 40 minutes. During the test you will be required to carry out some of the following manoeuvres, and optionally the emergency stop: reverse parking behind a parked car or into a parking bay, Pulling up on the right and reversing back in a straight line.

During the test the examiner will tell you in good time which way to go. If you go the wrong way do not panic, the examiner is testing your ability to drive, not your ability to follow directions. It is better to go the wrong way correctly than to go the right way incorrectly.

If at any time you are unsure what the examiner requires, do not hesitate to check what he or she wants; the examiner appreciates that you may be nervous, and will be happy to repeat, or clarify any instructions given. Try not to turn the examiner in to a mystical monster (not a bad one anyway) he is not there to fail you, but to assess if you can drive competently.

In your practical driving test there is an independent driving stage. Which is when you will be asked to drive independently for approximately 20 minutes. Either following a sat nav or road signs .

 

Tips to passing your driving test

 

  • Practice manoeuvres until you can carry them out without any minor faults. That will leave you with a margin of 15 faults for the rest of the drive on the day of your test.
  • Practice, practice and practice, until you can drive without verbal or physical intervention from your driving instructor for the duration of a full driving lesson.
  • Arrive at the test centre in plenty of time and, try to relax. If you have trained with Access Driving School you will already be to a good standard so have confidence in yourself.
  • Arrange to have an hour's Driving lesson around the area of the test centre on the day of your test. This will help you to warm up and get into the swing of things.
  • Think confident: Talk yourself (silently) through the test. Talk about hazards coming up, and how you are going to deal with them. This really focuses your mind on how you should be driving in order to pass the test.
  • Don't be afraid to ask: If you don't understand what the examiner has asked you to do, don't be afraid to ask him or her to repeat the instruction.
  • Stalling: if, unfortunately, you stall, deal with it and move on. As long as you don't stall in a dangerous situation, and as long as you handle it properly, this needn't count as a major fault, and you can still pass your test.
  • Have I already failed? If you feel you've made a mistake, don't instantly assume you've failed.
  • Keep your eyes on the road: Resist the temptation to look at the examiner and what he or she is writing. You will not be able to deduce anything anyway. Keep your attention on your driving, and the road ahead!

 

If you have any queries about your driving test please Contact Us, we always have a fully qualified driving instructor to hand.

To book your driving practical test, or for more information click on the link below