I have been accompanying quite a few of my students to their driving test and to the subsequent examiner de-briefs (East London area), and decided to compile a top 8 common mistakes list that make even the best driving students fail their driving test;
1. Lack of observation when moving off - remember you are supposed to check all mirrors, AND all blind spots, signal, and move off safely - sometimes it is about the examiner really seeing you doing it, which means you really need to move your head around and make an effort
2. Rolling backwards (poor clutch control) - remember to use your clutch the way you did when taking your driving lessons and make sure you don't roll backwards off the hill, it can be considered a major fault if you put someone at risk when it happens
3. Incorrect road positioning - most often when you are trying to turn into a side/main street. For example, many students position themselves to the left or in the centre when planning to turn right on a one-way street
4. Undue hesitation - not a major fault, but repeat occurrences do add up! I do realise that it is difficult to find the right balance between performing a manoeuvre in a safe way that makes you feel comfortable and that your best intentions are sometimes interpreted as hesitation by an examiner, yet your hesitation shows to the examiner that you are not a confident driver in general, and that you may cause traffic frustration and possibly accidents within this particular context
5. Touching the curb - in a number of situations, for example, when asked to stop in a safe place, when parking, when moving off. Keep in mind that you can park/stop as far as 15cm from the curb, and therefore there is no need to come too close - relax, take your time, and mind that curb!
6. Engine stalling (mechanic transmissions) - especially when moving off, or at various traffic lights. This is not a problem in itself, of course, but should you be unlucky enough to stall ten times during your exam, it will make you fail in conjunction with other minor faults you will accumulate over the course of your test. Also, the examiner will reasonably assume that you lack sufficient experience to manage you car and will present a hazard on the road. If you can't manage it, may be try driving a car equipped with an automatic transmission (I hate to admit it, that's what my wife decided to do).
7. Forgetting about the MSM routing (mirror - signal - manoeuvre) - especially when accelerating as this is not perceived by many as a "manoeuvre". Before you do ANYTHING new - a turn, slowing down, speeding up, changing you position, ANYTHING - check the mirror. Never signal before checking your mirrors first
8. Harsh braking - obviously, harsh braking will physically not be enjoyed by your examiner LOL, but beyond that, it poses a risk on the road, especially to those cars following you, as well as to yourself. Harsh braking signals to the examiner your lack of planning ahead and lack of anticipating emerging hazards etc, even through it may just be your natural preference to brake like The Fast and The Furious. If you are so found of it, wait until you get your full licence, but keep in mind it may get you into hospital one day!
I wish you the best of luck with your test! Email me should you have any questions, I am always happy to help!
www.borntodriveschool.com
Kirill
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