When
you take your driving test there is a 'certain way' that the Driving
Standards Agency will expect you to drive, and your instructor is
fully up to date with the requirements. A common misconception is
that the examiner will 'miss' or 'ignore' certain faults. He/she is
however a trained professional, able to spot any actual or potential
faults, so don't fall into the trap of thinking he/she won't notice
- they will.
 During
the test -The examiner will not realistically expect a 'perfect drive',
though it is the basis on which the candidate will be judged. Any
deviations from perfection are graded into three categories of fault:
less serious, serious or dangerous. Candidates do not normally fail
for a less serious fault unless they accumulate on the same subject.
They must not however get any serious or dangerous faults.
Before
a less serious fault is marked onto the sheet the examiner will first
consider its significance to the overall performance. You are only
allowed a total of 15 of these less serious faults, 16 would result
in a fail. During your driving lessons your instructor will make clear
what qualifies as a fault on each of the subjects covered.
The
examiner will be sympathetic to the candidate as they understand that
nerves can be a factor on test day. You should realise however that
while nerves are often used as an excuse for failing, they are rarely
the real cause. Provided that you are fully prepared and know what
to expect, nerves should not pose much of a problem. Therefore it
is important to make sure that realistic 'mock tests' are carried
out prior to test to give pupils an insight into what to expect. 
During
the test it is important not to lose heart and give up if you feel
you may have made a mistake. Leave the error assessment to the examiner
and do your best all the way through.
The
examiner will want to be satisfied on the aspects of driving covered
in the ' Official DSA Driving Test Syllabus and Standards'.
When
you pass - When you pass the test you are issued with a 'Certificate
of Passing of a test of Competence to Drive' (D10) as well as a copy
of the examiners' marking sheet (DL25c). You will then be able to
drive unaccompanied and without 'L' plates. You should apply for your
full licence as soon as possible by filling in the necessary parts
on the back of your D10 and sending it off with your provisional licence.
If
you fail - If you fail the test you will be given a copy of the
examiners' marking sheet (DL25c) showing the faults made and which
ones were serious enough to fail you. It's important to book a DL25c
appraisal lesson with your instructor as soon as possible after failing
where you can use the DL25c as a guide to rectify any problems in
the time until your next test. In theory you can apply immediately
after failing but will not be able to take the test again within 10
days.
There
is a high standard needed to pass the test but this is with certain
things in mind - It is important to understand the responsibility
that comes with driving. The car is a potential lethal weapon and
unless your standard of driving is high enough this potential is increased.
Every year the traffic population increases and space on the roads
gets more and more limited - the room for error therefore becomes
less and less.
Please
take heed of these points mentioned and we feel it will help you greatly
on your way through the tuition process, and of course once you are
driving 'solo'. |
