Frequently Asked Questions

THE DRIVING TEST: Questions and myths related to the practical driving test.

Myth: There is a set quota of people an examiner can pass each day.

False: If you can drive to the required standard on the day of your driving test you will pass.

Myth: If you cross your hands while steering you will fail your test.

False: People get driver faults for losing control of the steering wheel.
If a candidate uses the hand over hand technique and retains full control of the steering, no faults will be marked. Having said this, hand over hand is not good practice, especially for beginners. The pull push method is far better, and allows for a greater degree of steering control.

Myth: It wasn't my fault, I failed because of other drivers.

False: People who tell you this are demonstrating the real reason they failed. It is because they are unwilling to accept responsibility for their own actions. Driving examiners are happy to pass people who have the right attitude to driving, and can make safe choices based on current circumstances. If you expect the driving examiner to help you through the test, you will probably have to see them more than once! An examiner's decision is rarely wrong.

Myth: My friend says he passed even though he got a major fault.

False: You are allowed a maximum of 15 driver faults (or minors), and no serious or dangerous faults.
It is possible for a test candidate to THINK they have committed a serious fault, when in fact the fault was not marked as serious by the examiner.

LEARNING TO DRIVE: Questions learners ask... and the answers.

Question: There are so many driving schools, so how do I choose a good driving instructor?

Answer: As with any industry, there are individuals who are good at their job, and individuals who are not so good at their job.
Unfortunately there are also some driving schools who will happily take you for a ride (no pun intended).
It is all too easy for driving schools to make big promises, like guarantees of a first time pass, or telling you that someone passes with them every few seconds, but the truth is statistics are very easy to fake.

Some instructors, no matter how well qualified they are, no matter how many badges they display in the car, no matter how many advanced driving tests they have passed, will still teach you how to fail the practical driving test.

The best way to find a good instructor is to talk to people you know who passed first time, not people who are still learning. It is likely that the person who passed first time will minimise the part their instructor played in their success and maximise their own skill, but the fact is that their instructor taught them how to pass the driving test.

Always beware of instructors who tell you how to "fool the driving examiner"... avoid any driving instructor who tells you any of the following:

* Make it obvious you are checking your mirrors by moving your head every time.
* Make sure you exaggerate your blind spot checks by straining your neck into an uncomfortable position for a long time before you drive off.
* Always slow down when you approach crossings, even when there is nobody there, so the examiner knows you've seen them.
* While doing reversing exercises, make sure you stop if you see any other traffic or pedestrians, no matter how far away they are from you.

You need a driving school who teaches you how to drive correctly and safely, not someone who believes you can fool a driving examiner into thinking you can drive, when you clearly cannot.

Question: My parents tell me to change down through the gears, but my instructor taught me to skip gears, who's right?

Answer: Both sequential gear changing and "block changing" are correct. The generally accepted method of changing down gears in modern cars is to miss out the intermediate gear, for example: changing down from 3rd gear to 1st gear as you arrive at the end of a road. Another example is changing down from 4th gear to 2nd gear before entering a roundabout or turning into a road.
In modern cars, the brakes are more effective than in older cars, therefore engine braking is required less often. Block changing has 3 main advantages over sequential gear changing:

- improved fuel economy
- Improved steering control (hands are on the wheel longer, and the clutch is depressed for less time).
- Less wear and tear on the gear box.

Question: My last instructor told me to stay in 3rd at 30mph, but my current instructor tells me to be in 4th gear...who's right?

Answer: It depends on the power of the car you are driving, and the situation you are driving into.
For example: A 1.2L Vauxhall Corsa may be suitable for driving in 4th gear at 30mph, however a 1.6L Vauxhall Astra may require you to stay in 3rd gear at this speed.

Also consider the road conditions: if you are driving up a gradual hill, it may be better to leave the car in 3rd gear so you can get up the slope easily. The car needs to be in the best gear to achieve a compromise between fuel economy and good car control.

Question: My old instructor told me not to practice with my parents, but my current driving instructor says to practice as much as possible, why do they tell me different things?

Answer: Getting as much practice as possible is a great thing IF YOU DO IT CORRECTLY. Driving with a relative or friend can actually be detrimental to your progress if they give you incorrect advice, or if they allow you to form bad habits.

When you practice with someone other than your instructor make sure you do not allow yourself to get away with mistakes that you know your instructor would pull you up on. Classic examples of these are speeding, not checking door mirrors and bad steering technique.

If you can practice without forming bad habits, then by all means get as much driving experience as possible, but if you cannot manage that, please dont do it, as it will take you longer to un-learn the bad habits than it takes you to learn correctly in the first place!

There is also the potential for strain on your relationship with relatives. Its common for parents to lose control of the driving session and shout at their children because of fear of damaging their car, or fear for their own safety.
This is totally understandable, but should be prevented by ensuring that you do not cover unknown subjects in the driving session, and practice skills that have already been covered in driving lessons. The most common trigger for arguments during practice sessions is the learner being put into situations they do not have the ability to cope with. Select a route that is appropriate for the driver's skill level.

Question: Should I always signal before I pull away from the kerb?

Answer: Only signal if you are actually going to move off.
Make sure you have checked it is safe to drive off before you signal. If a car is approaching at speed from behind, it would be wrong to indicate, as this may cause the driver to panic and think you are going to pull out in front of them. Remember, signals are intended to make it clear to other road users what you are going to do next. Don't tell them one thing, then do something different.