The importance of listening on your driving test - www.BIGTOM.org.uk

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On your driving test, your adrenalin will be flowing, and you will be concentrating hard.  One of the problems with that situation is that your body can shut down seemingly lesser important functions in an effort to concentrate all energy and effort on the task in hand...namely driving.  So problems can arise such as not turning your head to make good observations around you, struggling to see because you don’t blink, feeling light headed because you are not breathing deeply, and not being able to hear because you are thinking/concentrating so hard.  I would like to briefly expand on the last one, hearing (or lack of) because Driving Examiners get a bit tetchy about it (and who can blame them.... no-one ‘enjoys’ being ignored).

The Examiners are trained to provide you with very clear directions on your driving test, and in good time.  So typically they say things like:

“So John, at the end of the road, turn right please”

“At the next roundabout, take the third exit right”

“You will be now on this dual carriageway for approximately 2 miles”

One problem that I have seen is that there is so much time provided that a Learner can forget what the direction is.  Initially the direction is heard, but then so much effort is being put into what to do, the direction gets put at the bottom of the ‘to do’ list, and can be forgotten.  Easy mistake to make, and a good Driving Instructor will not only be getting you used to hearing the words/phrases that are used on test, and the timing of them, but will assist in helping you remember that direction independently.  An Examiner will not appreciate constantly being asked to repeat what they had said.  It’s perfectly allowable, but going through an entire day of tests with all the candidates asking.....

“Did you say left or right?”

“Sorry, was it the third exit or second”

“I can’t remember if you said before the traffic lights or after”  

..... will make for a long day, and we want happy smiling Examiners, not miserable, tired Examiners!

The 10 minute Independent Drive section of the test can be problematic too.  The Examiner might choose to ask you to follow signs for one destination initially, and then change it, as follows:

“Please follow signs for ‘City Centre’.  I would like you to follow the signs for ‘City Centre’”

After a few minutes....

“Now Sue, would you please follow signs for ‘Regional College’”

Between the directions they do not intend to say anything else, because they want to see your ability of driving independently (with no directions or prompts on where to go).  So you can imagine, if you miss that key direction of which sign to follow, or if it falls to the bottom of the ‘to do’ list as before, then you will need to ask the examiner to repeat it again.   If you do take the incorrect turning/route on this part of the test, you will not fail as long as where you do drive is done safely and properly.

The reason I am stressing this point about being able to hear the words of the Examiner, is because this is just one example of what can be different between a normal driving lesson and the driving test.  On a normal driving lesson, there is a continuous flow/interaction between the Pupil and Driving Instructor, so that the atmosphere in the car is such that it maximises learning by putting you at ease.  It is fair to say that the Driving Examiner would prefer to see you driving as you normally do too, so they do encourage some friendly interaction like asking you about work or College.  But they do not want to disturb your thought processes, or distract you at all in this high stress situation, so the atmosphere CAN be a little strained, with long pauses in verbal communication.  Your Driving Instructor should be able to replicate this for you on mock tests, and may even provide you with the option of taking a mock test with another Instructor, to help you prepare for driving with someone next to you that you do not know.

Remember, the driving test is not an academic exam.  You are permitted to talk to the Examiner as you drive, you just can’t ask them questions of a technical nature about what to do – it is for them to assess not assist you.  

The Examiners are highly trained people, actually with your best interests at heart, they are not LOOKING to fail you.  Getting used to listening well will not only be good for your test, but it will prepare you well for life after passing your test.  

That was a short blog on the importance of 'listening' on your driving test, and the need to practise being in a driving test situation.  Best of luck everyone.

Any questions/comments please add below, and if you could grade how useful this blog has been, it would be appreciated.   Thank you.

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