Whether you opt for conventional driving lessons or an intensive driving course, you’ll be expected to demonstrate exactly the same competencies during your practical test.
Contrary to popular belief, most drivers do not pass their driving tests the first time. Nevertheless, familiarizing yourself with the most common reasons for failing a practical driving test could hold the key to getting the job done right.
So with this in mind, here’s a brief rundown of 10 of the most common reasons for failing a practical driving test in the UK:
1. Right Turns at Junctions
Right off the bat (pun intended), right turns at junctions often prove daunting and problematic for learner drivers. As one of the most common reasons for failure in the UK, it’s essential to get as much practice in crossing the path of oncoming vehicles before your test day arrives.
2. Road Marking Observations
This refers to any errors or oversights made with regard to any important road markings, such as failing to stop fully at a stop sign or not knowing when you can use hatched road markings to get into the correct position to turn into a new road.
3. Vehicle Control on Busy Roads
This is another surprisingly common issue, though one that can be easily brought up under control with specialist city centre driving lessons. Busy roads can be nerve-wracking for new drivers, though become much easier to negotiate with practice.
4. Positioning During Normal Driving
Examiners keep a constant eye on the position of your vehicle at all times, ensuring it is both safe and appropriate. The normal driving position is 3 feet from the kerb or if you have a lane, position in the centre of the lane. Driving too close to the centre line of the road for no apparent reason can risk contact with other oncoming vehicles.
5. Inappropriate Steering Control
The recommended method of steering is called the ‘push and pull method’. Whilst not using this method may not be a reason in its self for failure, promotion of bad steering discipline can often lead to not being able to control your vehicle properly or to be able to steer out of danger and co-ordinate your vehicle in the safest way when danger arises. If for e.g. a vehicle drifted over on to your side of the road, if you were not holding the wheel properly, you may not be able to move fully out of the way which may result in a near miss.
6. Reverse Parking
Your reverse parking exercise must be demonstrated with good use of observation, accuracy and control e.g. remembering to look over your right shoulder as the front of your vehicle swings out to the right and making sure you don’t end up on the kerb.
7. Response to Signals (Traffic Lights)
On approach to traffic lights, you need to be mentally ready for the lights to change so that you can respond as required. If you are not anticipating the oncoming traffic lights changing you could find yourself going through on red or showing that you are not aware that the amber light means prepare to stop if safe to do so.
8. Moving Away Safely
Failure to check your mirrors and blind spot and failure to take in what you see in your mirrors before moving your vehicle into the flow of traffic can lead to the examiner having to apply the dual control footbrake or giving you a verbal command to wait.
9. Use of Mirrors
Before changing direction, slowing down or changing lane, appropriate mirror checks are needed to make sure that you are not moving into the direct path of another vehicle. Your examiner will keep a constant eye on the extent to which you use your mirrors at appropriate times while driving the vehicle. Regular inadequate use of mirrors can also lead to grounds for failure.
10. General Observations at Junctions
Last but not least, the single most common reason for practical driving test failure is inadequate observations at junctions, this will be stressed during your driving lessons. Irrespective of how busy or complex any given junction may be, you will be expected to observe your surroundings, emerge and join the traffic in the appropriate direction safely and confidently when safe to do so without causing a hazard to any other road users.