Driving Tips - General
Guidance reviewed: 25 September 2026. Use these prompts with professional instruction and the handbook for the vehicle you drive.
Accelerator
Anticipation
Approaching Junctions
Brake
Clearance
Clutch
Crossing Other Traffic
Crossroads
Emergency Stop
Exterior Mirrors
Gear Lever
Gears
General
Handbrake
Head Restraint
Indicators
Interior Mirror
Making Progress
Meeting Approaching Traffic
Mirrors
Moving Away
Moving Off
Overtaking
Pedestrian Crossings
Reverse Parking
Reversing
Road Positioning
Safe Distance
Safety Routine
Seat
Seat Belts
Signals
Steering
Steering Wheel
Stopping
T-Junctions
The Engine
Turning the Car Around
Practical Driving Test Tips — General
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| A mistake affects the rest of the drive | Attention remains on what has already happened. | If safe, continue calmly and refocus on the present situation. A wrong turn by itself is not a driving-test fault. |
| You are unsure whether you are ready for the test | Some skills still need prompts or are inconsistent. | Discuss the DVSA Ready to Pass skills with your instructor and postpone the test if you cannot drive independently and safely in varied conditions. |
| You concentrate on passing the test rather than driving safely | A fixed routine is being followed without responding to conditions. | Use routines to support observation and planning, then respond to what is actually happening around you. |