Some help with your test!

With more and more people learning to drive, Wickford Driving School offers some advice to help you pass your driving test:

The best advise is not to book a driving test unless you feel ready! If you don't feel confident, check with your driving instructor whether you should even be taking a test.

It's natural to feel slightly nervous on the day of your driving test. Don't let this worry you too much. In fact, the adrenaline will help you concentrate more during the test.

Always check your mirrors and if necessary indicate before stopping or moving off during your driving test. Look carefully over both shoulders to check your blind spots. Failure to do so could result in you failing your test.

Use your mirrors before you change speed (up or down), change gear, stop or move off and whenever you change direction in your driving test.

Don't look down at the gear stick when you change gear during your driving test. You should always keep your eyes on the road.

Always indicate when necessary, correctly, and in good time.

Do not stop at every junction during your driving test unless it is necessary. For example, if you stop at a roundabout when it's obvious that it is clear to go and there are other cars following you, you could recieve a serious fault for hesitancy and therefore fail the test. However, where the road sign tells you to "Stop", you must do so.

Don't get too close to stationary vehicles; try to allow a cars door width clearance. Always keep a look out for pedestrians stepping out onto the road.

If you have to overtake cyclists during your driving test, give them plenty of clearance (about the width of an average sized car). Don't follow them too closely.

When reversing, look over your left shoulder through the rear windscreen, and keep looking round for road users.

If you cannot avoid hitting the kerb while performing a reversing manoeuvre, stay calm, pull forward and correct yourself. This is a much better approach than carrying on and hitting the kerb!

If another vehicle approaches while you're performing the Turn In The Road (three-point turn) during your driving test, don't panic. If it's clear that he is waiting for you, continue calmly with your manoeuvre. Otherwise wait until they drive past you before proceeding. In addition, while you should do your best to complete this manoeuvre in three movements, it is perfectly acceptable if you take more than three. The important point is that you avoid hitting the kerb and you look out for other road users and pedestrians.

Don't panic if you make a mistake during your driving test. The examiner will not automatically fail you. Remain calm and move on.