Preparing for your driving theory test : Tips and hints

We recommend you to study following -

The Highway Code -

The Highway Code is essential reading for everyone. Its rules apply to all road users: drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians as well as horse riders. It contains most up to date advice on road safety and the laws, which apply to all road users.

Traffic signs -It is important to know road signs and markings that you are most likely to encounter.

Driving theory test questions -

Is a set of latest questions published by DSA from which the exam questions are taken. DSA may change questions time to time it is important that you study the books where latest questions are published.

Preparing for hazard perception test -

It is best to practice hazard perception skills on the computer if you have access to one. There are many websites and PC-CD ROMs in the market, using which you can practice your hazard perceptions skills.

About car practical test :

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) is now able to offer tests outside the normal test times at a number of test centres. This provides customers a wider range of appointments over an extended working day.

Driving practical test are generally available at all permanent test centres. Saturday and weekday evening tests, subject to resources being available, are offered at a premium rate. Non premium rate tests are available at various times between 7.30 am and 3.27 pm Monday to Friday.

The driving part of your test lasts about 40 minutes. Throughout the test, your examiner will be looking for overall safe standards of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

About motorcycle practical test:

Minimum test vehicle requirements:

Any vehicle presented for use in a driving test must meet minimum test vehicle standards. These standards are part of European Community legislation on driver licensing. Great Britain as a member of the European Union is obliged to comply with these requirements. Below are the minimum test vehicle requirements for mopeds and motorcycles.

Minimum test vehicle requirements for mopeds:

A moped must have an engine capacity not exceeding 50 cc, and a maximum speed of 50 kilometres per hour (km/h), which is approximately equivalent to 31 miles per hour (mph). If first used before 1 August 1977, it must be equipped with pedals by which it can be propelled.

Minimum test vehicle requirements for motorcycles:

If your motorcycle is less than 75 cc it is not acceptable for the practical motorcycle test. If you pass your practical test on a motorcycle with automatic or semi-automatic transmission, this will be recorded on your licence. Your full licence entitlement will be restricted to motorcycles in this category.

A light motorcycle (category A1) is defined as a solo motorcycle between 75 and 125 cc, with a power output not exceeding 11 kilowatts (kW) (maximum 14.6 brake horse power (bhp)). Please see note 1.

A standard motorcycle (category A) is defined as a solo motorcycle between 121 and 125 cc, capable of exceeding 100 km/h (62.5 mph). Please note that the BMW C1 motorcycle is not a suitable machine for a practical test. Please see note 2.

Vehicles used for the accelerated access and direct access scheme can have an unspecified engine capacity of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp), with an unspecified speed. Please see note 3.

The minimum test vehicle requirements for a motorcycle and side-car are the same, as the solo machines, but categories A and A1 must not exceed a power to weight ratio of 0.16 kW/kg. Passengers are not allowed to ride in the sidecar during the test. Only candidates with certain disabilities can use a motorcycle and side-car combination for the test. The licence obtained as a result of this test will be restricted to this combination of vehicle.

Notes: A light motorcycle licence (category A1) will give you full licence entitlement to ride machines up to 125 cc with a power output of up to 11 kW.

A standard motorcycle licence (category A) will restrict you for a period of two years to riding machines with a power output not exceeding 25 kW and a power/weight ratio not exceeding 0.16 kW/kg. After the two year period you may ride any motorcycle.

If you are aged 21 or over you can take the test on a motorcycle with a power output of at least 35 kW (46.6 bhp). If successful you can then ride any motorcycle.

The practical motorcycle test is made up of lots of different elements, an eyesight test, vehicle safety questions, a test of driving ability, a test of specific manoeuvre and a question about riding with a passenger.

At the test centre you must present a valid certificate DL196 unless the test is being conducted on one of the exempted islands. A rider who is upgrading a full moped licence obtained by passing a two part test since December 1990 is exempt.

Vehicle safety check questions and eyesight test:

Before you actually start your practical riding test you will be asked to read a number plate to prove you can meet the eyesight requirements. You will also be asked two machine safety check questions before moving away.

The practical test:

After the usual pre-test preliminaries e.g. licence and identification check the examiner will help the candidate with the fitting of the radio and earpiece. While accompanying the candidate to the machine the examiner will explain how the test will be conducted and how the radio equipment works.

The law requires anyone riding a motorcycle, scooter or moped, with or without sidecar, to wear protective headgear securely fastened. The test cannot therefore be conducted unless the candidate is wearing properly secured protective headgear.

Note: An exemption to this requirement exists for followers of the Sikh religion if they are wearing a turban.

At the end of the driving test:

When the practical test is over, the examiner will tell you whether you passed or failed. You can request feedback on your test from the examiner, who will then go through your performance during the test.

If you pass…

If you pass and have a photocard driving licence issued after 1 March 2004, the examiner will ask you,if you want your full driving licence issued to you automatically. If you want to use this service, the examiner will take your old licence off you, scan the details and send them electronically to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will then be given a pass certificate to prove you passed your test. DVLA will then send you your new full licence by post within three weeks of you passing your practical test.

If you pass your test but do not want to use this automatic service, or have a licence issued before 1 March 2004, you will be given a pass certificate by the examiner. On the back of the pass certificate it tells you what you need to do next. This involves sending your licence to DVLA who will then check your application and issue you with a new full licence.

Once you pass your standard motorcycle test you are restricted to machines of 25 kW (33 bhp) with a power to weight ratio of 0.16 kW/kg for two years.

If you fail…

If you fail the test you should ask the examiner for some feedback to help prepare yourself for your next test. Your driving report form will also show you where you made any mistakes. You must wait 10 clear working days after your practical test before you can book another one.

Driving practical test vehicle requirement

Minimum test vehicle requirements for a car and trailer test

The minimum test vehicle standards for a car also apply to a car and trailer test, with additional requirements for the trailer. Vehicles that do not meet the minimum test vehicle requirements are not suitable for the purpose of taking a driving test, and your test may be cancelled with loss of fee.

Test vehicle requirements for a car practical test and car and trailer test Category B - cars and vans.

Cars or vans presented for test must be:

• A four wheeled vehicle of no more than 3500 kilograms (kg) maximum authorized mass (MAM)
• Capable of a speed of at least 100 kilometers per hour (km/h) or 62.5 miles per hour (mph)

The car or van must also be fitted with:

• A seatbelt for the examiner
• A passenger head restraint, this need not be adjustable but must be fitted as an integral part of the seat - 'slip on' type head restraints are not permitted
  
• An interior mirror for the examiner's use
• L-plates displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle but not interfering with the driver's or examiner's view
• A speedometer that measures speed in miles per hour and kilometers per hour

The vehicle must be legal and roadworthy and have no warning lights showing i.e. the airbag warning light.

Convertible vehicles

The Ford KA convertible and Mini convertible due to the lack of all-round vision for the examiner are not suitable vehicles for a Driving practical test vehicle requirement.

Category B1

A motor powered tricycle or quadricycle must have an unladen weight of not more than 550 kg and be capable of at least 60 km/h (37.25 mph).

Category B + E - car and trailer

Cars or vans presented for test must be a category B vehicle towing a suitably braked, unladen trailer of at least one tonne MAM . The examiner may ask for evidence of the trailer MAM, for example the manufacturer's plate. All vehicle combinations must operate on appropriate brakes and utilize a coupling arrangement suitable for the weight.

Please Note about Driving practical test vehicle requirement:

Irrespective of the date vehicles were first registered, from 1 April 2006 externally mounted, nearside and offside mirrors for use by the examiner or any person supervising the test must be fitted.


In the case of a category B+E vehicle first used on or after the 1 October 2003 the following additional standards will apply:


The cargo compartment of the trailer must consist of a closed box body which is at least as wide and as high as the towing vehicle; the closed box body may also be slightly less wide than the towing vehicle provided that the view to the rear is only possible by use of the external rear-view mirrors of the towing vehicle.

Source - Driving Standard Agency

Pass Plus course for learner drivers

As you pass your driving test you are permitted to drive on roads, but then also you are an inexperienced driver. As per the statistics roughly 20% new drivers are around 10 times more expected to be involved in an accident and unfortunately, two drivers under the age of 25 die each day in crashes in the UK.

Driving Standards Agency has designed a scheme which is called as Pass Plus. It is designed with coordination and cooperation of the driving instruction and motor insurance industries.

The main aim of this scheme is to gain a valuable knowledge to the drivers who are fresher, learn new skills and techniques, improve anticipation and alertness, learn how to diminish the danger of accidents and uphold a polite attitude on the road and also assist to build up existing skills.

Who can take part 

Pass Plus is a quite latest post driving examination course. It is an exceptional thought for giving driving knowledge to a qualified person who has passes driving test recently.

It has been observed that entirely new drivers are more often considerably more prone to mishaps, predominantly within the first couple of years of driving.

In this designed scheme which is designed by DSA is a final test that is modular and given you in 6 parts, which effects in creation of superior drivers who will respond promptly as well as more obviously to any sort of incident that they might come across while driving. In this way, together their aptitude and their self-confidence are improved, the effect being a less hazardous and more knowledgeable driver.

Purpose of the Pass Plus course

• To have a precise driving knowledge safe and sound.
• Get trained how to deal with a broad range of road and traffic situations, many of which you almost won't have come across before
• Upgrade on your existing skills and knowledge - it can take years to become a skilled driver. Instate Pass Plus helps you to get this by speeding up the learning procedure under the guidance of a professional instruction.
• Diminish your danger of being in a road crash - the training will help you to improve your consciousness and alertness on all kinds of hazards and help you in learning how to become an expert, sketch the hurdles and deal with them carefully.
• Pass Plus training also helps in boosting up your confidence whenever you feel nervous while driving on your own.

Pass Plus course overview

Pass Plus includes six practical modules that cover driving in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, in dark, in day light, on double carriageways and on motorways. Within the first 12 month of passing your test you can take this test.

It is in fact adapted for recently passed their driving test and require the knowledge prior to obtain by them. It has to explain that it is not only for those who have recently passed their driving test, but for those also who have passed earlier and wants further experience in the same field.

Candidates who are obtaining Pass Plus 'P plates' is displayed on their vehicle, and have a series of six modules of at least one hour each. These cover:

• introduction and town driving
• all-weather driving
• out of town driving and rural roads
• night driving
• dual carriageways
• motorway driving

As a sign of the effectiveness of the scheme, latest survey accepted out for the Driving Standards Agency showed that 93% of people who had taken Pass Plus felt more confident on the road, and 80% considered that their driving skills had enhanced as a result of taking the course.

Choosing driving instructor
 
Talk to your instructor about Pass Plus course after the completion of your driving test. In the beginning, an instructor with an excellent explanatory skill is provided to each student.

Each driving instructor has to provide one hour to all of these areas of motoring; yet, some inexperienced motorists will require additional lessons. The instructor must possess and ADI green badge and also be registered as DSA Pass Plus instructor, in order to teach the Pass Plus candidates.

Pass Plus course fee

You can reduce your car insurance premiums or get an additional no claims bonus with some insurance companies. Costing depends on the motoring organization and the actual amount of time spent on the candidate. Moreover, every part of the country has its own costing system. One supplementary financial concern in passing your Pass Plus is the cut down in your motoring insurance premium.

We have now secured further funding to enable us to keep the scheme running until April 2011, in order to make sure the scheme does not run out of funding again we have made some changes to the way the scheme will be run.

Towards the cost of Pass Plus the Cumbria Road Safety Partnership will be contributing £100.

Advantages of completing the Pass Plus-

After the completion of Pass Plus course you will be able to drive in town, in all weathers, on rural roads, at night, on dual carriageways and on motorways.

Pass Plus gives you an additional experience and reduces your car insurance premium/discount.

More than 1,000 successful candidates per month have enjoyed the profit of highly developed training and insurance discounts, since the scheme stated in February 1995.

Frequent driving scenarios and conditions are introduced to the new driver and this will surely improve his or her taken as a whole knowledge as well as skills.

DSA driving practical test show me tell me- Part 2

"Show me" type question is to demonstrate your knowledge about the asked question by the examiner. "Tell me" is verbal type of a question. Though answering incorrectly for 2-3 questions does not fail you in the driving practical exam, there will be 1 minor fault.

Throughout the driving practical test, your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. You can make up to 15 driving faults and still pass the test (16 or more results in failure). However, if you commit one serious or dangerous fault you will fail the test.

Part one of this article included few driving practical test show me tell me questions. Here are some of the other Show me tell me questions and answers which might help you for your practical test. Learn all the show me tell me questions and pass your driving test in first attempt.

1) Power Steering:
Q: Show me / explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey.

A: If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two checks can be made. With the wheel turned slightly, maintained while the engine is started, you notice a slight movement in the wheel as the system begins to operate. Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an instant indication the power steering is functioning ok.

2) Headlights and taillights :
Q: Show me how you would check that the headlights and tail lights are working.

A: Turn on ignition (if necessary), operate switch for lights, and walk round the vehicle.

3) Parking/handbrake:
Q : Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear.

A: Demonstrate by applying the handbrake and when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

4) Tyre tread depth:
Q: Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and their general condition is safe to use on the road.

A: No cuts or bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central 3/4 of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire circumference.

5) Direction indicators:
Q. Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working.

A. Apply indicators or hazard warning lights and check all indicators.

6) Horn:
Q. Show me how you would check that the horn is working (off road only).

A. Turn on ignition (if necessary). Operate horn.

Research undertaken by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) suggests that drivers who pass first time are the best prepared. Take your driving lessons with the best driving schools and learn all the aspect of driving as learner driver.

123driving.co.uk gives you the complete set of show me tell me safety questions and answers which could be asked in your practical driving test. These flash demos which depict the practical view of the questions. Just by looking at the flash demo, you can get to know the show me tell me answers and car parts which help you to learn the parts of car and their functionality as well as for your driving test.

DSA driving practical test show me tell me- Part 1

Once you have passed the driving theory test you can then apply to take your practical driving test. The driving part of your test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout the test your examiner will be looking for an overall safe standard of driving, including when you are carrying out the set exercises. Show me tell me questions are one of the part of your driving practical test.

These questions in the DSA practical test aim at checking your knowledge about the car safety and maintenance. In this "show me tell me"/"tell me show me" section, you are required to show the examiner how to check the brakes, fluid levels, lights, direction indicators etc. "Show me" type question is to demonstrate your knowledge about the asked question by the examiner. "Tell me" is verbal type of a question. Though answering incorrectly for 2-3 questions does not fail you in the driving practical exam, there will be 1 minor fault. 16 or more minor driving faults, or one serious or one dangerous fault will result in a test failure.

Below are some of the Show me tell me questions which may be asked in your practical exams :

1) Engine coolant:

Q : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine coolant level and tell me how you would check that the engine has the correct level.

A : Identify high / low level markings on header tank (where fitted) or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.



2) Engine oil:

Q : Open the bonnet, identify where you would check the engine oil level and tell me how you would check that the engine has sufficient oil.
A : Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe how you would check the oil level against the minimum / maximum markers.



3) Windscreen washer fluid:

Q: Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level.

A: Identify reservoir and check level. Check your car's manual to see how to do this.



4) Brake lights:

Q: Tell me how you would check that the brake lights are working on this car.
A: Operate brake pedal, make use of any reflections in windows, garage doors etc, or ask someone to help.



5) Brakes:
Q: Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey.
A: Brakes should not feel spongy or slack. Brakes should be tested as you set off. Vehicle should not pull to one side.




6) Tyre Pressures:
Q : Tell me where you would find the information for the recommended tyre pressures for this car and how tyre pressures should be checked.
A : Manufacturer’s guide, use a reliable pressure gauge, check and adjust pressures when tyres are cold, don’t forget spare tyre, remember to refit value caps.




All examiners are trained to carry out the test to the same standard, they do not have pass or fail quotas. So as long as you demonstrate the standard required you will pass your driving test.

Get the good driving instructor and learn all the rules and regulations required for your practical test with all the show me tell me questions and pass your driving test accordingly.

123driving.co.uk provides you with all the information of driving course and related driving activities. It also provides free driving lesson booking service for students looking for local driving instructors, ADI, schools within your local area.

Attempting driving practical test? First choose a right driving instructor

If you are a learner for driving any vehicle, being taught by a Professional driving instructor is highly important. Today many family members or friends helping a learner driver will say "I can teach driving lessons in the same way as the professional instructor does!!" But the fact is many professional drivers sometimes fail to do so as they have bad driving habits.

For example: a large number of drivers do not use the interior mirror while driving. Also they do not rotate hands positioned on the steering wheel correctly.

An expert driving instructor knows safe driving rules, and will teach you to drive safely. Always some learners are nervous while driving, so these experts should know how to handle these types of learners.

While choosing the driving instructor, don’t go for the cheapest option. Always give priority to those to whom you go by reference. Referred driving instructor is the best way to search the professional instructor. Always discuss with friends before you choose driving instructor.

During these lessons, the learner driver needs to remember what they have been taught by their driving instructor and should accordingly follow the same methods into practice. Compressing as many lessons as possible in a short period of time may not be good for all learners. If time and money allow, the learner should try to book in at least one lesson per week with a driving instructor and preferably two, for 1-2 hours per session.

When the driving instructor feels that the learner is ready for the full practical driving test, it is always good to perform a mock test. This will involve the driving instructor to act as the examiner and for the learner driver to take instruction and execute a number of procedures that will be given, such as turning the car in the road. This will give the learner a good example of what to expect on the actual test, so that he can be prepared as well as possible.

Finding the right driving school is important for succeeding in learning to drive and passing your practical driving test. It is important to find a suitable local driving instructor that makes you feel comfortable and confident while you are learning to drive.

123driving.co.uk provides you with all the information of driving course and related driving activities. It also provides free driving lesson booking service for students looking for local driving instructors, ADI, schools within your local area.

Reasons for failure in driving practical test

Most of the people fail driving test each year, though DSA publishes the reasons why learner drivers fail in practical theory test still many of us don’t pay much attention to it.

However, you can avoid this by taking enough driving lessons and practice from your driving instructor. You should always give the test when your instructor feels you are well prepared. Do not ever give the test, just to gain experience. Following are the areas where is more likely to fall short of the DSA standards.

• Reversing around a corner incorrectly.
• Problems with parking
• Driving too slowly
• Hesitation causing delay, usually by not pulling out promptly at junctions
• Not making effective observations and poor judgment when emerging out of side roads
• Failure to make effective use of mirrors
• Incorrect road position, usually on bends, and poor lane discipline on roundabouts
• Failure to move away correctly from stationary positions
• Poor steering control, such as when making left or right turns.

Motorcyclist Driving faults in practical test :

• Failure to perform a 'u' turn correctly;
• Inadequate control at slow speed;
• Incorrect or inadequate hand-signals.
• The list of faults highlighted above is by no means exhaustive.     

 You should, as indicated previously, study carefully the Rules of the Road and get as much practice as possible, in all types of traffic situations, in preparation for your driving test.