7 Hidden Reasons Learners Fail Their UK Driving Test (And How to Avoid Them)

 

Thousands of aspiring learner drivers take their driving test in the UK every year. It's very exciting, but it's sad that less than half of those who take it, make it through the first time. The most common areas of difficulty for most learners are parallel parking or that "scary" stopping in an emergency but examiners don't mark them alone as failing grades.

 

Common errors are made because of very common, daily driving skills that students are unaware of. If you want to get your driving test the first time, then you need to be familiar with exactly what the examiner expects. Learn about 7 hidden reasons that learners don't pass and how you can avoid them to avoid the hassle of getting your UK driving license.

 

1. Ineffective Observation at Junctions

In the UK this is invariably the leading cause of car driving test failures. It is called "observation" by the examiners; it is just the observation and the correct evaluation. At T-junctions, many learners only look at the left and right side of the road and are not able to assess the speed of oncoming cars adequately.

 

How to avoid it: Stop and rest at a junction. When not able to see everything use 'peep and creep' method. Only pull off when you are 100% sure that you are not affecting another driver's speed or direction.

 

2. Failing to Check Blind Spots Before Moving Off

You have just checked your mirrors, put your car in gear and begun to move away, but you neglected to look over your right shoulder the important blind spot check. A fail if an examiner has to hit the dual controls as a cyclist is in your blind spot.

 

Prevention: Make a habit of it. Avoid making the mistake of turning to the side whenever you move away from a stationary position, but rather make an exaggerated look over your shoulder, making a conscious effort to do so each occasion. Make sure that the exam is audible, and that the examiner is able to see how you move your head.

 

3. Hesitation and Undue Caution

Although it is a basic error, driving too slowly and being too cautious can be as hazardous as speeding. When you brake at any clear roundabout, or if in a 30 mph roundabout you are going 15 mph at a clear signal, you are not demonstrating confidence and you don't completely understand the flow of traffic.

 

Prevention: UK driving instructors emphasize that drivers should stay in the traffic as long as they can. Follow training and make effective, safe decisions, don't second guess yourself or others on the road.

 

4. Poor Lane Discipline on Roundabouts

Rounding corners, especially multi-lane roundabouts in towns, is one of the major challenges for learners. If you turn right on the roundabout or if that's a direction you choose to drift across the white lines (at the roundabout), then after a few moments you will run into a large fault if you are in the left lane and want to turn right.

 

How to prevent it: Keep an eye on road signs and painted road markings well ahead of time. It is important to remember in the case of being spotted in the wrong lane not to panic and swerve. Remember, stay in your lane, safely take the wrong turn off and the examiner will simply take a detour without a fault.

 

5. Misunderstanding Road Markings and Signs

Many learners do not complete training for the most obvious of reasons: that they are unable to respond sufficiently quickly to road signs. Test failures are common since too many people drive into a bus lane when it is in operation, stop in a yellow box junction or don't read a speed limit sign.

 

The way to prevent it: Always look well ahead of you, rather than at the car ahead. If you are learning to drive in SouthWest London, every time you are in town your driving trainer will teach you to read the complicated urban road signs and will never be caught unawares.

 

6. Stalling Under Pressure

The car can still be made to stop, and it won't be a "no for effort". But what's a sure thing is what you do when it happens. If you stall in the middle of a busy intersection and panic, you can roll back, and if you don't use the hand brake, it can be a serious safety issue.

 

The “how to avoid it?”: Be ready for it to stall. If it does, take a deep breath, use the foot or handbrake to stop the car, put it in neutral, restart the engine and repeat the observations, getting off the road safely.

 

7. Skipping Mock Driving Tests

Driving faults are not the biggest secrets for failure: it is simply a lack of mental preparation. Perfect driving with the instructor can be quite different from perfect driving with the silent, clipboard in hand examiner. The basics can be easily forgotten when it is under pressure.

 

How to avoid it: There are available mock tests to take prior the actual test. A mock test simulates the actual test environment, to help you become comfortable and find out what you are weak on. The top Schools, including QMH Driving School qtake their students through mock tests to ensure they are 100% test ready and achieve higher first time pass rates.

 

Conclusion

The purpose of obtaining a driving license is to prove that you are safe, observant and independent driver. By being vigilant and prepared to overcome nervousness, you'll be able to easily steer clear of these common pitfalls!

 

QMH Driving School's team of long-time professionals can help ensure that you are prepared for your test, it's a test of their expertise. So if you want to know all the ins and outs of the junctions or if you want to test yourself to the nth degree, make your bookings now and be on the quick track of being passed out!