Unfortunately it is not unusual to fail a driving test. If this happens to you the most important
thing to do is keep practicing, and fix your faults before trying again. In this video we
will show how to avoid making the 10 most common mistakes that cause drivers to fail their test.
Of course - if you haven’t taken your test yet, this video might help prevent you failing
in the first place - so keep watching! As always, please make sure you are subscribed to our channel
and click the bell so you don’t miss our next video. Let’s get started!
If we cross a Give Way line when it’s not safe we will put ourselves in danger and fail the test.
One method to prevent this is called ‘eye scanning’.
Instead of fixing our eyes directly in front of us, we keep our eyes looking all round us and in
our mirrors. We must take extra care to look for other road users
who have the right of way over us at junctions, so we can wait for a safe gap to pull into.
Eye scanning can help with this one too. We need to have
360° awareness of what’s going on around us, especially before changing direction.
So if we need to change lanes or merge onto a dual carriageway
we must look in the mirrors and check our blind spot before making any direction changes.
To have a good chance of passing a driving test, steering the car
should be second nature. If your steering isn’t that precise yet - keep practicing.
It doesn’t matter which steering technique you prefer,
so long as you are able to keep full control of your car and position it correctly at all times.
Some new drivers struggle turning right at junctions, but it’s easy if you take your time.
We always use the MSPSL routine to ensure we have time to do everything in the correct
order. Be especially cautious in judging the speed of oncoming traffic - and only make the turn
once you are sure it is completely safe.
The secret to being a safe driver is forward planning - so look ahead for signs and road
markings, interpret the information they are giving you, and respond appropriately. Also,
make sure you keep your knowledge of The Highway Code up to date
between your theory and practical tests so you can demonstrate your understanding to the examiner.
To reverse parking safely we need to demonstrate accuracy and control, but not speed.
Get plenty of practice before your test, so you can park neatly every time. Take your time,
and if it doesn’t work first time try not to get flustered, and ‘tidy up’ if you need to.
Remember to keep checking around you for hazards such as cars and pedestrians!
We always use the Prepare, Observe, Manoeuvre routine when pulling away.
That way we won’t pull away until it is safe to do so.
There is no rush to move away - so if you aren’t sure if it is safe, wait for a better gap. Other
drivers sometimes speed - so consider the speed of other vehicles carefully.
We should stay within our lane unless we are changing lanes or pulling out to overtake.
Letting the car wander towards the lane markings might mislead others
and result in danger - so try to stay in the centre of your lane whenever possible.
When overtaking parked cars or cyclists, always leave a safe gap!
When driving a manual car your clutch and throttle control should be second nature by
the time of your practical test. Practice pulling away until you can do it smoothly on flat ground
and uphill gradients. Driving an automatic is much easier, but make sure you understand how
to use the gearbox and handbrake correctly in order to move off without any delay.
Look ahead to spot traffic lights, and prepare to slow down and stop if necessary.
We can’t tell exactly when the lights will change,
so always watch the lights as we approach them. If they do turn amber
we should stop if possible, but if it’s too late then it’s safer to continue driving.
When waiting at a red light pay attention so you can move away promptly once they show green.
If you can prevent making these common mistakes on your next Driving Test you
will have an excellent chance of passing - so take the time to fix your faults before you try again.
We have made separate videos for every one of these faults, so if you would like a more
detailed explanation please click the links below in the video description. Good luck!
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