The, “Secret” Driving Test Manoeuvres.

Many trainee drivers come to us to help them with their driving test, “manoeuvres.”

Of course, we are more than happy to help and it’s great to see our students grow in confidence after a bit of practice.

What is a manoeuvre?

The DVSA (Driving Standards Agency) classes a manoeuvre as, “any change of speed or direction.”

Going by this definition, keeping count of manoeuvres on the driving test could prove challenging!

The main driving test manoeuvers with which people are generally familiar with are:

-Reverse bay /parallel park.

-Reverse on the right.

-Front bay park.

Did you know however that there are, “hidden” driving test manoeuvres that people should be just as aware of if not more!?

Moving of safety with control.

Did you know that moving off safely and in control accounts for more driving test fails than the parallel park exercise? During the driving test, candidates are required to move off several times from the side of the road. It’s definitely worthwhile making sure your moving off routine is well rehearsed with a qualified instructor. A common fault might be to to miss a, “blind spot check” before starting.

Turning right.

Any number of errors could arise during a right turn if not carried out correctly. A typical mistake might be to misjudge oncoming traffic, forcing it to slow down. This would be classed as a serious or dangerous fault on a driving test. Again, Turning right accounts for more driving test fails than any single, “main” manoeuvre.

Pulling over on the left.

Just as driving test candidates are required to demonstrate competent moving off skills, drivers are required to pull over safely several times throughout the driving test. Driving test candidates are required to select an appropriate location at which to pull over. A sound knowledge of safe places to stop would help any driving test candidate’s

chances.

Roundabouts.

Roundabouts could definitely be classed as a manoeuvre. Think how many roundabouts you’ll do on a driving test compared to one of the main Manoeuvres!

Common mistakes are usually observational based on my experience. A classic mistake is to “stare” at the exit on the right. This is understandable as priority traffic comes from this type of area, (the right.) Less experienced drivers usually need help with interpreting what is actually happening at the roundabout, and how to make sense of it.

A few helpful hints and plenty of practice usually works in helping the learner driver’s decision making skills.

To Summarise.

Here hopefully I have presented you with food for thought in relation to how you prepare for a driving test.

Thorough and systematic preparation are vital to give you the best chance possible of passing the driving test first time.

So, If you are preparing for a driving test, remember the, “secret” manoeuvres as well as the ones everybody knows about.