Having driving anxiety is more common than you would expect. According to a survey carried out by Nissan 23% of drivers said they felt anxious about using motorways and 39% of drivers felt scared or uncertain behind the wheel in general. 

It’s horrible being struck with a bout of anxiety anytime you have to jump behind the wheel, but as a learning driver it could also get in the way of you passing your driving test. Let’s take a look into driving anxiety and some top tips and techniques for keeping it at bay.

What causes driving anxiety?

The most obvious answer to this would be the fear of crashing your car or having a driving accident, but there’s a few other things that can cause driving anxiety.

The fear of having a panic attack is actually one of the most common causes of driving anxiety according to Dr. Paul Greene. “Sometimes, people have a panic attack when driving and then have a significant fear of that happening again. This leads some people to stop driving altogether,” Greene said. 

Some other causes of driving anxiety can be from:

• past experiences of car accidents
• being lost
• traveling through heavy traffic
• watching a bad car accident on television
• having someone you know experience an accident
• a lack of trust in your driving skills

What are the symptoms of driving anxiety?

It’s likely that if you’re reading this you’ve had your fair share of run-ins with driving anxiety, so you know what it’s like. But if you’re not sure what you’re experiencing is driving anxiety, these are the most common symptoms:

• shortness of breath
• dizziness
• panic and fear, which is often excessive, persistent, and unreasonable
• strong desire to get away from the car
• racing heartbeat
• rapid breathing
• sweaty palms
• disorientation

How to overcome driving anxiety

Depending on the level of anxiety, some things will help and others may not. But a good portion of the time, driving anxiety is often reduced or overcome by building up more experience and spending more time on the road. This is something that will often be the case for learners or newly passed drivers.

However, for those learners that are suffering with driving anxiety and are nervous about their upcoming driving test, getting experience isn’t the easiest thing to do. We at RED have seen nerves get the better of students during their driving tests, so we’ve created a unique three-part course which is delivered by RED specialists to reduce driving anxiety and make sure that test day nerves don’t get in the way of passing your driving test.

Find out more about our Test Day Nerves course here.

For more experienced drivers that are suffering with driving anxiety we have some tips that could help rein in your nerves:

• Avoid caffeine and empty stomachs – cutting down on your caffeine intake or removing it entirely can have a surprisingly positive effect on anxiety. Make sure you’ve eaten something before driving and also don’t drive if you’re sleep deprived.

• Stress management – sustained or longer periods of high stress can lead to anxiety, so do your best to keep your stress levels down. Some standard techniques such as taking regular breaks at work, finding time for exercise, yoga and meditation can all be helpful in reducing stress and keeping anxiety at bay.

• Therapeutic techniques – practices such as ‘desensitisation’ involve taking small steps to put yourself in situations that trigger anxiety in order to become familiar with the situation and to desensitise yourself to the triggers. In this case, an example might be simply sitting in a parked car with the engine running.
• In-car focus – maintaining focus when you are behind the wheel is crucial to driving safely, but can also help to keep your other worries or concerns at bay. Keep your mobile phone safely out of sight and reduce your speed if you find that helps – the faster you drive, the more information you’ll need to process.

• Consider lift sharing – sometimes the worries of having to get in your car every day can wear you down and lead to you having trouble sticking with it. If possible, try and share the load with a friend, colleague or group that are travelling to a similar area. You may find your days spent as a passenger can help with perspective.

• Breathing – A really simple anxiety busting tip you can perform whilst driving is to practice our breathing technique. Simply breathe deeply in for 5 seconds, and out again for 5 seconds, repeat for up to 3 minutes or until the sensation subsides.

The post How to deal with driving anxiety and test day nerves appeared first on RED Driving School.

Driving tests are made to be difficult and thoroughly test the driver’s skills, so you shouldn’t feel disheartened if you fail a driving test. In fact, you’ll be provided with some incredibly useful information at the end of your test; your driving test results.

Understanding these driving test results, including what was assessed and what has counted as a fault will allow you to understand which areas you need to improve on. By doing this, you’ll be able to prepare a lot more efficiently and target the areas which previously led to faults.

Understanding faults in each area

Hopefully your driving examiner will have covered some of your faults with you and you’re aware of what specific areas you can improve on. However, here is a list of some example faults within each area of testing.

Ancillary controls

• not turning on the windscreen wipers when it starts to rain
• losing control of the car when using one of the controls
• not using the demisters to clear the front windscreen when needed

Awareness and planning

• not anticipating or showing awareness of the actions of cyclists and other vulnerable road users
• not anticipating or showing awareness of other road users
• pulling up behind a queue of parked vehicles
• not anticipating that pedestrians are about to cross the road at any time

Clearance to obstructions

• being too close to a vehicle when passing, even though the road allows for more space
• moving back in too soon after passing the vehicle or hazard

Control

• over-steering when making a turn, and mounting the pavement
• keeping the clutch pedal held down (coasting) reducing your control of the car
• selecting the wrong gear causing a sudden reduction in your speed, forcing vehicles behind you to slow down
• pressing the brake too hard, or not hard enough

Controlled stop (emergency stop)

• reacting too slowly when asked to stop
• locking the wheels causing a skid, particularly for cars without an anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Following at a safe distance

• driving too close to the vehicle in front
• not adjusting your distance when there is bad weather, such as rain, ice or fog

Forward drive (drive forward into a parking bay)

• not being positioned within the lines, and not attempting to correct position
• steering too closely to vehicle in the next bay
• not making effective all round observations when reversing out

Judgement (overtaking, meeting, crossing)

• not giving way to road users that have priority
• reacting late when meeting an approaching vehicle
• being too close to a cyclist when overtaking
• crossing the path of an oncoming vehicle when turning right

Junctions (including roundabouts)

• incorrectly judging the speed of an oncoming vehicle, forcing it to slow down when emerging from a junction
• not checking for other road users when emerging from a slip road, onto a dual carriageway
• being positioned too far to the left when turning right onto a minor road, holding up vehicles behind you
• approaching a junction too fast, making it difficult to make observations

Move off

• trying to move off without appropriate control and rolling back
• not properly checking your blind spots
• moving off into the path of an oncoming vehicle
• repeatedly stalling when moving off throughout your test

Pedestrian crossing

• stopping on a crossing (not before)
• moving off before a pedestrian has completely cleared the crossing
• approaching a crossing too fast
• failing to stop at a crossing

Position and normal stops

• partially or completely blocking a driveway
• obstructing other road users
• parking with one or more wheels on the pavement
• parking too far from the kerb

Positioning

• driving too close to the pavement, putting pedestrians at risk
• driving too close to the centre of the road, putting other road users at risk
• driving for too long in the right hand lane of a dual carriageway, for no reason
• straddling lanes causing issues for other road users

Precautions

• starting the car with the gear not in neutral
• adjusting seat or mirrors while driving

Progress

• not emerging from a junction when it is safe to do so
• driving too slow unnecessarily, holding up following traffic
• driving well below the speed limit on clear roads
• waiting unnecessarily for another road user to pass who has clearly given way to you

Response to signs and signals

• taking up space meant for cyclists when stopping at a red traffic light
• reacting late or not at all to a speed limit change sign
• not stopping at a compulsory stop sign
• driving in a bus lane when sign says you should not
• driving in an incorrect lane that was clearly marked

Reverse park (parallel park or reverse into a parking bay)

• having to reposition the car a lot, due to poor control
• touching or driving over the pavement
• not taking all round effective observations
• not finishing within the marked bay

Reverse / right (pull up on the right)

• not being aware of a hazard or other road user when reversing
• relying on just the mirrors to check surroundings
• touching or driving onto the pavement
• not judging oncoming traffic safely when moving across to the right
• being too far from the pavement when parked

Signals

• signalling left or right, but not turning
• signalling right at a roundabout when you want to go ahead
• signalling too late for the signal to be effective

Use of mirrors

• checking mirrors after or at the same time as signalling
• changing lanes on a roundabout without checking your mirrors effectively
• trying to change lanes on a dual carriageway without checking your mirrors effectively
• pulling up at the side of the road without signalling to following traffic when appropriate

Use of speed

• driving over the speed limit
• not adjusting your speed to road conditions

Vehicle checks (‘show me, tell me’ questions)

• losing control of the car when answering the ‘show me’ question
• getting one or both questions wrong

For more detailed information on each of these areas, visit the GOV.UK site.

Tackling these areas with your driving instructor

Now that you have an idea of what faults you received and what areas you can improve on, you should share these with your driving instructor and talk through each of the areas.

Your driving instructor will be able to help tailor your lessons around these areas, making sure that you’re prepared and ready for your next driving test.

You can also ask your instructor to carry out some mock tests with these areas in mind. Once you’re ready, your driving instructor will let you know that you should rebook your driving test.

If you’re interested in finding out some more tips for passing your driving test, check out our guide on how to pass your driving test.

The post Understanding your driving test results appeared first on RED Driving School.

But where should you start your journey? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to get you from novice to pro and out on the road before you know it!

Step 1 – Where should you start?

Firstly, before you even start thinking about lessons you’ll need to secure yourself a provisional driving licence.

What is a provisional driving licence?

A provisional driving licence will allow you to:

• Start learning how to ride a moped or light quad bike from the age of 16
• Start learning how to drive a car from the age of 17 with the following exception:
• If you’re getting Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you can learn to drive a car and take a test when you’re 16 if you’re getting, or have applied for, the mobility part of PIP.

However, this does not mean that you can now drive around on your own. A provisional licence only allows you to drive when in the vehicle with a qualified driving instructor or another individual that is over the age of 21 and has been driving for at least 3 years.

Fun fact: A provisional licence also doubles up as a form of ID!

How do you apply for a provisional licence?

Firstly, in order to apply for your provisional licence you’ll need to be:

• At least 15 years and 9 months old
• Able to read a number plate from 20 metres away

You’ll then need the following for the application itself:

• To provide a legitimate form of ID; usually a passport
• To provide addresses for where you have lived over the last three years
• Your National Insurance number if you know it
• Pay £34 by credit or debit card

Then just visit the provisional driving licence page on the GOV UK website to begin your application. It usually takes around a week for your provisional licence to arrive.

Step 2 – Plan your lessons

Now it’s nearly time to start your lessons, you’ll want to have a think about your goals and influencing factors.

• When do you want to have passed your test by?
• How much time and money do you want to invest into your lessons each week?

Deciding on these will help you then go forwards and choose the best type of lessons for you and your goals.

What are intensive courses?

Intensive courses, also known as ‘crash courses’ are a great option if you’re looking to pass your test in the shortest time possible.

These are typically flexible courses of extended one-on-one tuition that work with an instructor to create a flexible lesson plan with the goal of passing your driving test as quickly as possible.

Pros:

• Can pass in as little as a week from a complete beginner.
• Many courses offer a free retest should you fail the practical test.
• Mostly flexible and will work to your schedule.
• The costs of your theory and practical tests are included in the package.

Cons:

• They do involve a high initial cost.
• They are hard work and require a great deal of focus, commitment and dedication.
• You need to make sure you have a free period of time to complete.
• Some people may find the fast paced, intensive environment uncomfortable.

If this sounds like it meets your goals, find out more information on intensive courses and what RED can offer. If not, it’s likely that booking standard lessons will be your best option.

How many lessons should you have a week?

The average learner needs 45 hours of driving lessons, in addition to 20 hours of practice to pass the driving test. However this varies from person to person, so although this is a good figure to use as a benchmark, you should take it at your own pace and not compare yourself to others.

Generally speaking, having one lesson a week is what the average learner chooses to do. But really there is no set amount of lessons you should be having each week. Choose what suits you best!

Find out more about the different types of lessons that RED offers

Manual vs Automatic

While automatics are easier to drive, you’ll only be able to legally drive automatics. You’ll be unable to legally drive a manual car if you have an automatic licence.

Unless you’ve got disabilities preventing you from driving a manual, a manual licence will offer you more flexibility in the future and you can normally find much cheaper manual cars for your first car.

Step 3 – Find the right driving instructor for you

Finding the right driving instructor for you is invaluable. The most important thing when it comes to deciding on an instructor is choosing someone that makes you feel comfortable when you’re in the driver’s seat as importantly, you’re most likely going to be spending 40 hours in a car together!

It may be tempting to get a relative or friend to teach you to drive, as you’re already comfortable with them and they probably wouldn’t charge you any (or much) for the lessons. As tempting as that may be, an expert will have much more experience teaching and will know what’s expected from you in the test.

Fully qualified instructors will also have their own car to teach you in which will have dual controls which allow the instructor to take over or help out with the controls if they feel you need it at any point.

Where should you look for a driving instructor?

There’s multiple ways of finding a driving instructor. Many people choose instructors based on recommendations from friends and family, however you can also visit the Approved Driving Instructor page on the DVSA website.

RED offers a range of driving instructors in order to match any specific needs that learners may have such as:

• Male/Female driving instructors
• Foreign language driving instructors
• Automatic/Manual driving instructors

Find out more about the driving instructors at RED.

Step 4 – Starting your driving lessons

Now that you’ve picked your driving instructor and booked your driving lessons, it’s time to cover some tips that will help you in your learning process.

What should you bring with you to your first driving lesson?

• Your provisional license
• A positive attitude
• Highway code knowledge (beneficial, but not required)

What shoes should you wear when driving?

• The main thing is wearing comfortable shoes that you’re happy to drive in.
• Avoid heavy shoes and stick to thin shoes that allow you to feel the pedals.

Practicing in-between your lessons

• It’s good to keep practicing until your next lesson comes around as this will help you become more comfortable in the car.
• You can go out and practice driving with another driver over the age of 21 that has been driving for over 3 years. You’ll also need to both be insured on that vehicle!

Study in-between your lessons

• Studying for your theory test in-between lessons is invaluable.
• This will help you get ready for taking your theory test and will also help out when you’re on the road having your lessons.

Mock tests

• Although this is likely something your instructor will suggest, why not ask to work some mock tests into your lessons?
• This will help cement your current knowledge and will help you become more comfortable and confident when you reach the real test.

Step 5 – Taking your theory test

Once you’ve been learning to drive for a little while, your instructor will probably recommend that you book your theory test. You’ll be completing this whilst doing your practical lessons, so as mentioned previously, you’ll need to be studying between lessons!

How to book your theory test

• You can book your theory test online through the theory test section of the official GOV UK website.
• You can also book your theory test over the phone on the number 0300 200 1122.

How much does the theory test cost and how long do you have to wait?

• The theory test costs £23 which will need to be paid by credit or debit card.
• There’s usually a waiting time of around 1 to 2 weeks, however this can change depending on demand.
• You’ll also need to visit your local theory test centre to take the test, you can find your nearest centre on the GOV UK website by entering your postcode.

What to expect in the theory test

The test will be made up of 50 multiple-choice questions and then a hazard perception test. 

You’ll have 57 minutes to complete the multiple choice test and will need to score 43 out of the 50 to pass. Before the test starts you’ll be given instructions on how to complete the test, so make sure to pay attention. You’ll then be given the opportunity to take a practice session so that you can get used to the format of the test.

For the hazard perception test, you’ll have to view 14 video clips and click a mouse whenever you spot a hazard developing. There are 15 hazards to spot in total, with at least one hazard on each clip. The earlier you spot the hazard, the more points you can get up to a total of 5 points per hazard. You’ll need to score 44 out of 75 to pass.

It’s also worth noting that during covid-19, there will be some extra safety precautions in effect at your theory test centre. You can find all information regarding this on the GOV UK website.

Check out RED’s guide to passing your theory test for more information, and if you’re looking for some extra theory test training, we have multiple aids over on our REDs theory test training aids page.

Step 6 – The practical driving test

Now that you’ve had plenty of lessons, passed your theory test and got the go-ahead from your instructor, it’s time to take on the practical driving test.

How to book your practical test

• You can book your practical test online through the practical test section of the official GOV UK website.
• There is also an option to check for test cancellations on the GOV UK website. This will potentially allow you to book on an earlier test if someone cancels theirs.

How much does the theory test cost and how long do you have to wait?

• The practical test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 on weekends.
• There’s usually a waiting time of 4 weeks, however this can change depending on demand.
• You’ll also need your UK driving licence number and your driving instructor’s personal reference number (should you wish for them to attend the test with you).

When is the best time to book a driving test?

We’re sure you’ve heard plenty of discussion around when you should book a test and how that timing can improve your chances for success. Whether that’s a specific day of the week, during a certain season or even at a certain time of day. But what’s the definitive answer?

• Season – As you may have already guessed, taking your test in winter can throw you some extra obstacles such icy roads or even snow. Although these occurrences are usually rare, you never know what the weather may be like on your test day! Perhaps you might want to wait until the weather warms up a little.

• Day of the week / time of the day – Generally speaking, the issues that could arise from these are whether or not you end up having your test whilst the roads are busy, for example, during rush-hour or during school-run traffic. Trying to book your test outside of these times will mean that there are less cars on the road during your test, leading to less congestion and a smaller likelihood of being distracted by those around you.

With this being said, you should book your driving test when it suits you best and you feel most comfortable driving. If you’re interested in more information around this, take a look at our article “Ever wondered about the best time to take your driving test”.

Taking your driving test!

Now it’s time to take your driving test, you’ll need to make sure you bring your:

• Theory test pass certification
• Provisional driving licence
• Confidence!

The driving test usually takes around 40 minutes and is comprised of the following:

• Sight check – Firstly, you’ll be asked to read a number plate of a random car from 20 metres away to check your eyesight. If you cannot do this, you will not be able to progress with the rest of the test.

• ‘Show me tell me’ questions – Secondly, your examiner will ask you two ‘tell me’ questions about vehicle checks that you should carry out before driving. Later in the test, while you are driving, your examiner will ask you a ‘show me’ question. You can find a list of these questions on the GOV UK website.

• General driving ability – Next, you’ll get to the driving part of the test. You’ll be instructed to drive in various roads and traffic conditions and your examiner will give you directions that you need to follow, however you will not drive on the motorway. You’ll also be asked to safely pull over and safely pull away during this part of the test. You may also be asked to perform an emergency stop.

• Reversing your vehicle – You’ll be asked to carry out one of the following exercises during the test. Parallel-park at the side of the road, park in a bay, or pull up on the right-hand side of the road and reverse for two car lengths and rejoin the traffic.

• Independent driving – For this section roughly a fifth of drivers taking their test will be asked to drive for about 20 minutes by following traffic signs, a series of verbal directions or a combination of both.

Once you’ve completed your test and arrived back at the test centre, the examiner will discuss his/her observations with you and you’ll be given a pass or fail certificate.

What happens if I make a mistake on my test?

You can make up to 15 driver faults (also called minors) and still pass your test, however if you get 3 driver faults in the same area you will fail. You will also fail if the mistake you make is deemed ‘serious’ or ‘dangerous’ by your examiner. Any one of these will result in an instant fail.

Find out some tips and tricks from one of our most experienced instructors around taking your test.

The post How to pass your driving test – A guide from start to finish appeared first on RED Driving School.

As lockdown continues, empty streets are the new normal. Driving test centres in the UK may be closed but the temptation for parents and their learner driver children to use the lockdown as an opportunity to practice is very real. If we are to look forward to getting out and about again soon, we must follow the government’s advice to stay at home and avoid the appeal of quiet roads.

Starting to learn with family members can set up new drivers with bad habits and, without dual controls in the family car, it can also be very dangerous for those just starting out. But most importantly right now, it is inappropriate for learners and parents to be out on driving lessons. The government has asked us to stay home so let’s follow this guidance not out of fear, but out of love and support for those on the frontline.

We urge all learner drivers to take this opportunity to brush up on theoretical skills that will help them become safe drivers for life. 

Here are RED Driving School’s top tips for learners keen to keep their skills sharp during lockdown.

1. Nail the theory test

This part of getting a driving licence is often neglected as learners focus on the practical side of getting behind the wheel. And it shows in the statistics – the DVSA reports theory test pass rates for 2019/20 are just 48%. With proper study, learners should be able to pass the test with flying colours and a solid grasp of the theory behind driving will only help learners excel on the practical side as well. 

The theory test is made up of 50 multiple choice questions, and learners need to get at least 43 of these right. It’s recommended that learners do at least 20 hours of revision for the test. Our Theory Training Test Aid gives access to more than 1,000 DVSA official practice theory test questions. Feedback is provided for every question and learners can even take a full mock test.

2. Know your traffic signs

Being able to instantly recognise traffic signs and understand their direction is crucial to safe and confident driving. Take your learning to the next step by printing out images of the road signs and using them as flash cards. Leave the signs at various points around your house, like the ‘intersection’ of the hallway between the bathroom and your bedroom, and test yourself as you move through the house throughout the day.

3. Quiz your family and friends

Zoom quizzes have become a staple for socialising during lockdown so use the Highway Code to test your friends or family on your next big night in. While revising the Highway Code, prepare questions from the information you find, whether it’s a section you’re struggling to remember or an answer you were surprised by. Testing others can help reinforce your own knowledge. Learners might also get a kick out of testing their parents to see how good their driving theory is!

4. The hazards of the hazard perception test 

The hazard perception section of the test is where many students become unstuck, but it’s testing drivers’ ability to recognise and respond to hazards on the road – an important part of safe driving. Hone your skills via official DVSA sample hazard perception clips which you can access online and trial via a laptop or computer. Learners can also speak to their driving instructor on how to get it right. And practice, practice, practice.

5. Show me, tell me

The ‘show me, tell me’ section is part of the practical driving test. The ‘tell me’ questions are asked at the start of the test when the car isn’t moving while the ‘show me’ questions are asked during driving – when it is safe to do so. This is one section of the practical test that can brushed up on without having to take to the streets.

There are online tutorials for this section of the test, but all learners can ask their RED instructor for examples to practice in their own time. To test yourself, get your family to ask the questions and practice explaining them. You should also get familiar with the controls of the car, such as the de-mister, cleaning the windscreen and dipped lights, and this can be done from the safety of your driveway in a parked car if one is available.

Find out more about RED’s Theory Training Test Aid here: reddrivingschool.com/learners/reds-theory-test-training-aid

The post Learning to drive during lockdown – how to keep your skills sharp without lessons appeared first on RED Driving School.

It’s vital to practice all of the manoeuvres before the big day, but when and where is the best place to practice? Take a look at Dave’s Test Tips to learn the best ways to practice your manoeuvres and you’ll be driving solo in no time.

The series can be found on our YouTube channel and is being featured weekly in the motoring section of the I news website.

You will also be able to find the series on our social media channels. Feel free to share the best tips and tricks you’ve found helpful using our hashtag #REDsTestTips. If you enjoy the videos, then please share them with your friends!

Okay, if you’re thinking of doing a manoeuvre always try and find a nice quiet road and just remember, don’t remain in the same place. It’s good to change the area to get different experiences.
Don’t annoy the local residents.
Don’t use test routes. There are plenty of roads for you to be able to choose from. If you’re coming to a road and there’s already another learner driver there move on and choose somewhere else.
If you’re trying to do a manoeuvre in the bay parking don’t choose a time like this because it’s far too busy.
If you’ve got vehicles coming past and it’s going to make it more difficult. If you’re choosing a time to come to the supermarket to do the manoeuvre, come when it’s closed.
My top tip for when you’re carrying out that manoeuvre.
If there’s no one around that’s fine. If while doing the manoeuvre you do find that another car comes along you need to wait and stop and find out what they’re doing. If they decide to go that’s fantastic. If they wait for you they’re just being nice. So just take your time and get the manoeuvre done. If you find that once you nearly finished the manoeuvre and they start to move, you need to stop because your vehicle is the problem. So just smile as they go past.

The post When and where to practice manoeuvres appeared first on RED Driving School.

Check out Dave’s top tips for bossing independent driving, with the first video in our brand-new weekly series.

The series can also be found on our YouTube channel and is being featured weekly in the motoring section of the I news website.

You will also be able to find the series on our social media channels. Feel free to share the best tips and tricks you’ve found helpful using our hashtag #REDsTestTips. If you enjoy the videos, then please share them with your friends!

So, guys the independent drive, what’s that about? What’s that all about?
Half of your test will involve you doing an independent drive and that’s going to make you follow some road signs for at least 20 minutes or you will be asked to listen to a Sat Nav and follow some directions. 4/5 tests involve you using a SAT Nav, so it will be a good idea for you to practice using that.
Make sure you learn how to use your Sat Nav before you set off! That’s going to help you forward plan so then you can use it safely.
When you’re using the Sat Nav adjust the volume as you need it but remember you’re listening to the Sat Nav and following instructions and you are not looking at it. You can occasionally glance at it, but you can’t stare at it. You want to pay more attention to the road and listen to it.
Make sure you position the Sat Nav, so you get the best view possible. The examiners on the day will either place it on the dashboard or on the windscreen.
Learners quite often get caught for speeding because they rely on Sat Nav you should be relying on the road signs to tell you the speed.

The post How to Boss Independent Driving appeared first on RED Driving School.

The calendar is based on research from Confused.com and uses driving test pass rates from over the last five years from the DVSA. It shows some pretty interesting stats!

The 4^th of August is the best day to take your test, with more than 50% of drivers passing. Meanwhile, 39.5% of drivers failed on Boxing Day, making it the worst day of the year. Too many Christmas eggnogs, perhaps?

Mondays were shown to be the best day of the week, while 3pm – 4pm was prime time for passing. According to the stats learners should stay away from Sundays, as it’s the worst day of the week based on pass numbers nationwide.

The piece also highlights Golspie in the Scottish Highlands as having an impressive 76.7% pass rate – the highest in the UK. In fact, Scotland took the top four spots!

It looks like bigger cities mean tougher tests, as just 30% of drivers passed their test at The Pavillion in Birmingham, and a whopping 75% of learners failed at Yeading in London! Nearly 30,000 drivers took their test at Goodmayes in London, making it the busiest centre, but only 38.5% passed.

Maybe it’s luck, or maybe taking your test on Monday 4^th August at 3pm in Scottish Highlands will increase your chances of passing, but we think the best way to boost your chance of passing is to take the road seriously, use all the tools available and practice, practice, practice.

Check out the calendar here!

The post Ever wondered about the best time to take your driving test? appeared first on RED Driving School.

You can listen to the full interview here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b85m1b

At RED Driving School, we disagree with the call to class potholes as hazards in the perception test. We understand that potholes can cause extreme damage to vehicles and, in some cases, accidents, but introducing these to the hazard perception test will never be able to simulate the real life hazards that motorists encounter. We can’t imagine that the DVSA will create clips of potholes in the road to test learners, so how else will they be able to prepare Britain’s learners?! We believe that all drivers who are taught well will adopt a ‘common sense approach’ to road surface hazards.

We teach our learners to observe and respond safely to hazards and this includes looking out for potholes. This observation is the most important thing we can teach to avoid potholes. As long as learners are driving at an appropriate speed and are alert and aware of their surroundings, the impact of potholes should be minimal.

It was also reported that tests have been abandoned because of pothole issues, but as one of the UK’s largest driving school, we are not aware of tests being abandoned.

The advice from everyone here at RED Driving School is; look ahead to anticipate any pothole problems! If you spot one, steer around it as long as that doesn’t cause a risk to any other road user. If it is too risky to avoid the pothole, adjust the speed and drive over the pothole as slowly as possible to reduce the risk of damage to your car and tyres.

The post Should learners be taught ‘how to avoid potholes’ in their driving test? appeared first on RED Driving School.

With independent driving introduced to the practical driving test today, it’s important you still remember the fundamental things you should and shouldn’t be doing on your driving lessons and driving test!

Here are the ten most common reasons why people fail their driving test:

1. Observation at junctions – not looking enough, or making a bad decision based on your observations

Before you arrive at the end of the road, you need to already be planning what you’ll do next.   If it is an open junction (a junction at which, as you approach the give way lines, your view is not obscured by objects such as high walls or hedges), try to see what is coming from BOTH directions.  Make sure you look RIGHT, LEFT, and RIGHT again, before driving out!  It can be tempting if it looks clear, to just look right then drive out.  DO NOT do this.  It is easy to miss something on your left, such as a parked van, or possibly another car cutting the corner turning into the junction as you emerge.  If your instructor doesn’t let you do it on driving lessons, don’t do it on your driving test!

2. Reverse parking – not checking your blind spots/ failing to see approaching traffic

So many people go through blind spot checks robotically, just moving their head, because they think this is what examiners want to see.  Well it isn’t.  What they want to see is that you are fully aware of what is going on around you.  This is especially true when you are about to cause the front of your car to swing out into the road as you drive towards the kerb.  You must use your mirrors properly, and keep an eye on the areas you can’t see in your mirrors, watching for other road users who may be driving toward you.  Watch out for cyclists too!

3. Use of mirrors – not gathering information from what you see in them often enough, or failing to act on what you have seen

An example of this would be driving past a parked bus.  You move out around the bus without checking the right door mirror first.  As you drive out, a motorcyclist passes you on your right side.  This would usually lead to a serious fault, as you may have caused the motorcyclist to swerve.

Remember, whether on your test or as a qualified driver, you must not cause other road users to SLOW, SWERVE or STOP.

4. Reversing round a corner – ineffective observation or lack of control and accuracy

Many candidates fail to see traffic approaching from behind them, in the road they are turning into.  Alternatively, they swing the car out causing an obstruction to traffic driving on the major road.  Hitting the kerb is also quite common.  Take the reversing exercises S-L-O-W-L-Y!

5. Incorrect use of signals – giving misleading signals, or forgetting to cancel them

An example of this would be leaving a left signal on after pulling over on the left, then driving off again with the left signal still ticking.

6. Moving away safely – inadequate observation

Most commonly, this is not looking into the road side (offside) blind spot before moving away.

7. Incorrect positioning on the road – bad lane discipline at roundabouts or being too far into the road going round a bend

A very common serious fault, especially on driving test routes with multiple roundabouts.

Be sure not to ‘cut across’ the roundabout, but follow the appropriate lane completely around the roundabout.  Often this fault arises on approach to roundabouts where the left lane curves round to the left a little at the roundabout.  The candidate is still looking right and does not steer the car with the curve, but remains straight, causing them to straddle the white lane division lines.

8. Lack of steering control – steering too early, or too late

This is most notable when going into sharp corners.  Hitting the kerb is possible if this is not done correctly.  Contrary to popular belief, crossing your arms on a driving test will not cause you to fail.  However, most people tend to lose full control of the wheel when they cross their arms, which is why the fault is marked.  It is good practice to use the pull-push steering technique that you have been shown in your driving lessons, which reduces the chances of losing steering control.

9. Incorrect position for turning right – at junctions or on one-way streets

Many learner drivers will drive in the left lane in a one-way street, forgetting that it is actually one-way! Remember you can use either lane in a one-way street!

10. Inappropriate speed – amazingly speeding on driving tests is still in the top ten faults

Whether on a driving test or when qualified, never break the speed limit or travel too fast into a hazard.

Remain at a speed that allows you to judge the situation effectively.  This also applies to driving slowly all the time.  One of the most prevalent myths about the driving test is that “if you drive slowly, you’ll pass.”  Well, this is not true.  Driving consistently well under the speed limit is just as dangerous as speeding.

With driving lessons from RED, you’ll be fully prepared for your LPDM (learner plate disposal moment)!

If you have any further questions about Independent Driving please use the forum on our Official RED Instructor Training facebook page.

By Paul Merrills and Steve Thompson
Business Development Managers, RED Driving School

The post The Ten Most Common Reasons for Failing Your Practical Driving Test appeared first on RED Driving School.

‘Tell me’ questions will be at the start of the test, when the car isn’t moving.

‘Show me’ questions will be asked when you are driving the car, during the practical test.

To help you prepare, we have provided a list of the Show me/Tell me safety check questions that the examiner will ask during your driving test.

The examiner will ask you a ‘Tell me’ question when you reach the car and this will be asked before the driving element of the test begins. During the driving element of the test, the examiner will ask you to demonstrate that you can operate one of the following ancillary controls.

You should note that the ‘Show me’ questions start by the examiner saying, ‘when it’s safe to do so’. It is important that you choose an appropriate time to carry out the request. For instance, it would not be deemed ‘safe to do so’ if you operated the car’s dipped headlights when another road user is in the immediate vicinity, this could mislead the other road user.

You should be familiar with the location, function and use of the relevant controls. You should be fully conversant with the method of using each control component on the vehicle that you will be using on the day of your test.

DVSA SAFETY-CHECK QUESTION BANK FOR CARS:

Show me:

• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the rear windscreen?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you wash and clean the front windscreen?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d switch on your dipped headlights?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d set the rear demister?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d operate the horn?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d demist the front windscreen?
• When it’s safe to do so, can you show me how you’d open and close the side window?

Tell me:

• Tell me how you’d check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.

Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.

• Tell me where you’d find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.

Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit valve caps.

• Tell me how you make sure your head restraint is correctly adjusted so it provides the best protection in the event of a crash.

The head restraint should be adjusted so the rigid part of the head restraint is at least as high as the eye or top of the ears, and as close to the back of the head as is comfortable. Note: Some head restraints might not be adjustable.

• Tell me how you’d check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road.

No cuts and bulges, a minimum of 1.6mm of tread depth across the central three-quarters of the breadth of the tyre, and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.

• Tell me how you’d check that the headlights and tail lights are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

• Tell me how you’d know if there was a problem with your anti-lock braking system.

Warning light should illuminate if there is a fault with the anti-lock braking system.

• Tell me how you’d check the direction indicators are working. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Explain you’d operate the switch (turn on ignition if necessary), and then walk round vehicle (as this is a ‘tell me’ question, you don’t need to physically check the lights).

• Tell me how you’d check the brake lights are working on this car.

Explain you’d operate the brake pedal, make use of reflections in windows or doors, or ask someone to help.

• Tell me how you’d check the power-assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

If the steering becomes heavy, the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey, 2 simple checks can be made:

• Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
• Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.
• Tell me how you’d switch on the rear fog light(s) and explain when you’d use it/them. You don’t need to exit the vehicle.

Operate switch (turn on dipped headlights and ignition if necessary). Check warning light is on. Explain use.

• Tell me how you switch your headlight from dipped to main beam and explain how you’d know the main beam is on.

Operate switch (with ignition or engine on if necessary), check with main beam warning light.

• Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient oil.

Identify dipstick/oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum and maximum markers.

• Tell me how you’d check that the engine has sufficient engine coolant.

Identify high and low-level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

• Tell me how you’d check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid.

Identify reservoir, check level against high and low markings.

The post Show Me/Tell Me – Are You Aware Of The Changes? appeared first on RED Driving School.