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05/08/2011
When to apply for a Practical Driving Test
"Be guided by your Instructor"
By: M. Butler When to apply for the Practical Driving Test. At the beginning of their course of lessons a pupil will fully understand that they are not yet ready to apply for their practical driving test. As their knowledge and competency increases however the question, “When will I be ready for my practical test?” is bound to be on their minds. This article is aimed at all pupils and is intended to help you gain a better understanding of how your instructor makes the decision to let you apply for your Practical Driving Test. Before you reach test standard there are several benchmarks that your instructor will look for. The ability to forward plan situations based upon effective observations and the correct application of the relevant procedures. Learning to drive when all is said and done is learning to make your own decisions in advance. Once the more advanced stages of the course have been completed and you can actually complete all of your manoeuvres reasonably well unaided and drive on all types of roads without too much correction then your instructor will be aware that you are entering the final phase of the process. I often find pupils surprised at how fussy we instructors have to be over details in the final stages. We are teaching you to drive to quite an exacting set of standards. The procedures are all there for reasons which should have been explained to you. Do not be too keen to set yourself up for a fall. Take your test when your instructor tells you that you are ready and not before. Your chances of passing it at the first attempt will be much improved. So what are the minimum requirements then? In all areas of the country the same standards should be set by all instructors. 1) You must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform all of the core manoeuvres to test standard at the first attempt. Sometimes I hear the comment, 'but I always do it properly the second time if I get it wrong at first'. Quite frankly who cares? The examiner will only see the first attempt. Let's face it, how many times do you want to try to reverse park when you do it for real? It is so much better to just do it properly the first time. 2) In your area there will probably be a ring road system or at least a section of main roads that carry heavy traffic throughout the day. Your instructor will want you to be able to drive through these streets receiving only instructions for which direction to take next. You should be able to complete the observations, indications, lane changes and other moves required totally independently and without undue hesitation if you want to take a driving test. 3) There may well be a section of road in the area where faster speeds can usually be reached, possibly a dual-carriageway. The roundabouts or crossroads that are available on these roads are usually the last places that a pupil wants to go. These are the roundabouts where three lanes of traffic come bearing down upon you simultaneously while you are trying to find a gap. You have got to be able to cope with these traffic conditions satisfactorily including any overtaking manoeuvres that you may need to perform on the dual-carriageway without undue hesitation. The list above is not exhaustive and will be added to by instructors as necessary to meet local requirements. Source: http://www.newhorizonsdrivingschool.co.uk
Professional Driving Tuition and Driving Instructor Training in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan and surrounding areas.
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