Top 10 - Reasons why people fail their driving test
Are you READY for your DRIVING TEST?
The number of hours an individual requires varys greatly on many factors, such as age, learning ability and frequency of practice sessions.
According to the DSA, it takes an average person approximately 1.5hrs for each year of their life. So an average 17 year old learner could take 25/30hrs if they take 2/4hrs per week.
So please make sure you are ready to drive on your own independently and safey before attempting your driving test. Take guidance from your instructor and book your driving test accordingly.
So why do so many people fail their driving test?
Below is a list with guidance notes on the: Top 10 Reasons why people fail their driving test
1. Acting improperly at road junctions. A common reason for a test fail with junctions is going over the give way or stop lines. Coming to a stop over the line is of course dangerous. Approaching junctions too fast and lack of observation results in the number 1 test fail. On approaching a junction, use your mirrors, slow down to an appropriate speed so that it gives you plenty of time to observe the road, other vehicles and pedestrians and carry out the MSM routine in good time
2. Manoeuvre - Reversing around a corner incorrectly. Control, accuracy and observations are the key things to this manoeuvre. Hitting the curb, swinging wide and lack of observation is a common test fail for this. During the manoeuvre, use an appropriate speed. Keep it slow, giving yourself enough time to judge your distances correctly, use your mirrors and correct observation. Give way to all other road users as necessary. Don't forget to check over your right shoulder before turning!
3. Failure to make proper use of steering. Remember to feed the steering wheel through your hands. Don’t cross your hands on the wheel, don't let the wheel spin back after a turn or drive with any hands off the wheel for any longer than they have to be. Use the steering freely and smoothly,
4. Manoeuvre - problems with parking. Reverse parking is arguably one of the trickiest manoeuvres. The purpose is to show the Examiner that you have good control of the car using clutch control, accuracy and observation. Keep the vehicle slow, giving yourself plenty of time to manoeuvre the vehicle accurately and to observe other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists and stop if they approach. Don't forget to look over your right shoulder before each turn to check for any other approaching road users.
5. Failure to make proper use of gears. Make sure you are in the correct gear before pulling away. When slowing down or coming to a stop, use the brakes to slow down and not the gears. As a general rule, move into 2nd gear as soon as you move from stationary, 3rd gear at 20mph, 4th gear at 30mph, and 5th gear at 40mph.
6. Failure to make effective use of mirrors. Under - use of mirrors is a common mistake, especially when changing lane. Remember, any speed change - check your mirrors. Any direction change - check your mirrors. Also when moving off. Use the Golden Rule MSM at all times.
7. Driving too slowly. Driving too slowly is seen as a sign of the driver lacking confidence. Use of appropriate speed is very important. If the road you are on, is clear and safe, then drive at the speed limit and not unnecessarily slow. Driving too slow can be frustrating for other road users causing them to to make unsafe actions such as overtaking, which can be very dangerous. Keep a good look out for any signs telling you of a change in speed limits and act accordingly.
8. Acting incorrectly when turning right. When turning right, use the interior then right exterior mirrors and indicate. Judging the correct time to turn can be difficult. Try to imagine yourself as a pedestrian crossing both lanes across the road. When you think it would be safe to cross as a pedestrian would be a good estimate to when it would be a good time for you to pull away. Make sure you don't cause any oncoming vehicle to slow down or change direction due to your actions. Also make sure that vehicle is positioned just left of centre and follow all road markings, allowing the following traffic to undertake you if the road is wide enough.
9. Hesitating unnecessarily at junctions. Try not to take too much caution when pulling out from a junction. Again, imagine yourself as a pedestrian as in the above. Avoid approaching junctions too fast and try to observe as early as the junction opens so you have a good idea if you can emerge safely without stopping, DON'T TAKE RISKS> If you have not clearly checked both sides on approach be prepared to stop and check again as needed.
10. Failure to move away correctly from stationary positions When you move off, make sure you take the correct precautions. Mirrors, blind spot and signal if necessary. Also after all the manoeuvres especially the emergency stop take the same procedure as moving off for the first time.
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