‘That’s how learners trip up’ – driving instructor reveals 5 tips to pass first time including ’roundabout timing’ trick

A DRIVING instructor has shared five top tips to help learners pass first time, including a “roundabout timing” trick.

James Southall, who’s teamed up with car finance specialists Zuto, answered some of the most common questions about the test, including which errors can cause a fail and how where you take the test could impact the result.

To provide context for his advice, James revealed the most common mistakes he sees when he’s helping pupils prepare.

He said: “Recent official stats have listed the most common reasons for failing practical driving tests, from not using mirrors correctly when changing direction to not having proper control of the steering.

“Personally, when attending driving tests, I often see learner drivers trip up when it comes to traffic signs and road markings. 

“Usually, this is down to the nerves of the learner or heightened concentration on other things around them – such as pedestrians and other vehicles – meaning they become too distracted to spot important road signs and lane markings.”

He then shared five key recommendations on how to address these problems.

First of all, he urged learners to use road markings as a guide and keep their eyes on the road when safe to do so.

It is important to be aware of your surroundings and fellow road users, but don’t let them become a distraction.

As long as you drive according to the rules of the road and keep an eye out for any dangers you should be fine.

Secondly, James said it was vital to make the movement of checking your mirrors as obvious as possible to your examiner.

Failing to check your mirrors when changing lanes or moving off is a major fault and will cause you to fail your test outright.

Likewise, it’s vital to obviously check your blind spot over your shoulder or through a blind spot mirror, which some cars have now, before pulling out.

Next, James reassured learners not to sweat the small stuff too much.

He said: “In most cases, it is okay to make a few small mistakes – in fact, it is expected.

“Remember that you can have up to 15 minor errors before it becomes a fail.

“For example, if they repeatedly signal late or too early, or driving too slowly in most speed limits.”

However, it’s vital to remember that any normally minor fault that forces another motorist to adjust their driving behaviour or take evasive action will be upgraded to a major.

James explained: “If a small mistake affects other road users, then this upgrades it straight away to a major fault.

“As an example, if you roll back on a hill start with no car behind you, small fault.

“If you roll back when a car is behind you, this is a major fault.”

Finally, the driving whizz shared a handy roundabout trick, as he often sees learners in a rush to pull out and knab a gap.

He begged motorists to only enter a roundabout when they are “100% sure” it is clear and be patient if it’s not.

He added: “If in doubt, wait a few seconds then go.”

It comes after another instructor became the first in the UK to teach pothole avoidance amid fury over Britain’s crumbling roads.