Top 10 Reasons Why You Fail a Driving Test
1. Poor Observation – particularly at junctions and when changing traffic lanes.
2. Failing to Anticipate – that traffic lights may change: traffic may pull out or turn off, including pedestrians and cyclists.
3. Poor Road Position – when turning left or right (common), on straights, through bends or at roundabouts.
4. Slow Driving – Failing to make adequate and appropriate progress. Can be seen as indecisive, unsure plus how it affects other road users.
5. Mirror Checks – Failure to use mirrors prior to Moving off, Overtaking, Turning or Stopping, (MOTS)
6. Failure to obey Traffic Controls – failure to obey Traffic Lights, Lane Markings, Traffic Regulation signs.
7. Use of Primary and Secondary Controls – failure to use appropriately the Primary Controls in a smooth and timely fashion. Unfamiliarity with Secondary controls resulting in eyes off the road when action should be reflex.
8. Excessive Speed – speed limits are not targets and due to road, weather and traffic it may not be appropriate to keep to the limit. Exercise caution where appropriate.
9. Failing to Yield – at junctions, roundabouts or where circumstances dictate you should.
10. Reversing and Turnabout – failure to take adequate observation, lacking sound judgement and not displaying good car control.
Ten Tips for Test Day Preparation:
1. Don’t listen to ‘horror stories’. There are many stories about failed Tests. Try to avoid listening to these. This will only knock your confidence.
2. Don’t tell your friends the Test date. If everyone knows you are going for the Test, you create the additional stress of trying to live up to your friends expectations. Your Mum and Dad can be told. They should give you all the support you need.
3. Get the timing right. Take the Test at the right time. Try to book the Test so it does not coincide with other stressful events (just prior to school exams or in the middle of wedding preparations etc).
4. In your last two lessons. Ask your instructor to concentrate on the manoeuvres you find most difficult.
5. Do a Pre-Test. The instructor should be very realistic and you should take it as serious as the Test Day.
6. Practice in your head .It’s been proven that you can improve your ability to perform coordinated tasks by imagining doing them. Plan for Success.
7. Examiners are there to Examine. Your test is one of possibly eight on the examiners sheet that day. Don’t try to please him/her just get on with the test.
8. Don’t worry about silence in the car. It can be daunting sitting beside a stranger, who seems to just grunt: ‘turn right, turn left’. Avoid thinking the examiner doesn’t like you. If there is a little chit-chat, be happy, but don’t expect it.
9. Don’t be tempted to take pills to calm your nerves. This is dangerous and only slows your reaction and performance.
10. Get a good night’s sleep before the test.
Institute of Advanced Motorists of Ireland http://www.iami.ie/
