Your driving test is not over till the DSA driving examiner says so!

If you are on test, you should remember that it is not over until you have driven back to the test centre, stopped the car, and the examiner says the words 'that's the end of the test'.

You should therefore keep at your best driving skills at all times till then, I've heard of so many people who have failed their tests either within sight of the driving test centre or in the actual car park.

While you might think that it is unfair to have driven well for 35 minutes and then be failed by the DSA examiner for a serious driving error committed in the last minute of the test, they have to abide by the rules and assess every aspect of the drive up until the very end.

So if you are on a driving test, you need to stay on your best behaviour till the examiner tells you the test is over.

Mistakes on the driving test

If you commit a driving test mistake while out on your assessment to get a full UK licence, not matter how serious you might think it was (hitting the kerb, not checking a mirror or forgetting to signal), you should not give up hope and therefore driving anyhow. The examiner might not have seen it as a serious error, so don't take your driving test cap off and resign to the fact that you have failed. I've had many learner drivers who said they thought they had failed their driving test because of an error only to be told they had passed, and that the mistake was just a minor!

So whatever the case maybe, the result of your driving test will be determined by everything you do up till the point in the test centre car park and the examiner tells you the assessment is over. Untill then you have every chance of passing the driving test if you give it your best shot!

If you are preparing for the DSA theory test, then you are probably looking for mock test questions to help you practice so you can pass the theory examination.

Before you start looking for mock theory test questions, it is important that you have actually studied all of the highway code and the relevant books to acquire the knowledge that will not only help you with the mock theory test, but also this information is what you will need for the practical driving test.

Many people use mock theory test question banks to prepare for the real theory test by trial and error, and memorising the answers as they go through the questions over and over again. While you will pass the mock theory test, and could even pass the DSA test, this is not a good way of preparing for the practical driving test.

As a driving instructor, I regularly see learner drivers who have passed the theory test including the hazard perception video clips, and yet they fail to recognise simple traffic signs, road markings or approach hazards without due caution.

Passing the driving test and obtaining a full UK licence is not a matter of play games of chance. Getting a licence is just the beginning of developing a life long skill, which is why those mock theory tests are there to test your preparedness and not to be used as a study tool to acquire the initial knowledge.

Mock Driving Theory Test Websites

There are quite a lot of websites out there with various mock theory tests, and a quick google search will reveal most of them. As I've mentioned earlier on, use online mock theory tests to check you've got the knowledge to pass the DSA examination, not to acquire it.

Driving Test Success Hazard Perception Test Software

Many people don't have a problem with the mock theory test questions, but where they really struggle is with the hazard perception video clips and the scoring window in which to click the mouse. I've given some detailed help on this in my hazard perception post, and I would recommend you use Focus Media Driving Test Success CD Rom to study for this portion. The Driving Test Success CD/Roms/DVDs has the highest pass rate for hazard perception candidates on the DSA theory test, and is the most popular product recommended to not only pass the HPT, but the whole theory test.

If you aren't looking for online driving mock theory test websites, then the Focus Media DVD is a good product that will help you pass the theory driving test.

dvla theory test booking

You can not book the theory test through the DVLA, as they don't administer this programme, all test booking is conducted by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) on behalf of the DVLA.
The current cost of the DSA theory test is £30.

Recently someone was stopped from taking the practical UK driving test because the private car presented had faulty tyres, and it made me think if most pupils are merely interested in passing the UK driving test and nothing more!

The person was given about 5 minutes by the driving examiner to change the tyre, but the pupil's mum who took the pupil for the driving test had a bad back and thus was unable to do it, and the pupil did not have a clue, so the driving test was cancelled!

When I took the driving test in 1991, things where very easy, you only had to take a practical driving test, with an oral test at the end to check your knowledge of the highway code, no theory, hazzard perception test or 'show and tell'!

The goverment has obviously found out that a lot of newly qualified drivers in those days did not have enough knowledge to cope in the real world hence these new requirements including 'show and tell'.

The DSA does not require a pupil to know how to change a tyre or fill a tank with petrol, hence a lot of approved driving instructors (me included), do not cover these topics unless a pupil specifically requests to be taught these things.

So here is my question do you think that you as a learner should be taught these things or have you got too much on your plate already? I know that in this country breakdown services are available so once you have passed your driving test, you don't really need the knowledge, as you can call someone to do it for you, but what happens if you are driving on an isolated road, it could take 30 - 60 minutes for help to arrive, and in that time you could be vulnerable. A tyre change would take 10 minutes!

You don't need an instructor to teach you how to change a tyre, or fill a car tank with petrol, a friend or family member could do that!

Some food for thought, and action required! Let me know what you as a learner feel, or even newly qualified drivers having passed the driving test if you feel you are now ready for the real world.

What the DSA Examiner is looking for

On the UK driving test, you will be doing a lot of moving off and stopping, so its important you know what the DSA examiner is looking for, anytime you don't do what is expected, you could get a driver error, and if that error is classified as serious or dangerous, then you have blown the driving test!



Here are some driving test tips that you should bear in mind when in the car with the DSA examiner during your licence assessment that should help achieve that desired result you want, a pass!

According to the DSA DL25 report form which you get with your driving test, here is what is expected:

Moving off during the Driving Test

'You need to move off smoothly and safely on level, sloping roads and at an angle taking the correct precautionary observations.'

This applies not just to moving off from the side of the road, but also everytime to stop in traffic, at signals, a junction or roundabout during the driving test.
The POM Routine
Get the car Prepared.
You need to do is take effective Observations, and depending on the situation you will be doing either an all round vehicle check (6 point) for moving off from the side of the road or 4 point (all mirrors and road ahead) for moving off when in traffic.
Then Move Off. When you move off during the driving test, you need to make sure you do so smoothly and under control, and that your car does not affect the safety of other road users (Pedestrians, Cylclists, Motorcycles and other cars).
If you stall the car during the test, don't panic, first secure the car by puting the handbrake on, then you can either put the clutch down and restart the engine (if you stalled in first gear while going forward or reverse gear while going backwards) or put the car in neutral and restart the engine, and then continue from there. You will get a driving error for stalling on the test, but as long as you don't lose control of the car by allowing it to roll forwards or backwards you won't fail the driving test for stalling.

When moving off during the driving test, make sure you only use your indicators where necessary and using them would benefit other road users. Your indicators should not confuse.

Stopping your car during the driving test

You will either be stopping the car on the left or in the road during the driving test.

For stopping on the left, the DSA driving report form DL25 advises 'Choose a safe, convenient and legal place to stop, close to the edge of the road where you will not obstruct the road or create a hazard. You should know how and where to stop without causing a danger to other road users.'

Mirrors, Signal, Manoeuvre (MSM)
You should always use the MSM routine before stopping the car, whether it is on the side of the road, in traffic, at junctions as the DSA driving examiner want to see you stopping safely, and not being aware of what is around you when you are about to stop is not safe.

S.C.A.L.P.
I've explained SCALP in a previous article, and you must use this driving routine on your test to choose a location to stop the car on the left. Don't fail your driving test for stopping too close to a junction, blocking someone's driveway unless the examiner specifically instructs to stop there.

As you can see there is quite a lot of things to be assessed on just for moving off and stopping, which is why you need to develop a habit of driving at the DSA standard every single time you have a lesson or are out practicing you skills with someone else supervising you.



The best way of ensuring you pass is to be prepared properly as failing to use POM is a good example of where taking the driving test in an automatic car will not help if you don't have the right skills.

More Driving test tips

How many driving lessons will I need to pass the driving test?

Bad Lesson before Test Day

A mock driving test is a good way of finding out how prepared a learner driver is for the real DSA test, so it is quite common for your driving instructor to conduct a mock test in the days running up to your appointment at the driving test centre.

A mock driving test can reveal a lot to the learner driver even if it is conducted by your own ADI, as just having your instructor next to you only giving directions and not answering those little queries or prompting you about developing situations on the road can bring home the fact that you are not quite as independent with your driving skills as you thought you were during normal driving lessons, and therefore you can not be able to tick the number 5 box on your DSA drivers record.

If you have a mock driving test with a different approved driving instructor, this could help the candidate get used to being a driver in a car with a different or strange person assessing your skills as will be the case on the day of your DSA driving test, so you have a chance of dealing with the nerves in an examination environment.

Bad Mock Driving Test

As with the real driving test, anything could happen during your mock assessment, and as a driver that claims to be at the required DSA standard, you should be able to deal with the situation safely, and under control, this is why it is important that you have had plenty and enough practice in varied conditions allowing you to have the experience and knowledge to pass the driving test.
The good thing about having a bad mock test is that it highlights any weaknesses you might have, a learning experience that you can use during the DSA driving test and the knowledge that it was not the real thing.

If necessary and there is time, you can reschedule your driving test (not usually very popular here in london with test centre waiting times between 6-8 weeks), take additional tuition to iron out any outstanding issues or just take more time to practice those multi-lane roundabouts that you had problems with on the mock test.

If you haven't scheduled a mock driving test with your instructor or a different ADI, why not get one before you appointment with the DSA driving examiner, it could help you with that all important pass on your test!

More reading
Driving test nerves video

Driving Test Tip 1

I see this all the time with driving test candidates, I'm not sure if it is test nerves or learner drivers just want to get the whole affair over and done with, but a lot of pupils just seem to be in a rush in the days running up to the driving test, and on the day.

If you've got a driving test, it is important that you train yourself to be calm so that you are able to focus on the skills you need to demonstrate to the DSA examiner during your driving assessment. It only takes a split second to fail the driving test, how many times have you heard 'if only I had waiting a second longer or I thought I had a safe gap', if in doubt, you should ask yourself is it safe?

Driving Test Manoeuvres

This is where quite a few driving test candidates fail, and it is not because they can't do the manoeuvre, but they don't take effective observations and miss a potential danger. It is not just enough to go through the motions of turning the head and looking in the direction that you are expected to, you need to make sure your eyes are observing and allowing your head to register what you have seen. Many on a driving test have looked but failed to see a car, pedestian or other obstacle that is a hazard while doing the manoeuvre.

I know many of you might be saying it is easy for you as a driving instructor to say these things, but the truth is if you train yourself and practice what you've been taught, then you would develop the right habits required to pass the driving test. Always take effective observations during manoeuvres, if you have to stop for any reason, check all round before you move off again, if there is any possibility of the car rolling in the opposite direction of which you are travelling, use the handbrake to secure the car, find the biting point and then do your observations before moving off again.

Junctions on the driving test

Approach them at the right speed, selecting the right gear to match, if in doubt that it is safe to proceed, wait but always be attentive looking for the gap and be ready to go (this is where lots of practice comes in and gives you experience). If approaching a closed junction, then stop at the give way, check before proceeding, don't just copy the car in front that just went without looking, remember you are the one on the driving test, not them!

Practice your roundabouts over and over again, knowing how to spot gaps, which lanes to use, when to indicate coming off, and the appropriate speed required. The DSA driving test is not a walk in the park, but if you put in the right amount of work combined with the correct training, then you stand a very good chance of passing. The examiners are not expecting a perfect drive, just a high standard and safe one.

Take your time without hesistating, view your driving test as an opportunity to demonstrate to the examiner that you are ready to drive on the roads without supervision.

ADI Criminal Checks

One of the Driving Standards Agency requirements to be an instructor is that the person must be 'fit and proper' in order for their name to be entered into the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI).

Prior to 12 March 2007 anyone applying to become a driving instructor and start ADI training never had a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check done on them, relying on the applicant to disclose any convitions on their application forms. These CRB checks are now compulsary to ensure that all potential driving instructors (PDI) and existing ADIs meet the 'fit and proper' criterion.

As an existing driving instructor, I recently had my CRB check done, and the DSA are pleased to inform me that I meet the requirements, and therefore my name can remain on the register for approved driving instructors. All I have to do now is pass my next ADI check tests.

Is your driving instructor fit and proper?

I made a post not too long ago about illegal driving instructors, mentioning that you should check that your teacher is currently registered as an ADI with the DSA, and that their green or pink ADI number badge has their photo on it, and the expiry date has not lapsed. This is more important if you are one of those who chose your instructor because they where offering cheap driving lessons and they were the lowest priced tutor in your area. You want to make sure that your driving instructor does not have any criminal convictions which the DSA consider to be improper for an ADI especially since you would be spending time alone with a total stranger in a car for extentended periods of time, and the fact they have a car with a roof sign, dual controls does not make them legal.

The DSA are doing everything they can to ensure driving instructors are legal, and the best you learner drivers can do is to make sure you only take driving lessons with DSA ADIs who have been CRB checked, and this is easy to know, check their registration badge which they legally have to display on their windscreen/dashboard when giving you paid tuition otherwise you don't have to pay them for the driving lesson.

More Reading
Affordable ADI Training
Avoid Red driving school instructor training scheme.
Bad driving lessons.
ADI number and online test booking.

Practice Driving Examination

A practice driving test is a good way of finding out if you are ready for your driving examination and that you have fully prepared yourself and mastered the DSA car control skills and attained the required standard.

If possible, you should arrange to have your practice driving test with someone other than your normal driving instructor, not only will this ensure your practice driving assessment is fairly unbiased, but it also gets you in the mood of driving with someone unfamiliar next to you as will happen on the day of your real driving test.

In some cases, it is not always possible to have the driving test practice with a different driving school, but even then your normal instructor can still go into a different character and thus simulate the driving test situation, you will also find out that with your instructor only giving driving directions it will soon become apparent if you are truly an independent driver, or you rely too much on your supervising driver!

If you are preparing for the UK practice driving test, you might be interested in Focus Media's Driving Test simulator for the PC.

The Practice Driving Test route

You don't necessarily have to use the actual test routes for your practice driving examination, but your tutor should make sure that whatever roads you go on, that they are as varied as possible, with both low and heavy traffic conditions, wide and narrow roads, roundabouts and high speed carriageways to give you as much exposure as possible to what you might get on the proper driving permit/licence examination.
It is no use trying to avoid traffic during your practice driving test if you might get the same conditions during your dsa test, nor should you skip any of the set parking exercises just because it is not a favorite o yours.

Finally don't get upset or discouraged if you don't 'pass' your practice driving test, it is not the real deal after all, but more importantly, it should open you eyes up to areas that you need to work on to further improve your chances of getting that driving licence on your first or next attempt. A practice driving test is good for you.