Want To Pass Your Driving Test, First Time? Here are 7 Top Tips To Help
If you have been learning to drive, passing your driving theory test and are booking or have booked a practical driving test I've put together a number of the best advice I have gleaned from 7 years as a Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor (DSA ADI) and condensed it into these 7 top tips:-
1. Start until you book your evaluation. Consider the ideal time to your practical test, this will be determined by you (do you work well when driving in the daytime or are you more of an afternoon person?) Along with your regional area (are there several schools in the area which would cause heavy congestion at certain times of the day such as?)
If you are looking for a driving school that helps you decode the art of driving your search stops here. Visit for more information related to our driving school. Read here for more information -Driving Lessons
I usually suggest a mid-morning to mid-afternoon driving test to the majority of my student drivers during school-term time as this allows the morning rush hour to die down so there is the best possibility of the least traffic and you don't have to worry about traffic controls or small walking hazards! Nonetheless, in the school holidays, this principle should not apply to your practical test, in fact taking your driving test first issue is usually a good thing because most people get going a bit later during the college holidays.
2. Proper preparation and practice. There's no substitute for it. The Driving Standards Agency expects you to demonstrate a high-quality drive in your practical driving test and can be quite strict with their own marking. Just because you sailed through the theory does not indicate you ought to be complacent about the practical driving test, it is a completely different manner of evaluation and is so easy to earn a serious mark through a lapse of concentration.
The practical driving test is likewise very expensive, this test fee along with the instructor fees means you will typically be paying excess of 100 in your test so be certain you get it right. Don't skimp on training sessions with your driving instructor on the lead up for your own test, in reality, I would encourage you to make sacrifices for more driving classes in. I have had students cancel driving lessons on me since they say they can't afford it but I tend to find out they have been out on the lash weekend. Think a little about your priorities, you might be forfeiting your DSA driving test fee should you miss out on your driving course and won't your friends still be heading out after your driving test? Clearly this doesn't apply to all but it's rather common.
In my experience the men and women who are the most successful first time inside their test generally have routine 2-hour driving lessons and step this up on the lead up for their driving test, I believe this demonstrates their commitment to their goal and determination to succeed.
I am aware that this manual is to help you to pass your driving test first time but if you've experienced a practical driving test and have been ineffective then keep on with your regular driving course until your next functional test booking. There is a phenomenon I call' The Serial Failure'. It tends to occur like this-
The waiting times to get your DSA sensible driving tests are a Small high, so I get my pupil to reserve theirs in anticipation of them attaining test standard
My pupil Appears to believe that because I've asked them to reserve their test they must be ready and Begin to cancel classes and that I start to see them frequently
About a week prior to the test date I get a call out of my pupil who is desperate for a driving lesson and we squeeze one or two in, keep in mind in this scenario I am less inclined to bend over backward to get an ill-prepared pupil.
In the time between booking the practical driving test and the lessons the student has gotten quite rusty and unfortunately is unsuccessful in their driving test.
Because of the waiting list, we receive another sensible driving test booking and lo and behold - I don't hear from my student again until the week before the next practical driving test. And wash and repeat...
Ok, this is not everyone, I maybe get about 2-3 of these extreme cases each year. All they seem to need to do is keep taking driving tests when really they need to be focussing on enhancing their practical driving skills but it will happen and that I see some people waste hundreds of pounds on DSA driving test fees when a tiny proportion of that money invested in additional lessons would greatly boost their chances.
3. Document Check! Your teacher will do this with you when they pick you up for your driving lesson the hour prior to your test but be sure you've got them before hand. The DVLA are pretty efficient but if you'ven't got both parts of your driving license you won't head out on your exam and the DVLA will require about two months to mail a fresh one out to you so check your documents well before your practical driving test booking.
4. Wakey, wakey! Eggs and Bakey. Ok maybe not a Full-English here but have something of nutrient value to fuel your own body. A good breakfast helps set the tone of your day so at least grab some fruit (bananas are highly recommended because of the high potassium levels)
5. Dress to impress. Well at least wear something clean. The examiners are human, so they'll be impressed if you've made an effort. We are not talking Sunday best here, just something presentable and comfortable.
6. Know that your'Show Me, Tell Me' questions. The'Show Me, Tell Me' questions were introduced to the UK driving test by the DSA so that the test candidates learn a little about keeping and utilizing the majority of the controllers in modern cars. These questions are only worth 1 minor mark so should not really influence the outcome of your practical driving test unless you have a scruffy drive and come back with 15 other minor marks. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't pay them any heed; they're on the driving test for a good reason and if you can't answer these simple questions the examiner may consider your inability/unwillingness to find out there as a sign of your mindset to your practical driving. Bear in mind that the driving test examiner is the one that you've got to impress in this.
7. Forget about it. After you set off in your practical driving test try to put the fact that you're being analyzed out of your mind. Concentrate on your driveway and don't concern yourself about whatever that the examiner may be performing with their clipboard. Ensure that you get your first couple of turns right and try to get your driving head-on. The examiners will be looking for the type of push your instructor has been encouraging you to do this no last-minute changes to technique.
As you're driving around in your test, it's quite simple to become involved in a negative mental spiral. Do not dwell on mistakes, any mistakes that you make rectify them in the best possible manner and put it from your mind concentrate on the push ahead. Driving just happens in the current and the near future, this is where you need to concentrate your attention. If in doubt begin thinking regarding your hazard drill, then this is exactly what the examiners are telling you again after all. If you keep these questions going through your mind then you certainly should not be too much space for any negative thoughts:-
1. What's the following threat?
2. Which mirrors if I check?
3. Can I want to indicate, if so which one and when?
4. What is the best place to negotiate this hazard?
5. What would be an appropriate speed to approach the danger?
6. Which equipment would be best to approach and deal with the hazard?
If you've got all the questions going through your mind for every hazard you will stay focused on the evaluation and should be attentive on the road.
I am hoping that these top hints to help you along with your driving test success but remember being a good driver doesn't end with the evaluation it begins with the test.
1. Start until you book your evaluation. Consider the ideal time to your practical test, this will be determined by you (do you work well when driving in the daytime or are you more of an afternoon person?) Along with your regional area (are there several schools in the area which would cause heavy congestion at certain times of the day such as?)
If you are looking for a driving school that helps you decode the art of driving your search stops here. Visit for more information related to our driving school. Read here for more information -Driving Lessons
I usually suggest a mid-morning to mid-afternoon driving test to the majority of my student drivers during school-term time as this allows the morning rush hour to die down so there is the best possibility of the least traffic and you don't have to worry about traffic controls or small walking hazards! Nonetheless, in the school holidays, this principle should not apply to your practical test, in fact taking your driving test first issue is usually a good thing because most people get going a bit later during the college holidays.
2. Proper preparation and practice. There's no substitute for it. The Driving Standards Agency expects you to demonstrate a high-quality drive in your practical driving test and can be quite strict with their own marking. Just because you sailed through the theory does not indicate you ought to be complacent about the practical driving test, it is a completely different manner of evaluation and is so easy to earn a serious mark through a lapse of concentration.
The practical driving test is likewise very expensive, this test fee along with the instructor fees means you will typically be paying excess of 100 in your test so be certain you get it right. Don't skimp on training sessions with your driving instructor on the lead up for your own test, in reality, I would encourage you to make sacrifices for more driving classes in. I have had students cancel driving lessons on me since they say they can't afford it but I tend to find out they have been out on the lash weekend. Think a little about your priorities, you might be forfeiting your DSA driving test fee should you miss out on your driving course and won't your friends still be heading out after your driving test? Clearly this doesn't apply to all but it's rather common.
In my experience the men and women who are the most successful first time inside their test generally have routine 2-hour driving lessons and step this up on the lead up for their driving test, I believe this demonstrates their commitment to their goal and determination to succeed.
I am aware that this manual is to help you to pass your driving test first time but if you've experienced a practical driving test and have been ineffective then keep on with your regular driving course until your next functional test booking. There is a phenomenon I call' The Serial Failure'. It tends to occur like this-
The waiting times to get your DSA sensible driving tests are a Small high, so I get my pupil to reserve theirs in anticipation of them attaining test standard
My pupil Appears to believe that because I've asked them to reserve their test they must be ready and Begin to cancel classes and that I start to see them frequently
About a week prior to the test date I get a call out of my pupil who is desperate for a driving lesson and we squeeze one or two in, keep in mind in this scenario I am less inclined to bend over backward to get an ill-prepared pupil.
In the time between booking the practical driving test and the lessons the student has gotten quite rusty and unfortunately is unsuccessful in their driving test.
Because of the waiting list, we receive another sensible driving test booking and lo and behold - I don't hear from my student again until the week before the next practical driving test. And wash and repeat...
Ok, this is not everyone, I maybe get about 2-3 of these extreme cases each year. All they seem to need to do is keep taking driving tests when really they need to be focussing on enhancing their practical driving skills but it will happen and that I see some people waste hundreds of pounds on DSA driving test fees when a tiny proportion of that money invested in additional lessons would greatly boost their chances.
3. Document Check! Your teacher will do this with you when they pick you up for your driving lesson the hour prior to your test but be sure you've got them before hand. The DVLA are pretty efficient but if you'ven't got both parts of your driving license you won't head out on your exam and the DVLA will require about two months to mail a fresh one out to you so check your documents well before your practical driving test booking.
4. Wakey, wakey! Eggs and Bakey. Ok maybe not a Full-English here but have something of nutrient value to fuel your own body. A good breakfast helps set the tone of your day so at least grab some fruit (bananas are highly recommended because of the high potassium levels)
5. Dress to impress. Well at least wear something clean. The examiners are human, so they'll be impressed if you've made an effort. We are not talking Sunday best here, just something presentable and comfortable.
6. Know that your'Show Me, Tell Me' questions. The'Show Me, Tell Me' questions were introduced to the UK driving test by the DSA so that the test candidates learn a little about keeping and utilizing the majority of the controllers in modern cars. These questions are only worth 1 minor mark so should not really influence the outcome of your practical driving test unless you have a scruffy drive and come back with 15 other minor marks. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't pay them any heed; they're on the driving test for a good reason and if you can't answer these simple questions the examiner may consider your inability/unwillingness to find out there as a sign of your mindset to your practical driving. Bear in mind that the driving test examiner is the one that you've got to impress in this.
7. Forget about it. After you set off in your practical driving test try to put the fact that you're being analyzed out of your mind. Concentrate on your driveway and don't concern yourself about whatever that the examiner may be performing with their clipboard. Ensure that you get your first couple of turns right and try to get your driving head-on. The examiners will be looking for the type of push your instructor has been encouraging you to do this no last-minute changes to technique.
As you're driving around in your test, it's quite simple to become involved in a negative mental spiral. Do not dwell on mistakes, any mistakes that you make rectify them in the best possible manner and put it from your mind concentrate on the push ahead. Driving just happens in the current and the near future, this is where you need to concentrate your attention. If in doubt begin thinking regarding your hazard drill, then this is exactly what the examiners are telling you again after all. If you keep these questions going through your mind then you certainly should not be too much space for any negative thoughts:-
1. What's the following threat?
2. Which mirrors if I check?
3. Can I want to indicate, if so which one and when?
4. What is the best place to negotiate this hazard?
5. What would be an appropriate speed to approach the danger?
6. Which equipment would be best to approach and deal with the hazard?
If you've got all the questions going through your mind for every hazard you will stay focused on the evaluation and should be attentive on the road.
I am hoping that these top hints to help you along with your driving test success but remember being a good driver doesn't end with the evaluation it begins with the test.
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