Incorrectly observing at a junction, and the other mistakes that will cost you your driving test.

• With a backlog of over 400,000 driving tests, centres are working overtime to accommodate all the missed tests.
• Lease Car UK, release their tips and tricks on how to avoid committing the most bcommon mistakes during your driving test.

With just 26% of tests being completed in the last year, there is a serious backlog of 420,000driving tests to get through with most centres booked up until the end of August.

The pandemic has caused disruption for many people learning to drive, with lessons and tests cancelled across the UK. On average, there are 1,632,000 driving tests conducted in the UK each year, however, between April 2020 and December 2020, only 436,044 tests were carried out.

There is now the smallest amount of 16–25-year-old driving licence holders in the last 8 years, some 2.97 million people in Britaindown from 3.32 million people in March 2020.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said it was doing “all we can to provide as many tests as possible to help clear the backlog as quickly as we can”.

They are offering more tests and examiners, including at weekends and on bank holidays, “so as many learners can take a test with all necessary safety measures in place.”

Tim Alcock, from Lease Car UK said, “The pandemic has not just added pressure onto driving schools to ensure they fit everyone in, but learners have suffered from lack of consistency in their learning. I would not be surprised if in a year we look back at 2021 as a year with a significantly lower pass rate simply due to the lack of stability with teaching”

He believes that continuing to practise as much as possible it the key to easing pressure and worries about upcoming tests if there has been a break between lessons and examinations.

“Getting out and practising in a clearly marked learner car with a qualified drive is one of the most effective ways to stay on top of your driving. However, it is important that you don’t pick up any bad habits that long term drivers may have,”

To help learners begin their tests confidently, Lease Car UK have accumulated the most common reasons people fail their tests and how to avoid them.

The report states that for the last 15 years, the most common reason for failing a driving test have been incorrectly observing while at a junction, according to the DVSA.

Judging junctions

For last 15 years, the most common reason for failing a driving test have been incorrectly observing while at a junction, according to the DVSA.

From roundabouts to T junctions, there are many different types of junctions, yet the general rules apply to all when approaching. Drivers should use their signals to get into junction designated lanes in plenty of time and drop into a lower gear before slowing down into a complete stop.

Turning right at a junction often catches many learners out, by using their indicators and positioning themselves so that the vehicle is just to the left of the middle of the road, or the space marked for right-turning traffic. If possible, they should also leave room for other vehicles to pass on the left so that no traffic is held up.

Mirror, mirror

Frequently checking mirrors is essential for learners while conducting their tests to ensure they are aware of what is behind and to the side of their vehicle. Learners should ensure that they are the rear-view mirror and both wing mirrors every time when turning left or right, change lanes or overtake another vehicle or a cyclist, making sure to check them both before and after.

On the move

Manoeuvring from stationary into a moving position safely is imperative to driving and examiners will expect learners to know that is needed before they put their foot on the accelerator.

Using mirrors to check blind spots and signalling is imperative being gently pressing foot on the accelerator and steering carefully into the road and releasing the clutch slowly.

Reading the signs

Ignoring just one traffic sign could cost a learner their entire test. Some of the most common sign-related mistakes include exceeding the proposed speed limit, turning into roads that are marked as ‘No Entry’ and ignoring signs that indicate priority for oncoming traffic, such as ‘Give Way’ signs.