Driving Test Secrets

The current UK driving test (2009) is probably one of the hardest in the world, with over 60% of the 1.5M that take it every year failing! With those kind of statistics, it is no wonder that learner drivers are searching the internet looking for some driving test secrets that would help them be among the small 40% that do get a pass certificate and go on to receive that coveted full british licence.

Let me immediately put your mind to rest as a driving standards agency fully qualified and approved instructor and say that there are no secrets to passing the UK driving test. The reason a lot of people fail the test is because they don't realise how tough it is, therefore they are ill prepared or they are hoping that the DSA examiner will be lenient with them, and not classify a serious or dangerous fault as such, which automatically means a fail.

I'm going to repeat and say the UK driving test is tough, and you not only need to know what is required to pass, but also be able to do perform these skills without committing any errors that are deemed unsafe for a full 40 minutes. The driving examiners can not overlook 1 single instance of unsafe driving, no matter how well you've driven throughout the test, and where it happened (people have failed their test in the last minute while pulling up at the test centre), and I can understand candidates being upset at this, but rules are rules.

So if there are no test secrets, what advice can I give those who have seriously want to pass their next assessment with a DSA driving examiner.

1. Do everything within your power to prepare for the driving test. This includes taking lessons with an qualified instructor who knows what the examiner is looking, take their advice and practice any skills that you are weak at.

2. Don't hope to pass! Any athlete will tell you that they go into the competition to win it, and you need to have the same attitude when it comes to your driving test. If you have done the hard preparation work, are confident that you can do all your car maneuvers, know how to deal with both mini and multi-lane roundabouts, then there is no reason why you shouldn't pass if you keep your wits about you.

3. It is okay to be nervous. Most people will feel some form of nerves when it comes to an examination, and it is okay during the practical car assessment, but you must not allow your nerves to get the better of you. Some people might need a herbal remedy to calm them down, others might just get into the hang of things after the first few minutes, but there is nothing that will happen during the test which should be new to you if you've had enough private practice or lessons with an instructor.

4. You will make mistakes. You might think this is being negative, but the truth is 40 minutes is a long time, and you are bound to do something wrong (it might not even be a markable fault, like going into 5th gear instead of 3rd), and it is important that no matter the driving fault, you need to continue to give the driving test your best efforts and don't give up. Wait till the end to find out the result. Many people have given up after committing a fault they thought had failed them, only to learn that the reason they failed was for something later on when they weren't giving the assessment their best attention!

5. The examiners want you to pass! Hard to believe, but it is true, they don't have any test quotas, so if you do what is required, then they can't fail you. The examiners are human though, and there are some of them who either don't have good customer skills (don't smile for example), or have personalities that you might not necessarily be comfortable with, don't allow this to discourage you.

6. Don't give up! Life is such that not everyone will find things come easily to them, so if you've failed the driving test, don't give up, you might have made a silly mistake, come across something that caught you off guard, or had a borderline decision against you, but if you give it another go, you still have a chance of getting that full british licence.

I might not have been able to give you any test secrets, but I hope the advice has been helpful, and that you have all you need to help you towards success at your next attempt. For more information and articles, you can visit my driving test tips blog where you will find videos to complement your lessons and up to date DSA announcements.