After Your Test: Safe Driving Tips

 

Congrats! You have your license, and are ready to take on the road. One of the most important lessons you should learn going forward is that you will never be done learning. Whether you have been behind the wheel for one week of three decades, there will never be a point that you can stop paying attention and throw the rules out the window. In order to keep yourself, and others, safe on the road, here are a few safety tips to remember long after passing that exam.

 

Driving with a Crowd

 

During your driving practical test you will ride with the test examiner, and possibly your driving instructor. It will not prepare you for driving with five friends who are all talking loudly on top of one another and it will not prepare you for a screaming baby that can’t be calmed down in the rear seat. You need to be sure that you are able to concentrate while driving, and if you can’t- pull over. The safety of your passengers, and yourself, should always be an utmost priority.

 

Weather Changes

 

Chances are that your practical exam won’t take you through snow, heavy rain, or powerful winds. However, you can expect to deal with a lot of different weather conditions at some point or another in the future. Always be aware of what is going on on outside, and drive accordingly. Just because the speed limit is there, it doesn’t mean you can’t go slower if conditions aren’t favourable.

 

Drinking and Driving

 

As you are already aware, drinking and driving don’t mix. The experience of a driver does not matter, if alcohol is in the system it is unsafe and illegal to drive. In 2012, over 1,200 people in the UK were seriously injured as a result of drunk driving, and 280 were killed. While you can legally drive up to a .08% blood alcohol level, even a small amount of alcohol can impair your judgement when driving. Be smart, don’t drink and drive.

 

Road Rage

 

Attitude is an important aspect of driving that most people don’t think about. You will encounter aggressive drivers on the road, and you need to respond to these situations calmly and responsibly. You can’t control how other motorists behave, but you can control your response. Here are a few tips for dealing with road rage.

 

– Focus on your own driving, don’t make eye contact with other drivers and ignore any aggressive behaviour.

– If a driver is tailgating you, don’t respond with anger or by speeding up. Make it easier for them to pass you, safety is more important than teaching them a lesson.

– Never brake suddenly in response to road rage, it can cause an accident and put you and other drivers on the road in danger.

– If you ever feel overwhelmed by the aggression of another driver, pull over and let them pass. If it continues, call the police and report the vehicle.

 

A responsible driver knows that their driving education is never finished. Direct Driving Tests offers a variety of learning aids that will help you study for the Theory Test, guides such as a practical test book, and resources that will help you in the years that follow. Be a smart driver and make your time on the road enjoyable and as safe as possible for you and other motorists.

The Most Common Reasons for Driving Test Fails

 

Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to pass their driving test first time. Yet many people are failing for the same kinds of reasons. Before you get round to booking a practical driving test, make sure that you understand why people fail in order to avoid making the same mistakes.

 

Watch Your Speed

 

You can fail your test by driving too slowly just as you can for driving too fast. Many people fail to adjust their speed according to the type of road that they are on. Causing a delay by not keeping up with the speed of the road can be just as dangerous as driving with excess speed.

 

Turning in the Road

 

It used to be called the three point turn, but it is now known as a turn in the road as the manoeuvre can be completed in more than three points if required. Many people fail to illustrate the proper amount of control over their vehicle whilst making this manoeuvre. Full observation of the area surrounding the car is required yet many people fail to check their rear view mirror before they move.

 

Steering Control

 

Failure to take a turn at the correct speed and in the correct gear is classed as a steering fault. Taking the turn too wide or too tight can result in the car hitting the kerb, and this is also a steering fault and another way to fail.

 

It’s All About Positioning

 

This is all about lane management. Make sure you are in the right place on the road for the direction in which you are travelling and in the right position for any manoeuvres you wish to make. It is all about paying attention to the road markings and signage. If you are in the wrong lane when you need to make a manoeuvre you could end up failing your test.

 

Signalling

 

Even experienced drivers can make a mess of their signalling. You could be given a fail for signalling too late or too early. Remember that you are signalling to let other road users know your intentions, incorrect signalling can be misleading and could lead to an accident.

 

Mirror, Signal Manoeuvre

 

If you don’t pay attention to the traffic when you pull out you could cause a driver to swerve and cause a collision. Do this on your test and you are looking at an instant fail. Your examiner will be watching to make sure you use all of your mirrors at the correct times.

 

Parking in Reverse

 

One of the biggest parts of the practical driving test upon which people fail is the reverse parking manoeuvre. They fail to make the proper observations before they begin to move the car, and often end up with the car in totally the wrong position.

 

Before booking your practical driving test online make sure that you are aware of all of the points where you could be setting yourself up to fail. Be sure that you train yourself to make all of the necessary observations at the right times, and you can be sure you will only need to book your practical driving test the once.

How To Beat Practical Driving Test Stress

It is entirely common to be stressed out before taking your driving test. After investing in expensive driving lessons and hours spent studying your practical test book, a failing grade can seem like the end of the world (if you do fail, you can try again in ten days). Follow these helpful tips to combat test anxiety and make sure you pass your driving exam with flying colours!

Know What to Expect

If you know what will happen on the day of the exam, you will likely be more relaxed going into it. You can also make it easier on yourself by completing the DVSA booking practical test online. Here is what you can expect the day of your driving test, from arrival to receiving your results.

1. Armed with your provisional driving license, both the plastic card and paper counterpart, you will arrive at the test centre ready to pass your exam. Your instructor may accompany you to both the test centre and on the driving test itself, although this is entirely up to you.

2. While in the waiting room, the test examiner will check your address details, check your provisional license, and confirm that you are insured to drive.

3. On the way to the vehicle, you will be asked to read a license plate to check your eyesight. When you arrive at the vehicle you will be asked 19 questions in which you will need to point out different parts of the car for the examiner.

4. You will then begin the driving test. The examiner will have you go through a specific route and test your ability to navigate, read road signs, and perform procedures such as an emergency stop.

5. Once you are back at the testing centre the examiner will let you and your instructor know what mistakes were made and whether you passed or failed. If you have passed, you will receive the test pass certificate and be allowed to drive immediately.

Preparation is Key

If you want to decrease your test anxiety, there is no better way than preparing for every aspect of the exam. There are a number of ways that you can study, you just need to find the best method for you.

Youtube Videos – There are a number of instructional videos that show mock driving tests, give student drivers advice, and show you specific aspects of the exam such as parallel parking. Start with this video from the DSA, which shows how the practical exam will go.

Supplementary Study Material – There are plenty of study guides on the market that cover the practical exam from dvd’s to study guides to computer programs.

Apps – You can also download a driving test app onto your phone or tablet so that you can study on-the-go.

Additional Tips

You should get plenty of rest the night before the exam so that you are alert. You may wish to consider booking the driving test during your most productive time of the day. Avoid rush hour time periods and arrive to the testing centre at least ten minutes before the exam begins.

Tests can be nerve-racking but if you prepare yourself well for the practical exam and know what to expect on test day, you will be more likely to walk away with that test pass certificate. Take your time, stay calm, and you will be on the road driving your car before you know it.