Practical Driving Test Tips - Road Positioning
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
| You changed lanes late / suddenly | Because you didn’t read the road ahead and plan | Carry on in your lane if you discover you’re in the wrong one. Find another way back to your route |
| You selected the wrong lane on approach (to traffic lights roundabouts and so on) | Because you weren’t taking early effective observation | Plan early and look at the road for signs (arrows) indicating the appropriate lane for your destination / direction |
| You straddled ‘lanes’ in a roundabout | Because there were no road markings you ‘lost’ your position | Keep in lane as you drive round the roundabout. If no lanes are marked you need to imagine where the lane lines would be. ‘Don’t encroach onto others’ lanes |
| You veered / swerved when you changed lanes | Because as you checked your blind spot you turned your body too much and turned the steering wheel at the same time | Turn your head, not your body, to glance quickly sideways into the blind spot before changing lanes or joining a Mway or DC |
| You were in the wrong lane (in a one-way system) | Because you didn’t plan early enough | Choose your lane early and stick to your decision |
| You were positioned too close to the verge / kerb (left-hand bend) | Because you weren’t aware of the correct position / stared at the kerb / verge | Keep to the centre of your lane. This is the best line and gives you the clearest view without compromising your safety |
| You were positioned too close to the verge / kerb (right-hand bend) | Because you weren’t aware of the correct position | Keep well to the left but not the gutter. This would reduce the car’s grip on the road because there is often loose gravel / debris there |
| You were positioned too close to the verge / kerb (right-hand bend) | Because you were staring at the left side verge / kerb | Look at the limit point (explain) and use quick glances at the verge(s) / kerb(s) |
| You were positioned too far to the left in the lane | Because you were staring at the left-side lane line | Position the car centrally in the lane. Look where you want to go |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (left-hand bend) | Because you were following / looking at the white line | Look at the limit point (explain) and use quick glances at the verge(s) / kerb(s) |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (left-hand bend) | Because you weren’t aware of the correct position | Keep to the centre of your lane on approach to a left-hand bend |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (left-hand bend) | Because you thought it would improve your view | Adjust your speed on approach so that you can stop safely within-the distance you can see to be clear. Moving towards the crown of the road will put you too close to oncoming traffic, which may also be too close, or so wide that they have no alternative |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (left-hand bend) | Because you’ve been advised by an advanced driver / police driver | Keep to the centre of the lane. Advanced drivers do adopt a ‘wider’ position on approach to a left hand bend but this is a technique, which can unnecessarily reduce margins of safety. |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (left-hand bend) | In theory, an advanced and experienced driver will have the experience to balance the advantage of improved vision against the possibility of something approaching wide and fast, possibly a motorbike, whose rider could well be leaning over with head and u | NB: Police drivers are now trained to take up a less ‘dominant’ position on right-hand bends |
| You were positioned too wide in the bend (right-hand bend) | Because you were looking across the bend to the right and this ‘pulled’ you across | Use quick glances at the left-side kerb / verge to position the car well to the left |
| You were positioned too wide in the lane | Because you weren’t aware of -the correct position / staring at right-side lane line | Position the car centrally in the lane. Look where you want to go |
| You were straddling the lanes | Because you were concentrating on the hazard(s) ahead | Keep the car positioned centrally in lane and concentrate on what the car is doing and also what’s happening ahead - don’t let one overshadow the other |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you’re staring at the kerb | Look as far ahead as you can see - the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you’re distracted by people / shops on the left-hand side of the road | Look as far ahead as you can see - the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you’re not looking far enough ahead. | Look as far ahead as you can see - the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you’re looking down too much at the instruments | Use quick glances to check the instruments but look mainly ahead as far as you can see |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you’ve been accompanied by a friend / relative who said you were driving too far from the kerb | Supervising drivers who are not ADI’s will often have a misguided sense of what is a correct position. This is because they will very rarely have sat in the passenger seat and will not have a perspective of the road from that side. As a consequence they w |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you weren’t aware of the safe and correct distance to keep | Keep about 1m from the kerb / verge, where road and traffic conditions allow. |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you weren’t aware of the safe and correct distance to keep | Whatever the distance, always maintain a constant distance away - don’t veer in or out |
| You’re driving too close to the kerb | Because you lacked confidence and went slowly, thinking that if you kept well to the left it would allow others to pass you | Keep to the safe driving position and make progress as normal. If you stay too far in to the left it can ‘invite’ others behind to overtake. They will also be confused by your ‘strange’ position and slow speed |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’re staring at the white line | Look as far ahead as you can see-the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’re staring at the oncoming traffic | Look as far ahead as you can see-the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’re distracted by people / shops on the other-side of the road | Look as far ahead as you can see-the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’re not looking enough ahead | Look as far ahead as you can see-the limit point (explain) and scan your view back from side to side |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’re looking down too much at the instrument | Use quick glances to check the instruments but look mainly ahead as far as you can see |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’ve been driving a different / wider car or vehicle | Say to yourself that you are driving a different vehicle and that the width, length and height will be different |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’ve been accompanied by a friend / relative who said you were driving too close to the kerb | Guide the pupil to a safe position on the road and re-assure them that it is correct |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you’ve been accompanied by a friend / relative who said you were driving too close to the kerb | Supervising drivers who are not ADI’s will often have a misguided sense of what is a correct position. This is because they will very rarefy have sat in the passenger seat and will not have a perspective of the road from that side. As a consequence they w |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you weren’t aware of the safe and correct distance to keep | Keep about 1mtr from the kerb / verge, where road and traffic conditions allow. |
| You’re driving too wide | Because you weren’t aware of the safe and correct distance to keep | Whatever the distance, always maintain a constant distance away - don’t veer in or out |
| You’re travelling in the wrong lane (Mway or DC) | Because you thought it was acceptable to drive in the middle lane | Use the left hand lane except when you’re overtaking |
| You’re travelling in the wrong lane (Mway or DC) | Because your friends /relatives advised you misguidedly | Use the left hand lane except when you’re overtaking |
| You’re travelling in the wrong lane (Mway or DC) | Because you didn’t know which lane to choose | Use the left hand lane except when you’re overtaking |