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

Driving Test Tips - How To Do The Manoeuvres!

During your driving test, the examiner will ask you to perform two set manoeuvres in addition to general driving.

There are four possible manoeuvres and the examiner will pick two of these for you to carry out. All of the manoeuvres involve you demonstrating that you can reverse your car accurately, safely, under control and with consideration for other road users.

The four manoeuvres are;

Turn In The Road
Reverse Around A Corner
Reverse Parking Into A Marked Bay
Parallel Parking

In addition, one in three test candidiates will also be asked to carry out an Emergency Stop which although it is not a reversing manoeuvre, requires you to stop your vehicle quickly, safely and under control.

For detailed information about how to correctly carry out each of the manoeuvres and the Emergency Stop exercise, please see;

Driving Test Manoeuvres

Reversing Around A Corner - Tips For Your Driving Test!

Reversing round a corner is one of the manoeuvres the examiner may ask you to do on your driving test.

This usually involves turning the car around by reversing into a side road on your left.

The reverse round a corner seems to be the manoeuvre that many learners find most daunting, but once mastered, it's pretty straightforward - the secret is knowing how to reverse around a corner properly followed by plenty of practice!

I've written a guide on how to reverse around a corner complete with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials.

For more information, please see; How To Reverse Around A Corner

Parallel Parking Tips

Parallel parking (sometimes referred to as "reverse parking") is one of the reversing manoeuvres you may be asked to carry out on your Practical Driving Test. It involves parking the car behind another car or between two vehicles, close to and parallel to the kerb.

Knowing how to parallel park properly is a skill that will also come in very useful after you pass your test too as it will enable you to quickly and easily park outside shops and in tricky car park spaces!

I've written a guide on how to parallel park complete with step by step instructions and video tutorials.

For more details, please see: How To Parallel Park

Bay Parking - How To Reverse Into A Parking Bay On Your Driving Test

Reversing into a marked parking bay (often referred to as "bay park" or "bay parking") is one of the manoeuvres you may be asked to do on your driving test.

The aim of the bay park manoeuvre is for you to show the examiner that you can reverse the car smoothly and accurately into a restricted space - if you can get this right, this is not only useful in getting you through your driving test but will come in very handy after you pass your test! Lots of people struggle to reverse properly into parking spaces and you can feel very smug if you know how to do it right first time :)

I've written a guide on how to bay park properly, complete with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials - see How To Bay Park for full details!

How To Do A Turn In The Road - "3 Point Turn"

The turn in the road is one of the manoeuvres that your driving examiner may ask you to demonstrate during your driving test.

It's often referred to as a "three point" turn but this is misleading as you aren't restricted to doing this maneouvre in only 3 turns!

The aim of the turn in the road is to turn the car round to face the other way using forward and reverse gears in a limited space (i.e. the width of the road). You need to show that not only can you do this, but that you are also in full and safe control of the vehicle throughout the manoeuvre and that you show awareness and consideration for other road users.

I have written a detailed guide to how to do a perfect turn in the road, complete with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials.

Please see How To Do A Turn In The Road for more information!