My number 1 tip: stop worrying about the test. Just drive.
The top ten reasons for failing the test as published by the DSA are:
- Observation at junctions - ineffective observation and judgement
- Reverse parking - ineffective observation or a lack of accuracy
- Use of mirrors - not checking or not acting on the information
- Reversing around a corner - ineffective observation or a lack of accuracy
- Incorrect use of signals - not cancelling or giving misleading signals
- Moving away safely - ineffective observation
- Incorrect positioning on the road - at roundabouts or on bends
- Lack of steering control - steering too early or leaving it too late
- Incorrect positioning to turn right - at junctions and in one way streets
- Inappropriate speed - travelling too slowly or being hesitant
People fail the driving test for all sorts of reasons even those that are quite competent at driving during their lessons. In my experience confidence plays a significant part in passing the test. A confident driver spends more time reading the road and assessing what is happening, making the drive smooth and controlled. A non-confident or nervous driver spends too much time worrying about whether they are doing things right and then starts fiddling with gears or worrying about stalling; they forget to use their mirrors, they make ineffective observations, they pick 1st gear too early, they miss road signs, they drive too slowly and are hesitant at junctions. People make more mistakes when they are worried they will make mistakes.
My tip number 2: Learn my number 1 tip!
The nervous driver is so worried they are going to fail they make it happen. The irony is, they are not nervous about driving, they are nervous about failing! People generally have the skill to pass the test when they arrive for the test. They are generally well prepared and competent drivers. All the examiner wants to see is a competent sensible drive, not perfection. You don't have to over exaggerate the mirror checks, just be sure you act on what see in them! You don't have to take risks at a busy junction because you worry the examiner thinks you are being hesitant, just make a sensible decision based on what you see! If you start worrying about messing up you will mess up. It's like trying to walk a straight line when you think someone is watching you.
My tip number 3: Learn my number 1 tip!
When people fail doing manoeuvres it is usually down to confidence. When people worry they are going to mess it up they generally do. Being confident with manoeuvres will in fact make the manoeuvre easy. The pupil that is worried they will mess it up often realises they are messing it up but does nothing and hopes for a miracle. In my experience every pupil recognises when they are making an error in a manoeuvre but only confident pupils stay calm and fixes it. The nervous pupil knows they are going to hit the kerb in a manoeuvre but fails to correct it before hitting the kerb; instead they get so worried about hittng the kerb they generally sacrifice their observations and watch the offending kerb get closer and closer; if they luckily miss the kerb they then fail for not making effective all round observations.
My tip number 4: Learn my number 1 tip!