Top tips for passing your driving test
The open road beckons…
Being able to drive is a real enabler in life. It opens up job prospects, determines the holidays you might take and let’s face it, is the most flexible way to get around, especially once you leave a town or city’s public transport infrastructure.
But a licence doesn’t just appear by magic when you’re 17: you’ll need to spend your time and hard-earned money on lessons and learn the theory in order to demonstrate you’ll be competent and safe on the road. And of course if you receive a pass, your learning continues from there and doesn’t stop until you hang up your car keys.
Currently, test centres across the UK have a huge backlog because tests were put on hold during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. This means you’ll have to wait months rather than weeks for your driving test. The national average waiting time for a car test is around 15 weeks and 79 test centres quoting almost half a year, according to the Government. If you’re lucky, you might pick up a cancellation; if not, it makes that all-important day even more critical or you’ll be at the back of the queue if you fail.
1. Learn the theory
The first test you need to pass is the theory test. You can take this part of the test whenever you are good and ready (any time from your 16th birthday). Remember that you won’t be able to book the practical part of the test until you have passed the theory.
Start with the Highway Code and make sure you know the details as you really could be asked any obscure question. The best way is to learn is alongside driving lessons so you can understand how the theory applies in real situations. Having an instructor to talk through the details always helps.
You can also take free mock tests via the Government website.
2. Get on the road
Choose a good instructor and book yourself a good few lessons. Seek instructor recommendations from friends (especially if they have passed first time!). You can check or search for qualified and approved instructors on the Government website. Remember too that you’re the paying customer. If you don’t feel you’re getting along or making good headway, don’t be embarrassed to try a different instructor.
3. Manual or auto?
Much of car control involves moving up and down the gears, and the associated clutch control. Most drivers can do this with ease after a few drives and the instructor’s ‘find the bite point’ reminder for the clutch is soon unnecessary. But some drivers do struggle with the coordination needed so there is another option: go automatic.
On the downside, you’ll only be able to drive an automatic car (that’s with just an accelerator and brake, no clutch pedal). On the upside, increasingly fewer vehicles are being sold with manual gearboxes: all EVs and many hybrids are automatic only. If you pass your test in a manual car, you can drive both manual and automatic models.
4. Mirrors
Safe driving means being observant: you need to be aware of what’s around you, what’s changing and where the hazards lie. This includes what’s to the side of and behind you. Not only that, the examiner needs to know you have seen what’s there. While you might have checked the mirrors, a slight tilt of the head will show the examiner you really did check.
5. Manoeuvres
Manoeuvring your vehicle requires control, observation and accuracy. So practice again, again and again. That’s those parallel parks, reversing into a bay and lane discipline, particularly on roundabouts.
Remember, whenever you are manoeuvring - and that includes pulling away from the side of the road - you must always indicate to tell other drivers what you’re planning to do.
6. Ask questions
It’s a hugesubject area to learn with so many disciplines so don’t be afraid to ask your driving instructor. You’re paying for their time so treat them as a consultant and get as much helpful information as you can!
7. Look ahead
Experienced drivers learn to look further ahead so situations don’t take them by surprise. When you’re learning, it’s hard to take everything in at once and control the vehicle at the same time. It’s therefore important to get sufficient driving practice that the car control comes more naturally and you can concentrate on the job of looking ahead to read the road and spot hazards.
8. Drive the area
Even if you know the topography of the area around the test centre, it’s definitely worth driving the roads. It’ll help you learn which lanes to be in, what the speed limits are, junction priorities and any awkward turns. That way, there shouldn’t be too many surprises on the test.
9. Know the vehicle
All cars are different so it’s good to be familiar with the car you’re planning to take your test in, wether this is your own or the driving instructor’s.
You should be familiar with the controls as car companies locate switches in different places. Then there is the clutch bite point and even aspects such as steering ratio vary (how much rotation of the steering wheel is required to steer the front wheels). Overall dimensions, turning circle and visibility are also factors which vary across vehicle models.
10. Learn
Learn from what your driving instructor tells you: it’s his or her job to make sure you know both what you need to do to pass and what you need to do to drive safely.
Do be wary of learning from friends or family members who have had the chance to develop bad or unconventional habits and who may not be up-to-date with the latest laws of the road.
And learn from your mistakes. Understand what happened, what you didn’t do correctly and how you might tackle the same situation better next time.
11. Don’t rush it
You might want that coveted driving licence but there’s no point in applying for the test if you’re not ready, especially with the costs and lead time for the application. Your instructor should be able to indicate when the time is right. And in the meantime, keep practicing!
12. Preparation
Okay, so it’s your driving test tomorrow. Get sufficient sleep, eat properly (a good healthy breakfast is always recommended!) and have your paperwork to hand. You’ll need your theory pass and provisional photo card licence. With all that sorted, you just need to think of what you have learned and apply it on the day. Good luck.
For more tips and guidance, check out our blog on UK speeding fines explained.