How to check if your driving instructor is Approved or NOT...

Your instructor must be Approved or Licenced ...

Approved Driving Instructors (ADI's) have passed a tough examination in order to demonstrate their skills. They are also checked and graded regularly. 

Fully qualified instructors display a green badge in the windscreen. 

Grading can be A or B - both are acceptable but A is a higher standard. Some instructors get a C grade, this means that they were unsatisfactory on their last check and are awaiting a re-assessment - these instructors are under review and risk having their tuition licences revoked. 

Instructors are issued with a certificate which shows their grade, they should be happy to show this if asked.

Licenced instructors are in the final stages of training and qualification. These instructors have undergone a minimum required training programme and but have not yet passed the final qualifying examination. 

Licenced instructors display a pink badge in the windscreen. 

While Licenced Instructors are expert drivers and have learned the basic teaching skills, they have less than six months experience in the job. Although Licenced Instructors lack experience, they are invariably enthusiastic and have been trained to the latest standards.

Your instructor's photograph will be displayed on the rear of the pink or green badges (just like on passport photos, they might look like convicts!).

Some instructors will have further qualifications such as special advanced driving certificates, teaching diplomas and even industry related degrees. Generally speaking, better qualified and experienced instructors will offer better value (although the might charge a bit more), however, take note of the warning advice below. 

Legal Stuff

It is illegal for anyone who is not an Approved or Licenced driving instructor to charge a fee for driving tuition.
In addition, the instructor must, by law, display his/her certificate in the windscreen during lessons.

B & Q roundabouts in Bletchley

Fear of driving test in Milton keynes

Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Fear of driving test in Milton Keynes

Dealing with a fear of driving test is the last thing you want

Cognitive Hypnotherapy for Fear of driving test in Milton Keynes

Dealing with driving test nerves is the last thing you want on your big day. There are a number of different ways to allay your fear of driving test. One of which is called Neuro linguistic Programming (NLP). During the appointment you will learn how to create a new, healthier reality for yourself that does not include a fear of driving test. Neuro linguistic Programming may minimize, if not completely eliminate a fear of driving test. Another very effective treatment is cognitive hypnotherapy. This may allow you to re-programme your subconscious mind, where your irrational fears reside. You learn to relax and replace that fear of driving test with healthy, positive thoughts, and you will find that your fear of driving test is greatly relieved, and maybe even completely gone. You’re nervous enough about passing the driving test; but being prepared is the number one thing you can do to calm your nerves. Remember though you aren’t going to feel 100% relaxed. After all, you’re driving a big machine and you need to be alert. But there are a few things you can do to feel a little calmer and alleviate your fear of driving test.

Besides practicing, one of the best ways to calm your fear of driving test nerves is to visualise you taking the test and being successful. Your mind is a very powerful thing, and if you can see yourself doing well, your mind will believe that you have already taken your test and passed. So you’ll go into your test feeling confidant, sure of success, and prepared both mentally and physically. Whereas a fear of driving test is likely to lead to negative thoughts.

Being Calm and Relaxed is likely to alleviate your fear of driving test

Driving instructors agree that the most important thing you can do to be ready to pass your test is to be relaxed and confident.

If you want to be relaxed and confident on the day and overcome your fear of driving test call 01908 265410 to arrange an appointment or just for more information.

http://www.hypnosispractice.co.uk/fear-of-driving-test/

Driving test passes part 1: 2014

I passed the driving test first!

www.travis-drive.co.uk

Driving lessons in Milton Keynes and Buckingham

6 driving test passes on the run from James and his pupils at Travis School of Motoring.  High quality lessons at great prices. www.travis-drive.co.uk
If you are looking for driving lessons in the Milton keynes area then you are at the right place.

B & Q roundabouts in Milton Keynes

Don't understand this roundabout in Bletchley and need help.

Manual driving lessons www.travis-drive.co.uk
Automatic driving lessons http://www.stevesdriving.co.uk

What is telematics?

Speed limits

The speed limit is the absolute maximum and does not mean it is safe to drive at that speed irrespective of conditions. Driving at speeds too fast for the road and traffic conditions is dangerous. You should always reduce your speed when

• the road layout or condition presents hazards, such as bends

• sharing the road with pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, particularly children, and motorcyclists

• weather conditions make it safer to do so

• driving at night as it is more difficult to see other road users.

Driving lessons in Milton Keynes

Driving test nerves. How to control them.

Driving test nerves

20 July 2014 at 11:27

Exams are nerve-wracking at the best of times, and driving tests can feel particularly harrowing.

After all, with written exams if you get something wrong you can always go back and cross it out, whereas if you reverse into a bollard on your practical test then your fate is sealed.Knowing that someone is watching and judging your every move can be pretty bizarre as well.

It would be enough to make most people feel self-conscious if they were just carrying out an everyday task such as opening their post, let alone demonstrating a complex skill like driving.So if you've got your test coming up and you're feeling anxious about it, then remember you're not alone.

Most people suffer from nerves to some extent and they can in fact be beneficial by raising your adrenaline levels and making you more alert. The challenge is keeping them under control. And getting it right first time is more expensive: the practical test now costs £62 and the theory is now £31. Here are the top 10 tips for overcoming your driving test nerves and passing your practical test.

Top 10 tips for passing your driving test
1: confidence
Remind yourself that instructor wouldn't be putting you in for your test if he or she didn't think you were good enough. During your lessons you're already driving at a standard where they consider you're safe and responsible enough to be on your own. Now all you've got to do is to show the examiner what you're capable of and that driving licence is all yours!
2: visualise
Tap into the power of visualisation and positive thinking - sports stars use it regularly to help them attain their peak performance. Spend time imagining yourself successfully carrying out difficult manoeuvres and dealing confidently with heavy traffic. This will reinforce the message to your subconscious mind that you can do these things and lessen the likelihood of you falling apart on your test.
3: support
Get support. Talking through any anxieties with friends, family and your instructor will help you feel more positive, and many of them will be able to give you useful advice and encouragement. Herbal remedies for nerves such as Kalms can be helpful - but you do have to start taking them a couple of weeks in advance to reap the full benefits.
4: breathe
Breathing exercises can be very useful - practicing them doesn't have to involve sitting cross-legged in a room surrounded by burning incense. Just focusing on your in and out breaths will have a soothing effect - you might like to try counting the breaths, or focusing on a mantra such as 'I feel calm'.
5: flower power
Many ex-learners put their success down to Bach Rescue Remedy. This is a new-age concoction of 'flower essences' developed by Dr Edward Bach, a Harley Street doctor and homeopath. It's available from most health food shops and has a reputation for being very effective in stressful situations.
6: eat a banana
Shortly before your test, eat a banana. It's well-known among instructors as the driving test superfood, for the following reasons - bananas are full of B vitamins, which help calm the nerves. They contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into seratonin, the 'happy hormone' - which will keep your mood upbeat. And they're also high in potassium. When we are stressed our metabolic rate rises and potassium levels decrease. Eating a high-potassium snack like a banana will help rebalance the levels of this important mineral, normalise your heartbeat and send extra oxygen to the brain.
7: distract yourself
Sitting in the waiting room before your test is often the situation where people feel the most anxious. It's a good idea to bring a book or magazine to distract yourself. If you've been practicing breathing exercises, this is an excellent time to get them going. And remind yourself that this is the worst bit - once you're actually on your test you'll be so busy concentrating on the road that your nerves will ease off.
8: pretend to be a taxi
If the thought of being tested freaks you out, stop thinking of it as a test - instead imagine that you're taking someone home and as you don't know where they live they have to give you directions. If you've failed your test through nerves several times, then the answer is to ask your instructor to get your driving above the standard required by the test. That way you can underperform due to anxiety on the day, but still be of a high enough standard to get that vital pass.
Maria McCarthy is the author

Travis School of Motoring - Secrets to pass your test

Travis School of Motoring - Secrets to pass your test

Magic Mini roundabouts

The magic mini roundabout

Start Your Free 2014 Mock Theory Test Now:

http://toptests.co.uk

Good luck and safe driving

James@Travis School of Motoring

www.travis-drive.co.uk

Tips for driving test nerves

Hints and Tips from other learner drivers to help banish those driving test nerves
Here are some hints and tips from other learner drivers about how they overcame driving test nerves:

Think of all the good times that you’re going to have when you pass your test.
Imagine that you’re a taxi driver and you’re taking someone home and have to follow their directions.
Chill out with friends before your test to help relax.
Chewing on chewing gum.
Bach’s rescue remedy.
Have a positive attitude – “I will try my best but if I fail then at least I’ve tried”
Don’t have a big meal before your test – it will make you feel sluggish and tired.
Hypnotherapy.
Ask your instructor to sit in on your test – a familiar face in the car can make you feel more at ease.
Nelson’s Back Rescue Remedy.
Don’t tell everybody when your test is!
Eat a bowl of porridge before your test.
Beta Blockers.
Listen to music before your test.
If you’ve found a great way to overcome driving test nerves, why not let us know.
www.travis-drive.co.uk

Driving test strike

Driving test candidates with tests on Thursday 10 July should still come for their test despite the threat of strike action by examiners.

Driving examiners who are members of the Public and Commercial Service union are planning to take strike action on Thursday 10 July 2014.

We're doing everything we can to make sure that tests go ahead as planned and urge all candidates to come for their test as usual.

Driving examiner strike on Thursday 10 July: candidates urged to attend tests

www.gov.uk

Candidates with tests on Thursday 10 July should still come for their test despite the threat of strike action by examiners.

How to pass the theory test

Tips to pass the theory test.
1. Don't be afraid to ask for advise and help. I am happy to help. 
2. Read the DVSA theory test book.
3. Use my FREE on line mock theory test for all my pupils. Ask for yours.
4. Use my FREE theory website links on my links page of my website. Follow my linkwww.travis-drive.co.uk
5. Practice, practice and more practice. 
6. Use your mobile and download an app.
7. 43 is the minimum to pass so aim to get 50 correct.
8. Don't underestimate the hazard perception on the part 2.
9. If you don't understand the format of the test, ASK ME.
10.Always do some last minute cramming.

Good luck

The theory test

The Theory Test

You must pass your theory test before you can apply for your practical driving test date. The official theory test consists of two parts. The first part is a computer based multiple choice question format of 50 questions. 43 or more of those questions must be answered correctly in order to pass this section. Please click on the driving and theory test link on the left of this page.

Following the question section comes the HPT or Hazard Perception Test. A series of video clips are shown on the computer monitor, these are scenes of actual driving, shot from within a moving vehicle. You will be required to correctly identify a number of moving or developing hazards, within a given time scale.

www.travis-drive.co.uk

Pass your driving test first time.

PASS THE DRIVING TEST FIRST TIME

Top tips for passing your Driving Test - At the First Attempt.

To pass your driving test you need to drive without making any serious or dangerous faults and no more than 15 minor faults during a drive of about 40 minutes. You must also complete several manoeuvres.
Do Your Homework
1. Pin up a map of your test centre area and mark out the test routes. Mark difficult areas on it such as one-way streets, difficult junctions, double mini roundabouts, so that you are ready for them on approach, rather than having to deal with them as if they have come out of nowhere. Make sure you get plenty of practice over the test routes with a professional driving school such as Travis School of Motoring.www.travis-drive.co.uk from Milton Keynes.

2. Practise manoeuvres until you can carry them out without any minor faults. That will leave you with a margin of 15 faults for the rest of the drive on the day of your test.
3. Practise, practise, and practise until you can drive without verbal or physical intervention from me (your instructor) for the duration of a full driving lesson or a mock driving test. Don't forget: it's not practice that makes perfect: it's practice – with a professional driving instructor – that makes perfect.
Test Day
i) Warm up: Arrange to have an hour's driving lesson around the area of the test centre on the day of your test. This will help you to warm up and get into the swing of things. You will also be aware of any new roadworks, obstructions etc and will feel more able to deal with them more easily. Forewarned is foreamed.
ii) Nerves: If you start feeling shaky bag of nerves, breathe in, hold your breath, count up to 20 and out breathe out. Repeat this exercise until you gain control of your nerves. Once the test starts, you'll settle into your driving and your attention will be on the road rather than on your own feelings, and your nervousness should disappear.
iii) Think confident: Talk yourself – silently! – through the test. Talk about hazards coming up and how you are going to deal with them. This really focuses your mind on how you should be driving in order to pass the test.
iv) Don't be afraid to ask: If you don't understand what the examiner has asked you to do, don't be afraid to ask him or her to repeat the instruction.
v) Think positive: Before you start a manoeuvre, repeat to yourself three times – silently – "this is a piece of cake". Think positively at all times. You can do it!
vi) Making a mistake: If you feel you're messing up a manoeuvre, just pull forwards and do it again correctly. As long as you haven't done anything wrong, such as touching the kerb or failing to make effective observations, you can still pass.
vii) Stalling: if, unfortunately, you stall, deal with it and move on. As long as you don't stall in a dangerous situation, such as on a roundabout and as long as you handle it properly, this needn't count as a major fault and you can still pass your test.
viii) Have I already failed? If you feel you've made a mistake, don't instantly assume you've failed – it may only have been a minor fault. Put it behind you and carry on driving as well as you can.
ix) Keep your eyes on the road: Resist the temptation to look at the examiner and what he or she is writing. You will not be able to deduce anything anyway. Keep your attention on your driving and the road ahead!
Good Luck.

Your driving test day tips

The day of your driving test.
Here are some tips to help you cope with the big day.

1. Get to bed early the night before, so you are not tired on your test.
2. Do eat and drink on the day of your test. Even if you feel like not.
3. Have a one hour lesson before your test to help prepare.
4. Don't think of it as a driving test. Think like it is another lesson and you are wanting to drive to your best standard.
5. If you make a mistake on the driving test. Don't worry about that, you cannot change what has happened. What is more important is that you just drive and do your best.
6. Don't forget to bring your driving shoes to your test. Now is not the time to show off your new shoes.
7. If you start to panic, don't worry. A lot of learners do. Try and take deep breaths and slow it down.
8. Don't be afraid to ask the examiner to repeat what they said. Sometimes the road noise outside makes it difficult to hear.
9. Finally, your driving instructor believes you can pass, otherwise they would not of let you take the test. 
www.travis-drive.co.uk
Good luck and safe driving.

How many hours to pass the driving test?

How many hours to pass the driving test?

How long will it take me to learn?

Research has shown that, on average, people who take about 45 hours of professional instruction
combined with about 22 hours of extra private practice, stand the best chance of passing the test.
Some people need more lessons and practice than others.
(Source "Driving for Life", DVSA)www.travis-drive.co.uk

Driving in summer.

Summer driving.
Driving when it is hot and sunny with the CD player on and the window down is a great feeling. But consider a couple of common sense things:
1. Bring your sunglasses so you can see ahead and not get eye strain.
2. Bottle of cold water in the car.
3. Be prepared for more traffic on the roads. Everyone has the same idea as you to drive when it is sunny.
4. If you are going on a long drive, will your car cope with the extra strain.
5. When was the last time you done a routine check of your car. Oil, tyres, engine coolant etc.
6. Take a picnic and take a break and enjoy the sun.
www.travis-drive.co.uk
Safe driving

I passed the driving test.

Great driving from Frank in Milton Keynes resulted in a driving test pass.  Safe and happy driving.

Pass the driving test.

How to pass the driving test at the second attempt.

How to pass the driving test second time.

Having failed your driving test you will be upset or annoyed at:

1 Annoyed at yourself for not driving to your normal standard of driving.
2 Upset that something happened on your driving test that caught you off guard.
3 That you were not fully prepared for the driving test.

The 3 above points covers a lot. So lets deal with one at a time.

1 Annoyed at yourself for not driving to your normal standard of driving.
Two things here.
A. Is your driving to the test standard ( if we assume you are having driving lessons with a qualified instructor), then nerves has proberley affected you on the driving test. Ask your driving instructor to give you some mock driving tests. This will help you to cope with the pressure and the routine of the driving test.
B. You think you are at test standard( but your family member has been teaching you). Then the answer here is that you will proberley need a driving instructor to assess your driving to give you some pointers on what to improve.

2 Upset that something happened on your driving test that caught you off guard.
If you failed the driving test for one mistake and that was caused by something happening out of the ordinary. Then ask yourself if the same thing happened how would you deal with it. The answer is proberley observations and anticipation on approach. Work on these areas. If you are not sure how to improve these then if you live in the Buckingham/Milton Keynes area then contact me to arrange a lesson. If you live outside of this area then contact a local driving instructor.
 Telephone 07747742842

3 That you were not fully prepared for your driving test.
If you are looking at your driving test report form(green Form) and it reads something like 30 minors and 4 serious 3 dangerous etc. If we assume nerves has not played a major part then you were proberley not ready at that time for your driving test. You will need to work on the faults that have cropped up on your driving test with either your driving instructor or your family member. there is no point going straight back in for your test if you haven't address the faults or they will cause you to fail again.

If you feel you need some more answers then just ask me a question, I am happy to help.

How to drive on Motorways

How to drive on Motorways

Driving On Motorways

Firstly ask your instructor to take you on the motorway.  After all they know what your driving is like and you understand the way that they coached you to drive.

If asking your driving instructor is not possible then below are a few pointers to help.

Read the rules of the Motorway.

Many new drivers worry about their first time alone on a motorway.

Motorways are safer, than normal roads, but they are also faster. Sometimes things do happen quicker, and you have to concentrate all the time.

When you are on the main carriageway of the motorway, remain in the first lane until you get used to the speed. If you need to overtake you must return to the first lane as soon as possible but only if its safe to do so! Many motorists try to stay in the overtaking lanes for normal driving. This is bad practice and causes inconvenience and tailbacks and annoys other users.

There are two types of motorway, rural and urban. You need to think of them as quiet and busy. Quiet motorways are boring, so you need to concentrate on the road and traffic conditions way ahead. Busy motorways need your attention all around you rather than just focused ahead.

Motorways are like dual carriageways only safer. They are safer because every motorway user is travelling in the same direction and at similar speeds. Another reason why motorways are safer is due to the fact that traffic is restricted to those who can make best use of it i.e. no pedestrians, cyclists, moped, no L drivers (except HGV), agricultural vehicles, and animals. Motorways are also safer because there are no sharp bends, no oncoming traffic, no right turn, and no roundabouts. The lanes are always wide, and well marked, and are usually straight for long distances.

Remember you are not allowed to reverse, cross the central reservation, or to drive in the wrong direction on motorways.

On urban (busy) motorways each lane of traffic has an electronic signal system which applies to traffic in each lane. Care needs to be taken to make sure you know the various signals and what they mean. Motorway signs are being used with increasing frequency to warn you of hold ups or accidents ahead.

When joining a motorway you usually join from a roundabout or a main road by means of a slip road. This leads to an acceleration lane. The rule here is not to interfere with the traffic already on the motorway. Make sure your speed is the same as the traffic already on the motorway. Vehicles already on the motorway usually realise you need to join the main carriageway and they try and move over to the other lane. (This is not always possible if the traffic is busy). This makes room for you to join the first lane of the motorway. Mirrors and signals must be used correctly to avoid interfering with the following traffic. Full and proper observation as you enter usually involves looking over your right shoulder as well as using your door mirrors. Don't rely on mirrors alone.

To get off the motorway the normal procedure is to look for the first advance warning sign (1 mile from the exit). This sign gives the exit number and the road number.

At half a mile from the exit a second sign identifies the towns for the exit.
Then at 300 yards from the deceleration lane there is a three line countdown marker, (at this point you should begin to signal left to say you are turning off - but don't slow down yet), followed by the 200 yd and 100 yd marker signs. Only when you have crossed into the deceleration lane should you begin to slow down.

Once you get back on to ordinary roads again, you need to watch your speed until you are acclimatised to the new lower speeds on the road. Don't forget too, that these roads are likely to have roundabouts, oncoming traffic, and sharp bends on them.

Breaking Down on the Motorway

When to Use the Motorway Hard Shoulder

Hopefully if your vehicle is well maintained and fuelled up, you should be in no danger of breaking down on the motorway, but we all know that even a car which is only a few hours old can still break down.

If you do break down then the hard shoulder is there to help you. When you are stopping on the hard shoulder (remember, only use the hard shoulder in an emergency), try to stop at one of the emergency telephones. This will save you time if you have to walk to the phone. Switch on your hazard lights and try to stop as near to the left as possible. If you have passengers get them out of the car, off the hard shoulder, and as far away from danger as possible. Do this before you go to use the phone. The phone is always within half a mile from any spot on the motorway.

Look at the arrows on the nearest post.  These will tell you the direction to walk to the nearest phone. The phones are free to use, and connect you straight to the police who control that stretch of motorway. When you return to your vehicle to wait for help, do not get back into the car, but stay on the embankment, or as far away from the traffic as possible. If you have a mobile phone it's O.K. to use this initially, but the police do prefer you to use the roadside phones to confirm your exact location.

Remember that motorways are safe, but they are fast, you need to concentrate because things happen quicker than a normal road.

Lane Discipline

Lane discipline on Motorways When driving along motorways always remain in the left lane unless you are travelling faster than traffic ahead of you and it is safe to move over to the right lanes. If you use these lanes you must return to the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

It is bad practice to try and stay in the overtaking lanes for normal driving. This annoys other users because they can see that you are avoiding the empty lanes on the left, or never using your mirrors to see the tailbacks that you are causing. Remember the two-second rule. Four seconds will give you time to react easily and you will be more relaxed.

FREE theory test app

Get rid of that road tax disc!

From 1 October 2014, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle windscreen.

To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you will still need to get vehicle tax and DVLA will still send you a renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire.

Find out more at www.gov.uk/government/news/vehicle-tax-changes

The car log book.

Motorists who still have the old V5C blue vehicle registration certificate (logbook) are being encouraged by DVLA to swap it for a new red V5C for free.

DVLA encourages motorists to get a red vehicle registration certificate

www.gov.uk

Motorists who still have the old V5C blue vehicle registration certificate (logbook) are encouraged to swap it for a new red V5C for free.

How to book your driving test

Not sure what to do and where to go when booking your driving.

The official website to book your driving test is www.gov.uk/bookdrivingtest.

Other websites might charge extra fees.

You can find out how to report misleading websites at www.gov.uk/report-suspicious-emails-websites-phishing

Theory test prices 2014

In case you missed it earlier today, it's been confirmed that the cost of car and motorcycle theory tests will drop from £31 to £25 in October 2014, and then to £23 in October 2015.

Theory test fees for other categories of vehicle will als... See More

Driving test pass rate 2014

The Department for Transport has published driving test and instructor statistics for April 2013 to March 2014.

They show that there have been increases in test volumes predominantly for car and vocational tests. This is the first year since the financial year ending 2008, when the total number of tests conducted has increased from the previous year.

Find out more by following the link below.

Driver and rider tests and instructor statistics: 2013 to 2014

www.gov.uk

Driving and riding tests and instructors statistics during January to March 2014, and for the financial year ending 2014.

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10 reason to fail your driving test.

www.travis-drive.co.uk   

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Call James on   07747742842

Ten reasons for failing your driving test

1. Not acting correctly at road junctions 
Its essential that you use the Mirrors, Signal, Position, Speed and gears routine when you approach any kind of junction. Did you check that the new road was safe to drive into? That's essential when your turning either left or right. Was your speed on approach too high? If that was the case, then you might not have been able to stop if needed.

2. Reversing around a corner
Most learners fail on this with either their control of the car or lack of observation. When reversing around a corner, it’s important to keep the car moving as slow as possible. You then have time to decide when to steer at the correct time. It’s also important that you keep looking around for any other road users in the vicinity, and act appropriately.

3. Steering faults
Losing control of the steering, either in normal driving or during a manoeuvre. This can be because you have allowed the steering wheel to 'spin through your hands'

4. Reverse parking faults
Reverse parking can be one of the hardest of the manoeuvre's to do successfully. Like all of the other exercises, it needs very careful use of the controls to keep the car moving very slowly, so you have time to decide when to steer at the right time. You should also be aware of other road users and act appropriately if you see anyone else, while you're completing the task.

5. Making proper use of the gears
Its essential to use the correct gear for the speed and road conditions. For example, if your approaching or driving through a lot of hazards, then its important to drive in a low gear whereas, if there are few hazards, the examiner will be expecting you to be in the highest gear available. A common error is to stay in a low gear (and this will include third gear) needlessly.

Another area where people fail on gears, is forgetting to select 1st gear before moving off. It results in the car stalling. This could cause inconvenience to others, or have dangerous consequences.

6. Not using the mirrors correctly
Why do you need to check your mirrors? Its essential to know if there are other road user’s  following behind you before you start any manoeuvre. Roughly speaking, you should check them between 25 and 50% of your driving time glancing in the mirrors. If you spend any more time, you are not paying enough attention to the road.

An 'old wives' tale' says that you have to move your head when you make the checks. The examiner is trained to check your mirrors without you having to emphasize that your checking them,

7. Avoiding hesitation and driving too slowly Don't expect to pass if you stop somewhere unnecessarily. For example giving way to traffic where it’s safe to continue without stopping.

The examiner will be expecting you to keep up with the flow of other road users within the legal limit, providing the road conditions allow you to. Driving too slowly when its safe to drive at the legal limit, will cause inconvenience to others.

8. Acting correctly when turning right
As with anything that isn't driving in a straight line, remember your mirrors. Look at them before you do anything. Then indicate and move to the right of the lane you are in Wait for an appropriate gap in the oncoming traffic – you know how long it takes for you to turn right, the aim is not to hold other people up unnecessarily. If someone flashes you out, decide if it’s safe then move out.

9. Hesitation at junctions
Your driving examiner will be expecting you to be able to judge gaps and the speed and distance correctly when either pulling out, or turning right. You should not pull out, or turn if you cause the approaching traffic to slow down or make them swerve.

10. Moving away from stationary positions The most common reasons for failing on this, are; moving off in the wrong gear; forgetting to turn the indicator off if you've used it; rolling back if you're moving off on a hill; or not looking around to make sure its safe go.