3 Tips to pass UK driving test!

Tip 1

Practice, practice practice!
When trying to reach any goal we need to put in the effort and hard work to help us reach them.

One of the main reasons why people fail their driving test is whilst performing the reverse manoeuvres. Don't rush to book your test and make sure you're confident with all the reverse manoeuvres and know them inside out!

Make sure you know how to operate all the car controls and are familiar with how to set the set mirrors,
adjust your seat, steering wheel as well as all of the safety checks that you need to do.

If you've been learning with family or friends, it's really important to make sure that you have some
lessons with a professional driving instructor to make sure that you haven't picked up any
dangerous habits as well as helping you to prepare for the test.

The video below will give you some tips to help you find a great driving instructor.

Tip 2

Don't try to learn test routes!

One of the main reasons people fail their driving test is lack of observations at junctions and not
responding to road signs and road markings.

Studies show that drivers are more likely to crash on roads that they are familiar with because they
are more likely to drive in ‘autopilot’mode.
It is important to get plenty of experience driving on roads that you don't know which will help you to
develop those essential planning and observation skills.

Tip 3

Relax!

Whilst this is an obvious tip, it is easier said than done!  

Do you know what happens to your brain when you are highly stressed?  

Well, you go into what we call ’fight or flight’ mode which is a natural survival mechanism,
where the thinking part of your brain shuts down and survival mode kicks in.

Whilst this is helpful when you are running away from a tiger this is not so helpful when you're
trying to concentrate on your driving test!

Try not to put too much pressure on yourself, failing your driving test is not the end of the world.
If you are somebody that gets very anxious there are lots of tips and techniques that you can use
to help you to relax and I will be going through some tips in a future blog post!

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I hope you have found these tips helpful!

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UK driving theory test - Part 2 Hazard Perception

Welcome to part-2 of the UK theory test - Hazard Perception,  if you have not read part-1 about the multiple choice questions then click here.

The Hazard Perception test, tests how quickly you respond to developing hazards.
There are 14 one minute video clips, 13 have one developing hazard and one clip has two
developing hazards.

What is a hazard?

A hazard is anything that makes you change speed or direction, there are moving hazards such

as pedestrians, animals, and cyclists and there are static hazards which don't move such as
road signs, pedestrian crossings and roadworks.

A potential hazard is a hazard that could happen and a developing hazard is a hazard
that is actually happening.

What is Hazard Perception?

I always teach my clients to expect the unexpected!

Hazard perception is about planning ahead and anticipating what other road users may do
and respond accordingly. It's like being a detective, spotting the clues if you can spot the clues
you might be able to anticipate what could happen but if you miss the clues you may have to
respond at the last minute.
For example, if you went past a parked car with exhaust fumes at the back, you could anticipate
that someone's in the car and that the car could move away or the door could open. However if you miss the clue of the exhaust fumes then should the door
open suddenly it will be totally unexpected.

How to prepare for the test

There are plenty of free resources and apps, I recommend the complete DVSA theory kit.
Make sure you get used to doing mock tests and sitting down and doing 14 video clips in a row. This is important as you cannot pause the real test, the film clips come one after the other.

At the beginning of the hazard perception test you will be shown this short video which explains about the hazard perception test.

You will need to click on the computer mouse whenever you see any hazard, be aware that if the
computer detects too many clicks or a rhythm you may score 0 for that clip.

You are only scored on hazards that actually develop but you should click for all potential hazards.
The highest mark you can get for each clip is 5 marks and the minimum pass mark is
44 out of 75 points. At the end of the test you will get your results and you have to pass both
the multiple choice and the hazard perception on the same day to pass so if you fail one you fail
the whole test. Should you be unsuccessful you will get a letter explaining which sections you did
not score enough points in so you will know what to practice.

You will have to wait three days three working days before you can rebook your theory test.

If you have passed you will receive your theory test certificate which you must keep hold of it as
you will need it when you take your driving test.

You will have two years from the date of your theory test to pass the driving test otherwise you
will have to retake the theory test.

Check out the video below to find out a little bit more about how the hazard perception test works
and for some helpful tips.

Booking the theory test 
Please, Please, please only use the official gov.uk website to book your theory test! There are other unofficial websites but they charge a small fee to use them and may not even book the test for you, so BEWARE!

When you use the official gov.uk website you only pay the current fee which is £23. 

Click here for official gov.uk website 

I hope you have found this information useful!

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