Top 10 practical test faults Fixed
These are the 10 most common reasons for failing the practical test and how to avoid them.
1. Observations at junctions
Fix Practice ‘eye scanning’ Instead of fixing your eyes directly in front of you, keep looking all around and in your mirrors.
Take particular care to look for other road users who have priority over you at junctions, so you can wait for a safe gap to pull into.
2. Mirrors (changing direction)
Fix Eye scanning can help with this one too. You need 360 awareness of what’s going on around you, especially before changing direction.
Always look in the mirrors and check your blind spot before making any direction change.
3. Not moving off safely
Fix Go by the book each and every time. Remember Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre (MSM). That way you won’t pull away until it is safe to do so, and you will have shown your intentions to other road users. Observation and good judgement are key.
4. Turning right at junctions
Some new driver hate turning right at a junction, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Don’t get anxious, just remember your Mirror, signal, position, speed and look routine (MSPSL).
Be cautious in judging the speed of oncoming traffic and make the turn once you are sure it is completely safe
5. Responding to traffic lights
Fix Look ahead to spot traffic lights, and prepare to slow down and stop if necessary. Watch the lights as you wait for them to change colour.
Remain at a stop when the lights turn to red and amber. Don’t move until they are green.
6. Poor steering control
Fix To have a strong chance of passing the practical, steering the car should be second nature. If it’s not keep practicing.
The push-pull method is best under most circumstances, but the important thing is to keep control of the car’s direction.
7. Failing to respond to road signs
Fix Continually look for signs and road markings, interpret the information they are giving you, and respond appropriately.
Don’t let your theory knowledge slip between your theory and practical tests. Your theory know-how is still important,
8. Incorrect response to road markings
Fix You must watch for road markings, understand their meaning and respond appropriately.
The highway code explains what road markings mean, so make sure you revise this subject before your practical test.
9. Poor positioning in normal driving
Fix Stay within your lane unless you are changing lanes or pulling out to overtake.
Don’t let the car wander towards the lane markings. When overtaking cyclists, always leave at least 1.5 metres of space.
10. The wrong speed for the road
Fix Consider the conditions, traffic, signs, and limit. Choose a speed at which you can stop safely within the distance you can see is clear. You must always drive at a safe and reasonable speed.