5 Mistakes to Avoid on Driving Test Day

Every motorist will remember taking their driving test. It is perfectly normal to feel like a bundle of nerves on the day of your test, but you do not want to make a silly mistake that could cause you to fail. There are five common mistakes that people make on their driving test that can come back to haunt them – read on to find out what these are and how you can avoid them.

1. Failure to Check Mirrors

One of the most common and easily avoidable mistakes is a failure to check your mirrors. You should always make it clear that you are checking your mirrors before setting off, signalling, and changing speed or direction. A simple glance could go unnoticed, so move your head to show the examiner that you are checking properly.

2. Not Making Effective Observations

Junctions can be intimidating as a learner driver. It is also vital that you make effective observations at junctions so that you can safely proceed into a new road. Mistakes in this area can include:

• Failure to judge the speed of another vehicle
• Entering a roundabout with a vehicle approaching from the right
• No observations when joining a dual carriageway from a slip road
• Going straight across crossroads

To avoid these mistakes, you must always be patient, check both left and right, and ensure it is safe before proceeding.

3. Making a Wrong Turn

You should also avoid making a wrong turn when taking directions from the examiner or sat-nav. You will not fail for making a wrong turn (as long as it is done safely), but it is important to follow instructions.

4. Misjudging the Speed of Vehicles

One of the most important skills a driver must possess is accurately judging the speed of vehicles. This allows drivers to make decisions and cross roads safely and without interrupting the flow of traffic. This is a skill that is developed with practice, which is why learners need to spend enough hours behind the wheel before their test. Make sure you arrange learner insurance when practising driving between lessons for financial protection.

5. Poor Road Positioning

You must always make sure that you have a strong position on the road; otherwise, you could fail your test. This means driving in the middle of the lane and unnecessary usage of the right-hand lane without an attempt to move over to the left.

These are 5 of the most common mistakes that people make during their driving test. Simple and easily avoidable mistakes like this can prevent you from passing, so it is important that you are aware of them and make an effort to avoid them during your test. You need to remember everything you have learned so far, find ways to keep your stress and anxiety levels down and listen carefully to the instructor to achieve success.