Top Myths about the UK Driving Test

 There are a lot of myths surrounding the UK driving test - probably it is a step into the unknown. Each phase of seventeen year olds tell their peers about the ups, and more importantly downs, of the big day. As these tales get repeated like chinese whispers, the stories get more and more twisted. Here I outline the main myths I hear as a driving instructor.

 ....... because they will have passed too many people by then.

This was probably dreamt up by someone who had failed on a Friday but didn't want to admit that it was their fault. It's much easier to blame someone else. No day has any more or less passes available for the examiners.

 A particular examiner may conduct 7 driving tests per day, 5 days per week, 50 weeks a year. Do the maths.

Now compare that to the number of friends who failed their test. It's hardly a great proportion is it? Surely, it's more likely that they deserved to fail and they just happened to get the same examiner on the day.

 ......to make sure the examiner sees you doing it.

Going back to the number of driving test they conduct, examiners are pretty good at seeing which candidates use their mirrors, and which don't. Staring stupidly at the mirrors is not the same as glancing at the view in the mirrors and making effective observations. Too many people look AT the mirrors but don't notice what's actually going on behind them. They will soon know if you have noticed that motorcyclist approaching from behind.

 Similar to the Friday myth above, this presumes that examiners have targets to meet or stick to. Also known as 'he passed the 3 before me, so I had to fail', it does not take into account the fact that examiners want you to be good enough to pass. There are no quotas - if you are good enough on the day, you will pass. If not, you fail. Simple!

 Sorry to tell you but you will normally complete the route that you set out on - you will just come back a bit later than usual.

If you want to pass your test, rather than worry about crazy myths, your best course of action would be to find a reputable driving school, with fully qualified driving instructors, who can help you pass your driving test.