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Are you ready for your driving test?
Deciding: are you ready for your driving test? Is a moment in every learner driver’s life. With the help of your instructor, or a parent, it is vital to sure that you are at the standard to pass become a practical driver. Are you ready for your driving test? The DVSA state that the average learner driver should have approximately 44 hours of private tuition, and another 20 hours of private practice with a parent. The following guide will help you decide whether you are ready for your driving test
Things to Consider: Are you ready for your driving test?
1. Car control: You should be competent with the control of the vehicle. This includes the operation of all major and minor hand and foot controls. These include; footbrake, accelerator, clutch pedal, parking brake, indicators, the lights, cars de-misters, warning light, along with the steering wheel.
2. You should be able to operate the MSPSL routine appropriately when dealing with junctions, manoeuvres and hazards. Applying the MIRROR SIGNAL POSITION SPEED LOOK routine, is a fundamental part of driving that should be used effectively at all roundabouts, T-junctions, and cross-roads. Also whilst dealing with stopping and starting procedures accordingly. The routine has been devised to best practice and minimize problems eith regards to communication, signals and potential hazards. The order is paramount to the effectiveness of planning any manoeuvre.
3. `Highway CODE- you should be able to interpret all signs and obey their rules and show this when on your practical test. The examiner will mark you on speed control and usage, reactions to road signs and markings, and dealing with traffic light sequences in conjunction with pedestrian crossings and other road related rules. You MUST be able to show that you do NOT need any help, this is when you MUST put your theory into practice. Are you ready for your driving test?
4. Hazards-you should be able to identify hazards and react to them accordingly, in a safe manner at all times. Whether that is having to deal with emergency vehicles, or an animal running out in to the road. The examiner is looking to ensure you are able to make safe decisions whilat under pressure.
5. Weather and traffic conditions: you must be able to adapt your driving habits to accommodate road and weather conditions. Driving isn’t always a text book scenario-you must apply common sense to conditions out of the ordinary; such as heavy flows of traffic, a heavy down-pour etc. The examiner is keen to see maturity and decision making skills being applied to remote sudden scenarios. Are you ready for your driving test? If not, then you will need more practice.
6. Observation: one of the most important acts of a driver is the use of observation. Applying correct use of mirrors along with effective observation at all times is a fundamental part of every day driving. Checking your mirrors should be a natural part of your driving and not a rehearsed action that ‘HAS TO BE DONE’. Understanding the importance of such observations is the key to successfully showing competence in this area on your practical test.
7. Signals: The correct use of signals is also a fundamental part of the practical test. Understanding the correct use of signals and applying them in the correct way, is of upmost importance when it comes to the practical test. Indicators are only a part of the whole signal regime, and their signals should be utilized accordingly. Such as, the brake lights, the hazard warning lights, the horn and of course the old fashioned arm signals. Are you ready for your driving test?
8. Independent driving: you must be able to drive independently following road signs and markings. Being able to navigate yourself without being aided will show the examiner that you have a thorough understanding and appreciation of ‘navigating yourself’ when dealing with road signs and layouts. This will show the examiner that you have some driver maturity as it is one of the last things the learner driver becomes used to.
9. Reversing: you must be able to reverse the car safely and under control during a set reversing exercise. The examiner wants to see effective observation, whilst maintaining control of the vehicle with regards to hazards and road positioning.
10. Decision making skills: it is very important to be able to think quickly, calmly and react accordingly to hazards and sudden eventualities. The examiner wants to ensure that you would be safe on your own and have the skills to identify and react quickly to different scenarios. Are you ready for your driving test? If not- then more practice is needed.
Confidence- Are you ready for your driving test?
Being ready for your driving test would mean that you are confident in your ability. Being confident as a driver is crucial to being able to drive safely and efficiently. If you feel that you are not ready to be un-aided during your drive- it is fair to say, you are not ready for your driving test.
Being confident, doesn’t mean being careless. It means that you are sure of your ability on how to operate the car and to be able to confidently observe, react and make decisions on the road independently. No learner will ever be experienced like ‘normal drivers’ this takes months if not years, to accomplish this driver status.
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