If you have been taking driving lessons in Bournemouth then you are pretty much average in terms of your likelihood to pass the test. About 51% of men pass their driving test in Bournemouth, and about 45% of women. That is high compared to the overall average of 32% in Belvedere, London, so that’s a positive.
If you want to be in the roughly half that pass then read on to find out how you can avoid the most common reasons for failure.
Inaccuracy and poor observation when reversing round a corner
This is widely regarded as the most difficult manoeuvre by students. To avoid failing match the amount of speed you are driving at with the amount of steer you have to put in. Avoid rushing so you can have enough time to correct any mistakes. If you take it slowly you have a margin wider margin for error.
Ignoring the mirrors
Many students make the mistake of not using their mirrors well during test conditions. It is natural to tense up a little and be over-concerned with driving what is in front of you. You can’t pass your test if you don’t look at your mirrors regularly and take actions based on what you see. Safe driving means being aware of what is all around you.
Inaccurate response to traffic lights
Many students fail to demonstrate the proper responses to traffic lights. Some of the most common mistakes include stalling at a green filter light when it is safe to continue and remaining at a stop line when the filter signal is to move. Ignoring red lights and stopping well beyond a designated stop line are also big mistakes that cost people. During your driving lessons in Bournemouth you should get to know the roads, so any tricky traffic lights should become second nature.
Improper steering control
Steering too early or too late is one of the easiest ways to lose control of your car. This is especially the case when negotiating 90 degree bends. Practice your steering control around tricky turns on the test route to avoid failing your test. Your Bournemouth driving instructor should know the roads you are likely to face so there really is no excuse for not driving them over the course of your learning.
Driving below the speed limit
Many students make the mistake of believing they can drive very slowly all through the test so they can perform all manoeuvres with ease. This is not possible, as failing to put your foot down on certain roads will see you fail the test. Speed limits are there to be obeyed fully. In fact, if your examiner warns you about the speed limit 3 times, the chances of passing the test reduce drastically. Fail to make progress and you might fail your test.
Wrong use of signals
If you do not use indicators, cancel them too early or confuse other road users with them, you will most likely fail your test. Confusing other road users with your signals can be very dangerous. Anything dangerous will lead to you failing. For example, signalling a turn at a junction when there is a turn before the actual junction you will turn at will get you penalised and could lead to a failed test.
Movement from a parked position into the road
Many students make the mistake of moving into the road too slowly, too fast or in an inconsistent manner. The speed at which you drive away from a parked position should be determined by the surrounding traffic. You need to avoid going too fast and losing control, and maintain consistency to avoid confusing other road users. If you make people slow down then you will be judged to have interpreted the gap wrongly.
Hesitation or improper judgement
If you hesitate 3 times during the course of a test, you have failed. Hesitation involves failing to go when you are supposed to. Similarly, pulling out at a junction and forcing another driver to change speed or direction is a serious mistake that will lead to an instantly failed test. You need a lot of practice to be able to judge the amount of time it will take to pull out at a junction correctly. Practice. Practice. Practice!
Wrong handling at a roundabout
Failing to position properly and handle the car accurately at a roundabout is a common mistake that has seen many fail their driving tests. To avoid this, you need proper practice to understand steering control. Again, this is an area where you really have no excuses. Your driving instructor should take you around all the roundabouts that may be on your Bournemouth driving test route.
Some people make the mistake of doing all their lessons in the evening after rush hour and then doing their test at 8am. Make sure you have met your driving test conditions before the test by having lessons at different times of the day. You need to know how to flow into busy streams of traffic.
Inaccuracy and poor observation whilst reverse parking
Poor observation means you aren’t using your mirrors effectively enough and inaccuracy means you haven’t parked close enough to the curb or the car in front of you; or you have hit the curb. You need to practice this manoeuvre a lot to be confident. Take the lead from your driving instructor, but voice your concerns if you feel you need more practice before your test.
Passing your driving test means learning to tick a lot of boxes over the course of your driving lessons in Bournemouth. Learning to drive is an incremental learning experience, so you need to go with the flow to a certain extent, but be proactive in your learning. Watch YouTube videos, talk to your instructor, and learn your theory. Get comfortable and confident on the road, listen to your instructor and learn the skills, and you will avoid the common pitfalls.
Find more driving school tips here.
