Practical Driving Test Tips - Making Progress
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
| You were hesitant moving away (at traffic lights) | Because you didn’t anticipate the lights changing and prepare the car | Look at the opposing lights, the traffic flow and, if applicable, the pedestrian phase to give you clues as to when your lights might change and when to start preparing the car to move away |
| You were hesitant moving away (at traffic lights) | Because you didn’t anticipate the lights changing and prepare the car | As a guideline, don’t allow more than a car length of tarmac to show, between you and the vehicle in front before you start moving away from the lights |
| You were hesitant moving away (emerging at a junction) | Because you didn’t have the car prepared / prepared early enough | Prepare the car to move away so that when you have taken effective observation you can emerge without undue hesitation |
| You were hesitant moving away (emerging at a junction) | Because you were late taking observation | Start to look earlier, say, 6 - 7 car lengths from the junction. This will enable you to proceed as soon as it’s safe |
| You were hesitant moving away (emerging at a junction) | Because you were unsure how to judge when it was safe to emerge | Look at the traffic on the major road and ask yourself if you could emerge without causing drivers / riders on it to do any of the 4 S’s: stop; slow down; swerve or swear |
| You were hesitant moving away (emerging at a junction) | Because you took too long looking | Take half as long to look. If it’s safe, then go. If you look for long enough something will come along |
| You were hesitant moving away (from the kerb) | Because you took too long looking | Take half as long to look. If it’s safe, then go. |
| Your speed was fluctuating | Because you weren’t concentrating / unaware that you were doing so / didn’t realise the consequences | Check the Speedo frequently with quick glances to ensure that your speed doesn’t fluctuate. Following traffic gets very confused / annoyed when your speed is varying from, say, 26 - 34mph in a 30 mph limit |
| Your speed was fluctuating | Because you weren’t concentrating / unaware that you were doing so / didn’t realise the consequences | Check the Speedo frequently with quick glances to ensure that your speed doesn’t fluctuate. Following drivers get very confused / annoyed when your speed is varying from, say, 25 - 33mph in a 30 mph limit |
| You’re driving too fast for the traffic / weather conditions | Because you didn’t plan or anticipate what they might do | Match your speed to suit the conditions and circumstances. Drive at such a speed that you could stop within the distance you can see to be clear |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you’re unaware of the consequences of doing so | Match your speed to suit the conditions and circumstances. Fit in with other drivers / riders, within legal limits and taking conditions into account. I.E Make progress |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you weren’t aware of the limit | Know the speed limit you’re in at all times (advise pupil on how to tell) |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you thought it was safer | Fit in with other drivers and their expectations. Going too slowly causes others to become frustrated and annoyed; they might then take risks. |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you didn’t see the speed limit signs | Look at the road ahead and actively look for the round signs. Often, the limit will change when one road joins another (advise pupil on how to look for clues) |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you weren’t aware that the road was sloping uphill | Look at the road ahead and consider how the gradient or other feature(s)) could affect your speed and make the necessary adjustments: increasing the gas; selecting a more appropriate gear and so on before the car starts to lose too much speed |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you weren’t concentrating | Keep your mind on your driving at all times - give yourself a running commentary (either out loud or in your mind) to keep yourself alert |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you took too long to build up your speed | Build up your speed briskly and smoothly as soon as it’s safe to do so. Press the gas pedal down further, say, the thickness of another two one-pound coins. Stay in the lower gears for longer, say, twice as long |
| You’re driving too slowly! | Because you slowed down unnecessarily early | Start slowing down later, say, and 3 - 4 car lengths. This will help the traffic flow |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you weren’t aware of the limit | Know the speed limit you’re in at all times (advise pupil on how to tell) |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you thought that you were allowed 10% over | Keep precisely to the speed limits. There is no 10% leeway-after all, how do you know how accurate or otherwise your Speedo is. It might be reading 15% over to start with and then if you add on 10% it becomes dangerous |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you were getting ‘dragged’ along by the car in front | Use quick glances at the Speedo to ensure you monitor your speed regularly. Don’t match your speed to the car in front • it could well be disregarding speed limits |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you didn’t see the speed limit signs | Look at the road ahead and actively look for the round signs. Often, the limit will change when one road joins another (advise pupil on how to look for clues) |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you weren’t aware that the road was sloping downhill | Look at the road ahead and consider how the gradient or other feature(s) could affect your speed and make the necessary adjustments: easing off the gas; covering the brake, and so on before the car gathers speed and goes over the limit |
| You’re exceeding the speed limit | Because you weren’t concentrating | Keep your mind on your driving at ail times - give yourself a running commentary (either out loud or in your mind) to keep yourself alert |