This blog will attempt to provide some clarity to answer the question of what a driver needs to be able to do when driving around on their driving test in the UK.
There is often a fair amount of confusion and mixed messages about what an examiner exactly wants to see on the driving test - this is perfectly understandable. Using one of the DVSA's own policy documents as the reference (DT1), I will provide below guidance to help answer this question.
A driver needs to demonstrate to the examiner that they can perform the following activities on the driving test competently, causing no danger and with consideration to others:
Start the engine and move off smoothly whether this be going ahead or when behind a parked car and doing this well on a flat road, uphill or downhill.
Accelerate to a speed which is appropriate whilst maintaining a straight course and changing gears.
Adjust the speed to maintain control of the vehicle whilst dealing with junctions, possibly in tight spaces.
Brake accurately to a stop when told to including for the emergency stop.
Perform either a reverse into a side road (left or right), turn the car around using the width of the road, parallel park or bay park. So you will be asked to perform one of those four options.
Pull the car over at a designated place.
While driving, to be aware of the position in the road, markings in the road, traffic signs and any potential or actual risks (this includes by making effective use of the mirrors).
Make at least 2 normal stops at the side of the road and move off.
Only to use authorised means in which to communicate with other road users.
React appropriately if and when actual risk situations occur.
Comply with the law, and personnel in authority.
Adjust road position and speed in line with conditions and the road.
Keep the right distance between vehicles.
Change lanes.
Pass parked, stationary vehicles or obstacles.
Approach, cross, turn left or right at junctions or to leave the carriageway.
If appropriate, pass oncoming vehicles in confined spaces, overtake, approach and cross level-crossings.
They are the requirements needed for the driving test, as outlined in a positive manner, as in, do this, do that. Let me now give some practical examples of commonly seen situations that go against the criteria set above:
Emerging left or right into a road where in doing so, you create a road user already in the road to either stop, swerve or slow.
Performing a gear change when the car is moving that is not appropriate for the speed the car is travelling at.
Driving over or across road markings that is either illegal or directly affects other road users.
Not responding sufficiently to a hazardous situation, whether that be by not adjusting the speed to reflect the risk, or not creating enough space between the car and the hazard. This often either causes other road users to react suddenly, or increases the likelihood of a collision/loss of control of the car.
Not complying with road signs eg directional, traffic lights, prohibitions such as no entry or no right turn, speed.
Failing to keep up with the traffic around, in other words, actually creating a hazard by driving too slowly.
Moving on to a roundabout which caused another road user to stop, swerve or slow.
Failing to make effective mirror checks prior to changing speed or direction, or to update yourself what is around you.
Fail to check all around when performing a reverse manoeuvre to ensure safety.
Make sudden positional changes in the road due to a lack of effective planning which causes another road user to stop, swerve or slow.
Crossing the path of another road user which directly affects them in a negative manner.
These are just a few examples of common errors that will tend to have pretty significant consequences to the outcome of the driving test. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list and it also does not include the driving faults that although are less serious in nature, are committed with such frequency and consistency that the examiner cannot overlook them and provide a test pass.
I hope this is of assistance to you. Like this? Check out similar here
Tom Ingram (Owner) of BIG TOM Driving School 5 Day Intensive Driving Courses in Lincoln, Peterborough, Spalding, Stamford, Boston and Grantham. Call now! 0800 689 4174
