Changes To The Driving Test In October 2010 - Independent Driving

There will be two important changes to the UK driving test commencing on 4th October 2010:

1) a new section on independent driving,

2) a reduction in the number of reversing manoeuvres candidates will need to do
 
For more information about the changes to the driving test and how this will affect test candidates please see:
 
Driving Test October 2010 Changes

UK Road Signs Quiz - Prepare For Your Theory Test!

How well do YOU know your road signs?

How good are you at identifying road signs?

Can you tell the difference between the "ahead only" sign and the sign for "one-way traffic"? Do you get the signs for "no stopping" and "no waiting" mixed up? Even drivers with many years experience get confused by unfamiliar road signs!

When you take your Theory Test you'll be expected to be able to identify several UK traffic signs during the test and when you're driving, a thorough knowledge of traffic signs and road markings will make you a much safer driver!

Test your knowledge of UK road signs with this free 20 question traffic signs quiz:
Know Your Traffic Signs Quiz

Parallel Parking

1. Position the car more to the left (the left side kerb should be inline with your own point on the wiper) and ahead of the parking lot. *Remember to straighten the car (left side of the car parallel with the left kerb) and steering wheel.

2. Change to reverse gear, check rearview mirror and signal left.

3. Check safety on the right, front and look through the rear windscreen.

4. Look over your left shoulder through the left rear door window and reverse the car slowly.

5. Reverse the car slowly till it reaches your turning point, then turn the steering wheel one round to the left and continue to reverse.

*Note: the picture above is just a general guide and it might not reflect your turning point because everyone has their own turning point. 

*You can adjust the left side mirror to view whether your rear left wheel will hit the kerb or not at this point as the picture above and once you confirm the left side won't hit the kerb you can now shift your attention to the right side.

6. While reversing, look at your right side mirror - when you see the right side of your car reaches the black color kerb, turn the steering wheel one round to the right.

7. Adjust your right side mirror till you can see your rear right wheel and continue to reverse.

8. When the rear right wheel sits on the yellow line, turn the steering wheel full-lock to the right and continue to reverse slowly.

*Note: Turning the steering wheel before the rear left wheel sits on the yellow line will cause the front left wheel to hit the front kerb and also resulting in the car being parked outside the lot. Turning the steering wheel after the rear left wheel crosses the line will result in your rear left wheel hitting the left kerb or resulting in your car being park too near to the left kerb.

9. Reverse and stop before the rear wheel hits the kerb behind then change to D gear and using the forward motion to straighten the car and steering wheel.

10. Position the car in the center of the parking lot, engage gear to P and apply handbrake,  then raise your hand to let the tester know that you are done with the parking.

Moving out of the parking lot


1.  Select R and release the handbrake.

2.  Turn the steering wheel one round to the left while reversing slowly.

3. Stop before hitting the rear kerb.

4. Adjust back the side mirrors.

5. Change to D , check mirrors, signal right, check your blindspot, if safe, turn the steering wheel full-lock to the right very quickly while moving forward. (remember the car needs to move very slowly at this point and the steering wheel needs to be turn fast.)

6. When the left corner of the front windscreen is inline with the left kerb as the picture above, check blindspot again then turn the steering wheel to the left as the car moves forward.


*Do NOT turn the steering wheel faster then the car this time or the rear wheel will hit the left kerb, just turn the steering wheel to match the speed of the car as you move out*