Blog posts tagged ‘driving test’

The date is fast approaching that the DSA’s latest change to the driving test will be implemented. The independent driving element of the driving test will come into effect on 4 October 2010. But does that mean you have to rush into taking your driving test before this date? I don’t think so. The new element to the test is designed to be more realistic, and more like the type of driving you’ll be doing after passing. It will involve you following a series of verbal directions, following traffic signs to a destination or a combination of both. There really is nothing to be scared of. It’s exactly what you’ll be doing when you’ve passed your test and you’re driving alone. As long as you are driving safely, it doesn’t even matter too much if you take the wrong direction or forget where you are supposed to be going. After all, that even happens to experienced drivers.

For more information click here to view a video clip from the DSA

Most learners I teach don’t have the opportunity to drive other than when on driving lessons. But some do get the benefit of being able to practise in their own/parent’s/partner’s car. These lucky few are able to gain experience of different road traffic situations more quickly and are generally ready to take their test earlier than those who haven’t had extra practice.  Some instructors feel that learners tend to pick up bad habits from their family and friends supervising them, but as long as the practice is taken alongside regular professional driving lessons then I don’t believe that this is the case.

Adding a younger learner to a policy can be prohibitively expensive. There are cheaper options available such as short term policies, held by the learner themselves. One such policy is offered by a company called Marmalade Provisional, who have a tie in with Halfords. They offer policies from as little as £90 per month although this does vary with location. I have checked with them, and for a learner with a Selly Oak B29 postcode, the cost would be £99.50 for one month, or £187.00 for two months.

I believe that in the run up to a test this type of policy can really give a learner an extra boost to their learning experience, raise their confidence and increase their chances of passing the test first time.

Click here for more details…

This year, the driving test in the United Kingdom is 75 years old! Back in 1935 there were 200 examiners across the country. Now there are around 2000. The current test has changed quite a bit  – it’s considerably longer and involves more reversing manoeuvres, not to mention the relatively recent additions of the theory test, hazard perception test and more recently still the “Show me, tell me” element of the practical test. It’s a constantly evolving beast, with more changes ready to be introduced later this year with an independent driving element set to be included.

Currently Britain has the second safest roads in Europe, and this is surely in part due to the high standard of driving required to achieve a pass. So happy 75th birthday driving test. Here’s to another 75 years. Mind you I very much doubt I’ll still be teaching people to pass it by then………

Whilst doing a little driving test research, I stumbled across this newspaper article from 2006.  Not sure exactly how true it is but I found it quite amusing all the same…

If you’re a nervous driver, or think that you will be, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

 Research carried out by the RAC has found that approximately 10 million drivers in the UK suffer some kind of driving anxiety disorder, with women being more commonly affected. For example, it is estimated that one in five female drivers refuse to drive on a motorway at all.

Some of the more common fears that learners have are fear of large vehicles coming towards them, fear of impatient drivers behind them, fear that they themselves will cause a hold up by stalling and fear of judging when to go at roundabouts.  These fears tend to lead to more mistakes, thus compounding the problem and reinforcing a negative driving experience.

But these fears can be overcome, and hopefully the following three points can help with that:

1) Relax before a lesson

Driving lessons themselves can make people anxious. Pupils sometimes worry that they won’t understand what’s asked of them, or that they’ll look stupid if they can’t do it, or if they have to ask again how to do something.  These should never be fears that you have. I (and any good driving instructor) will be patient, willing to answer any questions, however many times they are asked, and will never think anyone is stupid for finding driving hard.  We don’t bite! The reason that you are having lessons is that you can’t drive yet, so it stands to reason that you won’t be able to do everything straight away.

2) Understanding your needs

 As your instructor I will make every effort to ensure that each lesson you have is tailored to your specific needs. For example, I won’t be making you drive around the Maypole roundabout on your first driving lesson! We’ll progress at a rate which suits your learning requirements. It’s always better to walk before you can run, and there’s little point trying to get across a busy junction in the rush hour if you’re still struggling with clutch control, so we’ll work on your clutch control in a quiet environment. That way you’re far less likely to make mistakes, which lead to a lack of confidence in the future. If you’re finding steering a problem, we’ll work on that in a safe environment with wider roads, and get you proficient before expecting you to negotiate a tricky narrow street with numerous parked cars and other obstructions.

 3) Breathe

I know it may sound crazy, but learner drivers who get stressed often forget to breathe! If you’re finding a situation stressful, maybe before doing a parallel park on the driving test, it’s a good idea to take several long deep breaths.  This is a very simple but effective method of relaxation which can help to reduce nerves so that you feel calm and in control once more – hopefully bringing you closer to achieving your goal of learning to drive and passing your test!

I attended a meeting a couple of weeks ago, where the speaker was a DSA Assistant Chief Driving Examiner. He works for a department within the DSA which looks at and regulates the standards of driving examiners. The presentation he gave mainly related to the examination and continued testing of driving instructors (ADIs) but was also relevant to examiners who take learners out on test. His talk certainly reassured me that every effort is taken to ensure that all driving tests carried out are fairly and consistently marked as far as they can be.

Obviously there is always a possibility of human error, and for those occasions that you feel you’ve been unfairly treated then there is a complaints procedure that can be followed. This procedure is marked out on the driving test report, a copy of which you receive at the end of the test.

But in general I believe that examiners' marking is consistent and fair. If anyone fails a test there is always a genuine reason for it, and that reason needs to be addressed and worked on to get you ready for, and able to pass,  the next test you take.