Myths Surrounding Driving Tests And Reasons To Fail
If you look at the marking sheet on your driving test it looks like it is impossible to pass with the examiner having so many boxes they can tick to fail you. There are various myths surrounding driving tests and reasons to fail. One of the most common myths is ‘well the examiner is targeted and has to fail a certain amount of students’. This is not true. Yes there is a pass rate for every test centre which evolves due to the number of tests each centre conducts each year.
The overall pass rate for the UK is under 50% and much lower for 1st time passes. This does not mean the examiner has to fail one in two drivers. This is an average and if you show the examiner you are safe on the roads and know the rules then you will pass, regardless of whether the two tests out before have you passed or not. The second myth is ‘that examiner doesn’t like me, I’ve been told he only passes girls’, for example. Again this is a myth.
The examiner has no time invested in you and doesn’t know you at all. They will often be silent on tests so that you are able to concentrate without undue distraction (please read my other blogs on the driving test for more information here). This doesn’t mean they dislike you. Running the risk of repetition; the examiner will pass you if you demonstrate that you are a safe and legal driver.
So what are the top reasons for failing your driving test?
Poor preparation in the lead up to the test is crucial to your success. Listen to your instructor. If they are picking out faults you are doing each drive then you need to improve in order to be test ready. Remember your instructor has taught hundreds of people to drive and they know what examiners are looking for, so please don’t take advice on how to pass by listening to parents or friends.
Your instructor is there to help you and guide you through this process. For example, I had a student fail once as their mum had told them the night before the test to drive in 2nd gear throughout the test as not to go too fast and the examiner cant fail them for this. This sort of help isn’t helpful as yes you will fail for going too slow.
The second main reason for failing is test day nerves. On the day of the test this is by far the number 1 reason for failing. Remember you are at the test centre because your instructor (with agreement from yourself) believes you are easily good enough to pass. If he is a decent instructor he wont let you waste your money to give it a go and hope you pass. Examiners can tell if a candidate is ready or not. How to stop those nerves is sometimes difficult.
Good preparation before the test will help massively but on the day you have to learn to treat it like any other day and any other drive (it’s only a 35 to 40 minute test on roads you know well in a car you know well). The only difference is that you have a different passenger, who will give the same kind of instructions as your instructor.
This is your driving test, nobody else’s
You are not letting down your family or friends or instructor if you don’t pass first time. There is no pressure on you to pass except the pressure you put on yourself. If during the test you don’t understand an instruction then ask the examiner to repeat (he/she won’t bite your head off or fail you for asking and in fact might respect you more for taking more responsibility in asking).
If, when driving having the radio on relaxes you then have it on in the test. Don’t be afraid of talking out loud to tell yourself what to do. In fact commentary driving in my opinion should be encouraged as it tells yourself what to do and what you are observing etc which in turn helps the examiner understand your decisions more. In certain advanced driving tests it obligatory to do a commentary drive. If you want to hum or sing during the test just do it. Remember the examiner is looking to see if you are safe, not if you have a great singing voice.
This is your test, not theirs
If, when you are pulled over to the side of the road (which you will be on multiple occasions on test) take a moment of pause before you pull off again. Even have a sip of water if you have some to hand. There is no prize to get back to the centre one minute early as you have rushed to get there.
All of the above has nothing to do with all the actual reasons you might fail but will go a long way to helping you succeed. Not what you expected from this blog I’m sure as I haven’t outlined the actual reasons the examiner might fail you. Don’t fail yourself by treating the test as something it isn’t. Be prepared, be confident, stay calm and good luck.
You will pass 1st time!
