Crystal School of Motoring will teach you how to pass The Practical Driving Test

The Practical Driving Test

When you go for your Practical Test you must take:-

An appropriately insured and licensed vehicle, displaying L-Plates, that’s suitable for the test ( i.e. The Crystal School of Motoring car).
Your Theory Test pass certificate.
Your appointment letter confirming your test time and date.
Both parts of your photocard licence, otherwise your test will not take place and you will lose your fee. If you have an old-style paper licence, you must take your signed driving licence and valid passport.

You should allow plenty of time, Graham will get you to the Test Centre about 15 minutes before your appointment time.

GRAHAM RECOMMENDS THAT YOU HAVE AN HOUR LESSON BEFORE YOUR TEST TO SETTLE YOU DOWN AND ENSURE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE IN THE CAR.

Before you do any driving you'll be asked to perform an eyesight check (see above) and then be asked some vehicle safety questions known as "Show Me, Tell Me" (see below). You'll then be tested on your general driving ability, including one slow speed manoeuvring exercise.

The Practical Driving Test will last about 40 minutes. Throughout your test the examiner will be looking for evidence that you have reached an overall safe standard of driving. There will be no surprises and the examiner will not try to catch you out, he or she will be looking at your general driving skills and your ability to carry out one of the four set manoeuvres. Reversing into a parking bay, parallel parking, turning the car in the road and reversing round a corner.

Your practical driving test will also include approximately ten minutes of independent driving. During this section you will have to drive independently by either following :-

Traffic signs

A series of directions

A combination of both

It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember every direction, or if you go the wrong way – that can happen to the most experienced drivers.

Independent driving is not a test of your orientation or navigational skills. Driving independently means making your own decisions – this includes deciding when it’s safe and appropriate to ask for confirmation about where you’re going.

You will have covered all these required skills during your course with Crystal School of Motoring and will have practiced all the manoeuvres many times.
You can make up to 15 minor driving faults and still pass the test, but 16 or more minor faults results in a fail. However, if you commit just one serious or dangerous fault, you will have failed to reach the required standard.

Show Me, Tell Me

Here are some examples of what the examiner might ask in the "Show Me, Tell Me" part of the test.

Engine Oil
EXAMINER: "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."
YOU: Identify dipstick / oil level indicator, describe check of oil level against the minimum/maximum markers.

Engine Coolant
EXAMINER: "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."
YOU: Identify high/low level markings on header tank where fitted or radiator filler cap, and describe how to top up to correct level.

Windscreen Washer
EXAMINER: "Identify where the windscreen washer reservoir is and tell me how you would check the windscreen washer level."
YOU: Identify reservoir and explain how to check level.

Brake Fluid
EXAMINER: "Open the bonnet, identify where the brake fluid reservoir is and tell me how you would check that you have a safe level of hydraulic brake fluid."
YOU: Identify reservoir, check level against high/low markings.

Power Steering
EXAMINER: "Explain and show me how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before starting a journey."
YOU: If the steering becomes heavy the system may not be working properly. Before starting a journey two simple checks can be made. Gentle pressure on the steering wheel, maintained while the engine is started, should result in a slight but noticeable movement as the system begins to operate.
Alternatively turning the steering wheel just after moving off will give an immediate indication that the power assistance is functioning.

Parking Brake
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check the parking brake for excessive wear."
YOU: Demonstrate by applying parking brake that when it is fully applied it secures itself, and is not at the end of the working travel.

Indicators
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the direction indicators are working."
YOU: Applying the indicators or hazard warning switch and check functioning of all indicators.

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

Brakes
EXAMINER: "Tell me how you would check that the brakes are working before starting a journey."
YOU: Carry out a slow speed rolling brake check. Ensure brakes feel "normal" not spongy or slack.

Headlights
EXAMINER: "Show me how you would check that the headlights & tail lights are working."
YOU: Operate switch (turn on ignition if necessary), walk round vehicle.

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

Tyre Condition
EXAMINER "Tell me how you would check the tyres to ensure that they have sufficient tread depth and that their general condition is safe to use on the road."
YOU: No cuts and bulges, 1.6mm of tread depth across the central ¾ of the breadth of the tyre and around the entire outer circumference.

This may seem a little daunting but you will cover all this in your course with
Crystal School of Motoring

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.

Top ten reasons why people fail their driving test:

Moving away safely - ineffective observation.
Incorrect positioning on the road - at roundabouts or on bends.
Lack of steering control - steering too early or leaving it too late.
Incorrect positioning to turn right - at junctions and in one way streets.
Inappropriate speed - travelling too slowly or being hesitant.

Observation at junctions - ineffective observation and judgement.
Reverse parking - ineffective observation or a lack of accuracy.
Use of mirrors - not checking or not acting on the information.
Reversing around a corner - ineffective observation or a lack of accuracy.
Incorrect use of signals - not cancelling or giving misleading signals.

To arrange your driving lessons, contact Graham
by telephone - 07969 225531 or e-mail by clicking here

Please mention that you’ve seen the Crystal School of Motoring website

Graham’s Driving Tip

It is illegal to use a hand held mobile phone whilst driving.