Some say that the practical driving test appears to no longer be anything to do with being able to drive, you need to learn to simply pass the test. This is a combination of things, independent driving, manoeuvres, observation etc. Examiners have been given strict rules and guidelines that you must fall into in order for them to be able to pass you. Unfortunately a rule-book is completly inappropiate for the open roads.

If every driver drove exactly to the rulebook it may be viable but that won't ever happen for 2 reasons, first we are all human and all make mistakes, second we find some different forms of driving work better for us and tend to favour those. A perfect example of this rule-book failure, a friend of DriversEdgeUK took his test and did very well except for one thing, when almost stopped but not completly whilst in a queue, he continued in second gear as opposed to selecting first, which just about everybody would do in real situations as first is normally too aggressive to select if your moving unless your highly experienced. However the rule-book says you should stop and pull away in first, highly inefficient but possibly more appropiate for the very weak drivers.

However if someone is this weak they should not be permitted on the roads at all, this is not taken into account. If you want to pass next time you probably need to forget some of your experience and drive more like a learner. Follow what seems the safest possible route of driving, and try to remember their tick-box rule book that you must comply to in order to pass. If you do this then next time you may just manage it.

Ten Driving Test Myths & Mistakes

Myth:  Driving examiners are only allowed to pass a certain number of pupils per week.
Myth:  Driving examiners enjoy failing learner drivers.
Myth: There is a particular examiner who has tested me at the same test centre several times and failed me because he does not like me.
Myth:  My father tells me he took only 8 hours of driving tuition and passed first time.
Myth:  If you stall the car, you will fail.
Myth:  Driving Schools make you take more lessons than you really need.
Myth: The minimum age for driving is going up to 18.
Mistake: Taking the driving test in your own car.
Mistake: Delaying the learning and taking the test until you are older.
Mistake: Setting the mirror slightly ‘off’ so the examiner can see you move your head which makes it more obvious you are checking the mirror regularly.

Good luck.

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